Whitney's Accessible Date

Since I don't know anyone with a disability, I tried to envision life through the eyes of a person with a wheelchair. 

Restaurant:

For my date, we chose to go enjoy some delicious Mexican food at Las Palmas,.

Accessibility: Las Palmas turned out to be very accessible. There were handicapped parking spots right in front of the restaurant and a wheelchair ramp to get onto the sidewalk. When we walked up to the door, there was an employee standing there and opened the door for us. The outside of the building was accessible, but was the inside? There was not a very wide space to walk through to get to your designated table. It would not be enough room to put a wheelchair. There were tables that were wheelchair accessible, but the booths outnumbered the tables by a lot. 

 

Privacy: There is not much privacy because the booths and tables are so close together. We were able to hear the conversations at the table next to our own. 

 

Meaning: Mexican culture was very prevalent at Las Palmas. There were pictures on the walls portraying Mexican Culture, there was a sombrero displayed, the music was in Spanish, and the colors of the Spanish flag were displayed throughout.

 

Adaptability: The tables could be easily moved around to accommodate a wheelchair, but the booths could not.

Crowding: Las Palmas was not very crowded. There was enough space to not feel cramped.

Control: Guests do not have much control over the space they take up because a hostess seats you. We didn't get to choose our seats, but we did get to choose what we wanted to eat. We had control over choosing what we wanted for dinner based on what they offered on the menu. 

 

Sociality: One way in which Las Palmas encourages social interaction is the fact that you are seated facing the person you are with. This makes conversation much easier. There were also many group tables for social gatherings. One way in which social interaction was prohibited was that the music was a little loud and I felt like I had to talk over the music to my date.

Sensory Stimulation: The was music, the walls were colorful and decorated, there were plants, pictures to look at, and the smell of the Mexican food was overpowering.

 

Entertainment:

It was such a beautiful day outside, so we decided to go to the park after dinner. We took my dog to let him run around and get some exercise.

Accessibility: There were handicapped parking spots in the front of the park and a ramp to get onto the sidewalk just like at Las Palmas. The water fountain at the front of the park was at a low enough height for a person in a wheelchair to reach.There is a paved pathway through the entire park so the wheelchair never has to get on grass or dirt. Unfortunately, the pathway stops at the actual dog park area. The ground has wood chips everywhere which might make it difficult for a wheelchair to go on. 

 

Privacy: There are some aspects of privacy at the dog park. There are benches and a gazebo at opposites ends of the usual gathering area so that people can go sit away from the crowd. The benches under the shade are normally where people choose to sit. There isn't much privacy at these benches. 

 

Meaning: The park is a visually beautiful place. There are hills and beautiful trees with colorful leaves. It is well-maintained. The dog park has its own culture. There are a group of regulars that come every week and even the dogs are friends with each other. It is like a family at the dog park. 

 

Adaptability: The park is not adaptable at all. Nothing can be moved around or changed to accommodate anyone.

Crowding: The dog park is usually not very crowded. It is a big, open space making room for many people to enjoy it. Even when there are a lot of people there at once, it still doesn't feel crowded. There is plenty of space for the dogs to run around and play.

Control: The dog park is not very territorial. The benches are all first come, first serve. If you move from your seat, someone is likely to take your spot. Some people used their dogs' leashes as seat savers.

Sociality: The dog park is a very sociable place. Everyone there has a common interest in dogs. Everyone seemed to gather in one area in order to socialize.

Sensory stimulation: There are beautiful trees to look at and the weather was beautiful (not too hot, and not too cold).

(As you can see, my dog Mikko likes to be in every picture!)

Privacy:

Next, we chose to go back to my apartment.

Accessibility: There is a handicapped parking spot right in front of my apartment and a wheelchair ramp to get onto the sidewalk. I am on the first floor, making it very easy to get a wheelchair into my apartment. There in enough space to get a person in a wheelchair into the door of my apartment ad through the hallway. The kitchen isn't very accessible because there is little space and there is a gate blocking off the kitchen (to keep my dogs out). 

 

Privacy: There is not much privacy in my apartment because I have a roommate. There are separate bedrooms in order to have some privacy.

Meaning: There are cultural decorations throughout the apartment. There are Buddha heads hanging on the wall and a picture of Tokyo in the kitchen. There is art all over the walls and the walls are painted different colors. 

 

Adaptability: The chairs in the dining room can be moved to make more room, the ottoman can be moved around, and the couches can be moved around if necessary. It is very difficult to move the dog gate from the kitchen. 

 

Crowding: The apartment is not very crowded. There is enough space for everyone to move about freely. There isn't an excessive amount of furniture.

Control: My apartment is not very territorial. Similar to the park, the couches are first come, first serve between the roommates.

Sociality: My apartment encourages social interaction because there is only one common area (living room) forcing people to hang out in the same room. It is an inhibiting environment for social interaction also. The tv is the focus of the room which causes people to be less focused on each other, and more concerned with what show is on. 

 

Sensory Stimulation: My apartment is visually stimulating because it is colorful and has pictures everywhere. There are plants to look at and smell and there are two dogs to pet and play with.