Jessica Dean
Accessible
Date Assignment
For
this is assignment, I took Shelly, who is a paraplegic, to Provino’s Italian
Restaurant, where they had live entertainment. We then went to the park and
talked. I asked her several questions about her life and how different it was
to be in a wheelchair. It was a very interesting and eye-opening experience.
Accessibility
As we arrived at the restaurant, there was a ramp provided, so Shelly could access the door. However, the doors were fairly small, so we had to open both doors side-by-side (they were French-styled). Also, there were two sets of doors, so after we got into the restaurant, I had to rush ahead of her to open the second set of doors. I thought that could have been a little challenging if she had been alone. The rest of the restaurant was very spacious, making it easier for her to get around. The park was very accessible because it had paved paths throughout the whole area, but it would have been difficult for Shelly to stray from the pavement.
As we arrived at the restaurant, there was a ramp provided, so Shelly could access the door. However, the doors were fairly small, so we had to open both doors side-by-side (they were French-styled). Also, there were two sets of doors, so after we got into the restaurant, I had to rush ahead of her to open the second set of doors. I thought that could have been a little challenging if she had been alone. The rest of the restaurant was very spacious, making it easier for her to get around. The park was very accessible because it had paved paths throughout the whole area, but it would have been difficult for Shelly to stray from the pavement.
ActivityThere was minimal activity when we first arrived at the restaurant. However, there was a party of about 12 who came in about halfway through our experience, but it was not very disrupting. The staff made sure to put them in a place where they were not disturbing others and gave them their own room to dine in, which I thought was best. Overall, it was a very relaxing environment. They also had a live band playing Italian music, but it was not very loud, so we could still easily speak to each other. There were several people at the park, being that the weather was wonderful, but everyone still had plenty of personal room.
Adaptability
The
restaurant consisted of both booths and tables with movable chairs, making it
easy for Shelly to pull her wheelchair up to the table. Having the moving
chairs and tables, the restaurant could easily cater to any number of people.
The booths were not able to move, restraining them from holding more than four
people. I noticed a patio section outside the restaurant as well, also having
chairs and tables that move. This section was a bit small, though, so a larger
party would probably have to sit inside. There was limited adaptability at the
park, most everything there was attached to the ground (the playground,
benches, trashcans, etc.).
Comfort
We both agreed that the environment was fairly comfortable. My chair was wooden, with no padding on the back, so I was a little uncomfortable by the end of our meal. However, the lighting was set perfectly, to my liking; not too bright and “in-your-face”, but bright enough to easily see everything. At the park, we found the comfort to be limited. There were not many benches to sit on, and the ones we did find were being either occupied or dirty.
We both agreed that the environment was fairly comfortable. My chair was wooden, with no padding on the back, so I was a little uncomfortable by the end of our meal. However, the lighting was set perfectly, to my liking; not too bright and “in-your-face”, but bright enough to easily see everything. At the park, we found the comfort to be limited. There were not many benches to sit on, and the ones we did find were being either occupied or dirty.
Crowding
When we first came into the restaurant, it was not crowded at all. There were a few servers in the lobby, and a few customers at their tables, but overall it was very spacious. When the big party came into the lobby, the area seemed to get a little crowded but we were already sitting at that point, so it did not affect us. The lobby was big enough, though, that everyone still seemed to have their own personal space. The park we visited was crowded in some areas but everyone had plenty of space to spread out.
When we first came into the restaurant, it was not crowded at all. There were a few servers in the lobby, and a few customers at their tables, but overall it was very spacious. When the big party came into the lobby, the area seemed to get a little crowded but we were already sitting at that point, so it did not affect us. The lobby was big enough, though, that everyone still seemed to have their own personal space. The park we visited was crowded in some areas but everyone had plenty of space to spread out.
Privacy
If the restaurant had been more crowded, I imagine there would be limited privacy. We were not sitting near any other people when we went, so we had a decent amount of privacy. I noticed there were two booths that were for couples and they had a curtain separating them from the rest of the restaurant, so that was probably the place with the most privacy. Most of the booths were close together, so I think the privacy there was very limited. The park had several spots were anyone could get privacy.
If the restaurant had been more crowded, I imagine there would be limited privacy. We were not sitting near any other people when we went, so we had a decent amount of privacy. I noticed there were two booths that were for couples and they had a curtain separating them from the rest of the restaurant, so that was probably the place with the most privacy. Most of the booths were close together, so I think the privacy there was very limited. The park had several spots were anyone could get privacy.
Sensory Stimulation
At the restaurant, there was a lot of sensory stimulation. The walls were all dark, warming colors and there were several vintage-looking pictures on the walls. The lighting was pleasant and there was sunlight shining through the windows, along with candles on each table. The music was complementary as well and it went nicely with our lunch. The park had more simple stimulation, with it being lit by the sun and all we had around us were trees and grass.
At the restaurant, there was a lot of sensory stimulation. The walls were all dark, warming colors and there were several vintage-looking pictures on the walls. The lighting was pleasant and there was sunlight shining through the windows, along with candles on each table. The music was complementary as well and it went nicely with our lunch. The park had more simple stimulation, with it being lit by the sun and all we had around us were trees and grass.
SociabilityThe restaurant was very sociable. The staff were very nice and interested in what we had to say. It was nice, though, because if we wanted privacy for the two of us, the servers did not over step their boundaries and were very respectful. At the park, most other people kept to their groups, but there was a lot of socializing taking place.
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