By SUSAN ODGERS
A few years ago, I spent the summer in Europe. There were record high temperatures that year and many people died. Everyone was looking for ways to stay cool. I was thrilled when I found an accessible beach in France, the "Handi-Plage."
There were cement paths to the water, waterproof wheelchairs for people to take into the water, balloon-tire beach wheelchairs, patios/grills/tables/umbrellas that were accessible and lifeguards who were available to help, including being trained in medical care and transferring people into the water or out of their wheelchairs onto the beach.
The beach was for everyone and it was packed with happy people. There was even an accessible fishing/boating pier nearby. I came home from Europe wondering how my town, with its miles of shoreline, could create more beach accessibility.
I'm still thinking about this challenge.
Summer crowds can be difficult for people with disabilities even though, because of the weather and activities, this is often our favorite time of year. The view from "down here" waist high in the world means we're ever on the lookout for eye-level waving ice cream bars, corn dogs on a stick and rock candy on a toothpick spike. It's easy to fear getting an eye poked out.
Strangers also pass gas in a crowd -- all too often it's been in my face. Pleeeease watch behind you.
Strollers or bikes are often pushed or parked too close to me even though I am using neither a stroller nor a bike. I'm often crowded by people and I don't want to run over their feet or clip the back of ankles.
Folks need room for their walkers, wheelchairs, service dogs, carts, crutches and canes. I know when I'm saying "coming through" to the back of a person, it can be hard to hear me. Everyone needs to stay alert. If there's not enough room for both of us on the sidewalk or street and it's easier for you to move off the path, I appreciate you doing so. Often our equipment/bodies can't navigate off the cement. Let's share the path in harmony.
Please remember "down in front" at concerts, parades, displays and demonstrations. We need people to not stand up in front of us. We're waist high to everyone else and really can't see.
As a person with a disability, I'm often asked to do things other groups of people would never do. At recreation venues I'm asked to use a separate building entrance and exit, not use the restroom or use a substandard one, including the men's room, a staff bathroom or a bathroom that hasn't been used in years. I'm required to pay full price for a ticket even though I have to use dangerous or obstructed seating. We also pay too much for specialized travel, equipment and vacation services.
Ironically, we're often asked to pay more when it's US doing all of the adapting and accommodating. The solution isn't to do nothing. The problem is too difficult. Nor should we have to continue to listen to "Oh, go along." We've been going along for ages. Separate is not equal. There's so much room for improvement.
The National Cherry Festival has made some great strides:
-- The free daily classic films at the State Theatre on Front Street utilize the theater's amenities, including an accessible restroom on the main floor, a small, portable platform available for the wheelchair seating to make it level on the ramped floor and several assistive hearing devices. However, there's no elevator to the balcony and the exterior doors are hard to open.
-- There's handicap seating at the marina for Saturday's fireworks. The handicap seating for both parades is on the west side of Sixth Street at the corner of Union.
-- The tunnel under Grandview Parkway, at the east end of the midway, is an accessible way to get to the other side of a very busy street. It's ramped and a bit steep, so ask for help if you need it, but it's a great way to get to the fireworks, the marina, the beach and the Open Space.
-- Board the free BATA bus between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily at the Visitor Center and go to the MSU research station. There are orchard tours, food samples and lots of information and the access is easy.
-- Go to the festival office on Front Street, the Cherry Festival tent at the Open Space or pick up a free guide for more information.
The next steps we have to take are to make sure everything is accessible, then put it on maps, in guidebooks and in recreation listings. We need a true access directory and Web links for our area. The international handicap symbol needs to be ever-present; it signifies openness and it is welcoming. People with disabilities should be employees, volunteers and guides, which is also very welcoming.
The push for increased, stabilized tourism funding is important. State tourism dollars are for everyone: people with disabilities, senior citizens, families and veterans. Money or sponsorships are needed for things our beach community needs, like those balloon-tire chairs and portable boardwalks.
We owe thanks to the advocates who have helped create what we do have. Let's build upon what they've done.
I know we can be a progressive community when it comes to accessible recreation. We can do this in a thoughtful manner. Let's plan from the onset for our aging citizens, young families and persons with disabilities. Let's play together.
Look for my next column on the Traverse City Film Festival.
What do you think?
If you have evaluations or ideas of any recreation or entertainment experiences and venues, please let us know. We're especially interested in upcoming events, such as the Northwestern Michigan Fair, the Traverse City Film Festival and Friday Night Live. Let us know about your experiences at Beach Bums games or the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Interlochen or local playgrounds.
We're interested in ease of access, staff attitude and training, compliance with ADA, restrooms, parking, entrances/exits, signage, safety, literature and service.
Write to: Adapted in TC, Traverse City Record-Eagle, 120 W. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49684, or e-mail jtaylor@record-eagle.com.
Susan Odgers, a resident of Traverse City for the past 22 years, has used a wheelchair for 33 years. She is a faculty member at Northwestern Michigan College and Grand Valley State University. She can be reached via the Record-Eagle. For more Adapted in TC columns, log on to record-eagle.com/susanodgers.
