Elevator usage by ADA persons

[spookwife]

9 hours ago, broberts said:

 

Good advice . . . especially for those using wheelchairs. 

I do it all the time.  in a wheelchair.  it add maybe 10 minutes to the journey to whatever deck I want to be at next.   as opposed to all these claims of having to wait an hour.  

[spookwife]

8 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

Typical thinking by. Many, “The accessible toilet is fair game if the others are occupied” what it doesn’t even consider is that for many the accessible toilet is the ONLY option and many physical disabilities come with bowel and bladder issues.

  dumb idea.   what happens when  little Sally  just HAS TO GO RIGHT NOW MOMMIE and the only one open on the pool deck is the HA stall?    Sally gets to pee her pants because she's not disabled?  or there's a line at the  ones by the theater.   the HA  becomes open and its supposed to remain that just in case someone with a physical disability shows up  10 minutes later?!  instead on in the meantime 3-4  more people get to  do their business and return to Grease?

[spookwife]

8 hours ago, WpgCruise said:

But therein lies the problem.  While the handicapped facility is being used by the non handicapped, it is unavailable for the handicapped.  Same concept as taking a handicapped parking spot.  While the non handicapped is there, it isn't available for the intended use.

 

 

so an available resource is supposed to remain unused by the general populace just because someone who can 'only' use that particular resource MIGHT show up at some unspecified time in the future?!  I can wait my turn just fine thankyewverymuch.  I will never  begrudge a 'normal' person using a HA stall in any venue.  if ya gotta go, ya gotta go.  

 

and for those who are spouting off  issues that are specialized.. it is the responsibility of the person to ensure they have done everything they can to mitigate any emergencies.. 

 

I am sick and tired of handicapped/disabled individuals  crying  for special treatment and  empathy  solely based on the fact that they are disabled.   we  are no more special or deserving of special treatment than any other 'normal' individuals  out there.

[spookwife]

7 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

Yep I’m happy to judge someone who uses facilities set aside for another group, guess you be happy to use the toilets for the opposite sex too.

 dude they are NOT SET ASIDE.    they are provided to enable certain segments of the population to  manage   their personal  hygiene  easier, but they are in no way whatsoever only for card carrying handicapped individuals considering we as a nation do not have a  registry of such.  

 

a similar argument/complaint was started on  the Disney boards regarding the companion restrooms with a few  entitled individuals were bitching about them being used by  groups of one adult and several small children.  how else are they supposed to corral  2-3 kids while diaper changing the youngest?

 

 

[A&L_Ont]

7 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

I think you’ll find places with only one toilet actually mark them as make, female and accessible, never been on a ship with only one toilet.

 

On Oasis Class ships there is one washroom (for male and female side by side) with only one toilet. It is a single person washroom. 

[mousefan73]

9 hours ago, WpgCruise said:

But therein lies the problem.  While the handicapped facility is being used by the non handicapped, it is unavailable for the handicapped.  Same concept as taking a handicapped parking spot.  While the non handicapped is there, it isn't available for the intended use.

 

 

Can't compare the two.. Take a handicapped parking spot means that, that spot is no longer available for anyone else for an unforseen future. Especially in the cruise terminal example. Using a handicap stall is not taking it away, only causing a person to wait for a very limited amount of time. Like waiting for an elevator. 

[ShillyShally]

10 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

Typical thinking by. Many, “The accessible toilet is fair game if the others are occupied” what it doesn’t even consider is that for many the accessible toilet is the ONLY option and many physical disabilities come with bowel and bladder issues.

It absolutely DOES consider that.  I do not think handicap stalls or spaces are required to be immediately available but available as soon as possible to one that needs it!  After my knee surgery I also needed the accessible stall as the seat was higher and the bars helped me get up, so again, who would know if I had a legitimate need or not, as we already stated, not all disabilities or needs to do things are visible.  And women's rooms can have long lines, I do not see the harm in someone using any and every available stall until such time as someone more deserving of it needs it.  Just as if I see a pregnant woman or child in the line and I feel I can wait, I'll try and let them go ahead, but there are times I won't be able to hold it any longer and have need for the next available stall!

[ShillyShally]

11 minutes ago, mousefan73 said:

Can't compare the two.. Take a handicapped parking spot means that, that spot is no longer available for anyone else for an unforseen future. Especially in the cruise terminal example. Using a handicap stall is not taking it away, only causing a person to wait for a very limited amount of time. Like waiting for an elevator. 

This, agreed!

 

[Seville2Cabo]

By law handicap parking  spaces  are reserved only for qualified.  Hotel rooms, ramps outside of businesses, ship cabin are required to have accessible options, not reserved.  When a hotel or ship is full, they give out the accessible rooms to people that don't need them.  Does this mean I can't use ramp.

 

I have a handicap tag for my car, but am not handicapped.  I do have some family members that I need to drive from time to time.  I would never use the tag and the space if it was not needed. 

 

I think the elevator idea is crazy.  We usually take the steps, but in the evening when the heels come on, the wife wants to ride the elevator.  We just hang out until the crowd goes away.  If you can't wait that long because you need your meds,  maybe you should be caring them with you.

 

Also for the OP.  There are some people in scooters that can walk steps better than some people not in scooters.  Reminds me of airplane boarding.  10 people and their families need wheelchairs to board, but when the plane lands, they get up, grab their luggage and run off the plane.

[ShillyShally]

10 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

but I guess you using the stall is more important than possibly putting a life at risk.

 

Sheesh, all or nothing much?  No one ever said they blatantly use the accessible stall, on Indy it was the only stall on the end by the theaters, when I needed to go I couldn't always wait for an elevator to get to another floor, nor could I run up the stairs due to being on stair restrictions right now, so I used it.  Once it was flooding and I immediately went to find someone to let them know for it to be fixed!  Most people are good, stop trying to project us all as conniving and selfish!

Edited May 2, 2019 by ShillyShally

[Sam Ting]

Come to think of it, I never really noticed it being a problem but maybe it’s beca the elevator lobby is so crowded after shows etc that I just didn’t see it. 

 I’ll be sure to be more cognizant of this in the future.   Maybe they need to make some kind of announcement of this reminding people to be more aware especially in crowded areas. 

[BonTexasNY]

I haven't read this whole thread but wanted to put my 2 cents into the party.  I always wait patiently for an elevator.  If I allowed every wheelchair/scooter to enter before me, when they arrive after me, I would have a super long wait to get where I'm going.  I won't go into my medical history, but I like others, have mobility issues that cannot be seen by others.

Let's agree there are rude people on both sides of the issue.

[sdrocks]

I personally do not have mobility issues & enjoy taking the stairs as much as possible, also for exercise.  I do not like

waiting for elevators so therefore I'm happy.  Unfortunately not so for my husband.  He has diabetes, neuropathy and

cardiac disabilities.  He takes the elevator for that reason.  He will use a cane for stability.  So I try to have empathy for

those who need the elevators & hope the ones who don't will take the stairs.  

[ONECRUISER]

11 hours ago, brillohead said:

I am much more concerned about the lack of enough handicapped parking spaces in the new parking garage at the new Miami terminal than I am about waiting 5-10 minutes for an elevator or 2 minutes for a toilet stall!

I often travel with a paraplegic, and we arrived at Miami after noon and drove the entire ramp looking for an accessible parking spot.  We finally took one of the way-too-numerous "green vehicle only" spots, but had to back in so that he'd be able to get his wheelchair next to the car to transfer.  

If the scooter/wheelchair users want to get behind a REAL problem, they should write to corporate about the parking accommodations, not this petty elevator crap.  I don't think there are enough handicap spots in the new ramp to accommodate all the accessible rooms on even ONE ship, let alone the THREE or more ships that are using that facility. 

And then when you add in all the people who have handicap parking needs but don't need an accessible room on the ship, you realize just how inadequate the handicap parking allowance really is.  Everyone with lung or cardiac problems, everyone with a cane or walker, plus everyone with a scooter or wheelchair... that's hundreds of people on every ship and there are no where near enough parking spaces allocated for them in the parking ramp.

Yeah I miss old days. 20-30yrs ago I'd park in front of the Ship in Miami. I could throw rock from my cabin and hit our car. Wheelchairs were first off. When time to get off they'd push on Father In Law in wheel chair right to our car. Now bigger ships, more passengers and a parking ramp and bigger issues

Edited May 2, 2019 by ONECRUISER

[johnjen]

22 hours ago, davekathy said:

That was not a serious post. 

Sometimes we don't have the crayons nor time to explain ourselves.

[CruisinCrow]

21 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

I would like to see a dedicated elevator used after muster drill for those in wheelchairs, scooters, strollers for 15 - 20 minutes.  That would be helpful.  

 

I think that is a good idea.  If they don't let people use the elevators before the drill, they could easily do the same for a period after the drill.

 

As for myself, I try to take the stairs as much as possible on cruises.  About the only exception is when returning to the ship after being in port and wanting to go from deck 1 to deck 10.  Then my husband and I usually walk to the other end of the ship and wait for the elevator there, where it is much less busy.  However, a couple of years ago I was having some health problems and even though I looked "fit and healthy", stairs were an issue.  I am now much more careful not to assume that someone is lazy if they take the elevator up two flights.  We don't know what other people are going through.

[Cruiser_1977]

I'm taking the bait 😔  In the parking lot, once you park your car you may be gone for hours. However, in a restroom no matter what you're doing, you're not going to be in there more than a few minutes, so that even if someone has to wait, they have to wait momentarily. In a parking lot the law is explicit about who can and who can't use it. That space is for handicapped use only. Restrooms are designated as handicapped accessible not handicapped ONLY. Therefore, no one is explicitly forbidden to use it.

Edited May 2, 2019 by JennyB1977

[legaljen1969]

On ‎4‎/‎29‎/‎2019 at 8:51 PM, 6theagle said:

In my experience 8 years in a chair,  a Mobility issue is probably the most obvious one, as we usually require a device or some other obvious tools in order to walk. We all register with the assistance desk, so it would be another service. 

I think perhaps the question was meant to read "How do you know if someone has a disability?" Some disabilities are not readily discernible.   For instance, one of my frequent travel companions has some heart problems.  While he is able to walk up a couple of flights of stairs, he could probably not walk up 5 or 6 flights of stairs- especially not if he had carry-on luggage or the like.  To look at him, you would think he would be easily able to "just take the stairs."  He will be 80 in December and really looks to be in quite good health, but I would not be pleased if someone told him he was not permitted to take the elevator because he didn't have an apparent mobility issue.

Further, there will be people who will abuse having a mobility device.  I saw this recently at Disney.  Family rented a device and one of them boarded the bus with the device.  A couple of hours later, that one was running down Main Street and a different family member was suddenly mobility compromised. By the end of the night, the first two had miraculous recoveries and another was suddenly mobility challenged.   I have also seen some people with mobility challenges just run over others.  My niece was knocked down three times on our last cruise by people with scooters who looked at her and plowed right into her to get on the elevator. 

I do think the elevator banks get out of hand at certain times, and I can certainly see how having at least one or two elevators dedicated at prime times would be helpful. 

I think what it all boils down to is people having a bit of human decency and decorum and not acting like entitled wild animals. People forget their brains and their manners when they set sail.

That said, if I see someone who is waiting for an elevator and they are in a wheelchair or scooter, I will generally let them go ahead and I will wait for another elevator or take the stairs.  

[davekathy]

1 hour ago, JennyB1977 said:

I'm taking the bait 😔  In the parking lot, once you park your car you may be gone for hours. However, in a restroom no matter what you're doing, you're not going to be in there more than a few minutes, so that even if someone has to wait, they have to wait momentarily. In a parking lot the law is explicit about who can and who can't use it. That space is for handicapped use only. Restrooms are designated as handicapped accessible not handicapped ONLY. Therefore, no one is explicitly forbidden to use it.

Agree. Who hasn't had to wait in line to use the restroom stall or urinal! I will use whatever stall is available.  

Edited May 2, 2019 by davekathy

[actuarian]

14 hours ago, brillohead said:

I am much more concerned about the lack of enough handicapped parking spaces in the new parking garage at the new Miami terminal than I am about waiting 5-10 minutes for an elevator or 2 minutes for a toilet stall!

I often travel with a paraplegic, and we arrived at Miami after noon and drove the entire ramp looking for an accessible parking spot.  We finally took one of the way-too-numerous "green vehicle only" spots, but had to back in so that he'd be able to get his wheelchair next to the car to transfer.  

If the scooter/wheelchair users want to get behind a REAL problem, they should write to corporate about the parking accommodations, not this petty elevator crap.  I don't think there are enough handicap spots in the new ramp to accommodate all the accessible rooms on even ONE ship, let alone the THREE or more ships that are using that facility. 

And then when you add in all the people who have handicap parking needs but don't need an accessible room on the ship, you realize just how inadequate the handicap parking allowance really is.  Everyone with lung or cardiac problems, everyone with a cane or walker, plus everyone with a scooter or wheelchair... that's hundreds of people on every ship and there are no where near enough parking spaces allocated for them in the parking ramp.

The shortage of Handicapped Parking Spaces is everywhere in South Florida, not specific to cruise terminals.  Have you ever tried to find a handicapped parking space at a Publix supermarket here?  I think that the number of handicapped parking spaces at any facility is mandated by law and the high median age in South Florida makes that mandated number completely inadequate here.  Nevertheless, I have no idea why they have so many (or any) "green vehicle only" slots at the new terminal.  Does it make sense to give a closer parking slot to a 25-year old athlete than to a 75-year old retiree just because the 75-year old cannot afford to purchase a "green vehicle"?

Edited May 2, 2019 by actuarian

[A2Mich]

16 hours ago, WpgCruise said:

But therein lies the problem.  While the handicapped facility is being used by the non handicapped, it is unavailable for the handicapped.  Same concept as taking a handicapped parking spot.  While the non handicapped is there, it isn't available for the intended use.

 

 

 

 

Umm, not really, but if that’s what makes you feel better on that high horse....

 

If I were to illegally park in a designated handicapped spot, I may be taking that spot for hours (or until my vehicle is ticketed and towed away).  In a restroom, that stall would be unavailable for a matter of minutes.  There is also generally a hefty fine of around $500 for parking in a designated handicapped parking spot.  There is currently no laws against or fines for using a handicapped accessible toilet.  

Edited May 2, 2019 by A2Mich

[davekathy]

This thread has gone in the crapper! 

[steevo L]

so every parking lot should make the first 30 spaces in every row a handicapped spot so nobody will every have to

wait for 1?    LOL

 

Even if the ship had special elevators, people would still complain they have to wait or would complain they had to use normal ones due to the "special" ones being over-crowded.

 

I had a TBI from getting hit in the head with a 150+ pound chunk of steel back in 2011, changed my life completely, it sucks, I deal with it without needing to park 10 feet from the door, i take stairs as much as I can, but will use elevators as I am on vacation.  I dont need "special" anything or want special anything.

 

seems lately everyone wants to be considered special instead of equal.

[iuki]

On 4/29/2019 at 8:53 PM, time4u2go said:

There are many people with heart conditions that do not use tools in order to walk, that could also be considered to have mobility issues.

 

I'm curious...how would access to such an elevator be controlled?  Or would it strictly be on the honor system?  Would people be required to have a "tool" (like a wheelchair or cane or something) to use this elevator?

 

The Seapass card could be programmed with a code to access a separate elevator.  This would make all those people who are irritated with scooters taking up space on elevators very happy.

 

On one occasion, a Security Officer escorted me to retake my photo.  After not being able to board an elevator for five times, he used his bypass card to get us on an elevator.  I told him this happens all the time.

[iuki]

3 hours ago, A2Mich said:

 

 

Umm, not really, but if that’s what makes you feel better on that high horse....

 

If I were to illegally park in a designated handicapped spot, I may be taking that spot for hours (or until my vehicle is ticketed and towed away).  In a restroom, that stall would be unavailable for a matter of minutes.  There is also generally a hefty fine of around $500 for parking in a designated handicapped parking spot.  There is currently no laws against or fines for using a handicapped accessible toilet.  

 

You’re right about handicapped bathroom stalls.  The stall is made for accessibility and not for exclusive use.  How else would a young mother with a baby stroller use the bathroom?  She can’t leave babies or toddlers outside the stall unattended.