We began our date from SFU Burnaby campus. We took
bus 145 from the top bus loop as the bus loop under library always already
full. Buses in Vancouver including
the one we took all offered service to wheelchair
users. The bus is specially designed with ramp and
kneeling function. The kneeling system can lower down the bus for elderly or
people with cane, whereas an extension ramp will be
reached out to the sidewalk to create a bridge for wheelchair users
to have access to the bus.
We then took skytrain to metrotown, when we walked
up to the platform, we noticed the newly built automatic entrance with varied
widths; the wider one is specially designed for the wheelchair users to pass.
Before we enter our theatre room, we noticed the
door to each theatre room is automatic with a button on the wall. This allows
people with disabilities easier to go in and out for washroom break during the
movie start.
Finally, we entered our room to be seated and enjoy
our movie, we noticed that there are many seats, but only few are wheelchair
accessible. There are clear sign to indicate the seats reserved for the
wheelchair users, however those reserved seats are limited to the first row and
limited space provide to store wheelchair as well.
There are two types of tables and chair for
customers to choose. We choose a higher table with one leg since the space
around the table is large enough to fit wheelchair whereas the lower table with
four legs is impossible for wheelchair to use it.
After spending
some private time at the café, we took a 10 minutes’ walk along the street to
get to our dinner place. We chose Earls restaurant as a
perfect romantic dinner for today’s
date. When we got to the front entrance of the
restaurant, there is only stairs and no ramp. After we asked the manager, she
said there is a ramp and a door designed for wheelchair users, however, it is
located on the side of the patio entrance.
At the main entrance, the door is automatic with a
press button besides the door for any people with disability can easily go
through the door.
Inside the restaurant, the environment
is amazingly comfortable. The atmosphere and lighting are perfect to impress
your date and create deeper connections with each other. The whole restaurant was organized into two sections
including the bar and dining area. The area at the bar is narrow and with
mostly high stand chairs; therefore, we choose the dining area to seat. The
dining area is very spacious and clean. Tables are
designed at a reasonable height for normal body as well as disabled body. The
restaurant also has two different styles of tables and chairs to allow
customers to choose from. We choose one leg table with movable chairs which can
provide plenty of space for wheelchair users. However, the table along the wall
are not wheelchair friendly.
Inside the restaurant there’re washroom specifically
designed for wheelchair users. The door going into
the washroom is a reasonable size for a wheel chair to pass through. The washroom has a
handle on the wall which provides
a support for them. Also, the sink is at a lower height
which allows disabled body to reach it with ease. The
space in the washroom is also spacious for them to move around.
After we finished our accessible date, we feel like
there are a lot of improvements made for people with disabilities, however,
there are still many challenges we encountered during our date. One thing we noticed
is that all the challenges we faced during our date is mainly created by
environmental barriers and created these physical barriers.
Great post. A good timing for me to read it when I have just started my blog a couple of days before. Keep sharing the tips :)
ReplyDeletestore wheelchair