(update to the situation here)
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The Parks/Recreation building in our town doesn't have a handicap parking space OR a handicap entrance. To get in you have to go up a flight of stairs. Actually, around in the back, there is a ramp to the back door, but the back door is locked with a keypad lock and a sign that says "Employees Only. Please Use Front Entrance."
Before Gee was born, I'm sure I wouldn't have noticed. But a few weeks ago we had to get some forms and sign a liability waiver to sign up for swimming lessons. I had all the kids with me, naturally, because the Parks/Recreation Office is only open when Bradley is at work.
(Taking all four kids anywhere is a production, but it is one that has gotten a lot easier since Gee has become so proficient with his walker. Now I only have to carry Hebs, and although I have to walk slow so Gee can keep up, it's easier on my arms. Plus, I can actually keep track of the older two kids when I'm not preoccupied with holding both younger boys.)
Although there was no reserved handicap space, this was only a minor annoyance. (There actually is a curb cutout (sloped sidewalk) in the back parking lot, but a very large truck was parked there and blocked the entire cut.) I got everyone out of the car, shooed them all toward the back door, the one with the ramp. I reasoned that because there were only stairs in the front, then they must have put the handicapped entrance in the back. No big deal, right? Except I got everyone up there and discovered the locked door with the "Employees Only" sign.
So I had to pick Gee up (remember I'm already holding Hebs), pick up his walker, and convince the older kids to follow me carefully around to the front. We had to walk across the grass and into the front parking lot to get there. By the time we all got in the office I was red-faced, sweating, about ready to drop my babies, and trying not to be frustrated.
I was enough frustrated to not trust myself to say anything to the office staff right then, beyond, "So, you don't have a handicapped entrance?" The receptionist looked at me blankly (she couldn't see over the counter to see Gee zooming around on the floor with his walker), and said, "Um...no." When she did see Gee, and we were done, she let us go through the office hallway to the back door to get to the car. Which was great, and kind of her.
I probably don't have to go back to that office for another year, and by then maybe Gee will be proficient on his crutches, and he won't need a ramp. But I wonder if that's not the point. The fact is, if you are in a wheelchair you can't get to the Parks/Recreation offices at all, not unless you bang on the back door and hope someone comes to let you in.
The problem could be solved by installing an intercom at the back door with a sign that says, "Handicapped entrance only. Please use intercom to have staff open door" or something similiar. Then they could keep the back door locked, but still allow handicapped individuals entrance. But should I say something to the city? I don't want to come across as an overzealous mother or someone looking to be offended, but the situation bothers me a little.
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I totally think you should say something. As a mother of a handicapped child, you have the right to. It's rude of them not to have a handicapped entrance. Who knows who will need it in the future? I understand not wanting to come off as overzealous, but I still think you should say something. You don't have be angry about it, unless of course, they completely ignore you. I bet if only takes one comment, though, to the right person to get the ball rolling.
ReplyDeleteI think you should say something also. I don't think it is just rude but also illegal. I would think it would not take all that much time or money to get the bell installed in the back. I'm with Telima, as the mother of a handicapped child you have the right to bring this up. It was probably not something very many people have thought about.
ReplyDeleteyou should absolutely say something. the americans with disabilities act (ada) was established for this very reason. on the ada website, they have a code of federal regulations that you can read here
ReplyDeleteSay something. And keep saying something until the situation changes. Like you said, it couldn't be that hard!
ReplyDeleteOkay. This is what I wrote to the city:
ReplyDelete"While visiting the Parks and Recreation building earlier this month, I noticed that there is no handicapped-accessible entrance into the building. Although there is a ramp in the back, there is no way to get in through the back door without the keycode, and the back door is clearly marked "Employees Only". There also doesn't seem to be any handicap parking spaces.
An easy solution to this problem would be to put an intercom or bell at the back door with a sign that says something like "Handicapped entrance only. Please use intercom to have staff open door". Then the office could keep the back door locked, but it could still be handicapped-accessible."
I'll let you know what happens!