WTF*

*Why this fiasco?

Fiascos like this happen, often.

I typically find three reasons for it.

Somebody in the position to make changes was unaware of the impacts;
or, they didn’t think it would affect their ability to get and retain customers;
or, they thought nobody would speak out.

The silence has ended.

Below is a small gallery of bad and illegal decisions.

The image above shows good intention but very poor execution and what can happen when an ADA Standards and Usability specialist is not consulted. This bathroom is at an upscale restaurant in Dallas. The rectangular shadow is a sink. The doorstop was put in to make sure people washing their hands weren’t hit by the door as it opened. The unintended effect was that the door no longer opened wide enough to allow a power wheelchair through. They have made their bathroom non-compliant to ADA Standards with this choice.

Tucson, 3-star hotel chain

This door was less than 32”: It may not be obvious that the bedside table blocks access to the balcony.

The wrong bench was ordered, as the L-shaped portion is supposed to be against the long wall. If you were sitting on the bench, could you reach the soap pumps?

The hair dryer is at the back of the cabinet behind the toilet between the towel stacks; plus there are two more issues.

Lubbock, 2-star hotel chain

This is a bathtub transfer bench, not a bench for a shower. All roll-in showers in hotel rooms are required to have a built-in bench.

The bench is missing the rubber foot on the back leg. This is completely unsafe for the user and negligent of the hotel, and creates a huge problem for risk management.

Phoenix restaurant

The soap dispenser is not reachable in this restaurant’s bathroom, removing the wheelchair user’s basic right to proper hygiene.

Independent hotel in a tourist area, Arizona

Website lists the room types, but not which are ADA Mobility rooms. A Deluxe King was selected and this note was at the bottom of the screen. In 2013, it became a requirement for hotels to provide online booking for ADA rooms.

Bathroom in the “proper accommodations” that were assigned

The roll-under sink with countertop is nice. Unfortunately the towels are unreachable over the toilet.

Shower, entryway, and bedroom area in the “proper accommodations” that were assigned.

The shower entry is wide enough, but the tiny bench is unstable.

The shower head was left at the top of the bar, way out of reach for anyone seated.

The coat hooks are set at the maximum allowable height.

Plusses and minuses here. Check out the location for the extra blanket.

The platform on this bed make is impossible to roll a lift under if required by the wheelchair user.

Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas

The hotel offers a number of different accessible rooms which you can directly see and book online, but they do recommend talking to the hotel directly.

Buried deep in a blog (in Feb 2023) I was able to find this floorpan.

King Accessible room with a Lift. Unfortunately, the large bedside tables block access for where to park a wheelchair at night. Also, the base has accessible controls for each side but not a split mattress which made the bed odd and uncomfortable.

Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, ADA Mobility Room with lift and roll-in shower

Surehands lift track from toilet into roll-in shower and there are well-placed grab bars next to toilet and in the shower. But, the overhead track is oddly placed and doesn’t reach the shower’s built-in bench. A wheelchair user could have to transfer, without using the lift and then be unable to close the shower door.