Re: ADA Rules

[Guest guest]

,

Stadiums don't have to have handrails on ALL the bleechers; they just

have to provide a way for you to 1) either get to your seats or 2) be

seated in an " accessible area " . This is where the ADA falls short -

there are miles to go before true accessibility is achieved (like

handrails on all bleechers at all stadiums, etc.) I realize you don't

want to give up your seats. Call the ADA for some info Toll Free ADA

Information Line

and see if they can give you any help. 800-514-0301 (voice) Also look

over the ADA website - there is now ADA Standards for Accessible Design

- I don't know how far that covers, but the website has tons of ADA

info. http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

My experience with the ADA has been pretty favorable. There is no

way that every venue will ever be accessable to everyone.

I live in Utah. The hiking here is great. When I was younger, I

would go on long walks in the national parks here. As I have gotten

older and my CMT has progressed to the point that my wife panics if

me going down a flight of stairs, or a steep path. (BTW I think she

is over protective. I have only fallen five times this year... and

I have the scars to proove it.;-)

Since the inception of the ADA, these parks have all graded and

paved trails so that they are accessable. They are also the most

traveled trails and though I miss the solitude that longer hikes

have afforded me, I am still able to enjoy something that is

important in my life.

When I have gone to sporting events, I call in advance and tell them

that I need help. During the Olympics here, the staff put me on the

front row of a hockey match, and allowed my wife to sit with me.

However, the rest of my family had to sit in the stands with about 3

inches of leg room.

If you can climb the stairs then the stadium can and should have

someone escort you to your seat, they can also allow you to sit in

an accessable area. Which might be better, when its time to use the

facilities.

I am curious why, with 15 close friends and neighbors in the same

row, that they are not helping you. I am not too proud to ask for

an arm.

Disney Land was great to deal with as well. They allowed me go to

the head of the line and my wait was typically about 10% of

everybody elses when I was recovering from foot surgery... of course

it took me 90% longer to go from attraction to attraction.

ADA is a wonderful thing, and while it does not make every spot we

may want to go, it has opened a lot doors that had previously been

shut.

Mike