Is This Place Really Accessible?

Getting There: Traveling With a Disability — September Series

When I’m thinking about going somewhere new, one of the first things I have to ask myself is:

Is this place disability friendly for me?

I say for me because accessibility isn’t exactly the same for every person with a disability. Something that works perfectly for one person might still create challenges for someone else.

Because I have cerebral palsy and use a walker, there are certain things I need to know before I feel comfortable going somewhere new.

What Will I Find When I Get There?

One of the first things I think about is stairs.

Are there a lot of stairs?

If there are stairs, is there another way for me to get where I need to go?

Are there elevators?

How far will I have to walk once I’m inside?

Then there are bathrooms.

Is there a bathroom I can actually use?

Having a bathroom in the building doesn’t automatically mean that bathroom will work for someone with a physical disability. I need enough room to move around safely with my walker. I may need grab bars and other accessibility features.

These aren’t little details to me.

They can determine whether I feel comfortable going somewhere at all.

Accessible on Paper Isn’t Always Accessible for Me

Sometimes we use the word accessible as though it has one meaning.

A website might say a building is accessible because there is a ramp or elevator.

That’s a good start.

But what happens after I get through the entrance?

Can I move around comfortably?

Can I reach the places everyone else can reach?

Can I use the bathroom?

Is there somewhere for me to sit and rest if I need to?

Do I feel safe moving around the building?

That’s why I don’t only want to know whether somewhere is labeled accessible.

I want to know whether I can actually participate once I get there.

Knowing Ahead of Time Gives Me Confidence

When I know what to expect, I can prepare.

Maybe I need to give myself more time.

Maybe I need someone with me.

Maybe I need to plan where I can sit and rest.

Or maybe I find out that the place works really well for me and I don’t have to worry as much.

Having that information before I leave home gives me confidence.

It allows me to focus less on worrying about what I’m going to encounter and more on enjoying where I’m going.

Accessibility Gives Me a Choice

Accessibility isn’t about giving me something special.

It’s about giving me the same opportunity to decide:

Yes, I want to go there.

I already put time and effort into transportation, getting ready, planning my day, and figuring out how long I can stay.

Once I finally arrive, I shouldn’t discover that a staircase, inaccessible bathroom, or another physical barrier prevents me from participating.

I don’t expect every place to work perfectly for my body.

But I do believe people with disabilities deserve enough information and accessibility to make our own choices about where we go.

Because getting through the front door isn’t the finish line.

True accessibility means I can actually be part of what is happening on the other side of it.

— Marie W.O.W.C.P.
Our Beautiful Challenges
Seeing the beauty between the challenges. ✌️😊💛 hga