Standard Room vs. Accessible Room

Mary Ann is asking why do we want her to reserve an accessible room with 2 beds?

Well, all hotel rooms are designed with the same floor plan.  Architects for years will then take that standard floor plan and design the accessible room per that standard specification.  We all know that the accessible bathroom will be larger than the standard bathroom.  Moving to the bedroom area, starting with a smaller space, you are not allowed to change or omit amenities in the room such as chairs, desk, etc.  Occasionally, we will see furniture modified, for example, a TV that sits on a dresser can be a wall mounted TV. 

Keep in mind that there is a requirement for a turn around space in the bedroom.  This requirement is not well defined.  You do have to get to all the amenities such as the closet, dresser, TV, desk, chairs, table, lamps, controls for heating and cooling, beds, window drapes, window hardware, etc.  It is easy to see that only one turn around space is not functional.

The only solution is to start with a larger space and make that the accessible room.  It is obvious that 2 beds take up more space than one bed and I have never seen a hospitality facility that did not have both rooms with 2 beds and rooms with one bed.  For that fact alone, we encourage you to ask for an accessible room with 2 beds because 98% of the time that room will not be ADA compliant.

Don't be surprise if you are told all the accessible rooms have one bed.  That is an ADA violation.  However, if that is the only option they give you, take the one bed accessible room with a roll-in shower.  Take the necessary photos and send them in along with a copy of your receipt.  This time, be sure to include a summary stating that you did request a 2 bed accessible room but was denied due to availability.  Once received, we will do the evaluation and let you know if the building is ADA non-compliant, and if so, an ADA non-compliant complaint will be filed.

Remember, be sure your photos consist of the room, the roll-in shower, public restrooms and lobby areas.  Take photos of the parking lot and overall shots of the outside of the building. 

As always, we're at your service.  You can comment here or visit us on FB at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730#!/. Or give us a call and ask for myself or Patricia; or just drop me an email at hfalstad@accessts.net.

Hank