Comments on: Sandman Inn Improves Accessibility for Guests with Disabilities

By: Do It Myself Blog - Glenda Watson Hyatt » Spotlighting Businesses That Are Improving Accessibility for People with Disabilities

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:43:40 +0000

[...] recently, at the Sandman Inn in Castlegar, the manager ensured appropriate grab bars were installed in the otherwise fairly accessible [...]

By: Susan Murphy

Susan Murphy — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:06:01 +0000

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

By: Glenda

Glenda — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:43:51 +0000

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?

By: Susan Murphy

Susan Murphy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:08:56 +0000

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!

By: Karen Putz / DeafMom

Karen Putz / DeafMom — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:30:53 +0000

Steak ‘n Shake could take a lesson from this!

By: Lori-ann

Lori-ann — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:50:22 +0000

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