Custom Mobility Inc.

Monday, December 16, 2024

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 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, August 15, 2023

Accessibility Review: Sunken Gardens

A retro-looking sign that says "Sunken Garden" in blocky, blue text. Above that, written in a red, cursive font, is the word "Beautful." There is a pink strip, going up the left side of the sign, as well as a green accent piece, in the shape of an arrow, pointing to the right. On the right side of the sign is a plant that has groupings of either pink flowers, or green leaves in the shape of stars. Beneath the Sunken Gardens sign are two more, one of which is an electronic sign for "awaken yoga." The other sign, to the right, is a purple sign for "Great Exporations."

Accessibility Grade: B-

At about 100 years old, Sunken Gardens is an historical landmark in Downtown St. Petersburg . It's the area's oldest, living museum, boasting a collection of plant species that range into the thousands, as well as a number of different animals species. Let's meander our way through this lush landscape, and give you the lowdown on the accessibility of this iconic, roadside attraction.

A series of four, accessible parking spaces. In front of them are two buildings. To the left Carrabba's is visible and, to the right, is the gift shop for Sunken Gardens.

As we usually do, I'll start things off by briefly mentioning the accessible parking situation. Sunken Gardens shares a parking lot with Carrabba's Italian Grill. In front of the restaurant, there is a small section of accessible parking spaces, which include a total of four spaces and three unloading zones. There are two more spaces, sharing one unloading zone, that are located to the left of the spots that are shown in the picture above. Since there aren't a ton of accessible parking spots, and since they are shared with the restaurant, I'd recommend arriving early to find accessible parking.

A sign, located amongst some ferns and before the entrance to Sunken Gardens, that reads, "Welcome to Sunken Gardens. These Gardens are a historic landmark and not all areas are ADA accessible.

When we were approaching the entrance to the Sunken Gardens gift shop, where you purchase tickets and actually make your way into the park, we happened upon this sign. Sadly, since Sunken Gardens is considered an historical landmark, there are areas within it that aren't very accessible. For example, as you'll see in other pictures that we've taken, there are some paths that aren't wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. There are also some stairs and places that are either uneven or steep. We did our best to show these areas as accurately as possible but, due to my own safety, had to be careful while doing so. It's not that I want to start this Review off on a negative note, but I thought it was really important to note. Personally, this was pretty disheartening, because the entire park is really pretty. I digress.

Kyle is on artificial turf in his black, power wheelchair. His back is to the camera, and he's looking forward. There is a covered area, which has a single bench. The area is covered by a leafy, green vine. Surrounding it are a few, green shrubs that are pretty low to the ground. Above them are some red ferns. On top of the covered, seating area are a large number of pinkish-red flowers.

After making our way through the park's entrance, we were greeted by a nice, open courtyard. In the center of this outdoor lobby, the ground is made of artificial turf. Along the outskirts is a concrete path, which was widened by adding a walk space made out of a different, patterned material. Though the artificial turf may be more difficult for some manual wheelchair users to maneuver, the concrete/stone paths also may be a bit bumpy. Choose the area that's easiest for you to navigate and be as safe as possible, but make sure to look around as much as possible! There are a lot of magnificent flowers, bushes, and trees that frame the area.

A walk-through garden made of desert plants such as cacti. A path made of light and dark grey pebbles marks the path through the garden. Green cacti, ferns, and succulents frame the path. In the center, outlined by larger stones, is a smaller area of these plants. While there's a path that goes around it, allowing visitors to see the back of this cluster, as well as some more plants located in the corner of the display, it's too narrow to accommodate most wheelchairs.

After making our way through the first section, we came across a variety of themed gardens. There are a lot of exhibits, such as the mini-desert garden pictured on the right. Here, there is a gravel path that leads into a rocky garden that's full of cacti, as well as more desert-dwelling vegetation. While I'm usually wary of taking my power wheelchair through gravel, this path was packed enough so that I didn't have a problem. Of course, it may not be very accessible for manual wheelchair users. It could also be difficult for people who use canes or other walking aids.

Kyle is facing away from the camera, in his black power wheelchair. He is on a wide, stone sidewalk, looking up at a hunk of branches and vines. They hang completely over the path, shading it from the sun. On the ground, to the right of the path, are green ferns, palm trees, and taller trees. To the left is a wrought iron fence. Behind it is a metal enclosure for an animal, which is not in the shot.

Continuing forward, we made our way further into an area that seemed like a tropical paradise. To the left of this wide pathway were some enclosures, which home to a few species of birds and other animals. Looking up, I noticed an intricate tangle of vines and tree limbs. They offered some nice coverage from the hot, Florida sun, and were really beautiful.

Kyle, in his black, power wheelchair, is in front of a wrought iron fence. As he looks over it, there are green ferns, trees, and vines all around him.

Through out the park, there are a number of great viewing areas. These spaces are usually overlooking a particular exhibit. While I was able to see over the fence, as well as the vines growing all over it, I need to mention that I sit fairly tall in my wheelchair. In order to see into some exhibits, manual wheelchair users and kiddos may need to get as close to these fences as possible. In these kinds of situations, power wheelchair users may find it helpful to use their seat elevators and raise themselves to an appropriate viewing height.

Kyle navigates his wheelchair down a narrow, concrete path. There are rocks to his, most of which are grown over with a bright green plant. On his left, a lot of those plants can also be seen. Though they look like bushes, they may be overgrown rocks as well. The path gently curves to the left, and a black, wrought iron gate, lays open. Larger trees and ferns are growing closer to the gate.

While some walkways are plenty wide, there are a number of them barely has enough room to accommodate my wheelchair. Whenever I came across another person, the narrow path didn't leave much room for them to pass by me and continue on their way. Since many of the walkways are lined with trees, bushes, etc., it made it even more difficult for me to accommodate people passing by. They also had a tough time leaving enough room for me to move passed them.

Kyle is in his black, power wheelchair. He's facing a waterfall in front of him, but is looking to his right, passed the camera. The waterfall is made of fake rocks. Surrounding it are a variety of ferns, most of which are green, though a few are red. There's a sign at the left side of the picture. On the sign are three arrows, all of which are pointing left, and arranged in a row. To the right of each arrow are the names of destinations in the park. Next to the first arrow are the words "Oak Pavilion." Next to the second arrow is "Wedding Lawn." Next to the bottom arrow is "Exit & Restrooms."

What would a jungle be without a waterfall? Surrounded by a variety of ferns and other plants, this exhibit was pretty easy to get around. I could drive my wheelchair right up to the waterfall, which actually felt cooler than the rest of the area. With the afternoon heat blaring down on me, this ended up being one of my favorite spots in the park.

Kyle drives his black, power wheelchair over a cracked and worn path. To his left and right are a variety of plants, ranging from ferns, to trees, to vines. Red mulch is on either side of the path. Above is a vented roof, made of wood, supported by wooden beams that follow the length of the path.

Though not completely out of the sun, we came upon a semi-shaded and paved area that resembled a large pavilion. There were two, wide sidewalk, that led visitors along this garden. Here, there were a number of beautiful, potted plants, trees, ferns, and even some vines. Though the roof of this pavilion was vented, meaning that it didn't offer complete coverage from the sun, it still gave us a bit of shade.

Kyle looks into the large koi pond, surrounded by ferns and trees that are bright green. This fish are variations of orange, black, white, and yellow. Kyle stands at a section of the pond that is curved, which lets him see the entire pond easier.

As mentioned above, Sunken Gardens displays a number of exhibits featuring a variety of fish, birds, and reptiles. The koi pons was surrounded by beautiful vegetation some of which displayed flowers during the time of our visit. As I've noted in other Accessibility Reviews, I have always been an animal person. There was a good number of koi, all of which were as large as they were beautiful. The pond itself was also made in an interesting shape, including an outer wall that wound to the left and right, giving the appearance of waves. What was great about this wave-like design, is that I could get a bit closer to the water than usual. Pulling up, I noticed that it made me feel as if I was in the pond.

Two, adult red foot tortoises turn to look at the camera. The one on the right, has the left half of his body in a water dish, which is being filled by a hose dangling at the top of the picture. There is gravel behind them, and a wall, made of fake rock, behind that.

Anybody, who knows me, is well aware that I absolutely love turtles and tortoises. When I saw this red foot tortoise exhibit, I felt like a kid again. All of the animals seemed to be well taken care of, whether it was one of these tortoises or any of the other critters.

A flamingo enclosure. It has a shallow pool in the right side of the exhibit. On the left is a section of grass, plus a smaller section of sand. There are two structures built in the sandy area, which give the enclosure some shade. There are a variety of ferns and water plants in the enclosure as well.

Kyle is using his wheelchair's power seat elevator to look over a black fence, and into the flamingo enclosure. The cross sections of the fence are curved to look like leaves. There is a short strip of mulch that separates the concrete from the fence.

The flamingo enclosure was absolutely beautiful, and seemed pretty accessible. In the picture on the right, I'm using the seat elevator on my wheelchair, which is raising me well above the fence that surrounds the flamingo exhibit. If you are on the shorter side, and have a seat elevator, this could be a good place to use it. Though the exhibit can be seen through the fence, the pattern of it may prove to be too distracting for some park goers. Otherwise, manual wheelchair users should try to get as close to the fence as possible; however, in front of the fence, there is a section of mulch that spans the entire width of the exhibit. Though this seemed to be packed pretty hard, and was easy enough for me to deal with in my power chair, the front casters of manual wheelchairs may get stuck here. Additionally, people that use walkers, canes, and other mobility aids, should be careful.

Continuing passed the flamingo exhibit, you'll find yourself at an information center. This building is a great place to hide from the sun, and to give yourself a few minutes to cool off.

Once inside, you'll find a treasure trove of information that'll take you through the history of Sunken Gardens. There is a panel in the back of the room, which has a series of buttons on it. Pressing each of these buttons will start a different video. Unfortunately, brail is not provided for these buttons, meaning that people with visual impairment won't be able to tell which button they're pressing. I also didn't notice a brail version of the information that was written all over the walls.

Sunken Gardens is an historical, outdoor museum that displays a beautiful assortment of plants and animals. Though I did have a good time, and though staff were accommodating, it pains me to say that the accessibility of this park was... lacking in a lot of ways. Some areas were completely inaccessible. I recognize that adding accessibility features can alter the integrity of an historical landmark; however, as a wheelchair user, that doesn't feel like it should also excuse a place from being accessible. This is my personal opinion, though. Depending on your disability and your limitations, your experiences at Sunken Gardens will differ. While I did enjoy my time, this reality loomed over my head during my entire visit.

Author:

Kyle Romano

Photographer:

Luis Rodriguez

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Accessibility Review: Tampa Riverwalk

Kyle is wearing a white, button-down shirt and black, thick-rimmed glasses. He smiles into for the camera. Seated in his wheelchair, he is in front of two palm trees and a series of benches, all of which are in front of a large, grey building. Windows line the top of the building's wall, with an overhang mounted on posts in front of it. A sign on the building reads: "Tamp River Center."

Accessibility Grade: A

Winding its way along the iconic Hillsborough River, the Tampa Riverwalk ushers visitors through a number of scenic parks, museums, restaurants, and art installations that are located around Downtown Tampa. To say that there's a lot to see is a massive understatement! During our time, we only had the chance to go through a portion of the waterfront path's expansive 2.6 mile length. Come with us as we journey along some of the most picturesque parts of the Downtown Tampa area, accessible to us because of the Tampa Riverwalk.

A blue minivan is backed into an accessible parking spot. There is another spot, which is empty, located closer to the camera and on the opposite side of the unloading zone. There is a sidewalk that runs behind the minivan, a series of trees behind it, and then a fenced in field that's located behind that.

As we usually do, let's start things off by talking a little about the parking situation. Since Riverwalk covers such a wide area, there are a few places that you can park; however, accessible parking isn't always the easiest to find in Downtown Tampa. This rings especially true if you are on the hunt for parking that's both free and accessible. While it's possible to secure a free spot at Armature Works, which is a location that I'll mention further along in this Review, there's no guarantee that you'll find accessible parking in their lot. Having multiple options will give you the best chance to find accessible parking. On this trip, we ended up finding free, accessible parking at the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.

An empty, accessible parking spot. To the left is an unloading zone, and to the right are some shrubs, which stand in front of a small, grey, concrete bricked wall. In the background is a series of trees. To the right of them is a pavilion with a number of picnic tables and benches.

When we arrived, we noticed that there were a decent amount of spaces. Even though this is the case, during events, they tend to fill up quickly. If you're attending a festival, celebration, etc. at the park, I'd recommend showing up earlier in the day. This location seemed to be pretty central to a lot of the restaurants, parks, etc. Since this was the case, this parking lot ended up being the perfect place to begin our excursion through the Downtown Tampa area.

Kyle is shown, driving his wheelchair. on the right side of the picture. In front of him is an art installation. It is three pillars, aligned in a triangle formation. At the top of each pillar are a series of metal-looking rings, extend upward and towards each other.

The Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park has a number of beautiful, art installations, such as the one pictured above. It greeted us as as we exited our vehicle, which set the tone for the rest of our trip. Moving further into the park, I noticed that the paths were all very smooth. The sidewalks were very wide, which is always great for manual and power chair users, as well as other people who use mobility devices like walkers or canes. This area felt really easy to get around, also making it great for caregivers, family, and friends, who push and/or assist people who use dependent mobility devices. As I mentioned above, we went to the Riverfront Park during a time that wasn't crowded. If you find yourself there at a peak time, such as during a busy event or on the weekend, please know that accessible parking spaces may appear more limited than during the time of our visit. This detail may be important, especially for individuals who experience high amounts of social anxiety, or those who have high sensory sensitivity.

Kyle is shown in his black wheelchair, looking to his right, at a "Welcome" sign for the Juilian B. Lane Riverfront Park. There is a tall post to the left of that. At the top of it is a blue sign, with a wheelchair symbol. Underneath it are the words "West Riverwalk & Boathouse." Beneath that is an arrow pointing to the left. Behind the signs is a path of pebbles and a series of benches along it.

While the Riverfront Park's lot can be a good place to park during the day, if you are planning to visit Riverwalk during the evening, make sure to find a different location. The public park is open from sunrise until 10:00 P.M., which also means that you'll only be able to leave your vehicle in this lot during those hours.

Kyle is driving his wheelchair along a curving section of sidewalk. There is thinning grass on either side of the sidewalk. Slightly behind him, and to his left, is a blue sign indicating an accessible route. It's pointing in the direction that he's facing, which is facing away from the camera. In the distance is a bridge and, beyond that, are a series of tall buildings in Downtown Tampa.

Within Riverfront Park, as well as along Riverwalk, there are a number of "accessible route" signs. These were really helpful, and pointed out the most accessible paths for visitors to take. These routes also featured wide sidewalks that were relatively smooth. While they aren't always wide enough to allow two wheelchair users to roll side-by-side, they are definitely wide enough to accommodate most types of mobility devices.

Kyle looks to his right, where the Hillsborough river meanders into the distance. He's parked, in his wheelchair, behind an aluminum fence. On the other side of it are some mangrove trees and rocks. Behind Kyle, you can see the boat ramp.

In front of the Tampa River Center, which is also shown in the first picture of this Accessibility Review, is a nice area that overlooks the Hillsborough River. There are a number of benches for people who aren't wheelchair users. In front of these benches is a fence, which may be too tall for some manual wheelchair users to see over. Luckily, though it's kind of tough to tell in this picture, it's easy to see through this fence because it's made of thinly-dispersed cable. In this area, there is also a boat ramp and two docks, both of which can be accessed by two, large ramps.

As you make your way through the park, you'll notice a bunch of plaques, much like the one in the picture shown on the left. Each of these gives park goers a little information, telling a bit about some historical events that took place either in the city of Tampa, or in the Tampa Bay area. Once you venture outside of the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, you'll pass a few more of these historical plaques, some of which also feature statues of the individuals that they are describing. As we make our way further down Riverwalk, I'll show a few of them a bit later in the article.

Two, unisex and accessible bathrooms are shown. They're in a small building, the outside of which is decorated with tile that is varying shades of green and white. To the left of the building are a few trashcans.

As we made our way through the park, we ended up coming across a couple of accessible, unisex bathrooms. From my own experience, finding accessible restrooms can be both nerve wracking and difficult. Needless to say, I was pretty relieved to find them. Though they were pretty roomy inside, these restrooms didn't have automatic doors. If you have difficulty getting in and out of doors (especially since these were kind of heavy), you may need assistance to enter and exit these bathrooms.

Kyle is looking toward an art installation, title 'Form of Wander,' that is situated on a walking path that extends over the Hillsborough River. It looks like a series of interwoven or tangled tree roots, and is light green in color.

Next to the Tampa River Center, an art installation decorates a concrete path that extends over the Hillsborough River. The piece is titled 'Form of Wander,' and was created by Marc Fornes and the art studio THEVERYMANY, who are based in New York.

A picture, taken across the Hillsborough River, of the Straz Center. The river extends in front of the large, grey building, which is surrounded by trees and other buildings located in Downtown Tampa.

This space offers a great view of some buildings located on the opposite side of the river. From here, it's easy to see some other landmarks, such as the renowned performing arts venue, the Straz Center. Of course, by turning around, you can also catch a great view of the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.

Kyle is driving his wheelchair along the walking path for an industrial-looking bridge. He's facing forward, looking over his right shoulder, back at the camera. The floor is grated metal.

Continuing onward, we crossed a bridge that allowed us to access more of the park, which extends to the opposite side of the river. Crossing the bridge takes you along a path made of grated metal. My power wheelchair didn't have much trouble navigating it, though it was definitely a much bumpier ride than I expected. I imagine that the experience would be similar for somebody using a manual wheelchair, and that the bumpy surface may make it more difficult to propel yourself over. For those using other mobility devices, such as canes or walkers, this surface may make it tough for you to walk over. The bumpy ride may be difficult for wheelchair users who have difficulty with their posture, including sitting up, or holding their head in an upright position.

Taking the bridge, you'll swing through another section of the park, featuring a number of sculptures and other art pieces. Even though these sidewalks weren't as wide, they led down to a path that ran right along the water's edge. Here, it was much easier to get around. Getting that close to the water was also a really nice experience, especially since I try to be careful with my wheelchair whenever I'm near any body of water.

Kyle drives his wheelchair on the right side of a wide sidewalk. To his right is a aluminum guardrail and, on the other side of that, is the Hillsborough River. the sidewalk extends into the distance, where some people can been seen walking on it. To the left is a long patch of grass and a long series of palm trees. A blue sign for Riverwalk hangs on a lamp post, to Kyle's left.

Even though this path was much wider, I'd like to mention that we saw a number of joggers and cyclists along the way. Because of that, while you're on this path, I'd recommend staying to the right. That way, people travelling at high speeds can pass you safely.

A bronze bust of an historical, Tampa figurehead. It rests atop a marble stand and has a plaque, detailing who the bust is based on. Behind the bust is the Hillsborough River. To the right are a few, white blocks that can be used as seats. Beyond them are a series of palm trees. A bridge can be seen in the distance.

As I mentioned above, there are a number of statues and plaques that dot the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. Here, you'll find statues every so often, which feature historical figures that depict people who were prominent in Tampa's history.

Located under the Fortune Taylor Street Bridge, is an art piece, named 'Woven Waves.' This side of the piece has a series of swirls that are orange, yellow, and green, in varying patterns. The art piece is a high contrast to the bridge around it, which is grey.

If you're looking to cool off a bit, crossing beneath some of the bridges can be a great place to get out of the sun and catch the breeze. Much like the picture on the left, there are a number of fantastic art pieces that are feature through out all of Riverwalk. This one, located under the Fortune Taylor Street Bridge, is named 'Woven Waves' and was a collaboration between Re:Site and Metalab. Depending on where you view the piece, it can have a different appearance. Looking at it, from the other side, will also show a different design than the one shown in this picture.

Kyle is rolling over the light and dark gray, brick path. In the distance is a section of Armature Works. It's made of red brick, and has a sign over the door that reads, "Heights Public Market." To the left are sections of grass, broken up by section of mulch that have ferns and young trees growing out of them.

The end of our journey, along the Tampa Riverwalk, brought us to Armature Works. Whether you're looking to grab a coffee, get some food, or scratch your shopping itch, Tampa's Armature works is a great collection of local restaurants, bars, and stores. It also hosts different kinds of events and other forms of entertainment, featuring regular musicians and holiday celebrations.

If you've been searching for an interesting place to spend the afternoon, Tampa Riverwalk meanders through some great parks and even leads to some of the great food and beverage spots that Downtown Tampa has to offer. Whether you're looking to exercise, relax, grab dinner, or even attend a festival, Riverwalk is a fun and interesting way to pass the time.

Author:

Kyle Romano

Kyle's feature picture shows him in a black, power wheelchair, wearing a white, button down shirt, black pants, and black, thick-rimmed glasses. He is on astroturf, next to an oversized chess/checker board. There are people in the background, sitting at picnic tables.

Photographer:

Luis Rodriguez

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Accessibility Review: Great Explorations

A purple sign, with white and multi-colored text that reads, "Great Explorations." Below that, with a white outline, is purple text that reads, "Houghton-Wagman Children's Museum"

Accessibility Grade: A

Since a lot of our clients are kiddos, Custom Mobility collaborates with a number of organizations, such as Wheelchairs 4 Kids, who offer assistance to children with disabilities and their families. Since we work with a lot of kids, our team is always on the lookout for local events and organizations that are both accessible and inclusive for children with disabilities and their families. Great Explorations Children's Museum is an incredible example of that. Located right here in St. Petersburg, Florida, it's a treasure trove of educational exhibits and activities that encourages kids to learn by playing, exploring, and creating.

I want to be honest and admit that Great Explorations was actually an incredible surprise for us. Though we had plans to eventually write an Accessibility Review of this museum, it was our trip to Sunken Gardens (for an upcoming Review) that encouraged us to move Great Explorations up our priority list. But before getting started, we'd like to give a big thank you to Demi Kennedy, Guest Experience Manager, who was kind enough to give us an impromptu tour of their incredible facility.

The lobby of Great Explorations is large, with a lot of open space, gray indoor-outdoor carpet. There is a bench on the right, as well as on the left. A person is sitting at the end of each bench. From here, a child and their caregiver, parent, and/or guardian can access all of the exhibits. On the left side of the photo is an area called Longo's Cove, where kids can climb. It is completely surrounded by rope.

As a kid who was power wheelchair user, I remember how empowering it felt to attend events, such as field trips and birthday parties, that were accessible. Thankfully, things are getting much more accessible than they were in the 90's. Walking (or in my case, rolling) into Great Explorations gave me that familiar feeling of security, which I hadn't experienced since my elementary school years. As shown in the picture above, the gallery hall was huge, making it really easy for wheelchair users to either navigate on their own, or with a caregiver/parent/guardian. From here, kids can choose to go to a variety of exhibits, each of which have so many things to do and subjects to explore. Additionally, Great Explorations offers a number of events that cater to children and people with disabilities. Stay tuned to the end of this blog post to learn more about those.

Kyle and Guest Experience Manager, Demi Kennedy, are shown talking in the "Smile Spot" exhibit. The wall behind Demi is light green, and is decorated with a giant, blue toothbrush. To Kyle's left is a section of the room that's painted in a light orange. On the wall is a coat rack, where two, small, white lab coats are hanging. In front of them is a large, blue chair, and sitting in it is a large blue alligator, which has an open mouth and is looking towards a light that you'd find in any dentist's office

On our first stop, Demi took us to The Smile Spot, an exhibit made possible by Klement Family Dental. Many people, children and adults alike, have a fear of the dentist. This space is a fun and creative way to help kids feel more comfortable, especially if they have never been and don't know what to expect. Through a number of interactive diagrams and equipment, not to mention adorable animal "patients," playing in this exhibit helps kiddos learn the importance of dental health and hygiene. And for children who have sensory sensitivities, The Smile Spot helps familiarize them with sights and sounds that they could experience at their own dentists' offices.

Demi shows Kyle an over-sized version of the game Operation. It is in the middle of the exhibit called "My Checkup," an interactive, pretend version of a doctor's office. Demi is pointing to a spot on the game. Kyle is looking where she is pointing.

My Checkup, an exhibit sponsored by Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, gives kids a chance to play as if they are in a doctor's office. Here, they'll have a chance to learn about their own health, including the importance of nutrition and exercise. There are a few interactive displays in this exhibit that give kids the chance to get familiar with doctors' offices. As with The Smile Spot, My Checkup lets kids interact in a fun and safe way, helping them feel more comfortable in a space that may seem scary to them. There's even a life-size version of the popular game "Operation," located right in the center of the room!

This picture shows an interactive board, mounted on the wall in the "Great Beginnings" exhibit. It shows some fruits and vegetables, and the plants that they grow on. There are potatoes, beats, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, blueberries, and oranges. Underneath this picture are seven buttons, each of which are under either a fruit or vegetable. Pressing them causes the corresponding fruit or vegetable to light up in the picture above.

Great Beginnings is an exhibit that's geared towards Great Explorations' youngest guests. This area is filled with a bunch of farm-themed games, including this interactive board that features a variety of fruits and vegetables. Interactive games like these are great, because they encourage children to better develop their fine and gross motor skills.

"Critter Corner" has a number of tanks, which are home to a variety of reptiles such as snakes and lizards. The tanks are mounted inside of a wall, decorated to look like it's made from wood. There are name tags that are located around each tank, which give the name of the animal in each tank.

When I tell you that I've always been a huge animal lover, I mean that I was obsessed with everything about them, especially as a kid. Needless to say that I felt right at home in the Critter Corner. This exhibit is home to a variety of lizards and snakes, such as the beautiful crested gecko. There are even some new critters on display, including a ball python, leopard gecko, and spiny-tailed lizard. The coolest part is that the folks at Great Explorations want you to help name them! Click here to cast your vote!

Nine display cases, made of wood, that are stacked on top of each other, in rows of three. In each case is a collection of fossils, ranging from the skull of a saber tooth cat (in the top-left case), a fossilized fish (in the top-middle case), and a shark jaw (in the very middle of all the display cases. Each of the cases cases can be unlocked and swung upwards, allowing instructors to take the objects out and let the kids interact with them. There's a portable staircase, made of light wood, which has two steps. It is there for kids who may be too short to see the display cases on the top shelf. To the right are a number of smaller exhibits.

Next to the Critter Corner is a collection of fossils and a few other, science-themed displays. I've always had a soft spot for dinosaurs and anything prehistoric, so this exhibit held a special place in my heart. There are a variety of items on display, including shark teeth, a shark jaw, the bottom half of a fossilized, alligator jaw, the fossilized remains of a fish, and a saber tooth cat skull, just to name a few.

Lego are incredible toys because they really encourage kids to think outside the box and allow their creative sides take over. In the I Dream In Lego exhibit, they can let their imaginations run wild, using the tables to design and build whatever comes to mind.

A Publix sign hags above a number of shelves. On the left is a green arrow, pointing down and to the left. In white letters, proceeding down the arrow, is the word, "Checkout." On the right, there is another sign, which looks identical to the first and also reads, "Checkout."

Among the many exhibits within Great Explorations, Demi told us that the Publix Kid's Supermarket is an absolute fan favorite. Here, children get a chance to shop for groceries, just like they do with their parents. While they learn about nutrition and the importance of making healthy choices, kids love getting the chance to play as if they are working at a grocery store, where they have fun going shopping and ringing up each other's groceries. It's a chance for them to let loose and play as if they are adults which, Demi mentioned, the kids really get a kick out of.

There are a few other exhibits that we didn't get a chance to photograph, so you'll have to check out Great Explorations to see what else they have in store for you and your kids. But we would like to point out, as we usually do in these Accessibility Reviews, that Great Explorations does have an All Gender and Accessible bathroom.

In addition to the exhibits that we've shown above, the facility also offers a number of educational programs and camps. Specifically for kids with disabilities, Great Explorations hosts a sensory-friendly event called Great Connections. On the second Sunday of every month, they close their doors to the general public but remain open for children with disabilities and their families. During this time, they provide additional accommodations, including modifying lights and sounds. Bright and loud exhibits are also turned off. Finally, there's a "cool down" room for families or children who may feel over-stimulated and need to take a break from the rest of the event. If you'd like to stay up-to-date with Great Connections, feel free to follow the Great Connections Facebook Page.

It's also worth noting that the Great Explorations parking lot can accommodate accessible vehicles, including buses and vans, and also has a number of accessible parking spaces.

Whether you're looking for a great place to send your kids for summer camp, or you're just searching for something fun and educational for your children, look no further than Great Explorations. This museum is a great opportunity for your kids to make friends, in an environment that is safe, accepting, and accessible to children with and without disabilities.

Author:

Kyle Romano

Photographer:

Luis Rodriguez

*NOTE*

The photo of the Publix Kid's Supermarket is property of Great Explorations, and can be found on their website.