Column
ACCESS-ABILITY Q&A
Some eateries continue to defy accessibility law
DEAR ANNETTE: We met recently at the induction ceremony at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. I want to thank you for explaining the accessible parking in Rhode Island. You are correct, I did not get a ticket for parking more than two hours in a two-hour parking space.
I also wanted to comment about the restaurants. A group of us wanted to go to (a prominent Newport restaurant) and we couldn’t get in. There was no access at all. We then went to (another Newport restaurant) because it was close by. While we got in and had dinner, I found that I couldn’t use the bathroom there because that wasn’t accessible either. Isn’t that illegal? How can a city that relies on tourists be so inaccessible? I am considering calling the U.S. attorney’s office. I may be coming back into town in the near future. How can I know where I can go out to eat?
D.H.
DEAR DH: Yes, I do remember meeting you. You got to experience both the good and the bad. The way the accessible parking law reads in Rhode Island, you’re allowed to park in time-limited parking spaces without having to observe the time limit.
As far as those restaurants go, they are definitely on the list of inaccessible locations and have owners or managers that have no desire to become accessible. I understand that people are getting pretty impatient with those businesses that do not comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. So, if calling the U.S. attorney’s office in Rhode Island is what you feel you should do, I totally understand and encourage you to follow through. The Americans with Disabilities Act has been in effect for 20 years and it is time for businesses to follow through with compliance.
If you do come back into town, please let me know and I’ll make sure you have an Accessible Rhode Island Guide. It will list all the places that are accessible and has a special section for Newport. If you would like to plan ahead, you can go to www.accessibleRhodeIsland
.org. The same information is on the Web site. You’ll notice that neither of those restaurants is listed as they are known not to be accessible, but there are some very good places that are.
I do hope your next visit to Newport is more enjoyable.
DEAR ANNETTE: You recently helped me obtain some adaptive equipment that I needed. I’ve gotten back to my normal activities faster than I expected. Now, I would like to pass on this equipment to someone else. Specifically, I have a walker that is made for someone who is under 5-foot-2 in height and a commode that doubles as an elevated toilet seat. If you know of anyone who can use this equipment, I would be happy to pass it on.
Thank you for your help in the past.
C.K.
DEAR CK: I’m delighted to hear that you have healed faster than expected. I’m also happy to hear that you’re willing to pass the equipment on to someone else who may need it. So, if anyone needs these items, please contact me at Access-ability@Verizon.net or c/o The Newport Daily News, P.O. Box 420, Newport, RI 02840.
HAPPY 20TH ANNIVERSARY, Americans with Disabilities Act!
Annette Bourbonniere of Newport is a member of the Newport Accessibility Advisory Committee and is involved in statewide advocacy groups for people with disabilities. She answers questions from readers every other week. Send questions by e-mail to access-ability@verizon.net or by mail to The Newport Daily News, P.O. Box 420, Newport, RI 02840.
Some eateries continue to defy accessibility law
DEAR ANNETTE: We met recently at the induction ceremony at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. I want to thank you for explaining the accessible parking in Rhode Island. You are correct, I did not get a ticket for parking more than two hours in a two-hour parking space.
I also wanted to comment about the restaurants. A group of us wanted to go to (a prominent Newport restaurant) and we couldn’t get in. There was no access at all. We then went to (another Newport restaurant) because it was close by. While we got in and had dinner, I found that I couldn’t use the bathroom there because that wasn’t accessible either. Isn’t that illegal? How can a city that relies on tourists be so inaccessible? I am considering calling the U.S. attorney’s office. I may be coming back into town in the near future. How can I know where I can go out to eat?
D.H.
DEAR DH: Yes, I do remember meeting you. You got to experience both the good and the bad. The way the accessible parking law reads in Rhode Island, you’re allowed to park in time-limited parking spaces without having to observe the time limit.
As far as those restaurants go, they are definitely on the list of inaccessible locations and have owners or managers that have no desire to become accessible. I understand that people are getting pretty impatient with those businesses that do not comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. So, if calling the U.S. attorney’s office in Rhode Island is what you feel you should do, I totally understand and encourage you to follow through. The Americans with Disabilities Act has been in effect for 20 years and it is time for businesses to follow through with compliance.
If you do come back into town, please let me know and I’ll make sure you have an Accessible Rhode Island Guide. It will list all the places that are accessible and has a special section for Newport. If you would like to plan ahead, you can go to www.accessibleRhodeIsland
.org. The same information is on the Web site. You’ll notice that neither of those restaurants is listed as they are known not to be accessible, but there are some very good places that are.
I do hope your next visit to Newport is more enjoyable.
DEAR ANNETTE: You recently helped me obtain some adaptive equipment that I needed. I’ve gotten back to my normal activities faster than I expected. Now, I would like to pass on this equipment to someone else. Specifically, I have a walker that is made for someone who is under 5-foot-2 in height and a commode that doubles as an elevated toilet seat. If you know of anyone who can use this equipment, I would be happy to pass it on.
Thank you for your help in the past.
C.K.
DEAR CK: I’m delighted to hear that you have healed faster than expected. I’m also happy to hear that you’re willing to pass the equipment on to someone else who may need it. So, if anyone needs these items, please contact me at Access-ability@Verizon.net or c/o The Newport Daily News, P.O. Box 420, Newport, RI 02840.
HAPPY 20TH ANNIVERSARY, Americans with Disabilities Act!
Annette Bourbonniere of Newport is a member of the Newport Accessibility Advisory Committee and is involved in statewide advocacy groups for people with disabilities. She answers questions from readers every other week. Send questions by e-mail to access-ability@verizon.net or by mail to The Newport Daily News, P.O. Box 420, Newport, RI 02840.