Handicap Debate

MeaghanandMichael

If your venue charged you a fee to rent a ramp to make things handicap accessible for your guests, would you be annoyed?Or, would you pay it without complaint because you knew before you booked with them some of your guests were in wheelchairs and you did not bother to ask about handicap acessibility.

WildRumpus

It would probably annoy me first, but then realize it really was my own fault for not asking first...

jajph1974

I thought everything had to already be handicapped accessible?

MeaghanandMichael

See, I am torn because I think in this day and age all places should be handicap accessible for no extra charge. But, these are the kinds of things the couple needs to take into consideration when they book.

MeaghanandMichael

It varies from state to state and often times private clubs are not mandated the same way public function halls are.

jessiegirl_98

Public places do, not private. I think it's annoying, but then would just pay it.

lyndausvi

I guess it depends on where you are talking about.    If it was at a big hotel chain, yes I would be annoyed.  but then again they should be ADA complient to begin with. If it was a small mom and pop place or a place that does not have to be ADA approved then not so much.

sarah0725

My venue is not handicapped accessible. The only entrances are two spiral staircases in her back legs.Why is the venue not accessible? Is it a historic venue? My annoyance or lack thereof might depend on that.

tlv204

I would pay it because I specifically only looked at venues that were handicap accessible.  One of my favorites online was on the third floor of a building with no elevator, so that one got nixed before we could even see it in person (none of the people who needed the accessibility even came to the reception actually).  I guess it's definitely irritating that it has to be something extra, but I guess it's just something that I was prepared to compromise on.

tlv204

two spiral staircases in her back legs.haha it took me forever to figure out what you were talking about.

MeaghanandMichael

It is a private, upscale, golf/country club.

lyndausvi

for there I would be annoyed and get them to remove that bogus charge.  Then again I would have addressed the situation at the time of booking. If they even tried to charge me I would have walked.

sarah0725

What kind of fee are we talking here? It's weird that a country club wouldn't be accessible already.

ggmae

I'd be annoyed. It's definitely something the B&G should have asked about, but it'd be an easy question to forget unless someone very close to them was in a wheelchair or handicapped in another way. Thankfully our venue was handicapped accessible and even had a handicap bathroom on the main level. I would hope that an upscale, private CC would be handicap accessible. It can't be THAT difficult or expensive to install a ramp or two.

amblizman

If the place already HAS the equipment on site to make it accessible, I'd say that the fee is BS.  If they have to rent it from somewhere, maybe not so much.  I would not think to ask about it unless it was overwhelmingly obvious from seeing the place that it was going to have an access issue.  But I also expect that most places give a shiit about their accessibility.  I'm fairly judgmental about places that aren't handicap accessible. I think I would give them a big speech about how morally reprehensible it is to charge a fee for your dear old family members and other handicap persons to be able to access your venue.

kebmtm071605

Are you members of the country club?  If anyone can rent the club for social functions (i.e., without being a member), I believe they have to comply with the ADA.  I'd fight them on it.

tlv204

That's a good point.  Do they not accept members that would need accessibility? Because I'm pretty sure discriminating for membership based on that breaks a whole lotta rules/laws.

charlsie26

that is discrimination and against ADA law.  If you need it, they must accomodate that! PERIOD! That's BS!