Month: July 2023

Categories
Accessibility

Need Greater Equipment Access? Talk to the Manufacturer

Elevator access
Angela stands in front of an accessible elevator panel of floor buttons and inserts a hotel keycard to access the elevator floor selected. Her sister-in-law, Julie, stands next to her watching the wonder of independent access.

Fifty plus years ago I rarely used an elevator. I grew up in a single story house and there were no elevators at school. However, that all changed when I began university in 1971. The law library was on the fifth floor, lecture rooms were on the sixth, and the highest button I could reach was for the fourth floor. Even the open door button and emergency telephone were out of reach!

Ten years later, little people were still struggling to reach elevator buttons. Hotels hosting Little People of America (LPA) meetings would temporarily equip elevators with wands and stools. But this only worked if floor buttons didn’t require heat from a skin touch or the person was able to use a stool. And sadly, the accommodations were removed when the meeting was over.

Want to subscribe to receive blog updates sign up today!

Ten years later, little people were still struggling to reach elevator buttons. Hotels hosting Little People of America (LPA) meetings would temporarily equip elevators with wands and stools. But this only worked if floor buttons didn’t require heat from a skin touch or the person was able to use a stool. And sadly, the accommodations were removed when the meeting was over.

So what could LPA do about out-of-reach elevator buttons? In the 1990s, when out-of-reach ATMs propelled LPA to advocate for lowering ATMs in the ICC/ANSI A117.1 Committee on Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (ANSI Access Committee), we discovered that the reach range code section applied to everything open to the public activated with a push, pull or turn. Removing the six-inch reach barrier for ATMs would also bring elevator buttons within reach of at least a half million people with dwarfism, limited upper arm strength and movement, and other disabilities.

After vigorous debate in February 1996, the ANSI Access Committee agreed to LPA’s proposal to lower the unobstructed side reach from 54 to 48 inches in the second draft revision of the ANSI Access Code. Although the elevator industry was generally willing to meet the 48 inch standard, they sought an exception for buildings with more than 16 elevator stops. Without this exception, the industry would be boxed in between a 48 inch high side reach and a 15 inch low side reach needed to accommodate people who are blind; this left insufficient room for floor buttons in high rise buildings. The industry needed time to re-engineer the control panel.

LPA agreed not to fight the exception sought by the National Elevator Industry Institute (NEII) in the 1998 ICC/ANSI code given their commitment to form a Task Group to understand the access needs of little people and explore ways of providing 100% elevator access in the future. At the same time, LPA put the industry on notice that we would propose removal of this exception in the 2003 revision cycle.

After meeting with LPA representatives three times, NEII came up with a technology solution designed to enable little people to reach ANY floor destination. With technology comparable to setting the time on an alarm clock,people use an up or down scan button to select a floor destination. The LPA/NEII proposal was accepted at the May 2002 ANSI Access Committee meeting and appears in § 407.4.8, ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003.

Yet despite this technology breakthrough being added to the ANSI Access Code, I have yet to see this feature on any elevator. Please comment if you have seen a floor destination scan button in service? This post was based in part on excerpts from two books in my dwarfism trilogy memoir: ALWAYS AN ADVOCATE: Champions of Change for People with Dwarfism and Disabilities and Dwarfs Don’t Live in Doll Houses. Book details and buy links are found at https://angelamuirvanetten.com/books/.

Categories
Accessibility

The Long Road to Update Federal Reach Guidelines

Reach Us

People with disabilities celebrate National Disability Independence Day on July 26. And Little People of America (LPA) also celebrates July 23, 2004—the day the Access Board published a final reach range rule making public facilities more accessible to at least a half million people with dwarfism, limited upper arm strength and movement, and other disabilities.

The Access Board is an independent federal agency responsible for developing and maintaining accessibility guidelines for the construction and alteration of facilities covered by the ADA of 1990 and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) of 1968.

The ADA applies to places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and State and local government facilities.

The ABA covers facilities designed, built, or altered with Federal funds or leased by Federal agencies.

Want to subscribe to receive blog updates sign up today!

In 1994, the Access Board established an advisory committee to review and recommend changes to update the 1991 ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). When LPA learned that the committee was tentative about recommending a reduction in the unobstructed side reach from 54 to 48 inches, Robert Van Etten and I drove almost 400 miles to a July 7, 1996 committee meeting. We fervently advocated for breaking the six-inch reach barrier. We were ecstatic when the Advisory Committee’s recommendation to the Access Board included a side reach of 48 inches!

It took another three years before the Access Board published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to jointly update and revise its ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines. I coordinated LPA’s advocacy in support of lowering the side-reach to 48 inches by encouraging LPA’s members, allies, and disability organizations to send comments to the federal Access Board.

Although the Access Board rejected the Advisory Committee’s 48-inch recommendation, I believe this flawed decision swayed several hundred to make comments favoring the six inch reduction. I prepared and submitted LPA’s official comments—a 25-page document that took more than 45 hours to prepare. During the NPRM comment period, LPA members also testified at public hearings in Los Angeles, California, and Arlington, Virginia.

After the public comment period closed, I represented LPA and recruited local LPA members to attend Access Board informational meetings on October 24-25, 2000, in Washington, DC. Their purpose was to determine the effect a 48-inch standard would have on manufactured equipment and newly constructed building elements. In a jaw-dropping moment, ATM manufacturers announced that their new generation of machines would meet the 48-inch standard! Our jubilance couldn’t even be dampened by the gas pump manufacturers’ continued fight for an exception.

Another four years passed before the final rule was published on July 23, 2004. Euphoria barely described the joy of finally seeing the 48-inch standard accepted in the new ADAAG. Federal law now mandated this accessible height for ATMs and everything open to the public activated with a push, pull or turn.

Yes it was disappointing to see gas pump manufacturers granted an exception for machines installed on existing curbs and allowed installation of operable parts on gas pumps as high as 54 inches. But victories are celebrated and disappointments motivate us to keep advocating for change.

You may also want to read:

Categories
Celebrations

Third Year Blog Anniversary Favorites

check mark
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

“Water Adventures.” August 8, 2022. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/water-adventures/

This post includes scenes from the second book in my dwarfism memoir trilogy, “Pass Me Your Shoes: A Couple with Dwarfism Navigates Life’s Detours with Love and Faith.”

“Finding Hugo: Our Wheelchair Accessible Van.” September 26, 2022. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/finding-hugo-our-wheelchair-accessible-van/

Mickey’s comment: “Angela you look like a pilot of a jet.”

Want to subscribe to receive blog updates sign up today!

“Add Teeth Not Candles for Birthday of Air Carrier Access Act.” October 3, 2022. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/air-carrier-access-act/

Lissette’s comment: “I enjoy reading your blog. Through your words I have found many answers to questions I didn’t even know there could possibly be solutions / answers. Keep informing us. We appreciate you sharing your knowledge. God bless you.”

“Lessons From My 40-Year Law Career.” October 10, 2022. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/lessons-from-my-40-year-law-career/

Excerpt: “Many prospective employers can’t imagine a client having confidence in the ability of a 40-inch-tall lawyer. Thankfully, I had enough imagination for both of us.”

“Dwarfism Sensitivity & Awareness.” October 24, 2022. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/dwarfism-sensitivity-awareness/

Mark’s comment: “Good stuff on here.”

“UK Travel: Challenge, Church, and Cuisine.” October 31, 2022. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/uk-travel-challenge-church-and-cuisine/

Excerpt: “We felt the access challenges were worth it to soak in more British culture and cuisine. Did it really matter that we had to leave our [bed and breakfast] bedroom door ajar because we couldn’t reach the door handle?”

“MAKING PUBLIC COMMENTS: Time Wasted or Well Spent?” November 7, 2022. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/making-public-comments-time-wasted-or-well-spent/

This post is based on events discussed in the third book of my dwarfism memoir trilogy, “ALWAYS AN ADVOCATE: Champions of Change for People with Dwarfism and Disabilities.” https://angelamuirvanetten.com/always-an-advocate/.

“Why Are You So Short? Is the Answer in the Genes?” November 21, 2022. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/why-are-you-so-short-is-the-answer-in-the-genes/

Excerpt: “Every day little people are asked to explain why they’re so short. But let’s pivot to a more important question. Is it legal to use genetic information against people whose genes identify a disability?”

“Disabled Caught In Homeless Crisis.” December 19, 2022. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/disabled-caught-in-homeless-crisis/

Excerpt: “People with disabilities make up almost one quarter of the half million plus homeless in America. . . The magnitude of the crisis mandates that we “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.” Psalm 82:3, New Living Translation.

“Defendants Feign Ignorance When Hit With ADA Complaints.” January 30, 2023. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/defendants-feign-ignorance-when-hit-with-ada-complaints/

Excerpt: “31 years after the ADA’s January 26, 1992 effective date, we’re expected to believe defendants don’t know wheelchairs can’t climb steps, people using walkers and canes have trouble opening heavy doors, and little people can’t reach high counters!” 

“Dwarfs Don’t Live in Doll Houses: 35-Year Anniversary.” April 10, 2023. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/dwarfs-dont-live-in-doll-houses-35-year-anniversary/

Because human behavior has not changed, the e-book remains relevant for ongoing disability issues and serves as a time capsule for how little people and their families experienced life prior to disability civil rights laws.

“Barrier Removal Beats Awareness.” May 8, 2023. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/barrier-removal-beats-awareness/

Carol’s comment: I’m 4’6.” I once put in a complaint at a supermarket about POS machines attached to the checkout counter above my view. I had asked how people in wheelchairs managed, and the assistant tried to tell me they raised themselves on one hand and did it with the other. “NO they don’t,” I declared.

To subscribe to my weekly blog—a voice for people with dwarfism & disability guided by faith and justice—go to https://angelamuirvanetten.com/blog/.

Categories
Celebrations

Unforgettable 60th Birthday in Alaska

Robert on platform between train carriages
Robert on apron deck between carriages on White Pass & Yukon Route Railway in Alaska

As a nod to Alaska’s State flower—the Forget-Me-Not—we remember Robert’s unforgettable 60th belated birthday celebration cruising with friends Rick and Bette from Vancouver, Canada to Whittier, Alaska. This was a definite upgrade for Robert and Bette’s tradition of celebrating their same age birthdays together.

In Glacier Bay, we all bundled up to enjoy the view and sound of glaciers calving while sipping hot chocolate on our cabin balcony.

Want to subscribe to receive blog updates sign up today!

Hoffmans on balcony
Birthday buddies on ship balcony

We enjoyed our dinners in the supposedly sold out dining room with assigned seating and a personal waiter. Rick credits Robert and me scootering up at just the right moment for four seats to miraculously materialize.

Disembarking and boarding from a ten story ship was complicated by the rise and fall of the tide. Riding down the gangway on the scooter could be a gentle slope on departure and a steep incline on the return several hours later. Despite the gangway slope being reduced by attaching to higher or lower ship decks, it could still be so steep that the scooter teetered at the top! Nonetheless, several crew ensured we boarded safely.

At our first stop in Ketchikan, the cold August temperature required dressing in layers. The downside came when it was time to go to the bathroom and peel off all those layers. We spent our shore time appreciating the world’s oldest collection of native American totem poles and the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Robert felt much older than 60 seated in the outdoor bleachers when staff gave him a woollen lap blanket akin to those used in nursing homes.

In Juneau—Alaska’s capital city—our local tour guide was a relative of Robert’s brother-in-law. He had great insights on how to survive in Alaska. The tip that sticks with me is “cotton kills, wool warms.” In bringing us to the Mendenhall Glacier he lamented how global warming was shrinking the glacier. Indeed glaciologist, Mike Hekkers, reported that for 20 years the glacier has retreated over 160 feet per year.

In Skagway we tackled an incline that rivaled the ship’s gangway. After boarding the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, the train climbed grades of up to 3.9 percent to ascend 2,865 feet in only 20 miles. Completed in 1900, the railroad was built in treacherous conditions during the Klondike Gold Rush to link the Yukon and other booming gold-mining districts with tidewater at Skagway.

This narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering landmark comparable to the Eiffel tower, Statue of Liberty and Panama Canal. Just as significant to us was the carriage equipped with a wheelchair lift and, for our amusement, “handicapped eating” presumably intended as “disabled seating” since there was no food service.

Train carriages
Train carriages winding their way along the ledge of a rock faced cliff above and below

Our cruise ended in Whittier. Robert’s cousin Carol not only met us at the terminal, but also for the first time. Carol and her two dogs graciously welcomed us as a guest in their home in Anchorage and played tour guide for a few days.

How about you? Any unforgettable birthdays or destinations?

You may also want to read:

Categories
Independence

Fighting for Independence

Statue of Liberty

This July 4th as we reflect on America’s independence, let’s consider the fight for independence continuing for people with disabilities.

My parents understood right from the start that it was vital to my development as an independent mature person that I be treated according to my age not my size. This meant not being given a pass on chores, discipline, or responsibilities. In their wisdom, they didn’t fuss over or do everything for me.

Want to subscribe to receive blog updates sign up today!

As a result, I loved the independence of going when and where I wanted when I started driving at age 18. The only problem was that this car was a machine that had to be fueled, watered, oiled, lubed, aired, and cleaned. I never had to think about such things before. Now it was my responsibility and dad insisted that I look after the car myself. One day our different views on the subject clashed.

Mo, a family friend, noticed that one of the tires needed air and offered to take the car to the garage for me. I was about to let him, when dad butted in and said, “No Angela, you take it to the garage yourself.” I was fuming. What did it have to do with dad anyway? Mo was willing to take it, so why not let him? But there was no chance of that now, dad had said enough for Mo to withdraw his offer. I had no choice but to take the tire in myself.

It didn’t take me long to realize that dad was right. I had to learn how to look after my own car. Along with the privilege of driving, came the responsibility of caring for it. This was the beginning of achieving independence for myself as an adult and laid the groundwork for advancing independence for others.

A subtle challenge to independence comes from those who insist on helping people with disabilities when we don’t need it. We must stand firm against such offers so as not to erode our independent living skills or give in to patronization. In the times we do need help, we will ask for it.

As discussed in my dwarfism memoir trilogy, I have supported independent living principles through my marriage, career and volunteerism. For example:

  • I joined forces with Robert Van Etten, a rehabilitation engineer and my husband, who worked to improve the independence of individuals with disabilities at home, on the job, and in public places through environmental changes and adaptive equipment.
  • I served as a board member of a Center for Independent Living in Cleveland, Ohio and was appointed by Florida’s governor to serve on the Florida Independent Living Council.
  • I was a coordinator and advocacy specialist for the Coalition for Independent Living Options in Stuart, Florida.
  • As a volunteer with LPA, I led the charge for little people—and a half million others whose disability involved a reach limitation—to gain independent use of public facilities such as ATMs, bathrooms, elevators, and gas pumps.

What can you add about the disability fight for independence?

This post is drawn from excerpts and concepts in my dwarfism memoir trilogy, https://angelamuirvanetten.com:

  • ALWAYS AN ADVOCATE: Champions of Change for People with Dwarfism and Disabilities
  • PASS ME YOUR SHOES: A Couple with Dwarfism Navigates Life’s Detours with Love and Faith
  • Dwarfs Don’t Live in Doll Houses