Member-only story
Places that Are Supposed to Be Accessible But Aren’t
Many places claim that they are accessible to people with physical disabilities, but are they really?
After years of working with and in the disability community, I am more aware of accessibility issues. I have attended events that were supposed to be accessible but had some of the problems I listed above. I worked for a short time as a personal support worker in an apartment complex that was supposed to have been designed for people using wheelchairs.
Wheelchairs barely fit in the narrow hallways and doorways to the bedrooms and washrooms. The bathrooms were at an awkward angle so it was hard to avoid hitting the walls. Trips to the store or places of worship could also be very challenging.
Many venues claim to be accessible but are not. Challenges exist such as:
- Ramps at dangerous inclines
- Heavy doors, some of which need to be pulled forward
- Tiny, low toilets
- A lack of assistive equipment such as handles on washroom doors or equipment in the wrong places
- Narrow entryways, hallways, and doorways
- Uneven pavement or floors, inadequate curb cuts
- Poorly designed parking lots with significant barriers
