Monday, September 27, 1998
Hotels can make stays much easier
Traveler with MS offers suggestions
BY DEBORAH KENDRICK
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Whether for business or pleasure, traveling is a part of life for many Americans. The simplest amenities can make a world of difference if you have a physical disability.
Whether you're going for a visit to the grandchildren or a week-long professional seminar, the places where you eat, sleep and get dressed in the morning are key to personal comfort and ability to function.
A growing number of hotels and motels are trying to make their facilities more disability friendly. All too often, however, renovations are made without a real live disabled person in sight - with results that waste time and money.
Uses wheelchair
Judy Guttman of Colerain Township travels frequently with her husband. With multiple sclerosis, she uses a wheelchair and is keenly aware of efforts made - and not made - toward ''accessibility'' in our nation's hotels. Her list of observations and recommendations is worth sharing. She writes:
''Many handicapped-accessible rooms in hotels, motels, resorts and cruise ships are fitted with such aids as wider doors, bathroom grab-bars, lowered closet rods, lowered peek-holes in room doors - and little else. Here are some changes, many cheap and easy, that could improve the level of accessibility.
''1) Some places go overboard and use permanent risers on the beds and toilets. This can often cause more problems than assistance. If the disabled person is short, as I am, it can make it very difficult to get on and off the beds and toilets without assistance. I have fallen to the floor on many occasions because of this. It would be best to not add the risers. If requested, an extra mattress could be put on the bed. There are portable risers for the toilet that can be kept available for those who need them.
'''2) Most bathrooms are fitted with either vertical or horizontal grab-bars. It would be wonderful if both were installed. Often the grab-bars are of smooth chrome and become very slippery when wet. How about using textured chrome bars?
''3) The faucets should have large paddle handles, rather than round handles, which can be very difficult to grasp and turn. The sink faucet spouts should be extra long, like a kitchen sink spout. If you are in a wheelchair you can barely reach the water from a short spout.
''4) Towel rods should be placed very near sinks and tubs, so that towels are at easy reach.
''5) Shower stalls are easier to access than tubs, which must be climbed into. Sliding and removable shower heads are wonderful.
''6) On one occasion, when I was alone and fell, I was unable to call for help because the phone, and the emergency call button, were fixed so high on the wall that I needed to be standing to use them.
''7) Mirrors are too often installed so that you must be standing to see in them.''
Great start
Mrs. Guttman's list is a great starting place for hotels wanting to get it right in the accessibility department. Like so many design elements that enable people with disabilities to function more independently, every one of these suggestions would be welcomed by travelers without disabilities as well.
I'll be looking at accessibility in other areas within the travel industry. If you have particular pet peeves, pass them along.
Deborah Kendrick, a Cincinnati free-lance writer, is a nationally recognized advocate for people with disabilities. Write: Deborah Kendrick, Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202; e-mail: 71340.473@compuserve.com.
KENDRICK ARCHIVE
