Do It Myself Blog – Glenda Watson Hyatt

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Sandman Inn Improves Accessibility for Guests with Disabilities

Filed under: Accessibility 100 — by at 3:14 pm on Saturday, October 11, 2008

Accessibility 100A quick update on the accessibility of Castlegar’s Sandman Inn…resulting from a mis-forwarded email (ooops!) regarding my previous post sent to the hotel manager, the following room improvements were in process, as of Friday:

  • New bars (3 in total) have been put into the washroom. Done Oct 7th
  • New moveable shower head is being put in today!
  • Covering for pipes under sink is being put in today!
  • Purchased a tub transfer bench

And, from my understanding, the Sandman is also interested in having SPARC BC (Social Planning and Research Council of British Columbia) conduct an accessibility audit.

I would like to add that I did not request permission to post this update. However, I do feel the Sandman Inn deserves acknowledgement for acting promptly in improving the room’s accessibility once they became aware of the issue. If only other establishments would respond as promptly! 

I would welcome the opportunity to interview the hotel manager so that he can share any lessons learned from the process, and I’d gladly post updated room photos to show what improvements have been made.

For change to occur, there needs to be a will for change. The Sandman Inn’s willingness is encouraging.


Accessibility 100 is a series of 100 easy-to-implement, free and inexpensive tips for improving accessibility for people with disabilities. This is a community project. Feel free to leave your comments, questions and ideas for future Accessibility 100 posts.

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6 Comments »

Comment by Lori-ann

October 11, 2008 @ 10:50 pm

Once again Glenda, thanks for paving the way! You are making the world a better place for everyone.

Comment by Karen Putz / DeafMom

October 12, 2008 @ 4:30 pm

Steak ‘n Shake could take a lesson from this! 🙂

Comment by Susan Murphy

October 13, 2008 @ 12:08 pm

Glenda – enjoying reading your blog immensely! Forgive my ignorance on the subject of accessibility, but when I read your posts about places that claim to be accessible and are obviously not, it really makes me wonder a couple of things. Maybe you can shed some light?

Are there defined standards for accessibility for restaurants, hotels, supermarkets etc. and if so, are these places required to implement these standards before they can call themselves “accessible”?

It stands to reason, for me, that there should be some sort of legislation requiring public places to have certain standards they must uphold (I find it difficult to fathom that the sink pipe insulation isn’t common sense!) If there is not, what can we do to raise awareness and get our government to take action?

Thanks for helping to educate me through your blog!

Comment by Glenda

October 13, 2008 @ 3:43 pm

Susan, fantastic question! From my understanding, Canadian accessibility is defined in the various building codes and by-laws. The problem is comes in enforcement. Building inspectors and such don’t always enforced what needs enforcing.

SPARC has done a research paper on the by-laws in British Columbia. I’d like to share those findings in one post and offer ways the public can help.

I’m amazed that each hotel chain wouldn’t have a set of standards that is used at eat establishment. I stayed at the Sandman in Penticton a few years ago, and the accessible room was great.

Another thing is Mom and I have been dealing with accessibility for over forty years. Having a grab bar by the toilet is not new; its not rocket science. Why don’t people get it yet until its pointed out to them?

Comment by Susan Murphy

October 14, 2008 @ 5:06 am

Thanks for your reply, Glenda! Very informative – I look forward to your post about the SPARC findings.

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