I
was not able to go on a date with someone who was disabled so I had to imagine
what it would be like when I went on a date with my boyfriend. For our date, we
went to Chili’s for dinner and a then to a comedy show in Roswell following
dinner. I do know some people who are physically disabled so I tried to imagine
what the date would be like from their point of view.
Accessibility – When we went to dinner, it was around 6:00pm and
it was more crowded than I had thought it would have been. The restaurant did
have a ramp and close handicap parking, which was good for people using
wheelchairs. When we walked into the restaurant, it was pretty crowded and
there were many people standing and waiting. It would have been more helpful
for the restaurant to have a bigger waiting area given that it gets pretty
crowded in the evenings. Also, there wasn’t a good place to wait if you were in
a wheelchair which limited accessibility. When we went to the comedy show, the
venue was a bit more accessible. There was valet parking and a ramp to get into
the venue and which would make it more
accessible for people with disabilities. However, once we got in the area in
which we were seated was not very well lit so it could be harder for someone to
find their way around.
Activity- Out of the two places, I think there was more
activity going on in the restaurant than at the comedy show. The restaurant was
more crowded and there were more people in a small space than at the comedy
show. At the show, people trickled in over the course of the evening so it
never felt very crowded and we had our own table so I think that also helped.
Adaptability- At dinner, the tables and chairs could be moved
around to accommodate people who use wheel chairs. Although Chili’s was
adaptable I think the comedy show was even more adaptable. You could have
reserved a table prior to coming or there were seats available throughout the
venue, you also had the option of sitting at the bar as well. At the tables,
there was plenty of room and you could move the seats around to best
accommodate your group.
Crowding – As I mentioned previously, the restaurant was
more crowded than the comedy show. After the show was over however, the venue
turns into sort of a night club where people can dance and get drinks and food.
After the show was over, it got more crowded but you could still move around
very easily.
Sensory
Stimulation- At dinner,
once seated there was not much sensory stimulation; I think this is because we
were sitting in the back of the restaurant so we were pretty much to ourselves.
At the comedy show, the lights were a bit low so there was not much visual
stimulation other than the performers on stage however, the volume of the
microphone could have been lower.
Sociality – At dinner, the only real social interaction we
had was with each other and our waiter, but the comedy show promoted more
social interaction. We got there early and go seated and we were able to speak
with the people who were around us. During the show, one of the comedians sort
of picked on people in the audience, one of which happened to be my boyfriend,
which was funny. After the show, the venue turns into a night club and people
become more social because you are able to move more freely throughout the
venue which helps you socialize.
Meaning – I think it is a part of American culture to go
out to eat either on a date of with a group of friends. For me, I really like
going out to eat to different places, tasting different foods and people
watching so I think that both parts of our date were fun and offered good
experiences. I personally do not know anyone who does not enjoy laughing so I
think the comedy show was a good way to relax and have a good time.
Privacy- There really was no real privacy throughout our
date. From a disabled person’s perspective, it would be hard to get any privacy
because my apartment is up a flight of stairs and there is no elevator in my
complex and my boyfriend’s apartment is down a flight of stairs, there is no
ramp up to the building and his apartment complex has no elevators either. If I
was on a date with a disabled person we would either have to find an area that
gave us some privacy or go to their place that would offer more accessibility
to them.
Overall, I think this was a good
assignment for me. I think because I’m used to going out with able bodied
people I don’t think about how people with disabilities get around and how the
environment is or is not catered to them. I think the places that I went on
this date were fun and offered a new scenario for not only myself but also my
date. I think I struggled to find a private location because of where my
apartment and my date’s apartments are located but I think overall I had a
great experience and I learned so much.
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