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Restaurant accessibility
Have you experienced any accessibility issues when dining out at local restaurants?
Do you let the restaurant owner/staff know about the issue, or do you avoid future visits to that establishment?
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3 Replies
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As much as I’d like to support local, family-owned, small restaurants, I’ve found that the “franchise”/big name ones are where I can easily navigate doorways, find accessible seating, accessible restrooms, and handicap parking. Too bad the small ones have too invest so much $$$ in meeting ADA standards. I empathize with that issue.
So, I consider that when voicing a suggestion ( er, complaint?) to the manager.
Even with ADA standards, I’ve found restroom stalls too narrow, doors difficult to open, and seating hosts who don’t understand why I don’t want a table in the far back of the restaurant.
What have you experienced?
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Greetings,
I sit on the Commission for Accessibility in Ridgefield CT, and this is an issue that comes up often. The American with Disabilities Act is a complaint-based act, and it is up to us to voice our concerns regarding any establishment that does not meet the ADA codes. If you encounter an issue you can go onto the Department of Justice website and there is a citizen complaint form that you can fill out and submit. I know that is not a popular option but if no one raises their voice nothing will change. I recently filed a complaint with a local restaurant that had very poor parking for handicapped individuals. I had reached out to the owner on two separate occasions and received no response, so I filed a formal complaint and the DOJ responded in a timely fashion. We had a Zoom call, and they are investigating the issue. I have not heard back as of this date, but it has only been three weeks since we met. If you raise an issue with a local business and they say they are grandfathered in that is not true as there is no grandfather clause for the ADA. The Commission is responsible for section one and two which covers municipal buildings and town roads. Private businesses are covered by section three so in this instance I was acting as a private citizen. Use your voice when you can to correct an issue that not only you are affected by but everyone with a mobility issue.
Cheers, Michael Londrigan
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Michael L, thank you for sharing that helpful information! Maybe it will motivate our members to seek out and join similar commissions in their communities. You are correct in that nothing will change if we don’t speak up.
I also appreciate learning that there is no so-called grandfather clause… and every establishment must comply with the ADA guidelines.
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