Milkshakes, movies, and wrestling!

Kimberlee Dix

TR 5:00

            For my accessible date, I decided to plan a relaxing day with a family friend, Pam, and her teenage son, Jonathan. Jonathan was born with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that hinders the use of his legs and arms, but has no affect on his brain functions. [He cannot get into the restroom on his own, so the assistance of his mother would be needed to lift him when necessary.]

            First, we would start the day with a meal at Sonic, one of Jonathan’s favorite places to eat. Then, we’d go see “Hotel Transylvania” at the local movie theater. After the movie, we’d go back to their home to watch WWE, Jonathan’s greatest obsession.

ACCESSIBILITY: Sonic is a drive-in style restaurant, which makes it easy for any vehicle, even Pam’s wheelchair-accessible van. If we were to try to get Jonathan’s wheelchair out and into the small provided seating area, we would have had some difficulty, depending on how busy it was at the time. The space in between vehicles is not enough to place a decent sized wheelchair and get a fully-grown teenage boy out of the car into it, let alone get it onto the elevated pavement of the seating area. It would be much simpler to remain in the car, which is mainly the appeal to such a restaurant anyways.

The local theater has a very less than five handicapped parking spaces, however the parking lot is large enough to alleviate the traffic away from those spaces that are available. The lobby is large and open, with a kiosk near the front to purchase your tickets, and each individual theater has a wide ramp to allow his wheelchair to get smoothly in and out. Unfortunately, the accessible seating is located right near the railings that most people put their feet on, which can become a definite nuisance.

Once at home, Jonathan uses crutches to move about to promote the movement of his muscles when able. All of the doorways are wide enough to allow for proper movement. Their restroom is a bit small and makes it slightly difficult for Pam to move him in and out.

COMFORT: Eating a meal in your car is not normally seen as comfortable, but since it is only usually done at a place like Sonic, it almost becomes a special occasion. The waiters are on skates and there is music playing on a loud speaker, and that allows us to feel like we aren’t just eating in our car, but being entertained as well.

The closeness of the accessible seats can be seen as uncomfortable for those who prefer to sit at the top, but it nothing that keeps the movie from being interesting.

Pam’s home is the most comfortable for Jonathan’s movement and daily activities, with the exception to the smaller bathroom.

CONTROL: There is little to no control in any of the public venues, especially with the seating. Their home, however, can be personalized as much as they please.

CROWDING: The crowding at Sonic could mean the difference between staying in the car and sitting in the seating area. The movie theater only provides enough space 2 wheelchairs, so if they are already taken, we would have to move to the open floor and that would be highly uncomfortable. Their home is unlikely to be crowded, however only Jonathan can move down the hallway at once.

LEGIBILITY: Them menus are quite busy and difficult to read for anyone. The bright colors may be inviting, but the font is so small that from inside you car, the passengers cannot possibly read it.

PRIVACY: The privacy inside your own vehicle is nice at Sonic; you can have a conversation with those you’re eating with without having a waiter come up to you to interrupt your conversation very often. Movie theaters are normally private with the darkness. Sitting close to the walking area eliminates a little bit of that though. Our homes are the most private place we normally think of, so that would be the best place to feel control within your group.

SENSORY STIMULATION: There are many modes of stimulation at Sonic, with a lot of vibrant colors, music playing over an intercom system, and waitresses on roller skates delivering your food on a tray to your car. It can be a bit overwhelming, but it is part of the 1950’s nostalgic theme. The movie theater provides the most stimulation, with hearing, seeing, practically feeling as if you are part of the scenes you are watching.

SOCIALITY: While eating in you car promotes interaction with those inside of it with you, you are unable to socialize with those around you, except for over-hearing their orders being shouted into the speakers. Movie theaters aren’t conducive of conversation either; rather it promotes individual viewing and experience of the film. At home, however, you are free to talk and interact with one another as much as you’d like, but still only with those you invite in.