When I learned of the accessible date assignment I knew exactly whom I wanted to take-- my cousin, Clint. Clint was born a paraplegic, the result of an injury to his spinal cord. From my point of view, Clint has always been upbeat, energetic, and a bit stubborn; he has never allowed his disability to define him.
After reading chapter seven of our textbook, I was able to better understand the obstacles Clint consistently lives with. For example, Clint would love to live in Colorado, but he has to acknowledge the difficulties that could arise from snowfall and ice with a wheelchair. I had never thought about how the accessibility of a climate could dictate where “home” is for anyone.
For date night, Clint did not actually accompany me because he lives in South Georgia. In Clint’s absence, I felt capable to discern how equalizing the physical environment would be for him.
I started the evening of March 2nd in Roswell at Bonkerz Comedy Club, which is inside Andretti Indoor Karting and Games. Parking accessibility was a breeze, even on a Saturday night because of the several handicap spaces allotted within Andretti’s parking lot. The main entrance for Andretti’s has a revolving door and regular doors, making it accessible for anyone to enter. Once, inside the accessibility became increasingly problematic and legibility was an issue. Unless you had previously visited Bonkerz, you would not know that it is located in the back on the left side of the building. Maneuvering through the gaming area on foot was irritating.
Andretti’s has a ton of games in a small area and so the pathway through them is quite narrow, affecting how accessible the comedy club would be for Clint. The crowding of the games in this small area creates an issue on its own. Then take into account the large number of people inside busily bustling from one spot to another. With that kind of energy, people are unobservant of the activity surrounding them. Considering the concepts of accessibility, crowding, and activity of getting from entrance of Andretti to Bonkerz Comedy Club was unpleasant, not only for someone in a wheelchair, but for all of those attempting to access the comedy club.
The entrance into Bonkerz is found up a wide ramp that is accessible for wheelchairs and Clint would not experience any problems at this point. Upon entering, however, I saw that the accessibility here would be challenging for Clint. It was clear I did not have much control on over where we could sit. There were two options, as adaptability was not on my side. Option one: the back wall, between the door everyone enters and leaves through, and the bar. The seating here is a row of chairs only, with no access to a table on which to place drinks or food. This would reduce comfort. Option two: asking someone who is at a table that would be adaptable to us if they would mind moving. I would like to also note the lack of opportunity to socialize you are going to be able to have at any comedy club. It is frowned upon.
Next on the agenda is dinner at La Madeleine French Café. According to behavior setting theories, physical environment is thought to influence behavior. Clint and I dine here each time he is in town, and after the debacle with the entertainment portion of the night this was the best bet. The legibility was high here because of its familiarity. Also, it is its own building, not a place inside a place. The ease of accessibility, comfort, and control, all for the enjoyment of spending time; in a place that has meaning for us.
After dinner I came home to take care of my dog. Had Clint been able to make our date, he would have enjoyed seeing Kingston and adding activity to our evening by wondering around the neighborhood in order to walk him. My house is easily accessible to Clint and is comfortable and familiar to him since he’s been here an uncountable number of times. The concept of legibility is high at my home, much like any home, but mostly because it is familiar. This familiarity would also add to the adaptability and sociality Clint would feel. I think this is related best to place attachment, as noted by Hutchison in Chapter 7.
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