Accessibility Assignment
On a beautiful Sunday my husband, David, and I decide to go
for a day date after running some errands. We were both in the mood to check out a patio because the
weather was so lovely and wanted to check out the view at a local restaurant,
Six Feet Under in Midtown, Atlanta.
After lunch, we wanted to see a new movie and then wind down back at our
apartment for some alone time. We utilized eight key concepts of the physical
environment as outlined in our text (Hutchinson, p. 214) to evaluate our
environments as a person with a mobility disability.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, there are immediately some
challenges facing us in order to score a spot on the coveted patio. Let’s see
what happened…
Six Feet Under
Accessibility
There was a parking spot that was designated for a person
with a disability. However, the ramp that lead up to the restaurant was blocked
by the valet. Since we were
blocked from entering, we decided to follow the street to enter at the front of
the restaurant. When we
got there, we faced another block.
This time it was motorcycles that decided to park along the sidewalk.
Once we finally did enter, thanks to my husband opening the door, the seating
area was cramped with little room to move around. We asked if there were any tables available up on the patio
and there were. Score! We asked
where the wheelchair accessible entrance was to which the hostess replied,
there wasn’t one. Hmm. That’s disappointing. I then asked how would someone with a mobility disability
get to enjoy the view upstairs.
She said that she has seen the people in their party carry them up the
stairs or she has even seen servers carry them up the stairs. I pondered this thought, thanks but no thanks. I’m too worried about coming back down
after my husband has had a couple beers.
Needless to say, we were not impressed with the accessibility of the
restaurant.
Activity
The activity of the restaurant was very busy with a lot of
action going on. Servers were
constantly back and forth on the floor carrying lots of stuff that I’m afraid
is going to fall at any moment. There was a wait to get a table that was
wheelchair accessible.
Adaptability
The restaurant was a mix of high-tops, booths, and standard
tables. All the tables in the middle were able to have chairs moved and
reorganized to be wheelchair accessible.
It would have been nice to see some corner spots or areas that were a
little more private with the same adaptability.
Comfort
There was some discomfort associated with this dining
experience. The fact that we could
not access the patio, which was the main reason we went there, was
disappointing. Then the fact that
we had to sit in the middle with people constantly brushing by us was not that
enjoyable either.
Privacy
Sitting at a middle table on display for everyone did not
give us privacy.
Our next stop was the movies at the AMC at Phipps Plaza.
Accessibility
Overall, I felt the theater was pretty accessible. There were automatic doors leading into
the theater, elevators, and ramps.
Since we were late, it was kind of annoying having to ride the elevator
down two floors before going up to our level. Once we made it into our theater, there were only two spots
for wheelchairs which I thought was disappointing. What if there were three people with a mobility disability
that wanted to see the same movie at the same time?
Control
There was a sense of control for those spaces that were
designated for wheelchairs.
Crowding
At the time we went there weren’t many people at the movies.
Everyone was still outside.
However, as I stated above, if there had been more than two people that
needed to access those designated spots it could have been troublesome.
Sociality
The theater would facilitate sociality between two people if
there wasn’t someone already in the designated wheelchair area. If there were a group of more than two,
it would inhibit the sociality because not everyone could sit in close
proximity.
Time to go home!
Accessibility
Unfortunately, after reviewing the key concepts, our
apartment is not accessible. There
are steps leading up to our door with no ramp access. Our living room is “sunken” meaning there are two steps
leading down and our dining table is at high-top. Not very wheelchair friendly. This experience was very eye opening and has allowed me to
look at our environment in a completely new light. Now I don’t just see what is in place to make an environment
accessible, I now see what is not in place to make an environment accessible.
Amanda Dulock
Human Socialization
March 22, 2012
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