Custom Mobility Inc.

Monday, October 5, 2026

Accessibility Review: FloridaRAMA

At FloridaRAMA's front desk, Lindsey and Kyle buy their tickets. Lindsey is a manual wheelchair user, wearing a blue dress with a pattern of white palm leaves. She has dirty blonde hair, which extends passed her shoulders, in length. The color of Lindsey's wheelchair is dark purple. Kyle is a power wheelchair user, who is wearing a green polo shirt. His power wheelchair has a black frame. They are in front of the checkout desk, purchasing their tickets from the receptionist, who is typing on a tablet. She has a black shirt and auburn hair, which extends passed her shoulders, in length. The front of the counter is painted a grayish-blue color, with a pink monster across the entire length of the desk. It has a number of pink tentacles, which reach upward, and appear to have circles at their tips. Along the top of the desk looks like green slime, reaching down with tendrils, every so often. Behind the help desk are a few screens, listing the cost of admission, additional information, and other, colorful ads for FloridaRAMA. On the left side of the desk is a tank, in a yellow case, which has a lot of underwater-themed trinkets. Above that, the FloridaRAMA is painted in pink, yellow, blue, and orange, in a 50's style font. Underneath it is art that mirrors what's painted on the front desk.

Accessibility Grade: A-

Nestled in the art district of St. Petersburg, you'll find the incredibly immersive, interactive art exhibit known as FloridaRAMA. For me, it was a wonderfully nostalgic experience, which left me feeling like a kid at a Chuck E. Cheese. There were games, colorful and interactive art installations, scavenger hunts, and immersive displays, all nestled within the package of a 1950's-themed Floridian hotel. Honestly, I had no idea what to expect, which made the experience that much richer. Since a lot of that magic hides within the exhibit's mysterious nature, I'm going to do my best not to spoil too much. What I will say is that the entire experience was awe-inspiring. However, you're here because you're probably wondering: is FloridaRAMA accessible for people with disabilities? Pull up a folding chair (unless you brought your own seat, like me), grab a cold drink, and join me on this rare and magical adventure, through an experience that I'd describe as oddly Floridian, in a strangely-extraterrestrial kind of way.

A sensory friendly map of FloridaRAMA. The map lists each exhibit, by name, and shows which senses are potentially impacted by each exhibit. For more details, tap or click the image, which will take you to FloridaRAMA's official website, which has further instructions about the map and exhibits.

Before we get into the museum itself, it's really important to note FloridaRAMA's sensory friendly map. Since the exhibits feature a variety of sounds and flashing lights, which some museum patrons may find abrasive, this resource will be really important to our neurodivergent readers. In the bottom, right-hand corner of the map, you'll notice a number of pink symbols. Each of these symbols represents a different type of sensitivity zones, including: visual, headphone zone, gentle touch, share, strobe, and scent. To view a detailed description of the sensory friendly map, click here. If you'd like, while purchasing your tickets at the front counter, you can request to look at a copy of this map.

Kyle and Lindsay navigate Python Alley. The ramp is pretty long and is painted to look like a wavy-looking road. To the right is a mural, mostly comprised of figures that are yellow, pink, and light blue. The FloridaRAMA is painted directly in the middle of the mural. On the left, is some fake, tall grass. Among that are three road signs. The first one is a metallic-looking sign that says "Gator Xing." Beyond that is a red and white sign that says, "BE ALERT." A snake-like creature, that's also red and white, is coiled around the sign. Lastly, the final sign looks like a large, green road sign that you'd see on an interstate. It says, "Interstate 275: Mermaid Star Motel," with an arrow pointing diagonally upward and right. The left wall is painted black, and a brightly colored UFO is painted to look as if it's in the distance, protruding a beam of light from its underside. Directly in front of Kyle and Lindsay, a circle is shown, depicting the road as if it were wavy, before it disappears into something that looks like a tunnel. Sturdy, black hand rails line the left and right side of the path. Kyle, in a power wheelchair with a brightly colored Pokemon backpack, is wearing a green, collared shirt. He looks to high right, at Lindsay, who is using her right hand to pull manual wheelchair up the ramp. She's wearing a navy dress, with a pattern of white, palm leaves. Both have their backs to the camera.

After purchasing our tickets, before venturing to the exhibit hall, we made our way through Python Alley. Here, patrons will notice a brightly colored art piece that decorates the wall on the right. To the left are a few road signs, as well as some fake grass, and a interstate-style street sign that directs you towards the Mermaid Star Hotel. As a power wheelchair user, this space was fine for me; however, my friend Lindsay, who's a manual wheelchair user, found the incline to be a bit steep. In order to propel herself up this ramp, she had to use the handrail, which you can see in the picture to the right. After having this experience, I was a bit skeptical about the rest of the exhibits. For the most part, they're pretty accessible, but we'll talk about those in just a minute. If the incline wasn't as steep, even by a little bit, Python Alley would be much easier for people who use manual wheelchairs, walkers, gait trainers, and even canes. I digress.

Lindsay uses her manual wheelchair to head into the entrance of FLoridaRAMA's Motel Lobby exhibit, while Kyle follows behind in his power wheelchair. In front of Kyle is a bright, neon sign, made to look like a hotel sign from the 1980's. In bright pink, it says the word "MOTEL," though the framing of the picture cuts off the "M" from view. Behind the pink letters, a bright blue mermaid tail is shown, accented by blue bubbles and yellow stars. Lindsay is heading through an open, pink doorway. To the left of the door is a pink window. The outer walls of the room are colored blue. The top and bottom halves of the wall are separated by a pink line. Below that line are fish scales, outlined in pink and filled in with blue. Above the line, there are smudges of a lighter-colored paint, which almost look as if somebody threw bleach on them. A white mailbox hangs on the wall, to the right of the doorframe, with "2606" written on top of its cover. In the distance, bright lights and brightly colored objects can be seen in the background.

After exiting, we entered a large, courtyard-looking area. From here, you're free to visit the exhibits in any order you'd like. I'll be detailing the path that we took; however, that doesn't mean you have to follow our example! Since it was close to the entrance, we decided to make our way to the Motel Lobby. We didn't want to show too much of it, but know that the room looks like the lobby of a hotel, complete with fake brochures to fake attractions, as well as a guest book that you can sign. Leading up to the lobby,

Against the outer wall of the Motel Lobby exhibit, Lindsay and Kyle park their wheelchairs, where they look at an advertisement for a fake soup can for "Meatgard's Escapism Soup." In the background, above Lindsay and Kyle's heads, the bottom of the motel's neon sign can be seen. Beyond that, groups of people make their way to different exhibits that are located off-screen.

there was an illuminated putting green, which was decorated with small, plastic alligators, boats, plants, etc. The most striking object was located outside of the hotel lobby's entrance, which sports a bright blue, pink, and yellow neon sign. The bright blue mermaid tail, the pink lettering that spells "HOTEL," as well as the yellow stars and blue bubbles, are on prominent display. I really loved the neon sign and thought it added a very interesting and unique charm.

In her manual wheelchair, Lindsay looks curiously at a display in the Lampscape exhibit. She rests her left hand on the left wheel of her wheelchair, while she rests her chin on her hand. She's wearing a navy dress, decorated with white leaves and flowers. Behind her, Kyle is wearing a green Polo shirt, in his power wheelchair, also observing some of the lamps on display. From right to left, the light from the lamps go from a cool blue, to a soft purple, to a hot red. All of the lamps are white, and are in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some look like palm trees, while others look more like ornate vases.

In fact, if I were to use one word to describe FloridaRAMA's exhibits, "charming" would be pretty appropriate. Making our way into the Lampscape exhibit, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. Visible in the picture to the right, the walls of the room were completely made of mirrors. In front of these mirrors, we peered into black shelving, which held a large number of white lamps. Each of these lamps had a different shape. Some felt a bit over-the-top, while others looked like something you might have in your own home. I also noticed that none of these lamps had lampshades, which created an interesting spectacle in the reflection from the mirrors, as well as the direct light from the lamps. For those who have photosensitivity, this exhibit might be a bit too much. For wheelchair users, like us, there was plenty of space to maneuver; though, we did notice that people packed into the room pretty quickly.

Kyle is wearing a green Polo shirt. From the seat of his power wheelchair, he is facing away from the camera. He looks back at Lindsay, who is looking towards the ceiling. She is wearing a navy blue dress, with white flowers and foliage, and uses a manual wheelchair. On the floor, there are a number of green, blue, red, and purple orbs. As a result of a black light, which can be seen overhead, these colorful circles are glowing. To the left, there is both a window and a doorway that leads into the previously-mentioned exhibit, called Lampscape.

After leaving Lampscape, Lindsay and I made our way through an interesting looking hallway. It wasn't quite wide enough to fit both of our wheelchairs side-by-side; however, there was plenty of room for each of our wheelchairs. I was mesmerized by the multicolor, glow-in-the-dark orbs, which were scattered all over the floors, walls, and even a little on the ceiling. Here, from the lights, I didn't witness any strobing effects. If you are sensitive to black light, please be mindful of this area. It's also important to note that this area has a few, accessible restrooms. This hallway is also the only way to access the Ballet of Final Anthozoans exhibit, so I felt like that detail was important to note.

Kyle and Lindsay are in an exhibit, made to look like a bedroom. The lighting has a pink hue, which matches the pink carpet, pink drapes, and a painting, of flamingos, that sits above the window, and spans the width of the drapes. To the left of Kyle, sitting atop a series of four, pink drawers, is an old-fashioned tube television. To the right is a bed, with a pink bed spread, and a pink dressing bench. Sticking out, from underneath the bed, is a large, stuffed, blue tentacle. Above the bed, on the wall, is a pink and blue painting of flamingos, whose necks are coiled in a snakely fashion. To the left of that, an opened suitcase rests upon a suitcase rack.

From here, we made our way into the Sunnymooners Suite. Because this exhibit is set up like a bedroom or hotel room, there was a decent amount of room. As you can see in the picture, the exhibit had ample space for both of our wheelchairs. Wheelchair users, and other patrons with mobility disability, should be careful not to trip over the stuffed tentacles, which extends from beneath the bed and into the center of the room. If you are a fan of pink, as am I, this exhibit will feel oddly comfortable. While the light seemed to be kind of low, patrons with visual disabilities may want some assistance to navigate the room, especially to avoid tripping over the tentacle. For what it's worth, I thought this room was really interesting and oddly nostalgic.

Lindsay and Kyle look up at a ceiling, decorated with a number of neon signs and reflective objects, such as disco balls. Behind them, the walls are white with small, yellow polka dots, as well as a variety of similarly-sized paintings. On the rights wall, behind Lindsay, there is a large number of spoons hanging on the wall. They are placed either very close together, or overlapping. From further away, they make the room look as if it's dripping in silver.

Our next stop was the Sugar Coat Disco exhibit. Because this room had a lot going on, at once, we tried to make sure that our picture didn't give too much away. For Lindsay and I, it was pretty easy to maneuver our wheelchairs in and out of the room; however, yet again, we did take up a fair bit of space. This room is filled with objects that are either brightly lit, or reflective of light. If you have epilepsy, or anything similar, you might want to be a little conscious of this detail. The contents of this exhibit were brightly colored, in such a fun way. While neon signs and disco balls hung from the ceiling, the walls were covered in a variety of shiny objects. Seen in the picture above, one section was decorated with spoons, which were arranged in a really interesting way, that gave the appearance that the wall was dripping with silver. This room also a fun activity, that incorporates the spoons, which I won't spoil that for you in this Accessibility Review. If you want to discover this secret, for yourself, then you'll need to check it out!

Lindsay and Kyle are talking on the right side of the picture. A pink glow emanates throughout the entire room. The upper-half of the wall shows a variety of strawberry plants, along a white backdrop. The bottom-half of the wall is solid red, framed by a white, dividing line. A put-put golf hole sits in front of Lindsay and Kyle, which features a centerpiece of strawberries, glued together, to look like a larger strawberry. A pink light radiates from the perimeter of the piece. To the left of that is a pink castle, which looks as if it were painted on, and cut out of, large wooden pieces. Behind Lindsay is an odd-shaped chair, which looks like a tall, plastic strawberry.

Next on our list was the Strawberry Room. This exhibit felt a bit smaller, which you can probably tell by looking at Lindsay and myself, in the picture shown to the left. In here, pink lighting blended a bit with the strawberry theme. Strawberry wallpaper decorated the top-half of the wall, while the bottom-half remained a solid red. A strawberry-themed put-put golf hole, similar in shape to the one we saw in front of the Motel Lobby exhibit, took up a decent amount of the exhibit's floor space. If you have the ability to transfer, or if you aren't a wheelchair user, a strawberry seat is nestled in the corner of the room. A large pole was also located in the center of the exhibit, which took up more room. Since there wasn't much room, we didn't spend very long in this exhibit, though it was really cute.

Lindsay and Kyle are looking show, in their wheelchairs, going through the open jaws of a giant, fake alligator. Lindsay looks back at the camera, over her shoulder, and smiles, while Kyle turns around in his wheelchair and pretends like he's screaming. In front of Kyle is a screen, showing some abstract art.

As we exited the Strawberry Room, the Alley Gator 3030 exhibit quickly caught our attention. While we weren't able to fit side-by-side, as shown in the picture, you can see that there was plenty of room to accommodate both of our wheelchairs. While pretty simple, as we went through it, Alley Gator 3030 had Lindsay and I feeling like we were kids again. While there were green lights around us, nothing appeared to have a strobing effect or anything like that. Younger kiddos may feel a little apprehensive, but I felt as if this exhibit was pretty fun. What's better is that it was also pretty accessible. While you head through these illuminated jaws, make sure you pay attention to the little details lining the walls, as well as the area beyond.

Lindsay, surrounded by yellow light and blue dots, as if from laser pointers, reaches up to interact with the Searchlight Sanctuary exhibit. Beyond her, we can kind of see white outlines of tree trunks, on a black background. She reaches forward, resting her wrist on the front of the exhibit, which stretches out, in front of her, off-camera.

After making it through the jaws of Alley Gator 3030, we found our way to Searchlight Santcuary. Because this exhibit was so interactive, I want to make sure that I don't explain it in too much detail. Surrounding you, on both sides of the room, as well as the back, was an interesting depiction of a forest. A sensor was laid out before us, which interacted with the exhibit, by following the location of your hand. Because the sensor was pretty tall, both Lindsay and I struggled to reach the sensor that operated the exhibit. If you are a wheelchair user, you may need some assistance to interact with Searchlight Sanctuary.

Lindsay sits in front of a fake mirror, which displays an image, as if it's a computer monitor. She stares into it, wide-eyed and full of awe. To her left is a pink chair. Under the fake mirror, in front of her, is an ornate makeup counter. On its right side is a fake snake, to the left is a glass and clear vase, filled about a quarter of the way with water. In the center, the top of the makeup counter has been removed, which holds a variety of sparkly objects. To the left of the counter is an orange, octopus plushie. There are blue lights, shining from shelves, which hold objects that aren't easily visible because of the camera.

So, I just want to point something out: Mermaid Dressing Room was probably my favorite exhibit. If you have an affinity for aquatic- or nautical-themed décor, this exhibit will probably feel extra special to you, too! The room was filled with objects and decor that were mostly pink and blue. As you can see, in the picture above, it was arranged like an actual dressing room, makeup counter and all. Again, I don't want to give too much away. There was enough room for both Lindsay and myself, though there was some furniture that you'll need to navigate around. Other than that, this exhibit was pretty relaxing and mainly had diffused or soft lighting, throughout. There was much more in this room, so you'll have to experience it for yourself.

Lindsay smiles, looking to her right, at an object that's barely visible. It is some kind of tan cylinder, decorated with shells, with a glass dome on top. There are multicolored cylinders, throughout the exhibit, which are partially blocking our view of Kyle. There are two, black pipes, sticking out of the ground, each of which have a red wheel, at the top.

The Fountain of Life was a pretty interesting exhibit. It was a bit different than the others, in the sense that you are encouraged to move through it, rather than simply entering it and looking around. There wasn't room for Lindsay and I to stand, side-by-side; however, there was plenty of room for each of us to move through the room. The brightly-colored cylinders, shown in the picture above, line the walkway. These encircle the focal point of the exhibit, at the center of the room, which I'm purposefully concealing.

Lindsay reaches out her right hand, hovering it over a white circle, at the center of a control panel. There are three, white squares above the circle, and three, white squares below it. Everything appears to be bathed in a blue light. Behind Lindsay is another monitor, with a different set of buttons.

Lastly, we made our way to Centcom, the exhibit that feels like it's at the center of the entire museum. Here, you'll find a bevy of buttons, sensors, and switches. You can use these devices to interact with different kinds of games and videos, which are displayed on a variety of monitors, throughout the exhibit. Since Lindsay has hands, and since I don't, she had an easier time reaching out and interacting with the exhibit. There was plenty of room, for both of us, to navigate with our wheelchairs. Since Centcom has a lot of lights and sounds, people with sensory sensitivities, such as people who are on the autism spectrum, may find this exhibit overstimulating.

To round things off, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at FloridaRAMA. All of these exhibits were so unique, interesting, and well-made. This museum was definitely one of the most, interactive places I've ever reviewed. While some of the exhibits were a bit difficult for wheelchair users, such as Searchlight Sanctuary, most of them were easy to navigate. Some of the exhibits do have objects on the floor, which could make it difficult for people with disabilities that impact their mobility. After pointing that out, I do want to mention that these grievances were pretty minor, which didn't impact my overall experience. I left with a sense of renewed wonder, which will have me returning, so that I can share the experience with more of my friends. Lastly, it's worth noting that FloridaRAMA's lobby also has an art gallery, featuring local artists. These pieces are available to purchase. So, the next time you're looking for something new and exciting, I'd highly recommend checking out this interactive museum.

Author: Kyle Romano

Kyle is wearing a seafoam, button down shirt. He is wearing black-rimmed glasses and has short, brown hair.

Photographer: Luis Rodriguez

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Kiley Griggs and The College Quest

Kiley is a power wheelchair user, smiles for the camera, underneath a black flag, with gold text that says "PHSC," hanging off the side of a light pole. Kiley has shoulder-length, brunette hair, which hangs loosely. She's wearing a yellow t-shirt, black skinny jeans, and white sneakers. She is uses a Permobil power wheelchair, which has a teal-colored frame.

For many people, attending college is viewed as a rite of passage. From TV shows, to movies, to books, and everything in between, we're inundated with examples of "the college experience." These things try to teach us what we should expect out of our experiences with higher education. It can lead people to believe that there is a "right" or "wrong" way to attend college, which absolutely isn't the case. Who we don't often see are individuals who have trouble accessing higher education. Who we really don't see are the students who attend higher education but, for several reasons, are unable to have that "typical" college experience. In particular, disabled students' access to higher education can be impacted by accessibility needs. Kiley Griggs, who currently a senior at an accelerated STEM-focused high school program, has found herself at these crossroads. We don't often talk about what happens when disabled children grow up, become adults, and want to have the same experiences as their non-disabled peers. What accessibility barriers potentially prevent disabled students from having equal access to resources and activities, such as living in a dormitory, joining a sorority or fraternity, attending Homecoming, or even dating? I sat down with Kiley to learn a bit about her experiences applying to college. We spoke about her past, what she's currently gearing up for, and the pushback that is actively preventing her from participating in higher education, in the way she wants to. Her story is a powerful one, offering us insight into extremely important discussions of disability's relationship with independence, autonomy, and equality.

Kiley is a bright young woman who, I'd argue, is wise beyond her years. Currently, she's the only wheelchair user enrolled in Wendell Krinn Technical High School's cybersecurity program. In fact, at the school, Kiley is the only wheelchair user to ever be fully mainstreamed. Already equipped with a few cybersecurity certifications, in 2027, she'll graduate with both her high school diploma and her Associate of Arts (AA) degree. To say the least, that's an impressive goal for anybody to accomplish.

Glimpsing into the future, Kiley is considering several options. When I asked about her academic interests, she said, "I like a lot of different things! I like getting my hands dirty in white hat hacking. I like talking to people and interfacing with [them]. I like troubleshooting things. I like making little [creative] projects... So, I don't really know where I'm going to go. Just somewhere in the IT headspace." Currently, she's interested in programs that focus on the topics of AI, business, and robotics. Her sights are set on a potential Master's and/or law degree.

To maneuver around a university campus, Kiley uses her purple, Permobil power wheelchair. She faces away from the camera, and is shown passing by a light pole. Overhead, a flag hangs off its side. It has a black background. In gold, are the letters "PHSC." Beneath that is a cartoonish-looking bobcat, with the word "Bobcats" written beneath it. To Kiley's right is a dark green bench, which has small holes through both the elongated seat and backrest. Behind her is a tall, white building.

It goes without saying that Kiley has a bright future before her. However, I have to admit: after speaking about her experiences regarding accessibility, I felt a sour taste begin to creep into my mouth. As Kiley begins to tell me about the limitations that she's experiencing, regarding physical accessibility, I have a familiar, sinking feeling. It reminded me of the time I'd spent in Graduate School and the unnecessary amount of difficulty I experienced, regarding accessibility.

Here's the reality: most college students, unless they are disabled, don't have to worry about certain limitations. Here, I'm particularly referring to the ability to live in a university dorm and independently attend class. Only disabled students have to grapple with the worry of finding a caregiver, as well as needing accessibility accommodations, both within and outside of the classroom. Systems like Florida Medicaid or the MedWaiver are intended to provide healthcare and financial assistance for disabled people; however, they also add a lot of restrictions that most are unaware of. Wouldn't you know it? Those restrictions have a huge impact on disabled people, who may want to venture out of state, to attend the college or university of their dreams. Kiley told me, "The way our system is set up, the way our Medicaid is set up, if I leave the state, I lose Medicaid. Even though my teachers are like, 'You could go to Columbia or something!' I'm like, 'No.' [Then they say,] 'But it would be so good for you.' I'm like, 'But I can't do that.'" For Kiley to requalify for financial resources, such as Medicaid, Social Security, and the MedWaiver, she'd have to live in a new state, for a set amount of time. During that time, she'd have no assistance with medically-related expenses. For a disabled person, especially for those of us who have to rely on mobility equipment like power and manual wheelchairs, that waiting period becomes a potential death sentence. To me, all of these factors sound a little too similar to the concept of "Separate but equal." In case you are unfamiliar, that practice is supposed to be illegal. I digress.

So, what does any of this mean for Kiley, as well as her disabled peers? For one, it actively prevents them from having the same kinds of opportunities as non-disabled university students. In fact, it aims to prevent them from becoming university students, at all.

Why is any of this important? To be blunt, I believe that Kiley's struggles are an active infringement of her rights. When I asked Kiley why it is so important for her to live on her own, she offered, "I just want the independence. For the majority of my youth, I went to camp. Camp is freedom! I get to make my own decisions. I get to be my own human. My parents are really good about stepping back... but they're still my parents. I want freedom. If this makes any sense... [experiencing] that kind of freedom makes you yearn for it even more. I want the independence of living on my own. I want to possibly join a sorority. I want that college experience. I want the fun stuff, on top of the academic stuff."

As I mentioned, Kiley has a few kinds of accessibility needs. For starters, she'll need accommodations both inside and outside the classroom. While some of these accommodations may overlap, a number of them don't. Most people assume that colleges or universities pay for one-on-one aids for disabled students. Actually, they don't. Regarding accessibility accommodations, universities will pay for a scribe, better known as a notetaker. Scribes are a fantastic resource for students like Kiley, who don't have the ability to write by hand. These scribes are only paid for the time that they spend in your class, with you. So, outside of class time, these individuals probably won't be available to help Kiley with other, accessibility needs.

Additionally, since she doesn't have the ability to write and may type slowly on a computer, Kiley will need extended time for test taking. As it is, she's already had to deal with requesting accommodations for taking certification exams. I asked Kiley what it was like to take those kinds of tests, to which she replied, "In order for a disabled person to take a certification exam, [and receive accommodations for test taking], they may have to wait for months in advance, apply, wait for [the application] to go through, then it gets denied and we have to jump through hoops. Then, other companies are like, 'Boom! You're approved!' Meanwhile, other people... just have to click the button, click what day they want to take the test, click 'Go,' and they're registered. [Disabled people] have to jump through all these things and get like a voucher code." To Kiley's point, requesting accommodations adds an additional layer of difficulty that disabled test takers must endure, while non-disabled test takers simply need to sign up for the exam. Likewise, if you are disabled and need testing accommodations, a lot of certification or entry exams require disabled students to have a note from a doctor, validating the student's disabilities and limitations. I'm unsure of a more efficient method for speeding up this process; however, as somebody who needed accommodations to take the GRE, in order to attend graduate school, I can tell you that this procedure may be tedious, lengthy, and stressful.

For individuals like Kiley and myself, even though we need accommodations, requesting them can sometimes feel overwhelming. She relayed, "I have a hard time invoking my extended time and asking for extensions on assignments. Because, in my head, nobody made me feel this way, but it feels like a cop-out or excuse. I know it's not an excuse. I know I need it... I know I work harder but, in my brain, my perfectionist, little gifted brain, it's like, 'Oh! You're giving up!'" As Kiley demonstrates, for disabled students, our differences can sometimes leave us feeling isolated or guilty. Both of us hope that this blog post will help other disabled people to recognize these feelings in themselves, let them know that they're not alone, and that accessing accessibility accommodations is our civil right.

Kiley is located to the left side of the picture. She drives her pink, Permobil power wheelchair across a smooth, wide, concrete bridge. On either side of her, there are green, metal railings that are the height of the top of Kiley's head. To the right is a lake, which is surrounded by trees, the most prominent of which hangs over the water. In front of Kiley is a long sidewalk that forks to the left and right.

So, what about outside of the classroom? Well, those services would need to be provided by a private caregiver. Kiley will either have to pay for that service, out of pocket, or through another entity like the MedWaiver.

If she were to go out of state, as I previously mentioned, Kiley'd be without any disability-focused resources for a period of time. That period differs, depending on the state. So, if Kiley were to try and attend an out-of-state university, she'd have no assistance to help pay for a caregiver, at all, for a set period of time. This could be anywhere from a couple months to upwards of a year. Could you imagine not being able to use the restroom, cook, take a shower, or get dressed, for a year? It's irrational, ridiculous, and completely unrealistic.

Regarding her future, post graduation, I asked Kiley to tell me why employers should make a more concerted effort to hire disabled workers. She said, "In my case: work ethic. I will get a task done, [through] perseverance and grit. People talk these days about how, 'Oh, Gen. Z has no grit. They're iPad kids...' but I have the perseverance. I have the grit. I have the things that some other [people] don't have. I've had to fight for almost everything I have, or everything I wanted to get. In the end, I mean, it stunk to go through, obviously. But [that] will make me a good employee." Kiley's answer rang in my ears for some time, because I've had to fight against the same principles. Especially regarding the current state of Disability Rights, where average people believe that disabled people want to do nothing, then receive a check in the mail from Social Security (which, I have to point out, is very little money), Kiley's words show that this observation is completely false. Disabled people want to contribute to society. Do you ever wonder why we don't see more disabled people, in higher-paying roles? Because it's next to impossible for us to achieve the necessary education, experience, and testing to do so. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,

"...people with disability were much less likely to work in management, professional, and related occupations than were their counterparts with no disability (37.5 percent compared with 43.9 percent)."

The point of Kiley's story is to show people the parts about living, as a disabled person, which people don't typically hear about. Kiley offered, "I'm happy doing the work that I do. I'm happy representing the organizations I represent. They've done a lot for me... I'm happy to be happy, and to have my picture on their websites, [which show me] being happy. But that's not the full story." By being as successful as we are, to most people, disabled people make our lives look easier than they are. The transfers, the mobility devices, the orthotics, the prosthetics, and the well-behaved service animals... all of these resources seem as if they simply appear, out of thin air. In reality, acquiring these vital resources takes a lot of advocating, planning, training, and even maintenance. So, what do all of these resources have in common? They cost money, and a bunch of it, too.

Concluding our interview, I asked Kiley, "If there was one thing you want people to learn from your experiences, what would that be?" Her reply left chills down my spine. She offered, "I want them to know that this is the voice behind the scenes. We keep talking about, 'You see the happy kid.' Or you see all the cool stuff we get to do, and I love it, but there's also stuff we have to fight for. We fight, and we fight, and it gets exhausting. If an able-bodied person reads this, let them see that. If a disabled person reads this, which I hope they do, there is always a way around the thing, the obstacle, the barrier. Whatever thing, there's always a way. That way might require help, but it's OK to get help... Advocate for yourself! If you're planning to go to college, I will try now to make a way for you. Hopefully, I succeed."

Author:
Kyle Romano

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Wheelchair User Guide: Keeping Cool In The Florida Heat

PSA
This blog post isn't sponsored by any company or product. I found all of these items, myself. Given my experience as a quad-amputee, I believe that these items may be particularly useful for disabled people, like myself. These opinions are mine, alone, which aren't reflective of Custom Mobility, or any other entity. Lastly, I'm not a medical professional.

Because of our typically wonderful weather, along with our many beaches and lakes, Florida is a popular vacation destination for both spring and summer. During that time, whether you're disabled or not, the heat impacts everybody. For people with certain disabilities, increased temperatures can have a negative effect on our bodies. Some diagnoses have a more difficult time with thermoregulation, meaning that it's either difficult or impossible for us to regulate our body temperature. In other words, it can be easier for people, with certain diagnoses, to experience both hypothermia (from temperatures that are too low) and hyperthermia (from temperatures that are too high). These diagnoses include, but aren't limited to:

Neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and Multiple Sclerosis
Spinal cord injury, particularly if the injury occurred above the T6 vertebrae
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Stroke
Brain stem lesions
Hypothyroidism
Diabetes
Severe dehydration
Amputee
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)

Additionally, there are a variety of medications that impact the body's ability to thermoregulate, including:

Anti-psychotics
Opioids
Anesthetic agents (these include medications that are typically used for surgical or medical procedures)
Anticholinergic medications (used to reduce involuntary muscle movements, like spasms, for conditions like COPD and Parkinson's disease)
Anti-hypertensive medications (often used to lower high blood pressure)

For everybody, whether you experience disability or not, our lowest body temperatures typically occur around 4:00 a.m., while our highest body temperatures typically occur around 6:00 p.m. If you have a diagnosis that impacts your ability to thermoregulate, it could be a good idea to make plans around these times.

In relation to warmer temperatures, people with the aforementioned disabilities are at a higher risk of heatstroke. A form of hyperthermia, heatstroke can happen when the body's temperature is greater than 104°F. It can result in a number of problems, prohibiting the function of vital organs, and can include symptoms like dry and hot skin, as well as convulsions, delirium, and/or coma. A person can experience a heatstroke from either over-exerting themselves, or in individuals, who are typically elderly, as well as people with a variety of diagnoses, such as: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, renal disease, hypertension, dementia, and alcoholism.

Lastly, I think it's important to briefly go over the impact of moisture collection, i.e. sweat. To stay combat higher temperatures or physical exertion, our bodies sweat as a way to cool off and prevent instances of hyperthermia. This can impact disabled people in a few, different ways. For people who have the ability to sweat, it's important to engage in pressure relief. Sweat can get trapped between the skin and seat cushions, seat backs, lateral supports, and the list goes on. Without relieving that area of pressure, or giving skin the chance to breath, the trapped moisture can cause skin breakdown, including sores. When individuals don't have the ability to sweat, their bodies lack an important means for cooling down. This limitation can cause people, for example those with SCI, to overheat significantly quicker than usual. Not only is it easier for overheating to occur, but it's also more difficult to bring the bodies temperature back down to a comfortable temperature.

How Can We Keep Cool During Florida's Spring/Summer Seasons?

Now that I've explained the risks associated with overheating, especially for disabled people, what now? Well, I figure that it's the perfect opportunity to talk about some techniques and products, which can prevent things like hyperthermia, and help you stay cool!

Before we get started, I want to point out something that's very important: staying hydrated. While this obviously refers to drinking water, it's also important to make sure that your skin is also hydrated. This process can be a balancing act because trapped moisture can cause skin breakdown, especially for skin that isn't exposed to the air. So, please be mindful of that. While we are on the subject of hydration, I found an interesting water bottle, from Dick's Sporting Goods, that you can use for drinking and misting yourself down.

Companies, like Polar Products, have guides for people who have heat intolerant conditions. Sources like this can be a treasure trove of information and, like this blog post, can hopefully send you in the right direction. If you are looking for wearable cooling items, they offer a number of options, including cooling pack vests, water activated vests/accessories, and even higher-end, circulating cold water systems. These products are great for people who don't have an aversion to wearing extra clothing. Also, while some of these items may be lightweight, others may not. Before making a purchase, make sure to check how the added weight could impact your comfort, as well as the way you move your body.

If you're looking for wearable products that cover different parts of your body, there are a few companies that make a variety of cooling accessories. For example, frogg toggs makes a number of different cooling hats, towels, hoodies, bandanas, neck/lower-face coverings, and even face masks. Some of these products also offer UV protection, which can come in handy, in addition to using sunscreen. ergodyne is another company that makes cooling products, like those I mentioned above; however, they seem to make heavier-duty products, including fans, designed for people who work outside. These products can certainly be useful for people with more sensitive, heat intolerant conditions.

Lastly, and briefly, it can be incredibly helpful to have a personal fan. While some are easier to transport or carry around, others are better suited to be placed in a single spot. The advantage of a portable model is pretty obvious, especially if you're an active person, who enjoys the outdoors. I found a variety of misting fans on Amazon, so take a look through them, and maybe you'll find something useful!

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everybody use sunscreen that has the strength SPF 30 or higher. So, please make sure to apply it throughout the day. During prolonged exposure to sunlight, it's also very important to protect your eyes. When buying sunglasses, make sure to purchase a pair that promise 100% UV protection. You should look for labels that offer UV protection of at least "400nm." While polarized sunglasses reduce glare, it's important to remember that polarization, alone, won't provide UV protection.

Hopefully, this information has been helpful to you. If you live here in Florida, or you're planning to visit during the spring/summer, I hope that this blog post has given you some useful information and helpful tips! Stay safe out there, and have a fantastic summer!

Author:
Kyle Romano

Monday, December 8, 2025

Having A Happy and Accessible Holiday Season

Kyle is in a courtyard, in his black power wheelchair, that's facing away from the camera, looking at a large Christmas tree. It is decorated in gold, silver, blue, red, and green, spherical-shaped ornaments. The top of the tree, where Kyle is looking, is decorated with a clear star. The sun is shining through it. Beyond the courtyard are a number of buildings. The sky is overcast.

Once again, the holiday season is here! If your family is anything like mine, that means spending a lot of time with parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even friends. If you've ever wondered whether your place is accessible, fear not! Here are some tips to help you plan a holiday party that will be inviting to all of your guests, whether they use mobility equipment or not.

Outside

Since I'm a wheelchair user, I notice things that abled people typically take for granted. For example, some paths and walkways may seem like they're more accessible than they really are. Since they're pretty common, lets use pavers as an example. While they usually look beautiful, pavers and cobblestones can be difficult for wheelchair users to cross.

Grey cobblestones that have green moss, or grass, growing between each piece.

Tires, and even some low-hanging parts, can actually get stuck in the cracks between each stone. The front casters of manual wheelchairs tend to catch on these gaps, making them both difficult and dangerous to traverse. Depending on how they're laid, pavers and cobblestones can also make for a pretty bumpy ride, making things more difficult for people who need extra support for their necks and backs.

Gravel, sand, and soft dirt are a wheelchair user's kryptonite. You may not expect it, but most power and manual wheelchairs sink right into pockets of sand. Smooth, concrete sidewalks and walkways are definitely the most accessible for people who use wheelchairs, canes, walkers, scooters, or any other kind of mobility device. 32-inches is usually wide enough to accommodate these devices, and is also the ADA standard for public places like parks.

Lawn parties can be a great way to spend time with your friends and family, but what if you're trying to put together a lawn party that's accessible to people who use mobility devices? While lush, green grass looks beautiful, it may be tough for manual wheelchair users to push themselves through. Unseen dips and holes could also make things tricky for people who are visually impaired or use power wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. In my heyday, I was known to flip a chair or two, so I've been on the receiving end of surprise lawn holes. Thick grass can also be tough on the motors of power wheelchairs, causing more wear and tear than usual. If you're worried that your yard may be too lush for it's own good, you can lay down some boards that lead from your house to the area where you'll be hanging out. If you're still concerned, it may be better to host your party indoors, or at least on a patio.

A woman helps her daughter transfer out of their dark gray minivan. Her daughter is seat belted into a transfer seat, which has extended out of the vehicle and closer to the ground. The mother reaches to unfasten the seatbelt. She is wearing a gray top, an off-white skirt, black sandals, sunglasses, and has her blonde hair in a ponytail. Her daughter is wearing a pink shirt, blue shorts, white sneakers, sunglasses, and braces around her shins. They are looking at each other smiling. A purple, manual wheelchair is situated next to the little girl.

When it comes to the parking situation at holiday gatherings, make sure to leave enough room in between each one. 32 inches should be wide enough for wheelchair users to fit between. Accessible vehicles also need about 5-6 feet to safely load/unload a wheelchair or other type of mobility aid. Whether your guest has an accessible van, truck, SUV, or car, please extend a parking courtesy to those who may need it, and make sure that your other guests know.

At the very least, most houses seem to have a single step at their front door. For wheelchair users, entryways like this may be difficult to access without a ramp.

Before you do anything, such as buying or building your own ramp, make sure to talk to the party host about your accessibility needs. You may discover that they already have a solution.

In the case that your host does not have an accessibility solution, preparing in advance could save you both a lot of time and frustration. You may need to either bring a ramp that you've purchased, or make your own.

As a word of caution, the Americans with Disabilities Act states that all public ramps should have an incline of no more than 5 degrees. To make sure that you stay safe during your holiday festivities, please keep this in mind. Under no circumstances should anybody remove the anti-tippers/wheelie bars from a wheelchair. If you think that your anti-tippers are preventing you from going up an incline, the angle is too steep. You may either need a longer ramp, or an entirely different solution.

Inside

According to the Americans With Disabilities Act, wheelchair accessible doorways are 32 inches wide, while hallways must be 36 inches wide. It may seem strange that accessible hallways are wider than doors, but wheelchair users need a little extra room to safely turn around. You may also arrange your furniture to follow these guideline.

A picture of Kyle, in front of a Christmas tree, surrounded by his brother, cousins, and grandmother.

Because of their size, certain rooms may be more or less accessible for people who use mobility devices. In particular, restrooms may be difficult for us to navigate. We can't assume that every home will have an accessible restroom, even if that home is owned by one of your family member or a close friends. While ADA standards may call for public facilities to install grab bars, to have raised toilet seats, or to have accessible controls for the sink, personal bathrooms aren't usually furnished this way. As a precaution, measuring the width of the bathroom door is always a great place to start. If you feel that the interior of your own bathroom is a bit cramped, it's OK to communicate that to your guests.

After you've spent some time with your guests and have helped them feel comfortable, to get a better idea for future gatherings, you may want to ask them about the accessibility of your home. You can do this directly by asking questions like, "Do you need help?" or "How can I help you?" If you feel uncomfortable being so direct, consider asking more general questions, such as, "Are you enjoying yourself?" or "Can I get you anything?" The best approach will depend on you and your guests, so try and feel things out before asking.

Like any other party or gathering, the most important part is the food! By arranging entrees, sides, drinks, plates, silverware, etc., at an appropriate height, you'll give wheelchair users the opportunity to serve themselves; however, some of us still may need assistance. Usually, if we need help, we'll ask.

Though it might not seem ideal, in the case that you're house isn't accessible, it is always an option to host the event at a different location. That way, all of your guests feel included. Since the holidays are about enjoying each other's company, let's make this season a fun and accessible one!

Author:
Kyle Romano

Kyle, in his white-framed, power wheelchair, is wearing a purple Polo shirt. As he looks over the ocean, his right arm is on the railing in front of him. In the background is the St. Petersburg Pier.

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Accessibility Review: Clearwater Aquarium

Accessibility Grade: C

Made famous by the popular film "Dolphin Tale," featuring the late Winter the dolphin, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is home to a variety of sea life. Focused on rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured animals, this aquarium is a wonderful place to learn, and even teach your kids, about the importance of wildlife conservation. But you're not here to simply read about the animals! You want to know about the facility's accessibility, right? There's a lot to go through, not all of which is sunshine and rainbows. So, let's dive right in! And yes, that pun was totally intended.

To starts things off, even though we couldn't get any pictures, the parking garage was a pretty tight fit. If you have a larger vehicle, I'd proceed with caution. Next to the building's entrance was a pay station, potentially making it easier for wheelchair users to pay; however, upon exiting the garage, you must be able to reach out of your vehicle's window, and feed your ticket into a machine. Since I'm a quad-amputee, I couldn't do this on my own. So, I'm certainly glad that I brought a friend along!

After navigating the garage, we took an elevator to the main entrance of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The wide, automatic doors made the entrance pretty accessible. After getting into the building, we paid the entry fee of $41.95 for an adult ticket. I thought this was pretty pricey, but was slightly OK with that price, only because the aquarium does such great work with animal rehabilitation and conservation. If you'd like some additional information about admission rates, click here to view their website.

An overhead shot of The Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex. There are bright orange and green chairs, as well as high-top tables, about ten feet away from the enclosure. Kyle can be seen, in his power wheelchair, looking over the right side of the enclosure, where a group of additional can be seen on the left side of the enclosure.

After taking the elevator, I immediately checked out the Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex. From above, you can look over the entire expanse of the dolphin exhibit. From above the water, it wasn't necessarily easy to see the dolphins; however, you can totally see them as they surface to breath. Here, there was plenty of room for people who use mobility equipment. For those who are a bit shorter than I am in my chair, glass makes it possible to see the water within.

A green button, mounted on a gray wall, that has the words "Push to exit," written on it.

When I attempted to go out to the dolphin complex, the automatic door opener didn't work. To the right, you'll see the only button that we could find; however, when we pressed it, nothing happened. There was no other option. So, yet again, I was lucky that I brought a friend who could help me open doors.

Kyle looks over his right shoulder and smiles at the camera. In front of him is a concrete ramp, with aluminum handrails along either side of it. Behind Kyle is a metal sign, with the words "Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex" at the top. Below is a layout of the enclosure, showing a layout of the different tanks located within the enclosure.

After taking the elevator down, we found the entrance for the Dolphin Complex's viewing area. The ramp was wide enough to accommodate the width of my wheelchair, though not much more than that. I imagine that this pathway could get congested during busier hours, so please keep that in mind.

A few signs tell visitors about the Dolphin Complex. On the right is a sign titled, "The Window of Wonder," describing the construction of this enclosure. To the left is a sign that shows all of the dolphins that have called the Clearwater Marine Aquarium home. From left to right, the dolphins names are: Nicholas, PJ, Hope, and Winter.

On the way to the Dolphin Complex, you'll find yourself rolling or walking along a corridor. There, you'll see some displays that'll tell you about the different dolphins who have called the Clearwater Marine Aquarium home.

Kyle looks through a window, located on the side of the Dolphin Complex. A bottlenose dolphin is swimming down to the oval-shaped window, to look at Kyle.

Once you get to the big tank, you'll get a chance to watch the dolphins as they swim through their enclosure. Since I was a child, I've always loved marine animals. Getting the opportunity to tend to my inner-child, and have the chance to come face-to-face with a bottlenose dolphin, was a wonderfully nostalgic experience. As we go through the rest of the aquarium, you'll recognize that this part of it is really accessible: the paths are typically pretty wide and are at a good height for wheelchair users to see. I have to point out that this section of the aquarium is much newer than most of the other exhibits. You'll see that this exhibit isn't necessarily reflective of the rest of the aquarium's accessibility, which was lacking in a lot of ways. But we'll get to that in just a second.

Kyle navigates his wheelchair over a black, elevated pad, that has the word "Caution" written in yellow, and yellow lines surrounding it. Beyond him, in the background, is a stingray exhibit. People can be seen looking into the enclosure.

Continuing into the rest of the aquarium, where most of the animals are held, was a little confusing. In the area shown above, you'll see a caution sign, which sits over a large bump. I was actually surprised at how jarring the uneven floor actually was. For wheelchair users, I'd definitely recommend being very careful, and treading over this bump very slowly. This bump is a lot steeper than it looks in the picture.

Kyle is in front of the stingray enclosure, speaking with one of the staff members. Behind him are more visitors and a fake-looking dock, suspended above the water. Some additional staff are up there, talking to each other.

At the stingray enclosure, we met a number of their staff, all of whom were extremely friendly. This area had lower areas, made of glass, so that children can easily see into the tank. For wheelchair users who are a bit short, this exhibit will be a bit easier to see the creatures in the exhibit.

Kyle looks into a tank, at a nurse shark. The window is tiled and low to the ground, making it easier for children to see.

As we meandered through the surrounding exhibits, we actually got a bit lost. Here, we saw some more of the animals that they had on exhibit. Here, there were a number of different sharks, fish, and crustaceans. These enclosures sat pretty low to the ground, making them a bit easier for children and wheelchair users to see into the enclosure. There was also an area that showed their operating rooms, where they treat their sick animals.

Kyle navigates a narrow walk way, which is barely wide enough for his power wheelchair to fit. To the right is a staircase, and to the left is a black wall. Directly in front of him is a machine for dippin' dots ice cream.

In what appeared to be the old part of the aquarium, it was much more difficult to get around. Firstly, it was really difficult for us to find the elevator. I aimlessly searched for what felt like hours and ended up getting lost. After finally finding the elevator, we took it to see the other, remaining exhibits. To the left, you'll see a picture of me, going through this tiny space, to try and get to the other exhibits. Though my power wheelchair fit, the opening was really narrow. In fact, I didn't think I would even be able to make it through the opening. Additionally, to the right, you can see a staircase. For a child, or somebody who may not have the best driving skills, I feel like this space is honestly dangerous.

As Kyle looks into a large aquarium below, he leans on a railing, placing his left arm on it. To the right of him is a blue sign, which indicates that the spot is reserved for wheelchair access.

Once I made it through that treacherous corridor, I was able to get to some of the other enclosures with relative ease. There are "wheelchair access" signs placed around these exhibits, which I assume is a way to tell visitors that they should leave space for wheelchair users, who may need to get close to the railing to see the exhibit below. I didn't have much trouble seeing over the railing, but I also stand pretty tall (for a wheelchair user, that is!). For people who are a bit shorter, you may experience some difficulty seeing into these exhibits. If you are a power wheelchair user and have a seat elevator, now may be the time to use it.

Kyle parks his wheelchair at the "access" sign for the otter enclosure. Above it is a brightly colored sign that reads "Otter Oasis." To Kyle's left, there are a few groups of people, all leaning on the railing, looking down and into the enclosure.

Similarly, you'll find other, accessible viewing spaces for other exhibits. Located on the opposite end of the room, which we've shown above, is an area that allows visitors to take a peak into their otter exhibit, which is called "Otter Oasis." The wheelchair accessible spot was located at the end of the exhibit, which kind of made it difficult to see the otters below.

Kyle leans on a railing with his right arm, looking out over the boats parked at the Clearwater Aquarium's docks. The water in the channel is calm, and is surrounded by mangrove and palm trees. Behind Kyle is a resting area, in the shade, for vistors to use.

From here, we took a stroll to a patio area, located right outside of the exhibits that I mentioned above. The view was pretty nice, giving visitors a view of the channel, located behind the aquarium. In the background, you'll see some docks, which have some boats that are on lifts. We learned that the aquarium does offer dolphin tours on their boats; however, we were also told that the tour boats are not wheelchair accessible.

On the right is a single, outdoor chair, made of black wicker, with blue cushions. To the left is a longer, outdoor couch, of the same color. Above the seat on the right is a sign that says "Quiet Area."

You'll notice that, in the seating area, there is actually a sign, indicating that this space is intended to serve as a quiet area. Because the sign shows a heart with headphones on it, I'll make an assumption that this environment is intended for visitors who are on the autism spectrum. It is pretty secluded from the rest of the aquarium; so, if you or your loved one is on the spectrum, this may be a great place to relax and recharge.

Kyle looks into a large tank, where a tarpon, a few fish, and a sea turtle swims by.

To finish up this review, I want to point out that I have some personal history with the Clearwater aquarium. When I was a little boy, I used to go there for Occupational Therapy. I helped them to prepare the animals' food, feed them, and got the chance to even do some animal enrichment. It has and will always be special to me. That said, the accessibility of the Clearwater Aquarium, which is actually the purpose of this review, was lack luster at best. As I mentioned previously, it wasn't the easiest to navigate. Between two of us, we still got lost on the bottom floor, in the older part of the aquarium. The parking garage wasn't very easy to get around, either. Like I also pointed out: I couldn't have gotten in or out of the garage without assistance. Even though there was supposed to be an automatic door going to the Dolphin Complex, that wasn't working. Finding the elevator, to access the lower part of that exhibit, was also pretty difficult. Actually, I'll just come out and say it: none of the elevators were easy to find. In addition to these shortcomings, there were two areas, which I mentioned above, that I'd consider to be a safety concern for wheelchair users and those who use mobility equipment:. Firstly, I need to address the raised floor, with the caution sign, in the area leading to the stingray exhibit. Another concerning area was the tiny space, which was barely wide enough for my wheelchair to fit through, that was also located right next to an open staircase. If somebody was having difficulty fitting through this small opening, and were to accidentally over-correct their steering, they could potentially fall down the stairs. That would be catastrophic. So, even though I love the animals, and even though I love that the Clearwater Aquarium rehabs sick and injured animals, their accessibility left a lot to be desired. The only reason why I can kind of justify paying $41.95 for an adult ticket, is because that money goes to the care of the animals. I didn't point it out before, so I'll mention that a ticket costs $32.95 for kids (ages 3-11) and $39.95 for seniors (ages 65+). Otherwise, the price point may not be financially accessible for some families. Click here for more information about ticket prices. In the future, I truly hope that some of these accessibility issues will be resolved.

Author: Kyle Romano

Photographer: Luis Rodriguez