My experince..

This was such an exciting assignment to do, well for me it went very well. I agree with the statement, “People with disabilities are often overlooked,” because I accuse myself of it. I didn’t realize how many people in just this country that are living with a lifelong disability. I was ashamed of myself, finding this is something that can happen to anyone at any time, but now I am glad that I was able to see the need to help the individuals, and to help communities that were unaware, like me. During my physical environment assignment, I was steadily looking and thinking of ways to help. Maybe that is why I am majoring in Human Services. I would like to share my experience which took place in a small town named Vail, Colorado. With not too many people around on a quite early afternoon, I took a stroll into Vail. I had heard very good things about Vail such as, the skiing is great, the mountains are beautiful, and the snow is super fun to play in, which I am sure they are but we saw a different side of Vail. Right at the end of their off season, the mountains were sparkling with the reds, yellows, and oranges, and there wasn’t any tourist, besides my boyfriend and me. So we were able to check the area out pretty thoroughly. Once arriving in Vail we were lead into the main parking garage off the main street. We pulled in, which was still free (before all the snow bunnies arrive-Thanksgiving Day), and continued following arrows to handicap parking. Once arrived, there was NO parking that was designated for the handicap. So we parked. Got out of the car and just decided to walk out of the building.  We got there to notice, the stairs you see in the picture below. There would be no way; I could get my boyfriend and his chair down the stairs. We quickly turned around and thought of a new plan because this one wasn’t accessible for him.  We always have a second plan! We had to find the elevator, which was a long distance across the parking deck. Once we made it to the main level, we then had to back track our way back towards the dining in DT Vail. This was also an experience, especially when there are 10,000 chairs in a 700 sq. foot restaurant, you can’t be seated without clearing a path which should already be cleared for safety reasons. The seating clearly was accessible for someone using a wheelchair.  At this point, it was too much crowding for someone dealing with serious health issues. The activity around us felt very caring and concerned when they noticed that two people walking couldn’t even make their way behind the waitress, which was nicely taking us to the window seat. Felt like the warming sun and the porch area was the only way to a comforting lunch at this point. The area seemed like it was under control by the people running the ski resort. During our time on the porch, eating pizza, we really started becoming more aware of our surroundings and noticing everything about this place. Some of the village had stairs and the stores were only accessible at this area. We searched the area for elevators. None were ever found. We were afraid that the village wouldn’t appreciate us just walking around getting into their privacy. Cause we were SUPER obvious. I think the meaning to this area is ski resort, and that means money. For them! At the end of the day, I had a smile on my face. Not because I just made my boyfriend and I culturally aware of our surroundings and the people affected by it, but also people that are 1500 miles from where I am learning all this!  I hope that some individuals step up and make some simple changes to their beautiful village for the sociality view point. This area would have the adaptability to make this change for their environment. 

 

The stairs when exiting the parking garage to the main street at the Village in Vail, CO.

 

The chairs that we were sitting in are cut out in front of the picture, but this is where we enjoyed our lunch as we had a great discussion on helping people become more aware of the disabled individuals that are in their communities.

Thanks for Reading!!! Colorado was a must visit place! This was the only thing I could find that was wrong with the WHOLE state. ;)

-Anna B.