Date Night

Our evening out was well equipped for hours of fun, for both people with disabilities and able bodied individuals. Our locations allowed for a nice meal at a local pub, the ability to enjoy a few games of bowling at the alley and to sit and indulge in a hot cup of co-co while soaking in some private conversation at a near-by coffee shop.

 We started at the Mountain Shadow Pub, only two blocks away from the transit line. The pub was accessed through the front with both stairs and a ramp. However the setting of accessibility (parking lot via able-entrance) pre-empted ableism right from the start. The landscape into the building was better suited for those who can make a simple step up onto the curb and straight into the door. There was a ramp provided, however one must leave the parking lot, go down the road about 15 feet, around the shrubbery and landscape art and enter the front door via the furthest side of the front entrance opposite the parking lot. So although the outside space provided the feature of the ramp, it was not directly accessible from the parking lot, in which most people would typically enter so the shift towards ableism was clearly marked and the ramp, an after-thought.

 In order to enter the pub you had to enter through a double set of doors that could be opened for a wheelchair to fit through, but unfortunately no automatic door button existed. The lounge was wheel-chair accessible as the tables are low enough that one could substitute a chair to sit comfortable any enjoy a meal at one of many tables. There was an accessible washroom on the lower level, but the hallway to get there was quite small and narrow. The washroom was designated with a ‘handicap’ label on the door. This pub had an upstairs level; however there was no elevator, only stairs. We felt this space excluded people who could not walk up stairs, and that they may be missing out on any entertainment offered up there. There was also an outside patio; however it was inaccessible because of the stairs leading down to the doors. This meant people in wheelchairs could not eat outside on such a beautiful day. This was surprising because enjoying a nice meal in the sunshine is a common activity for people in the summer and is typically an area which sexuality can be displayed more freely. Being in a wheelchair our date is not afford this opportunity and must seek to express their sexuality through other mediums. The pub have wheel-chair accessible areas for our date; however the operations of ableism were evident insofar as there were some limitations in the layout. There were some accommodations made to (ie. ramp and separate downstairs washroom) the space but the pub was clearly constructed with ableism in mind.

 

 Just one block from the skytrain, which had an elevator for easy access, was Rev’s Bowling a great place to let loose and have fun, for anyone. We were pleased to see how accessible this bowling alley was. An example of this accessibility was a ramp that was directly in front of the front door, making it easy to enter the bowling alley. Once inside there was a vast amount of space to move around. However, it was disappointing that the counters were raised to a level that our date would find it difficult to pay for the bowling or ask for help. This again challenged our date's ability to be sexual in the bowling alley. Not being able to pay or get their own shoes makes our date feel dependant on us. There were several lanes for bowling, but again it was disappointing to see that there was a 5” step down to reach the lanes from the sitting area. These limitations illustrate another space constructed for able-bodies, especially when the step appears to be for aesthetic purposes instead of practicality. However suitably there were ramps on either end of the alley’s (at lane 1 and lane 50) to make the lower level accessible, nevertheless you can see how this limits the area of usage for wheel chairs. One last feature that we found to be a very helpful was a bowling tool. It was a metal barred platform secured with a type of slide constructed as a ramp for the bowling ball. It was 3 feet tall and used to place the ball onto-to aid in pushing the ball down the lane. This tool was instrumental for allowing our date to challenge the construction of the space and express their sexuality. They did not need our help to enjoy a game of bowling, in fact they could even compete and try and beat us. This was a great feature as our date was able to be sexual in the same space and context as us. We could see this venue was trying to accommodate disabled people as best they could.

  

Our final destination was Starbucks (one block from the bowling alley and directly in front of the skytrain stop). Immediately upon entry was a flight of stairs to access the seating area and coffee counter, however adjacent to the stairs, on the right was a mechanical chairlift that is used to facilitate people coming in with wheel chairs/mechanical chairs.  It took up a large section of the space constructed further illustrating their devotion to making their establishment accessible to everyone. It was impressive to see this ramp built in the coffee shop, as I had never encountered it before. Starbucks also offered a designated ‘handicap’ table (with the handicap sign sticker on the table) beside the chairlift in the seating area as well as a designated stall in the bathroom. The counters were a little high, so it would be difficult to see the drink menu behind it. But overall, the baristas were very accommodating and we all ordered our drink of choice. We were extremely pleased that we chose to come to Starbucks for some intimate time with our date. The ability to move freely with absolutely no help allowed our date to express their sexuality as easily as us. Despite the immediate greeting of the stairs that demonstrates another environment centered around ableism, this establishment has made some very modern modifications that will effectively facilitate a great place to engage in some private conversation after a wonderful night of dinner and bowling.