Patronizing Memo to Disabled Workers
 

this is frustrating, and nettlesome... a building designed so that the disabled have to have help getting food and drink, how demeaning is that?

then, they gets all PRISSY about it, telling the disabled to be "polite" or bring a helper when they want to EAT... ARGH !!!

Employees with disabilities have been frustrated by the cafeteria in the new Department of Transportation, which has fixtures that are inaccessible to people in wheelchairs.

As a remedy, Assistant Secretary Linda Washington issued a memo on April 22 with guidance, including telling employees needing assistance to "politely" ask a cashier: "Could I hold your elbow for sighted guide assistance?" "Could you assist me with getting a salad or hot entree?" She also told employees to "consider visiting the cafeteria with a co-worker." Naturally, many employees found the memo patronizing, and Washington was forced to apologize.

The DOT Cafeteria, Not So Accommodating

By Al Kamen - Washington Post Staff Writer - Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Disabled employees at Department of Transportation headquarters are most unhappy these days with their new digs down by the Navy Yard in Southeast Washington.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...062401351.html

That is crazy. Thanks for posting.

Not sure how they can get away with that. Most places have to abide by the ADA and make provisions. When I check out doctors offices to see if they qualify to accept the ins I was working with, they had to have a ramp, and at least 2 handicap parking spaces, and every place had to be handicapped accessible, or they did not qualify. I am sure they'll have to make some changes.

I'd like to know who their "expert consultants" were. Uncle Bob and Aunt Minnie from Poplar Bluff who had never seen D.C.? Please.

It's sadly ironic that this happened where it did, I found D.C. to be the most accessible city in the nation (of those I've visited). They've done a terrific job with most everything, especially the transit system. What a shame the cafeteria project managers didn't consult their own transit employees!

Metro is run by local govt and has to comply with ADA, plus big brother oversees our spending so DC is careful about compliance to avoid lasing funds. DOT is Federal Govt. Fed Govt is exempt from many regulations that companies and local jusrisdctions are not, because teh fed govt is "supposed" to be the gold standard and exceed requriements. Riiiiight.

I will give the fed govt props for hiring many PWD. When I worked on-site at a large agency there were many, many PWD, and in decent jobs. I can't say I see the same thing at the company I work for. sad.

How scary, from our own Fed Gov't..:rolleyes::(:eek:

the woman who wrote the memo has apologized, and they're going to FIX the cafeteria to make it more accommodating to PWD.

we shouldn't have to ASK for help, let alone be told we must ask "politely"

Sally's right, it shouldn't've happened in the first place, and it's scary that they didn't obey their own rules, and were so sneeringly condescending about it.

I am from the government, and I am here to help you. Scarier words were never spoken.

What dopes!

We used to have a restruant here in town that was upstairs. Outside right by the door they had a sign posted to please ask inside if assistance was needed. Of course if assistance was needed how in the world could you let the people inside up the stairs know you needed it. But it was one of my favorite pizza places.

Doydie - that reminds me of the braile signs on the drive-thru window at the bank.


:confused::confused::confused:

Or is that just here in Ohio blind people drive? That WOULD explain a lot about our drivers though.

:D

Maybe the DC folks asked Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbiner for advice on that lunch room. You heard of Carty? People complained about the noise by the airport, and his solution was we should move the deaf people there.

:eek:

An apology was definitely in order and the cafeteria should be fixed. Glad it will all work out.