We commenced our charming date at the Craft Studio gallery located in the lower level of Memorial Union. We found it both safe and mystical to meet our potential lover on campus. In addition, we assumed that campus would be an accessible location. Once our date arrived we wandered around Memorial Union in a dizzy trying to find an accessible entrance. Much to our surprise, the building that held the University of Missouri’s Disability Service center, did not have many accessible entrances. The accessible entrance we located was on the side of the North Tower. We did enjoy the features the accessible entrance had, such as a gentle ramp and a railing. In addition, the button to reach the automatic door extended to the floor. We did note that coming from the other direction, the button was shorter and higher to reach.
After entering the building we took an elevator down to the lower level of Memorial Union, where we could begin romancing our way through the gallery. Before entering the Hoarse by Committee Gallery, we decided to find a restroom to freshen up. We immediately noticed that both restrooms nearest to the gallery were inaccessible. The bathrooms had inaccessible barriers such as doors, high bathroom sinks, and small stalls without grabarms. We found ourselves again wandering around Memorial Union to locate an accessible bathroom. Down the hall, outside of the Disability Services center, we located an accessible bathroom. The stalls had grab arms, there was an automatic door to both enter and exit, and the hand drier and sink counter were at chair accessible height.
After freshening up in the restroom, we danced our way to the gallery in sheer excitement. Once we reached the Craft Studio gallery, it was quickly apparent that the door handle was not quite accessible. After entering, we began charming our date with the art that filled the air. The gallery floor had room to move around, but we did note that if it were a busier night at the gallery, there would be additional barriers because there wasn’t a lot of room to navigate with the bench and counters in the space. 
After checking out the exhibit at the gallery, we proceeded to dinner at Kampai and reflected on the art along the way. Kampai is a sushi restaurant downtown, but we knew that it would have a lot of options, including vegetarian, to meet the dietary needs of our date. Inside, the restaurant was spacious and had some tables where we could move the chairs in order to accommodate a wheelchair. These tables were at the front of the restaurant, but we probably wouldn’t be able to sit at the bar since it was too high or at a booth table. If it was a nice day, sitting outside might be an option although it would be a bit more challenging. The tables were crowded and left little space to maneuver, and we would only be able to access part of the patio since there was a step leading up to the upper patio.
The restaurant and tables were accessible, but we wanted to make sure that the bathroom was as well. Walking back, we found that the hallways leading to the bathrooms were wide and had plenty of space. The bathroom itself, while it did not have an accessible and automatic door, did have an accessible stall with with more space and grabarms. The sink would probably be low enough for someone in a wheelchair to use, although the sink and paper towels may be a little high and potentially out of reach for some. Also, it was convenient that Kampai is a restaurant where they bring you the check and you pay at the table. This way, we did not have to worry about a high counter or accessing the cashier.
Dinner was great, but we were craving something sweet to finish it off. We decided to go to U Knead Sweets dessert shop to pick something up to take and enjoy in Peace Park. The walk from Kampai to U Knead Sweets was accessible, although there was a hill that might be a little steep for someone in a wheelchair. There was a ramp leading up to the door, but the door did not open automatically and would require someone to pull it open. When we entered the shop, the display case and window was low and could be seen from all heights. After some deliberation, we decided to get some macaroons and went to the counter to purchase them. There was a low purchase counter that would be accessible to someone in a wheelchair. Although we were headed to the park and not staying to eat, there was plenty of space to maneuver around the shop, and we would easily be able to access and sit at the tables.
We made our way to Peace Park to finish off our date and lay on some more charm and wooing. The park was a short distance away, but, depending on the route we took construction may have been an obstacle. Additionally, many of the sidewalks were not well-maintained and we could encounter hills that might be difficult for someone in a wheelchair depending on the route we ended up taking. Once we got to Peace Park, the sidewalks in the park were flat and smooth and there was plenty of lighting so that we could see. There were limited benches at the park that were accessible from the sidewalk without going over grass. Luckily, one was free when we went, but, if it had been occupied, we would have had to go someplace else or go over grass to another bench. We sat at the bench to enjoy our macaroons and to converse, to get to know each other more and, of course, schedule our next date ;). Also important to note, is that finding a more private location (say, on a future date, or hey, even this one) that was also accessible and did not present financial barriers as well would have been exceedingly difficult, if not impossible.
We learned a lot from this experience and took some time to personally reflect on what stood out to us:
Ashley was astounded by the lack of sidewalk maintenance downtown. So many had huge cracks and were uneven. This could be a huge obstacle for anyone in a wheelchair or has a mobility disability. Even if these sidewalks are technically “accessible,” they would make travel uncomfortable.
Farah was also especially surprised by the level of deterioration of the sidewalks downtown. Additionally, when thinking about intersections (of identities and experiences), the distance and extensive nature of our date could prove to be inaccessible to an individual using a wheelchair who experienced a chronic illness, chronic pain, or was new to using a chair. It was also refreshing that the assignment itself, rather than inviting the participant to sympathize or pity, invited them to view spaces from the point of barriers and access, thus situating the fault on the constructed environment and not the person.
Naomi thought a lot about the difference between cognitive mapping and the ways in which someone must actually travel for accessibility. Someone can’t just cut across the street to get somewhere. They have to go down one side of the street to an accessible sidewalk, cross the street there and then go down that side. Even in campus buildings, such as Memorial Union and Arts and Sciences, the accessible entrance may be on the other side of the building as the elevator. Accessibility is not placed conveniently, but as an afterthought.
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