With the growing suppression of creativity and rise in fixed routine measures these days, communication of wheelies’ needs through the grape vine too often becomes garbled. Then this concentration on routine ideas especially affects us. Sure, ramps and elevators are needed to be (or appear to be) inclusive today, a sensitive Chief Executive Officer might say. But the thinking shouldn’t stop there. What about automatic doors–that’s a relatively easy stretch–that would allow wheelies to get  in and out? Actually, I’m surprised this isn’t part of the fire code. (Please see my post Reality-check for Us Wheelies in the ‘Wheelie Politics’ category.) But really, I’m talking about more in-depth thinking than automatic doors or wider hallways or lower counters–the common stuff. One airport I visited in Chicago had no low tables at any restaurant in the whole airport! One public restroom I used in Ohio had a wastebasket that opens by a foot pedal in the handicapped stall! Others have the toilet paper holder ten feet away or up so high that only a person standing could reach it! I’m not here to bash efforts, but geez, there’s such a thing as  an ADA Officer to help businesses comply, and even casually, there are plenty of wheelies to ask the needs of. I did this at the college where I worked, and maybe if each of us wheelies acted as a consultant, when and where appropriate, renovations to old buildings and new buildings’ planning could be done more wisely.

(The problem that arises from this solution is the promotion of stereotypes. In reality, no two peoples’ set of needs is alike, because no two disabilities are alike. For example, my arms and hands are weak, and I can stand if I can’t reach something, but some wheelies’ legs and feet are weak, and they can reach easily. Also, there are a zillion different kinds of handicaps. Curb cuts, for example, may help wheelies but hinder the ease of walking down the street for blind people. There’s no solution to accommodate for everyone, but still, generally speaking, further thought about universal  design is needed today.)