tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post7091972826911132359..comments2024-03-19T07:36:33.915-04:00Comments on Of Battered Aspect: The Gift I Didn't BuyDave Hingsburgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11918601687946534172noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-12253209767646011062013-12-02T18:19:13.998-05:002013-12-02T18:19:13.998-05:00Amen, Dave.Amen, Dave.wheeliecronehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10570378001102933660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-16632949979521266082013-12-02T13:52:30.213-05:002013-12-02T13:52:30.213-05:00Argh..Obvious to the oblivious! I remember my old...Argh..Obvious to the oblivious! I remember my old instructor saying "So, what did YOU do about it?" Thie salesperson did nothing. Pass it on to her employer. I appreciate people who see a problem and then do something about it. Remember karma comes up behind you and bites your ass. Princeton Possenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-77734445518242566262013-12-02T13:44:32.882-05:002013-12-02T13:44:32.882-05:00Oh my gosh I'd be in tears by the end of that....Oh my gosh I'd be in tears by the end of that. :(Shanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10704810407872873565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-43628654844875847522013-12-02T08:18:12.272-05:002013-12-02T08:18:12.272-05:00This kind of situation is why I'm upset that A...This kind of situation is why I'm upset that AODA doesn't have any enforcement mechanisms. It's all well and good to have a law on the books, but there are four additional elements that have to be in place for the law to actually be of any use to anyone. <br /><br />The first is implementation, or having a policy framework in place. The government policy framework for AODA exists, but I haven't taken an in-depth look at it, so I cannot speak to its quality.<br /><br />The second is education, or letting people know that there's a law on the books. There hasn't been much in the way of education, though I believe some literature has been sent to businesses. <br /><br />The third is progress reporting, ideally a process where all stakeholders submit reports on the implementation of the law. In the case of AODA, businesses have a responsibility to report their progress. <br /><br />The final element is an enforcement mechanism through which people can report infringements. This is completely absent in the AODA policy framework. Their only suggestion is that you speak to the manager and be persistent in helping them understand that they aren't accessible. A law is only as strong as its enforcement mechanism is effective, and, if this type of enforcement mechanism was effective, we wouldn't need the law in the first place. Utter Randomnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08010190479645800897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-54879401122532983672013-12-02T07:00:58.794-05:002013-12-02T07:00:58.794-05:00The kind of deliberate apathy that woman showed ma...The kind of deliberate apathy that woman showed makes me angry. The only way we can create an accessible environment is if everyone takes on a sense shared responsibility for helping make it happen, not just the key decision makers (though they are, well, KEY) but also the front line people who see the nuances of how policies and decisions come out in real life people.<br /><br />In an unrelated topic, I read a story today about yet another baby with disabilities who had, initially, been denied a transplant and allegedly lied about why. The parents eventually found another hospital more willing to take a chance on their son, but they had to really fight for it. The story will break your heart. The comments, from what little I saw before I made myself stop reading them, will make you angry. No wonder this kind of medical discrimination is so commonplace when so many people in the general public take the doctors' side. Story here: <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/30/health/disabled-transplants/index.html?iref=allsearch" rel="nofollow">http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/30/health/disabled-transplants/index.html?iref=allsearch</a>Andrea S.http://andreashettle.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-81911608243129959202013-12-02T00:48:13.408-05:002013-12-02T00:48:13.408-05:00The crap all over stores makes it hard for everyon...The crap all over stores makes it hard for everyone. I'm not in a chair but I have poor balance and I don't judge spaces very well any more and I am always lurching into something or other. They must want you to fall over things to buy them. The attitude of the sales assistant is appalling but fancy her running into someone as forthright and articulate as you! One hopes that you have changed her attitude in some ways... I also hope you send this blog to their corporate headquarters and show them that customer service is a quality that they should hire towards!Displacedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10935138415726176103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-45831273249740499382013-12-02T00:42:14.395-05:002013-12-02T00:42:14.395-05:00Dave,
I think you should create a badge on your c...Dave,<br /><br />I think you should create a badge on your computer, and laminate it.<br /><br />Label yourself: Customer Accessibility Inspector, and add the governmental agency where you will report all these problems of lack of access. Surely Canada must have some access laws?<br /><br />If you're up to it, also create and carry a mail-in form, prestamped, that you can fill in on the spot.<br /><br />You ARE a stand-in for so many people who won't or can't speak up, or who won't be listened to when they do speak. Claim the power - you are speaking for anyone with the same problem.<br /><br />Start a movement - we'll all carry the badges. No implying we're "official" - just organizing ourselves to make a continuing effort as a group.<br /><br />Ultimately it is important for the merchants to support the laws. Give them some carrot/stick encouragement.<br /><br />Alicia<br /><br />PS I think it is easier for me to stay home!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com