Comment NumberOL-100137
Organization
Received02/08/2005 01:16:03 PM
Commenter
First NameLast NameState/Province
RobinBolducCO
AgencyU. S. Department of Justice
Docket IDCRT Docket No. 2004-DRS01
RuleNondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services; Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities
AttachmentsNo Attachments

CommentsAnswers to Specific Questions


7-I am the wife to a person with significant physical disabilities. My husband uses a power wheelchair with a head control system. We have 9 children and one grandchild - thus, we spend a significant amount of time shopping! I would urge the Department to accept standards with regard to free-standing equipment as this has been a major barrier to my husband accessing shopping centers and amusement arcades with our children. More time than I can count, we spend our shopping time moving clothing racks that are too close together for him to navigate - we move one, then that puts the next one in the way, so move the next, and so on and so on - we have to withstand the "dirty" looks of other customers and store employees as we try to negotiate the maze of clothing racks. To be honest, the same problems exist when I take my grandson in a stroller - so on behalf of wheelchair users and grandmothers with baby strollers, I would urge you to set up some standards for the distance between free-standing equipment in order to make accessible paths of travel! Additionally, I would urge you to look at entertainment arcades. We regularly frequent such places as Chuck E. Cheese (ugh!!). My husband has to sit in the restaurant areas (usually very accessible!) while the kids play video games - as there is no room for him to navigate his wheelchair (arcade games are much heavier than clothing racks to move - we've tried!). He can't enjoy watching the kids and he can't help me to supervise them (you try going to Chuck E. Cheese with 9 kids ages 8-28 - I need all the help I can get). Thank you. Robin Bolduc
General Comments