Nov 1 2010
Compliance Tour
Recently, I went over to the box office at the spiffy new Amway Center to purchase two tickets to an upcoming Orlando Magic basketball game. There, my nurse spoke with the head of security and we were treated to an impromptu sneak preview of the place! We wanted to see the inside of this amazing facility for ourselves. We wanted to see where we would be sitting during the actual game. We wanted to know our proximity to the paramedic station in case of emergency. We wanted to make sure that the bathrooms were large enough and private. And I wanted to do my own inspection of Amway for safety, wheelchair accessibility and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA. I was not doing this solely for personal interests, but I was also looking out for others in similar circumstances.
A member of the Amway Center staff was kind enough to escort us on the grand tour. We rode the extra larger elevator – one that could accommodate at least six wheelchairs – up to the spacious main concourse, then down one level to a rather secluded disabled seating area. It was sort of like a little V.I.P. box, sans the V.I.P. amenities. However, from a disabled guest’s standpoint, I did notice a few alternative perks of my own. The section was perched above the regular seating area, so I will no longer have to endure fellow spectators standing and blocking my view during pre-game player introductions, great plays and buzzer-beaters. Now I can finally enjoy the very same unobstructed view, a view for which I invested the same money. Plus, a rear wall now protects me, so no one will be able to crowd behind me throughout games or concerts. I will no longer be in constant fear of some careless idiot spilling beer on my ventilator, or even worse, bumping into me and knocking loose the tubing that runs between my trachea and ventilator! I have certainly had a fair share of these hazardous mishaps over the years, so it is comforting to know that unless somebody hurls a mustard-slathered hotdog at my head from the upper deck, I will be relatively safe. There is even an electrical outlet on the floor beside my spot where my nurse can plug in the ventilator if the battery runs low, or my electric blanket if the air conditioning gets to be too much.
As we made our way down the long ramp from the disabled seating section, we passed two somewhat enormous special needs bathrooms. I immediately darted into one and did a full 360 with ease! Again, we rode the big elevator back up to the main concourse and continued the tour. I took notice of this wide hallway, which would offer me tons of room to roam. This means no more plowing blindly through a sea of bodies and running into butts and over feet to leave the building after the event! On the way to the main elevator, our escort pointed out a large concession/bar area with a few lower countertops and tables for guests in wheelchairs. My only disappointment was with the signage that is supposed to direct folks to the primary paramedic station. There was a single, good-sized sign set flush on the facing above the doorway. It was quite difficult to spot since it did not extend out from the wall for obvious view.
Overall, the difference between the old arena and the brand new Amway Center, as far as safety and ADA compliance goes, is astounding! The designers of this place included practically everything per law to accommodate disabled guests, and they should be commended for their efforts. Next week’s Magic game will be my very first event there, and I can’t wait to see compliance in action!