Accessibility Assignment- Comfort S.

I was not able to go on a date with someone who was disabled so I had to improvise. I asked my friend who recently got out of an arm cast to act as an amputee as we went out to dinner.  For our date, we went to dinner at Applebee’s then to my apartment to watch a movie and smoke hookah. Since he did not have the cast anymore, I tied his right hand behind him and he had to go through the whole date only using his one accessible arm (his left arm). It was very interesting.

Accessibility – We went to dinner around 10:00pm on a Sunday night so it was not crowded. I noticed that the restaurant did have close handicap parking, which was good for people. When we walked up to the restaurant he opened the door for me and tried to keep it open as he walked through but the door ended up hitting him as he walked into the restaurant. The lights where dimmed and there was music playing but it wasn't as loud as it usually is. It wasn't crowded so we were seated right away which was nice.

Activity- There was minimal activity at both the restaurant and my house. Out of the two places, I think there was more activity in the restaurant because even though we got there late, there where still some customers there. The waiter sat us towards the bar since it was late and there where only a few people there. I know Applebee’s usually has a decent crowd after 10 because of their half off appetizers but I’m guessing it was slow because we went on a Sunday. They had some upbeat music playing and about three or four flat screens so we had some entertainment even though we just sat and talked. It was a very relaxing environment overall. When we got to my house he tried to make the hookah using his one accessible hand but he almost broke it so I had to help him

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Adaptability- Apple bees has wheelchair ramps outside and inside towards the bathroom. I noticed that in order for someone that is wheelchair bound or needs the ramp would have to go all the way around the restaurant to get to the ramp if they wanted to get to the bar which was in the pit of the restaurant. At dinner, we were seated at a booth so it was a little bit convenient for him since he did not have to pull any chairs. We went ahead and ordered or food and when they brought it out he realized that he had to use his left arm to eat even though he was right handed. At first he found it hard to eat with his left hand but by the end of the date he seemed comfortable with it.

Crowding – As I mentioned previously, the restaurant was obviously more crowded than my apartment. When we got there were roughly 20 people, including the staff. If we would have gone there on a different day I’m pretty sure the It would have been more crowded. I have been to apple bees a couple times for the ½ off appetizers and the wait time is usually 20 or more minutes just to be seated.

Sensory Stimulation- There was a lot of sensory stimulation but the fact that the lights where dimmed it felt more like an intimate setting.  I think because the restaurant was pretty much empty it added to the intimate setting. There where murals of local schools and pictures of community events on some of the walls which were nice to look at. There were about 3 or 4 TV’s in the bar area but I I’m not a big baseball fan so I didn't really watch them.  

Socialization – At dinner, the only real social interaction we had was with each other and our waiter. When we got to my apartment we didn't really talk much since we were watching a movie and smoking hookah.

Comfort – Overall it was a very comfortable date. Since we already knew each other we were very comfortable even though it was an intimate setting. The most uncomfortable part would have to be when he was trying to make the hookah and he kept messing up so I had to step in. after that obstacle we just relaxed on the couch and watched the movie until I dosed off.     

Privacy- There was more privacy in my apartment since it was just us two.  Even though the restaurant was not crowded, there was still no real privacy. Our waiter kept checking on us every now and again and he made sure he did not stray far away just in case we needed something.

Overall, I learned a lot from my date. I used to find myself feeling sorry for disable people, and this date made me realize that by feeling sorry for a disabled person I’m almost dehumanizing them. I think this was a good assignment for me. I’m used to going out with able bodied people so I had to realize that even though they have to try a little harder to get things done, they still get the same satisfaction when they can do it alone.  I untied my friends hand once we had put the movie in and he proceeded to tell me how hard it was in the beginning but it got easier once he realized that he adjusted himself. Overall I had a great experience and I learned so much.