Disability Access Success Story: Boulder Coffee Company at Brooks Landing

Shortly after the election of President Barack Obama, Rochester, New York answered the call of the Obama Transition Team for community discussions on health care reform.

On the evening of December 30, 2008, I attended one of the health care reform community discussions that were held in Rochester - or, shall I say, I tried to. The site, Boulder Coffee, located at Genesee and Brooks, was inaccessible to people who use wheelchairs. One large step at each entrance to the shop sent a clear message - No Wheelchair Users Allowed!

I asked for the manager, who was very apologetic. She looked around, and found a plywood slab, and I was able to gain access. Unfortunately, that solution would not have worked for someone using a power chair; the slab was too flimsy and lightweight. After the meeting was over, I gave the manager my business card to give to the owner.

To say that I was livid would have been a vast understatement! This site was part of a neighborhood revitalization project and had undergone extensive renovations. Since the building had been renovated, it should not have been allowed to open without being wheelchair accessible.

The project designers were under the mistaken belief that the shop did not have to be accessible because the project did not receive federal funds. They were wrong. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, since that building was to be used as a public place and accessibility was readily achievable, would not present a hardship to the owners, and would not fundamentally alter the nature of what the building was to be used for, it had to be wheelchair accessible.

Further Action taken By Me...

After giving a report about the incident at work, I wrote to the Obama Transition Team because the community discussion meetings were done at their request. They needed to know that some of the meetings were being held in inaccessible venues. After all, if that particular site was inaccessible, there was a very likely possibility that other sites used for these meetings were inaccessible, as well.

My message was simple - if you call for community discussions and meetings, and your staff or their representatives decide to hold them in a public space, the venues that are chosen must be accessible to everyone. The Chair of the state Democratic Party also received a letter.

In addition, as a member of the Center for Disability Rights Advocacy Team, I wrote a post about this issue for the CDR Blog, which enjoys a large statewide and national following.

The Response...

One week later, I received a phone call from City Councilman Dana Miller apologizing for my embarrassing experience due to the inaccessibility of the coffee house. As it happens, Boulder Coffee is located in his ward.

The following morning, I received an e-mail from Dan Cepullio, the Regional Manager of Boulder Coffee, stating that they had already drawn up the plans, and had procured the materials for the wheelchair ramp. He said the ramp would be completed in two weeks. It would be near the back entrance as there were right-of-way issues with the sidewalk out front, but there would be clear signage at all entrances pointing to the accessible entrance.

Success!

Due to the bitter cold and record amounts of snow that winter, the project was delayed, but I am happy to report that Boulder Coffee Company now has a beautiful ramp!

Needless to say, I am pleased, even though it should have been built before the shop opened. However, Boulder Coffee worked hard to build the ramp in a timely fashion after my contact with them. Now, people who use wheelchairs can also enjoy their delicious coffee and pastries.

Sources:

Personal experience

Americans With Disabilities Act: http://www.ada.gov/