The image may be found here: http://size-acceptance.org/ariline72.jpg
It was a rather stupid ad campaign on PETA’s part. Apparently size-acceptance.org posted a response, attacking PETA for being sizist in their ad campaign. PETA took down the ads from its website, but they are still hosted by size-acceptance.org as a reminder.
The following is a follow-up to my comment on Audra Williams’s livejournal post about a poor photoshopping job in a Toronto magazine.
Her post may be found here:
http://audrawilliams.livejournal.com/735108.html
My comment may be found here:
http://audrawilliams.livejournal.com/735108.html?thread=9837444#t9837444
*****
This city is inhumane and degrading to individuals of all walks of life, especially to those with a disability. Even the Ontario government’s stupid “let’s make the workplace accessible” ads were horrid. “Sometimes the interview is over before it even begins.” [sarcasm] I’m sure that a single 3-inch step will prevent any and all disabled persons from entering or exiting a building. [/sarcasm] This one is hilarious when coupled with “a small ramp can make a big difference”. It implies that all the disabled guy (presumably paraplegic from the drawing) needs to get into that door is a “short ramp”. This explains why there are businesses like Domino’s on Eglinton and Sutherland that have a 1.5-foot ramp for an 8-inch step, with a 3-inch drop at the end of the ramp. That kind of messed-up “accessibility” is more difficult than a simple 3-inch step and a door that pulls open.
It’s not that I hate the concept of these ads. Things do need to change and people do need to be aware that they need to change. But, they don’t give disabled people any credit. Today, I, a 330lb man in a 65lb wheelchair with low-set anti-tip bars, managed to get into an apartment building with a 3-inch step and a pull door on my own. Had the ad’s step been sloped and about 5 inches higher at the top-end, it would be much worse. In fact, a push door would make it even more difficult in this case.
I would like to make the point that a small ramp can make a big difference. Sometimes it is the difference between entering and exiting a building. Had the door to the convenience store been closed instead of open, I wouldn’t have made it up their “small ramp” today. However, I would have been able to get over their small step.
I’d also like to comment on the lady with the walker. In this instance, the lady can’t get on the public transportation that is funded partially by the government because the bus step is too high for her. The bus is also parked too far away from the curb. What’s the problem with this one? In this ad, the Ontario government is effectively advertising against its own stupidity of allowing these horrible buses to exist. I was on a bus with a ramp and no stairs today. Why do the other buses even exist anymore? That’s the government’s fault. It doesn’t have anything to do with the people of Ontario. Well, it does a little bit. Maybe that bus driver needs to get frequent driving tests to make sure they’re competent. Once again, that’s still the government’s fault.
As for the kid on the swing, I’m confused. He’s hanging on with his hands. So is the other kid. Does he really need to be in a baby’s car seat? Wouldn’t a single pelvic strap satisfy his needs? Also, what kind of assistive device does he have? I’ve seen almost everything and I haven’t seen that. It’s not a transport chair. It looks more like a Kaye walker: http://www.kayeproducts.com/walkers4wheel.html
The man’s home modifications are humorous. From the drawing, I’d say that the height is at least 2.5 feet (30 inches). In Ontario, every inch in rise requires 12 inches of run. This causes a slight angle that is manageable. This man’s house has no such thing. In fact, the ramp appears to have a very difficult slope. You might think I’m just being picky about the ramp. I’m not. There is a ramp leading up to this apartment’s attached mall. It is about that slope. It is also one of the most difficult ramps I’ve successfully used. More difficult ramps I have failed to use. Ramps can be almost worse than steps sometimes. They should have been more careful with this ad.
http://www.abledata.com/abledata_docs/ramps.htm
As for the businesses being like obstacle courses…darn right! They set them up for more appealing form; to hell with the function. I hate that.
Finally, I’d like to point out the glaring flaw in the “invisible disability” poster where the man has trouble counting change. I have trouble with that (frequently). What do I do? I put the money on the counter and ask the cashier to count it out. That’s what needs to be done. The people behind him in line don’t need to butt into his business. It’s because of this “help everyone and damn their individual right to independence” mentality that I almost flew out of my chair the other night (my last post talks about it). It’s degrading and demeaning. People should be willing to help if asked. They should not be enforcing help. This is a moral issue. People who would yell “Hurry up, Jackass!” is a jerk. They’re right when they say people should be patient. But, it is a slippery slope from being willing to help to enforcing help.
Sorry for not posting for so long. I’ve been ill.
I was doing laundry tonight and went outside for some fresh air while waiting on my dryer. I made it through the first door fine (slam lever to unlock door, pop door open, catch door with right hand, pull self through with left hand, steer with right hand). The trick is to keep rhythm to get through the second door. So, I went to pop the door open with my left hand and some very small lady yanked the door away from me before I could even touch it. I was still in motion, but had nothing to stop me. My chair is mostly stationary during all of this (slight forward momentum) because it makes things easier. So, my body kept moving forward, at a faster rate than my wheelchair.
The point is, I nearly flopped out of the chair. I had back spasms. I had leg spasms. I was in pain. It was all because some “helpful citizen” was trying to get her good deed for the day.
She apologized profusely. I told her not to do that again and rolled off. I had to stop and adjust myself because I wasn’t seated properly. Then, I had more shots of pain and a few more spasms.
Do not open the door unless you know what you’re doing. Do not yank the door away from me. Do not open the door and stand in the entryway telling me to go through. Do not be stupid.
