| | Play Ball
 by Frank Warner
aseball is back, so you might be in the mood to go to the ball park and catch a game on a sunny Spring day. The Americans With Disabilities Act has removed many barriers for people with disabilities in the last ten years. Still, the question of how accessible a stadium or arena is, is still subject to interpretation.
"I went to the opening game of a brand new baseball stadium and kind of critiqued it, and I loved the game, but the stadium is good and bad," said Becky Bruce, an employee of the Amputee Coalition of America, Inc. "I think my biggest complaint as a lower extremity amputee is that stadium seating is too steep. The seats are also just too close together. There is absolutely no leg room."
"Their wheelchair accessible seating is at the perimeter level of this stadium," said Bruce.
"The view is fantastic, it’s actually better than general seating and box seating." Bruce also explained that the wheelchair berths were wide, and plastic stadium seats were beside them for people accompanying the wheelchair user. The wheelchair seating is very close to the concession stands and bathrooms. "It was very easy to get to everything," said Bruce. "I thought their wheelchair accessible seating was marvelous."
"The entrance in and out of this stadium was wonderful. It was a real low grade ramp, and the handicapped parking was right outside the entrance to the stadium." Bruce continued. "You got out of your car, wheeled right in, and you were right there on the level where the accessible wheelchair seating was. So, I thought that was great."
"If you are a handicapped person who is not a wheelchair user, I didn’t think it was that great at all. The stairs were really steep, especially in a stadium environment. It’s just so many stairs, and they are so steep- without the proper railings. There was only one railing, which splits the center, so that if you are someone who requires two railings, you are out of luck."
Bruce has some recommendations for the operators of the stadium she visited. "And I just think that the seating is so tight. I realize that they are trying to get as many people in there as possible, but I would also think that they could take at least one section, and make it handicapped accessible. Widen the aisle between the seats so that it’s
easier for people to get in and out."
"I don’t see why that’s not part of a mandate, or why that’s not part of a policy. If they have to have wheelchair accessibility, that’s a mandate, that’s a part of a policy. Then they ought to have adequate seating for people who are handicapped, who may be prosthetic users, who may wear leg braces. It’s not easy for them to fold up into that nice, neat, little package you need to get into, to sit in stadium seating," Bruce concluded.
When asked this new stadium’s name, Bruce responded, "Actually, it doesn’t have a name yet. They are looking for a sponsor for the name of it still. They are for now calling it after the farm team that plays here. It is Smoky Stadium." The stadium is located in Sevierville, Tennessee.
HOK Sport, of Kansas City, MO, is an architect firm. Its employees design accessible stadiums and sports arenas. HOK Sport’s first accessible stadium is home to the Baltimore Orioles. Oriole Park at Camden Yards is located just off Interstate 95 in Baltimore. Ed Roepher is Vice President of HOK Sport. "The company began making stadiums about 1983 and we always had accessibility in mind."
When asked what guidelines HOK Sport followed, Roepher replied, "The Americans With Disabilities Act guidelines are probably the first and foremost that we follow, but there are accessibility codes in various locations throughout the nation. There are some codes which are more restrictive than the ADA guidelines. In some cases, the ADA accessibility guidelines are more restrictive than the codes. And as far as a minimum criteria, both of them have to be taken into consideration, and the most restrictive of either one applies."
The challenge today is getting more architects, designers and stadium operators involved in the effort to increase accessibility for all. When asked if HOK Sport involved disability organizations for suggestions, Roepher explained, "We find that meeting with representatives in each location provides the best design criteria. Baltimore’s Oriole Park opened up before the ADA came into effect, and we were meeting with groups even then, and we’ve been doing it ever since."
When asked about bathroom facilities and concession stands, Roepher said, "All the restrooms are accessible. There is a three foot wide stall in the men’s and women’s restroom, including grab-bars. We have also added a third restroom, what we call our family toilet, or our unisex toilet. It is a separate restroom for more privacy, where for example, a father could bring his daughter or daughters, a wife could bring her husband. How many family toilets there are in each stadium or arena depends on the size of the building. We generally have two on each level. All three types of restrooms are clearly marked with the handicapped access symbol."
"The concession stands are all accessible. The Americans With Disabilities Act guidelines require the counter height be 36 inches high. We want the entire counter height to be 34 inches high. That’s what we push for, even when it is suggested that we go with the 36 inch height."
To get some first hand experience regarding accessibility issues, Roepher has entered a wheelchair and tried maneuvering around. "I had limitations using a wheelchair," said Roepher. "It is not the same, because it is not my daily routine. I have a few friends in wheelchairs and have used their ideas and suggestions. We are always looking for new ideas and suggestions concerning accessibility." HOK Sport has designed approximately 60 accessible stadiums.
In New York, in 1857, a group of architects banded together to promote architecture and
to have a place to meet. It’s now known as The American Institute of Architects, headquartered in Washington, DC. This professional organization promotes architecture by supplying information to the public and encouraging the public to use architects more than they do.
"Our organization also has a whole area that just handles Americans With Disabilities Act issues," said Tyrone Doughty, a representative for AIA. "We have a legislative department, a department for design issues, and a reference research regarding accessibility and the ADA, in our library center."
"Our organization also offers a lot of services for architects," Doughty continued. "As members, they can buy documents through us at a discount. We have networking opportunities for them. And if they have their own firm or business, they can get insurance through us. The American Institute of Architects has 308 Chapters. Not all of the offices are staffed, but all major cities have a staffed office. We also have a web page. Some places on the web are only open to AIA members, but the site is very informative," Doughty pointed out.
Joe Kline, of Bradenton, FL works for "http://DisabilityEquipment.50megs.com" and is an avid hockey fan. Kline, a wheelchair user, had first-hand experience with accessible
stadiums attending a game at the Ice Palace, in Tampa, FL.
When asked about the Ice Palaces’ accessible seating, Kline responded, "I don’t know about any other sporting facility, but even the cheapest seats were good seats for a hockey game for a person in a chair. Each of the three levels had good, accessible seating."
Kline was impressed that a designated spot for wheelchairs was at the end of certain isles, allowing him to sit with his family. "The end seat had been removed and I was not out in
the aisle," Kline explained.
Kline has suggestions for others planning to attend a sporting event and needing accessible accommodations. "Make sure when you purchase your tickets that you make the arrangements then, that you want to sit with your family. Make sure you get the seating arrangements settled right away. If you try calling back later, the seats could be taken and you will end up sitting with somebody else. It is ridiculous to have your family sit on the other side of the arena."
Kline, who is very mobile, did not mind the distance from the parking lot to his seat. Here’s his suggestion for others. "Parking is usually whatever you can find. Try to find out before hand, what section of the parking lot is closest to your seat."
When asked about his overall sporting event adventure from the perspective of a wheelchair user, Kline responded, "Not all stadiums are this accessible. It was a really good experience. I was really impressed where the seats were. I was surprised. It was great!"
So remember to call ahead to find out how accessible your home town team’s stadium really is. Some planning ahead of time will help save you time and a hastle when you go to see your team play ball.
Visit the Amputee Coalition of America website at www.amputee-coalition.org
Visit The American Institute of Architects website at www.aiaonline.com
Frank Warner is a freelance writer for EnabledOnline.com who lives in Palmetto, Fla.
Email Frank at fwability@aol.com | |
