April 03, 2008

New Site for People with Disabilities on Public Spaces in New England That Handicap PwD

Bed too high for wheelchair


Hattie Bernstein of the Nashua Telegraph reports on a new resource for slow walkers and those with impairments. She writes that the site, oxymoronically named www.NEHandicap Access.com:

A bed too high



...provides information about access to public places in New England for anyone who depends on a wheelchair, crutches, braces, a walker or a cane for mobility.

The site, www.NEHandicap Access.com, which lists restaurants, parks, museums, stadiums, theaters and other public venues, has been up and running for only a few weeks.

[Site owner Jerry] Biddle, who retired for medical reasons and uses a wheelchair, said his "epiphany" was a family vacation; while visiting his son in Connecticut, he and his wife booked a room at a nearby hotel that advertised itself as "accessible."

"I couldn't get into the room," Biddle said. "I could get into the handicapped bathroom, but I couldn't get to the bed."

Thanks to Kel Smith for the tip on this story!

Posted by rollingrains at April 3, 2008 03:24 PM