That's a good point Todd. Thanks for the input. Quadius
On 4/29/08, Tod E. Santee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Calling Corporate... I can't tell you how often I've heard a manager tell > me to "Call Corporate" after I bring an obvious problem or substantial > ADA-related compliance issue that caused difficulty. I have found that many > times (not always) it's simply a way of saying "move along, I'd rather do > other things" because normally Corporate either can't or won't do > anything. The main reason for this is because a lot of these businesses > (like Red Lobster, Applebee's, Pep Boys, Walgreens, etc.) are "Individually > Owned and Operated." ... In other words, any compliance issues fall > squarely and entirely on the shoulders of the owner. > > I can understand how some people might say, "I'll simply take my business > somewhere they are willing to accommodate me." But there are many places > were types of businesses where it simply isn't possible to go somewhere > else. Hospitals, doctors offices, the only store of its type in your area > (particularly in small towns). > > That's why with all accommodations the ADA addresses, and the Rehab Act > before that, include phrases such as "wherever possible," "readily > achievable," and "reasonable." > > I always begin discussions with managers or owners with a very polite > tone. Many times they don't realize they are out of compliance and I'd take > the opportunity to explain. I even offer to help them find the easiest way > to properly correct the problems. However, many other times it is simply an > instance where I absolutely know for certain that the owner/manager has been > informed of the deficiency many times or received several complaints about > it and have no doubt they are out of compliance. THESE are the times I get > quite upset and file a complaint. > > Again, I think it's important to note that whether you agree with whether > someone should be accessible one or not, the ADA is a Civil Rights > law. Excluding a person with a disability is no different than excluding a > person of color, gender or religious affiliation -- except for the fact that > often the person with a disability may not have the luxury of taking their > business elsewhere. > > Whether they should or not isn't really the issue... it's whether they're > required that really matters. > > Best regards, > --Tod > > ---- Quadius <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I had something rather interesting happen to me the other day. I went > out to > > dinner with my brother and the usher mistakenly put us in the wrong > place. I > > was sitting in the aisle, because my wheelchair cannot fit under any > table. > > It has nothing to do with the ADA, my armrests are simply too high and > it's > > more beneficial for me to sit to the side so someone can feed me. That's > my > > own set of circumstances, so I don't complain about things like that. > > > > Anyway, I made sure there was plenty of room to get by me or I would > have > > never sat there in the first place. The manager comes over after only > about > > two or three minutes and tells me I need to be moved. He was polite, so > I > > simply asked why this was necessary. He explained to me it was a fire > hazard > > to have me in the aisle. While I was moving, I tried to explain to him > that > > some of the modifications they had made recently made the restaurant a > > little tighter and would probably be more of a fire hazard than he > realized. > > I think he believed I was being a little pissy, so I made sure I changed > my > > tone. I initially thought he got my message, but I discovered later he > > didn't. > > > > Just as I was about ready to finish my dinner, I noticed the waitress > > setting up some of the tables so a large party could be accommodated. I > told > > my brother, "you know that's going to be a fire hazard when those > > individuals sit there in the aisle." Well, that's what turned out to be. > The > > waitresses had to turn to the side in order to get by and no one saw > > anything wrong with this. > > > > On my way out I politely asked the manager to take a look down the aisle > and > > tell me if he saw anything wrong. He initially indicated he did not and > when > > I pointed out the problem he too shook his head in agreement. In a > polite > > manner I asked him, "what would happen if I contacted the fire marshal > right > > now?" (In case you're wondering why I asked this negative question, it's > > because when he was explaining to me why I needed to move initially he > told > > me at the fire marshal was called or came in that they would be closed > down > > for a week if I was sitting in the aisle). > > > > His response, "they probably closes down there." "What are you going to > do > > about this situation?" I asked. He shrugged his shoulders in > bewilderment. > > Then I ask what can we do about this. His suggestion was for me to call > > corporate headquarters. I intend on doing this, but for some reason I > keep > > forgetting to lay out the contact information. > > > > Don't get me wrong the guy was very polite and they accommodated me, but > the > > blatant institutional discrimination gets on my nerves. This problem > truly > > is not about being disabled though. It's more about making sure > restaurants > > comply with the safety restrictions and not simply choose to ignore the > ones > > which are most profitable to them. I'm sure if I would have had six or > seven > > guests, they would have let me sit anywhere I wanted. > > > > I know, it sounds pissy, but the manager thanked me for not blaming him. > I > > guess some other people have gone off on him about an accessible > bathrooms, > > as if it's his personal fault. He's only a 20 something-year-old young > man. > > He can bring it up with corporate, but if they don't do anything, I > guess > > it's up to someone else to take charge. > > > > Sorry if this is a rambling mess, but it is simply dictated it rather > > quickly. > > > > Quadius > >
