To begin our date, we all started by going to Columbia’s favorite pizza spot, Pizza Tree! Since we live in different locations we decided to just meet at the restaurant. From the outside we immediately noticed that the main entrance was inaccessible because of a 3 step entrance. Also, if we were to come later in the evening the order window would be too high for someone or a group of individuals who were disabled to possibly order from the window. We did notice a side entrance that was accessible, however the door is not automatic which could cause problems for some people.
Due to it being True False, there was a surge of customers inside and the inside became very cramped. In order for the space to be accessible, Pizza Tree can't be too busy because the amount of people is an issue for one or more people with wheelchairs. As we were ordering, we found that the counters and signs for the pizza were a bit high for a person would be using a wheelchair. Ordering the pizza itself would be awkward and difficult for someone in a wheelchair because of its height and since the environment was very loud a person would have to speak very loud. Even when just grabbing your pizza it could be difficult because all the drinks and extra utensils are all cluttered near the pick-up counter.
The restroom area in Pizza Tree we noticed could be accessible, however it was tight. There were baby chairs and wet floor signs in the way the could be a barrier for people with wheelchairs. The bathroom itself was pretty accessible with a wide opening door and bars near the toilet. However, the paper towel machine and sink could be a little high for someone with a wheelchair, especially if they had mobility issues. Overall our dinner was somewhat accessible, but there were some problem areas that really could be inaccessible for multiple individuals living with disabilities.
For entertainment, we tried to instill as much spontaneity as a normal date would have. In order to do this, we waited to make exact plans until after we were at dinner which we soon realized was a choice that wouldn’t usually be made in an accessible date.
Our first stop was Sparky’s which was just right across the street from dinner. Similar to the other places that we had visited, the door entering into the shop was a heavy, pull door which would make it very difficult to open without assistance. Once we entered Sparky’s the space was fairly accessible. There was plenty of space to wait in line, even with a big crowd, and the tables were a good height with chairs that were easy to remove. On the other side in order to test out flavors, which is a big part of the Sparky’s experience, someone who uses a wheelchair would need assistance since the countertop is pretty high. Although the space was open, there are definitely steps that Sparky’s could take to make the overall experience more accessible.
Next, we decided to go to the bookstore down the street called Skylark. The door was similar to the others as it was a heavy, pull door. As soon as you walked in the space opened up. The first floor was very spacious which made it easy to move around between the bookshelves. There were labels to describe the books at all different heights and the ones on the taller parts of the bookshelves were slanted down to where they could be seen at shorter heights. However, an entire part of the bookstore is inaccessible because there is a set of stairs. All of the reading nooks and tables were up the stairs, so for a date there weren’t any spaces to sit and talk. It also limits the books available to only those on the first floor, thus limiting the full experience of the location once again. Overall, it was not a great space to go for an accessible date.
Our last stop before quiet time was Hitt Records which was about 4 blocks away from Skylark. The overall ambiance is perfect for making a date feel more intimate without it becoming too uncomfortable. However, the space at Hitt Records was not accessible. With lights all over the place and multiple songs playing at the same time, the space could be very overwhelming for people with light or sound sensitivity. The aisles between the records were very narrow, so narrow that even if a wheelchair could fit, no one would be able to pass by and you wouldn’t be able to turn around. The space that would be perfect to cozy up and listen to music is just one step up off the floor, making it inaccessible. Additionally, all of the movies were up one flight of stairs, limiting the space and experience even further.
It seems that a lot of the typical date spots in downtown Columbia are not very accessible. Even if you are able to get in through the door, you aren’t able to get the full experience. It also turns out that spontaneity is not a luxury that everyone has.
After we were full and tired from all the places we went, we were ready for some time to unwind a bit. We decided to go to one of the group member’s homes which was relatively close to downtown. The first thing we noticed was that the route we, as walking people, would normally take was not accessible. For example, the shortest routes usually mean using alleys or crossing streets in places where there are no sidewalks. With gravel-laden, narrow alleys and curbs, our travel time was a bit longer than what if might have normally taken. It was not a huge deal though, because there were still accessible crosswalks at each intersection we encountered. Once we made it to the house, there was a glaring issue. There was no accessible entrance. If someone who uses a wheelchair were on our date with us, the date would’ve ended at that moment. For the purposes of the assignment, though, we decided to proceed and assess the inside of the space, where we really just found more issues. Many of the tables and counters were not at an accessible height. This could be a huge issue even on a date because it would limit the experience. What if we wanted to cook together? The counter is not at an accessible height to do that. Many hallways were quite narrow, and there is even a staircase leading up to one of the bedrooms. But the biggest issue was arguably the bathroom.
The bathroom is so incredibly small, that even if you’re not a wheelchair user, you have to be pretty small and thin to fit inside because of the way the door, counter, and toilet are situated. Overall, the house was not accessible. For us, this emphasized the inaccessibility of housing in general. The home we visited was an older one, and generally older homes are less accessible. They are also usually cheaper. This means if you need accessible housing, you’ll oftentimes need to pay more. And that doesn’t even account for the housing of friends or partners. What if you don’t want to be at your house for every “movie night” or every “homework date”?
So for us, the assignment really highlighted a lot of issues in our society that we have the privilege of rarely thinking about. We got to see firsthand that because of how society is constructed, certain groups of people can not access huge parts. This shines through when going on dates, but also when getting to places you need to go, with finding housing, and with employment. Another huge takeaway is that really the whole issue lies within society and within the ableist system we all exist in. So that means the whole solution really lies within society as well, and we got to see that. The record store can remove the items which cause such a stimulating space. Buildings can install elevators, homes can have ramps. These things can be done because disability is not the issue- it’s the environment.
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