tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post4333691512996887854..comments2024-03-19T07:36:33.915-04:00Comments on Of Battered Aspect: Chain LetterDave Hingsburgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11918601687946534172noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-15431275339965451372012-06-15T05:56:37.170-04:002012-06-15T05:56:37.170-04:00This happens to me most often with regard to the e...This happens to me most often with regard to the emergency pull cords in designated accessible public toilets, hotel bathrooms, and changing rooms.<br /><br />First, I spend several minutes with the door unlocked and open, standing and holding myself up with the rail while trying to untangle the cord which has been tied around itself or the other rails.<br /><br />Then, I do whatever I need to do.<br /><br />If I've got the energy and inclination, then I find a staff member and quietly explain to them that if I or any other disabled person were to have an emergency of any kind, we would almost certainly end up on the floor. People therefore need to be able to pull the emergency cord <i>from the floor</i>. They agree with the logic and thank me for pointing it out. I return to my friends feeling annoyed that yet another trip out has had to include ten minutes complaining to a stranger about a toilet, cos really, that's not my preferred way to spend my social time.<br /><br />Then I am completely unsurprised when we return to that shop/cafe/whatever a few weeks later and find that the cord is tied up again.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11639094548415759560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-61680463535950384482012-06-14T00:31:52.402-04:002012-06-14T00:31:52.402-04:00I hear you. It's the same way for me on the in...I hear you. It's the same way for me on the internet with all the visual captchas blocking blind users out of using web sites. There's no excuse for inaccessibility, especially when the issue has been raised. Only, your post isn't a "chain letter" it's something much more valuable. You have a legitimate concern. Chain letters are just annoying.Miss Caprihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16314471381180100091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-25633229042313757182012-06-12T09:34:09.341-04:002012-06-12T09:34:09.341-04:00Years ago, I managed to get the director of the ca...Years ago, I managed to get the director of the cafeteria at my university to verbally agree that, from that point on, items that were vegan versus ovo/lacto veg would be clearly marked on the menu near the door--we even had a color coding system that we agreed on together. I was thrilled because it was so frustrating to go to the cafeteria and not even know what I could or could not eat under my dietary restrictions without chasing down staff from the kitchen (since the servers never knew the ingredients in what they served) and ask a thousand questions. And they did do this--for a few weeks. And then just stopped doing it. I reminded them of the agreement, but it didn't really start up again. Yeah, that was pretty demoralizing. Possibly I could have started again with the advocacy, but after seeing that the first time didn't really "take" it was hard to find the energy to do it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-61737761388847510552012-06-12T04:03:23.713-04:002012-06-12T04:03:23.713-04:00I don't know about you - but the failure of a ...I don't know about you - but the failure of a promise hurts more than no promise at all. If you complain - and you are met with a shrug - you say your bit, maybe write a letter for file and take your business elsewhere. But when they appear to come along side - agree and then "pretend" to accomodate - but then, as soon and money is on the horizon - your consideration is out the door. Ouch!!! <br /><br />Do you have an organization - like Better Business Bureau - that keeps track of business that claim to be assessible? That might be a good thing.<br /><br />Good luck with the fight. Remember, the employees are usually not responsible - they most likely just do what they are told. Imagine how you would feel if I visited your place of business, and after exited the washroom, walked up to you and reamed you out because there is no toilet paper. You, being Dave, would probably just say you will tell someone - but certainly wouldn't want to accept my tirade or anger. <br /><br />May the sword of justice be mighty in your hands.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-35722453305037060372012-06-12T00:17:55.418-04:002012-06-12T00:17:55.418-04:00That's how I feel about the bus system where I...That's how I feel about the bus system where I live. I can complain until my face turns blue, but the drivers just invent a new way to make my life difficult. I'm on a first-name basis with one of their supervisors, following one charming incident in which he told me that the new buses kneel all the way with one short push of the button. He got an earful that day, because I don't like being treated like I'm stupid by people who have obviously never even ridden the buses. For some reason, yelling at him for this improved our relationship to the point that it's almost a pleasure talking to him. I'm quite looking forward to the call I'll be receiving from him tomorrow, as the drivers have developed a charming habit of missing my stop. This is somewhat better than the habit of stomping on the gas so that I fell over, and the habit of refusing to lower the bus because I'm not disabled. It seems like every time I complain, the situation only gets worse. It's exasperating, but I don't know what else to do, just living with it isn't an option. I keep getting injured, and it hurts like hell to step on and off the bus when it isn't lowered. I'm sorry for the complaints/rant, I started out just wanting to let you know that I sympathize on the having to deal with problems over and over front.Utter Randomnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08010190479645800897noreply@blogger.com