Living a life without barriers dictating where you can go, or if you can go there alone is something that many of us take for granted. Accessibility is a very important part of the inclusion of people with disabilities. An accessible, barrier free, environment is one of the biggest obstacles for people with disabilities who attempt to participate in all areas of community life, and this needs to change. Whether it be accessible sidewalk and bus ramps, access to bathrooms and water fountains, or something as simple as an accessible place to pick up your cup of coffee in the morning - everyone, everywhere has the right to feel included in their community, without constantly facing barriers. With the help of the law, and continual advocacy for those with disabilities, great strides have taken place to make our community more accessible for those with disabilities, however we still have a long way to go. In order to examine inclusion of people with disabilities in my community, I visited Starbucks Coffee Company.
The first thing I noticed when arriving at Starbucks was that there were reserved parking spaces in front for accessible vehicles and curb cuts in the sidewalk. As I approached the door it was clear that entering the vicinity would be easy for everyone due to an automatic option and a wide double door entrance. Much like the front entrance, the bathroom door offered a wide entrance, allowing plenty of room for a wheelchair to enter and maneuver around once inside. The bathroom featured a disabled toilet and a sink that was low to the ground and accessible from a wheelchair. The registers located at the front of the store, where you place your order and pay, were easily accessible because of height and proximity, however the counter where customers pick up their order was quite high and could pose numerous problems for those with a disability. There was a milk and sugar bar located near the front of the store, which offered accessibility options for everyone because of its height and location. The overall floor plan of the Starbucks was very small, which meant the chairs and tables were very close together and hard to maneuver around. Because of the lack of room in the aisles one would walk down, a wheelchair would only be able to be stationed at one of the initial sitting areas, and no where towards the back or the side windows. Starbucks had all of the necessities to accommodate for those with disabilities, however, there were a number of areas that would need to be rearranged or changed to make the entire store an accessible place for those with a disability.
It became clear through my trip to Starbucks how much work still needs to be accomplished in order to really include everyone in places around our community. Starbucks had all of the necessities in order to make their facility handicapped accessible but has a long way to come to fully include all customers in their storefront. It is clear through the numerous legal suits and laws the government has put in place that allowing all individuals to feel comfortable and capable in the community is something that is very important. It is not only illegal to refrain from providing equal accessibility throughout the community, but it also discriminates against those individuals with disabilities who are trying to engage in daily activities in the community, just like everyone else. It is with great hope that the appropriate changes to increase community inclusion continue to take place, giving everyone equal opportunities to go about their day however they may choose.
Below are two floor plans of Starbucks Coffee Company located at 1945 Callowhill Street in Philadelphia, PA. Outlined on the floor plans are areas of accessibility and non-accessibility in this particular coffee shop. The floor plans were created in hopes of raising awareness of the everyday obstacles those with disabilities face with community inclusion.
Floor Plans
1 –The front entrance of Starbucks had an automatic option and a wide double door entrance.
2 – The bathroom door offered a wide entrance, allowing plenty of room for a wheelchair to enter and maneuver around once inside.
3 – The bathroom featured a disabled toilet.
4 – The bathroom also had a sink that was low to the ground and accessible from a wheelchair.
5 and 6 – The two tables located in the front of the store next to the register offered samples and products for sale. The tables were low and accessible because of height and proximity, yet were off to the side, which ensured they would not interfere with wheelchair access.
7 – The registers located at the front of the store, where you place your order and pay, were easily accessible because of height and proximity.
8 – There was a milk and sugar bar located near the front of the store, which offered accessibility options for everyone because of its height and location.
18, 19, 20 – This initial sitting area was wheelchair accessible because it was closest to the register and door, someone in a wheelchair could easily station their wheelchair next to the table and avoid being in the way of other customers.
9 – The counter where customers pick up their order was quite high and could pose numerous problems for those with a disability.
