I have a mild disability, so I am able to park in a handicap spot when needed. For this particular building, the handicap parking is located to the left of the main entrance. I am lucky because once I reach the main entrance I can easily enter through the revolving doors. After entering the building, both employees and guests need to go through security.
One day recently, I happened to observe two women walking from the handicap parking lot to the office building. The first woman was using a walker and had several large bags hanging from that walker. She slowly made her way to the revolving doors and then awkwardly pushed through with the walker, dangling bags and all.
The second woman progressed slowly across the front of the building, weaving through the crowd of people heading for the revolving doors and then stood in the cold, entering her ID and pushing the handicap button to open the door. Nothing happened. She continued to stand in the freezing cold and tried again. Nothing happened. So she started waving at the security guards. Nobody noticed. Since the handicap door is to the far right, and the security desk is off center to left, the guards could not easily see her. They were also busy checking other people into the building. She remained in the cold, trying her card yet again. After I went through the revolving door, I let her in. It wasn’t a security issue since all able bodied individuals are allowed into the lobby. She still had to go through the regular security process.
I was struck by the situation. I don’t understand why she needs her ID to use the outside door to enter the building. How would a visitor get in if they had a difficult time using the revolving doors? Why is the handicap parking to the left of the building but the handicap entrance is off to the right, farther away from the security desk and has the added security of swiping an ID. It is as if they are making the disabled go through an obstacle course before entering the building.
Then I thought again of that first woman entering the building with her walker and her bags. It must have seemed easier to her to finagle her way through the revolving doors than to cross through the people and attempt to use the handicap entrance.
I did write to someone associated with the building and organization about my observations and concern. I have not received a response…yet.
Finding Abilities 