Opening Doors: How Huntsville Businesses Can Lead in Accessibility

Photo Credit: Josh Weichman

Over 5 million Americans use wheelchairs to get around. 

Madison resident Taylor Burton is a freelance graphic designer and lead singer of the local band The Silver Silos. Burton has spina bifida and has used a wheelchair all of his life.  

Nancy Becher, of New Market, founded Invisible Warriors after becoming disabled when she was hit by a car in 2014. Becher was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and has had over 16 surgeries since she was struck. 

Owens Cross Roads resident Alison Crosby — who also happens to be my amazing mom — began using a wheelchair this year, as a degenerative connective tissue disorder advanced to the point where she has lost most of the function in her feet. 

As the baby boomer generation ages, the number of Americans — and Huntsvillians — with mobility issues will continue to increase.

“Studies show that once people with disabilities find a business where they can shop or get services in an accessible manner, they become repeat customers,” states ADA.gov. 

New parents pushing strollers, athletes on crutches due to sports injuries, and older folks who get around with the support of a walker are just a few other types of customers who benefit from accessible businesses. Greater accessibility is something that we will all likely require — either temporarily or permanently — at some point in our lifetime, whether for ourselves or for a loved one.

“Disabled folks, whether they’ve always been disabled, like me, or they’ve lost abilities they once had, well, we’re human beings with feelings and innate desires to be able to do things independently,” Burton told the Huntsville Business Journal. 

How can Huntsville’s places of business ensure that all customers can access their services with dignity and become repeat customers in the process?

Accessible Doors

A sliding automatic door is the gold standard for accessible entrances. Some businesses don’t physically accommodate the width of sliding double doors. In this case, a door that opens when triggered by a push button is incredibly helpful.

One thing to consider is that it is insufficient if the front door of the business opens, if there are still multiple, nonautomatic doors to pass through before clients can access the services of the building. 

On a recent trip to the gym, I was behind a woman in a wheelchair and her adult daughter, who was helping her get around. They were both dressed for the pool. The door to the gym opened for them with the push of a button. 

In my naivete — or maybe in the absentmindedness of someone who doesn’t face mobility obstacles — it didn’t occur to me that the mother-daughter pair would have trouble getting from the lobby to the pool. When the daughter politely asked if I could open the door from the gym lobby to the main part of the gym … and then the door into the women’s restroom … and then the two doors from the women’s locker room into the pool area — my eyes were opened. 

What is the purpose of having an automatic door to a building if customers with disabilities must contend with four inaccessible doors before they can reach the therapy pool?

A low-tech, low-cost solution to this issue is a door stopper on the door. This allows the person accompanying the individual in the wheelchair to “hold the door” for themselves as they pass through. While this is an inadequate modification for folks who use a wheelchair and are out alone, it is still an improvement over a nonautomatic door with no door stopper. 

Counter Height

Recently, I accompanied my mom to one of Huntsville’s two major hospitals for an outpatient surgery. When we reached the check-in counter, it reached chest height on me which meant that it was roughly a foot above my mom’s head, as she was seated in her wheelchair. 

“Counter height at doctors offices and many other types of businesses is indeed a sore spot,” agreed Burton. “I would love it if new builds would at least consistently include a split-level ‘notch’ so that people who are lower to the ground can look a receptionist in the eye.”

Lower counters allow wheelchair users to speak to staff members and hand over their payment methods. They also provide patients with greater privacy as they can speak face to face with staff, rather than raising their voice to speak to workers who are feet above them. 

Staff training 

Just as I failed to immediately notice the obstacles in the way of the two women at the gym, employees who do not face mobility challenges themselves may often be unaware how to best serve the needs of customers with various disabilities. 

Providing training to staff members on how to be both compliant with ADA laws and also mindful of various needs that might arise is a free and incredibly effective way to make a business more welcoming. 

Becher recently attended a gathering at an area restaurant. When she arrived, she realized the meeting room was on the second floor, with no wheelchair access. Becher said that the staff quickly shifted things around so that the gathering could take place on the first level.

In cases where the physical conditions of a building cannot be easily modified, accommodating staff members can often find creative solutions to making a space work for all customers.

Adequate Accessible Parking

Recently, Burton traveled from his home in Madison to a mixed-use space in Huntsville to attend a meeting. When he arrived, he found all five handicapped spaces had been taken. Burton had to turn back towards home, missing the meeting with his colleagues. 

Upon reviewing the ADA requirements for this particular space, Burton found that the building was, in fact, compliant with the law. 

“Minimally compliant, in this case, failed me,” said Burton. “I yearn for a culture where business owners have a strong desire to go well beyond the minimum accessibility requirements.”

Crosby has encountered a similar situation at times when looking for parking at the shops at Valley Bend in Jones Valley. 

Business owners and property managers should stay mindful that as Huntsville’s population ages, additional accessible parking places will need to be set aside.

Accessible Spots Around Town

There are a number of locations throughout Huntsville that are meeting the needs of customers who use wheelchairs.

“Big Spring Park has a great walkway,” said Becher.

Crosby recently visited the South Huntsville Public Library for the first time and was pleased to discover that it is one of the most accessible spots in town. Sliding doors, level thresholds, and displays at eye level all make the library a welcoming location for patrons who use wheelchairs. 

The Orion Amphitheater and Toyota Field get high marks from Burton. 

“Both of those places worked extremely hard from the get-go to not just be tolerant of the needs of disabled folks, but to be welcoming and quite accommodating,” said Burton. “There are accessible options at every price level — from numerous vantage points, the restrooms are easy and amply sized, and the message they convey with these layouts is that they care about everyone’s comfort.”

Imagining A More Accessible Huntsville

Last year, the city of Huntsville recognized more than 300 properties with the Huntsville Beautification Awards. 

What if, in addition to Beautification Awards, the city recognized local businesses through a corresponding Accessibility Awards program? 

Imagine a Huntsville that is as accessible as it is beautiful. I do.