I find that I occasionally run across perfectly illogical examples
of the bureaucracy meeting real life.  For example, I drive past
an interstate on-ramp with a sign warning truck to be careful of 
turning over if they take the curve at excessive speeds.  The sign is a
picture of the curve, which goes clockwise from 6 o'clock to 3 o'clock.
Next to the curve is a stylized picture of a truck with one set of wheels 
off the ground--the wrong set for the curve pictured!!!

Well, I drove thorough our ATM drive-up window recently.    There was
a nice new machine in place.  As I was punching the keypad, I realized
that th labels were also in braille.  And then I wondered, how many
blind people who read braille would drive up to the ATM????

Okay, I rationalized, they got the same models for walk up ATMs as for
drive-through stations.  But then I realized that the braille labels were 
adhesive, not an integral part of the ATM.

I have finally accepted that the manufacturer probably makes the ATMs
one way only, regardlesss of ultimate placement, as they can be moved
or re-sold in the future.

And on a more serious note, I began to wonder how blind people
figure out how to find the braille labels...like where on the
machine is the card insert slot labeled in braille.  And I began to
wonder how a person who can't see deals with the instructins/feedback
on the ATM monitor.  ("You have entered $50.00  Push "OK" if this
is correct.")

Does compliance with the ADA go too far (braille labels on drive-
up machines) or not far enough?  I think it just meanders in the
wrong directions sometimes, but I am interested in what the rest of you think.

Hope this wasn't too long and boring

8 responses total.

Long? Boring?  No!  It is great!  Actually, persons with visual problems 
tell me that they prefer NOT to use ATM machines which is why an ATM
machine should not include voice, etc information.  NO ONE should have
PIN numbers or banking transactions broadcast.  They also tell me that they
prefer to do business in person.  You'd be surprised at how often a blind
person is asked for "driver's license" please in order to cash a check.  My
friend brags that she "has a driver's license"--for ID purposes.
        I loved your insight.  Do find more for us, please

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I used to work with a man who is legally blind.  Due to a degenerative
disorder (?disease?) he lost virtually all the sight in one eye, 
and almost all but some peripheral vision in the other eye.
He could read with a long magnifier (like a telescope) in one lens of
a pair of glasses.  He used to look at people sideways, too.
I remember him cursing the placement of elevator buttons, etc. 
Typical of many blind or partially blind people, he didnot read braille,
but he used to feel for the raised numbers on elevators to be sure of what
floor he was getting off at.  OF course, the numbers were never in
the same location on any two elevators!

I was at a Zoo with the kids, including one in a stroller.  Now, the 
Zoo, in one of its admin bldgs (with bathrooms!) has installed a
very nice and fairly expxensive wheelichair lift.  (I've priced 
them for the office, this was a good one).  THere is NO ramp up the 
short flight of 6 steps, probably due to the ADA's rule
about pitch/angle--it would have been too steep if it were short 
enough to be safe for people walking past.

I do see folks in wheelchairs occasionally at the zoo.  so to me, this
is a good thing to have a lift.  And you don't want people playing
on it so it has a sign:  "FOR USE BY PERSONS IN WHEELCHAIRS *ONLY*!"

So, I am rushing with one kid to the toilet, pushing the stroller 
ahead of me.  We stop short at the stairs.  So do lots of other moms
in the same predicament...the toilets are at the top of the stairs!
Would it have hurt to have a ramp for babycarriages even if it was
unsuitable for comfortable wheelchair use?

I loved that about the driver's license!  My MIL kept her drivers
license til recently.  Although she could not drive due to
parkinson's, many insurance companies offer a senior citizen discount
because they have statistically fewer accidents, without requiring
health/safety checks for older drivers.  
She now goes thru some problems for not having a DL and has gotten a
"non-driver's license"!

Well, this is kind of personal, but it illustrates to me the kind
of thoughtlessness that goes into conforming to the letter of the ADA.  
I was in my favorite local supermarket and went into the restroom.
They have one bathroom for women, a handicapped  restroom.  I was 
impressed by the size; many look much too small to maneuver a 
wheelchair in.  I was also impressed with how everything was
at a comfortable level for wheelchair use, even the tampon vending
machine.  And for a nice change from other public facilities, the
towel dispenser wasn't blocked by a huge wastebasket!  But then I
noticed, way up high, above the toilet just to make access more of
a challenge:  the dispenser full of the tissue paper seat covers!
Nobody in a wheelchair or even using a walker could reach them!
And this in a place thoughtful enough to have not only an 
infant changing table, but also a seat to strap in a small
baby ortoddler while mom uses the restroom.
Oh well, awareness may yet come.

Yes, the largest, most specific barrier to disabilities is still that of
attitude.  Love these comments!  Keep 'em coming PLEASE!

Yes I do agree that attitude is the hardest part of the non-disabled. I am
a blind person and I do see some of these attitudes, some people do not notice
that  they have them.  On the part of the ATMs, I do use them quite frequently
myself and have little problem using them.  As for the Braille labels they
can be very helpful, except when certain sightlings decide to do things like
put the labels on computer keyboards.(most of the other blind people I have
met are excellent touch typists.)

uyguy

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