An odd question

So far I have never had to use the ramps or other easily accessible entrances for wheel chairs but I do always notice them and sometimes like to take them instead of the stairs just because I like it. Whether I walk them or don't walk them I am always looking at them to see if they truly are easily assessible for wheelchairs or people with walking canes. Personally I would have to say sometimes I think it might be better to turn the wheelchair around and the aid to roll it up over the stairs then to weave in and out of the long winding ramp with tight corners. Have you seen those ones. How ridiculous is that. I always think if I were in a wheel chair this would be annoying not to just me but to the person person me. Some on the other hand are just so great I say just through away the stairs and let everyone use the ramp.

Well, I think it is time to put the designers and architects in wheel chairs and on crutches for starters. Maybe it is time that they spent some time as these poor people do. Then maybe they would be a little more conscious of their design snafus.

No, it is not. My son is in a wheelchair and even though it says that it is accessible, alot of them, are definitely not. We have a time going some places.

A lot of the time No as a matter of fact a lot of the time the handicapped accessible isn't really accessible and I do feel bad for the people having to rely on these doors and ramps. You made a good point that's for sure. Take Care my friend.

I've seen handicapped parking that was further from the door than non-handicapped spaces. After back surgery it is hard for me to walk long distances. I have a plackard that hangs from my rear view mirror that allows me to park in Handicapped spaces. There are times, when we don't hang it because the regular parking is closer and I am walking on less concrete. (which kills me)

I don't think so! Some places are very good, but once I was assisting someone in a wheelchair in a ladies bathroom and the doors were arranged so that we could not figure out how to get out of the stall, without waiting for everyone else to leave. There was a line of people wanting to get in, and we couldn't get the door open to get out because every time I got the wheel chair rolled back far enough for the door open, someone would try to force their way in. It was really weird. There wasn't enough room in there to turn the wheelchair around even though it was a small one. I wondered what someone in a full-sized chair would do, especially without anyone to help them.

There are some places that I have seen the handicap areas on the outer edge of the parking lot. They can get out of their car and not have to go around a curb. Nice idea for them. I have also seen the lazy ones park there so they could save themselves a few steps.

I really do not know why they do it and it makes me angry these People have enough on their plate trying to cope and then it gets made even harder for them

Because they don't have any imagination and very little thought towards the user when designing it? Crazy isn't it? You often find that what is supposed to be of assistance to the handicapped is more of an obstacle. I think there should maybe be two double doors out front, one for handicapped and one for able people. I don't see why they should be segregated in any way, especially to the point where they have to cross the drive-through. The should be parking spaces right outside the front for handicapped and a ramp from the centre space of the parking places. Easy when you have a mind, isn't it? lol Brightest Blessings.

as the daughter of someone who is handicapped, i know what your sayin. my dad has MD and hasnt always been in a wheelchair. He used to walk with a cane or a walker and most of the time people who walk with these have a hard time with stepping up steps. In order to get to a ramp, they have to walk (if they cant park close by) to one end of a bulding and the whole point of a ramp is for someone who cant walk!

We have a lot of frustrated disabled people in the U.K who feel that they are being left out and some of the places are just not making the ramps and doorways big enough for them to get through with ease..It is a coomon problem everywhere and quite a sad one may I add.

I have noticed this too, and was thinking the same thing earlier today. It seems that many places either have handicap ramps and doors that make them go around the curbs and cross the drive through, or half way around the building to get to them. It is ridiculous.

I've noticed that too, it most places with a drive though. Pretty stupid and a liability if you ask me! I think most of the times handicap accessible really isn't and more businesses should make the effort to fix that.

No I surely don't think it is. Sometimes I wonder if the general society would like to just rid of the handicapped because they're needs can be demanding which is so sad. No one asked to be handicapped in any way shape or form but they are so they should be respected and admired for trying to live their lives instead of being a burden.

I know there are certain government, or building code guidelines that have to be followed when building new buildings or adding on. We remodeled and added on space to our shop at work and they had to follow certain guidelines and one of them is the new handicapped requirements for bathrooms etc. The boss was miffed she had to pay extra to follow certain new requirements, and then had to pay for the inspection and papers saying they were compliant. LOL. Anyway, having to go over a concrete island and across a drive through? I use a cane, and can't walk very well and I absolutely wouldn't be able to do that! Sounds nuts!

This is kind of ding bat of them to do this. I have seen this in a lot of places. MOst handicap people go to places like this because they are suppose to be more easier for them but in reality, it is only there to probably get their business. It was a good idea to add the devices but a bad idea on how and where the installed them.

No I think accessibility for the disabled and handicapped sucks in general. IN the U.K at least they have improved their services on the buses and stuff.but still I think overrall we have a long long way to go don't youn agree my friend?

I'll tell you why they do it Gerty. For developers especially fast food chains, all they want is the cookie cutter restaurant, the most parking spaces and meeting the minimum zoning requirements of the site/city in question. Sometimes when these worlds collide you end up with very illogical designs. I've seen one where the handicap spaces face the street, not the building and then there is a bumped crossing of the street and then a big ramp that takes them to the building. (If you are going "huh" I don't blame you.) Other times someone really can't design a site. You'll see handicapped spaces out on the corner of the building, far from the entrance and that makes the handicapped have to take a long ramp on the front of the building. I find it sad some designers, architects and planners actually do this. Plus some of the designs are so inefficient, that you get less handicap spaces or you get a situation where the handicap need the front of the building for spaces but don't get it (I've seen MEDICAL BUILDINGS laid out like this). Sorry to go crazy on this. I just wanted to share my experiences on it. Great discussion. I'm gonna double up on my observation of lot and business layouts. I bet I could point out others that elicit a "huh!?" from people.

I've seen what you mean, and no, I don't think they are put there for the reasons they need to be there. They are there just to pass the law saying they have to be there. No stips on where or how accessible they have to be. If some of these lawmakers were handicapped and needed these options, I guaretee you (okay, I can' spell!) but the laws would change, but since they dont' particularily care they dont' bother much with it. the store or facility should at least be concerned about it - handicap people spend money too - if it is not convenient for them to get in the store or fast food, they'll go elsewhere so you'd think the stores greed would kick in and even tho done for greed on their part, at least it is helping hte people that need it. I had knee surgery a few years ago and was on crutches for awhile - i was totally amazed at how rude people are to handicap. I'd be looking at something and my cart sitting next to me and on crutches and someone would ask me to move my cart so they didn't have to go around me! And here I am on crutches and they just needed to turn their cart a bit to manuver around me! but they asked me to move! I said no and they manuvered around me anyway!

obstacle accessible door is benefit for the disabled people , but most of place dont have this , or dont perfect. people who seat on wheelchair cant go to the fast food chain . there are not speacial passway .