★★★★★
★★★★★
Mark Belanger, Columnist
Bumpkin’s Corner
Middleboro Gazette
148 West Grove Street
Middleboro, MA 02346
Phone: 508-947-1760
Middleboro Gazette Website: www.middleborogazette.com
Blog companion: http://bit.ly/2BIM8J
Mark J. Belanger: mark.j.belanger@gmail.com

FIVE STARS ‘PLUS’ to Columnist Mark J. Belanger ( Nemasket.net) for writing a sensitive, thoughtful and insightful column ‘Changing the world, one review at a time’ published in the Middleboro Gazette September 24, 2009. And FIVE STARS to Middleboro Gazette for allowing me to reprint/publish Mark’s column on my website ‘The Traveling Wheelchair’.

Thank you Mark for your kindness, sensitivity and understanding :>) It was truly a pleasure meeting you and I hope we cross paths once again in our hometown of Middleborough!

Please read Mark’s column published below!

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‘CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE REVIEW AT A TIME’ By Mark J. Belanger

mjb-2.jpgA couple of months ago, I was downtown having lunch with a friend at the Flat Iron Cafe. At the next table was a small party that included a person in a wheelchair. As I was leaving, I saw the group posing for a picture in front of the restaurant. Later that night I found this very same picture in a blog called “The Traveling Wheelchair”. My curiosity piqued, I settled down and read the site which features reviews on area businesses and attractions. Bad food, high prices? Doesn’t matter. The zero to five star ratings are based solely on how accessible they are to a person in a wheelchair. I was impressed and wrote about it on my own blog. This led to an exchange of emails and finally this column.

Kenny - the short version
The blog’s authors are Kenny Cieplik and friends. In 1987 at the age of eleven, Kenny had a cerebral hemorrhage and spent eight months in a coma and the next twenty years in a Middleboro nursing home. Things changed for the better three years ago when Kenny moved into his own home. That was due in no small part to Rolland V Romney, a 2003 lawsuit that requires the state to provide “specialized services” to people with certain disabilities to achieve maximum independence. Further proof that the state can do wonderful things when sufficiently beaten about the head with a giant lawsuit stick.

Mr. Cieplik has a very strong support group of parents, siblings, and government paid staff who seem more like good friends. Over the years, this group has made thousands of trips to area restaurants, businesses, concerts, and pretty much any venue that one could think of. In 1997, Kenny got the idea to include accessibility reviews in a regular column but couldn’t find an interested newspaper. Eventually technology came to the rescue in the form of a blog - which allows anyone to cheaply publish to the entire Internet-connected world.

Facing the world …
OK, so Kenny and Company come to your business and can’t even get in to the door due to some significant barrier - such as multiple steps. You get a zero star review. When you read this blog - it’s not mean. It’s a simple statement of fact. To paraphrase “I went to X and could not get in the door. We give X zero stars for accessibility. X could earn some stars by providing a way for a wheelchair to enter the premises.”

… and changing it
I can’t say enough how impressed I am with Kenny and his peeps. Faced with unimaginable challenges, this group of people are engaging the world in a positive way and effecting positive change. When the Near Dock restaurant was getting ready to open, Kenny approached the owner and discussed accessibility issues. The owner responded and made changes before the doors even opened. Many of Kenny’s posts have come to the attention of the reviewed business and led to improvements. Some examples:

  • Best Buy in Taunton moved their Credit card transaction machine for better accessibility
  • Home Plate in Taunton placed an accessible table in the lounge
  • Marshfield Fair - the owner of Erich’s Clam Shack installed a ramp
  • A minor but scary accident in a van led to pending legislation from Rep. Canessa that would require tie-downs for wheelchairs in such vehicles.

One of the stories I found the most touching was from King Richard’s Faire - which went from a two star review last year to four stars this year. Last year Kenny could not use a left-handed falconer’s glove because he is paralyzed on the left side. This year the animal trainer Rob remembered to bring a right handed protective glove - specifically for Kenny. A small but very thoughtful gesture.

The occasional jerk
Every now and then, someone takes exception to Kenny’s review. I’ve read a number of the zero star reviews and they are not mean spirited. One anonymous poster commented about “growing a pair of legs”. One Cambridge business owner sarcastically directed Kenny to a segregated entrance in the back near the dumpster. This incident was reported to several government groups who are investigating. Cambridge is possibly the only city that can enforce the ADA due to an ordinance amendment passed by the city council.

Middleboro’s rating
All in all Kenny & Co. find people generally responsive. Some roads and crosswalks are unnavigable to wheelchairs, as are some businesses. Each town must have an ADA coordinator - in our case it’s Charlie Cristello. On July 16th, Kenny met with him and several others to discuss accessibility issues. Kenny rated this meeting 5 stars for the cordial reception and desire to help. Mr. Cristello agreed to send letters to businesses - identified by Kenny - to voluntarily address “readily achievable” barriers. At this writing, the letter has been finalized and has probably just gone out the door. It might be interesting to write a followup column that reported on the results of the letter.

While Kenny would like every business to be accessible, he realizes that installing an elevator is not always feasible for some businesses. They would like improvements at places with minor barriers that can be addressed in several inexpensive ways. Due to the confusing maze of federal law, ADA compliance remains largely voluntary.

Next time you’re walking around town - look down. Imagine that you are on wheels instead of on foot. See what it would take to cross the street or enter the various buildings.

This is one of those columns that I have to cut short because there is so much more to say. One thing I wanted to convey, but haven’t is the love, laughter, and good times shared by Kenny & Company. They are a special group who were very gracious to share their story with me. This week’s blog companion is http://bit.ly/2BIM8J

mark.j.belanger@gmail.com 
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