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226 Main Street
Wareham, MA 02571
Phone: 508-295-3800
www.easternbank.com
 
eastern-bank-fornt-stps-keny.jpgI decided to check out the Eastern bank in Wareham on Main Street after Josh, my roommate’s doctor’s appointment. I decided to do a wheelchair accessibility review of this Eastern Bank when I saw it had steps leading to main entry door. I think all banks should always be fully wheelchair accessible as everyone needs to do banking.

eastern-bank-joh-and-keny-_-1.jpgThe Eastern Bank in Wareham really disappointed me. There are steps in front leading to the main entry door with no ramp for wheelchairs. What I really found very odd was that the Eastern Bank had an automatic doors at the top of the steps.  Ric, my friend went inside and asked if there was a way for someone in wheelchair to enter. He was told that a person in a wheelchair would have to go all the way around to the back of the building and ring a door bell and someone would let them into the bank.  
 
eastern-bank-back-rear-entrance.jpgThere are TWO Major Problems with this: (1) There is NO sign  at the front door showing where the wheelchair accessibility entrance is located so if someone in a wheelchair went to Eastern Bank in Wareham they would never know there is a door in the back for wheelchair accessibility. (2) I looked at the area in the back of the building and feel it isn’t safe for someone all alone in a wheelchair to be going though the parking lot to get back there,  especially if it was at night and dark outside.

eastern-bank-back-door.jpgAlso person in a wheelchair needs to ring a bell to have someone open the back door so they could be sitting out in the back alone for a long time waiting for someone from the bank to open the door. I think a well lighted sidewalk walk would be needed so a person having to go into Eastern Bank isn’t going though the parking lot to get in. There are a lot of tall cars today and I feel that someone in a wheelchair may not be seen by many people backing up or driving though this busy parking lot. 
 
I give Eastern Bank ONE STAR for wheelchair accessibility. Eastern Bank can earn the other Stars if they install a wheelchair accessible ramp that leads to the front entry door so that all persons in wheelchairs have equal and safe access into the bank. If they aren’t willing to install a ramp then they would at least need to place a sign at the main entry stating that there is wheelchair accessibility in the back and place a well lighted sidewalk leading to the back door for the safety and keep the back wheelchair entry door unlocked during all banking hours.