The Traveling Wheelchair

1386 Pleasant St.
Fall River, MA 02723
Phone: 508-324-2709
http://www.sailsinc.org/fallriver/Branches.html

After discovering that Fall River South Branch Library is not wheelchair accessible, my friends and I traveled to Fall River East End Branch Library and were pleased that it is wheelchair accessible with a few minor issues that can be easily corrected.

Parking is available on the street, yet no handicap parking spaces are in sight. The entry door is wide enough to fit my wheelchair but not automatic so you will need help with opening the door. Once inside, I noticed that this is a small library and a little tight but manageable. Even though it is small it is still a great place to find resources.

The East End Branch is also part of the Sails system, which offers members access to resources from more than 70 libraries. This branch is open; Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesday 9am to 5pm; Thursday 12:30pm -8pm; Friday and Saturday 9am-4:30pm.

There are no steps blocking access into this library. Once inside, there is a sloped ramp leading into the main room of this library. This ramp is wide enough for my wheelchair but can be DANGEROUS for there is no curb or railing to prevent your chair from tipping off it. The highest point is approximately 12″ off the ground, but if your wheel goes off, it is enough to cause you to tip over in your chair. The sloped ramp is carpeted in the same color carpet as the floor so visually impaired persons like me can’t see where the edge is. I was in my Power Chair today and Ric, my friend helped guide me down this ramp to make sure my wheel didn’t go over or I would have fallen over.  

The librarian warmly greeted my friends and me and the librarian desk is of a wheelchair accessible height. The computer desks are too short for my wheelchair to fit underneath so if a person in a wheelchair wants to use the computer; they will have to turn sideways which may be awkward. My friends and I also thought the lighting in the library is too dim, especially if you want to read.

I give Fall River South Branch Library TWO STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the other Three Stars they would need to: place some handicap parking spaces on the street close to the entrance; install an automatic entry door; place a wheelchair accessible computer table; brighten the lighting and MOST IMPORTANTLY place a curb or railing along the edge of the sloped ramp so that NO person in a wheelchair will tip over and fall off this ramp. It would be an added plus if they carpeted this ramp in a contrasting color to help visually impaired.

The ADA Guidelines clearly state: 4.8.7 Edge Protection: Ramps and landings with drop-offs shall have curbs, walls, railings, or projecting surfaces that prevent people from slipping off the ramp. Curbs shall be a minimum of 2 in (50 mm) high.