Parking is not a problem for there are handicap parking spaces located right in front of this Post Office. Once my friends and I got out of our van, we found it very easy to get my wheelchair onto the sidewalk because the wheelchair access to the sidewalk is close to the handicap parking. There are two entry doors that are easy to access for once you push the automatic door opener both doors open automatically. There is a turn to take to the second door but there is plenty of room to turn and enter. Plus it is already opened for you.

Once inside I was so happy to see that this Post Office is fully wheelchair accessible and very spacious with plenty of room to maneuver your wheelchair. The document service counter where you fill out mail forms is of a perfect height for my wheelchair and you can fill out all your forms here with ease. 

I was also happy to see that I can easily reach the mail slot to place letters you wish to mail.  There is another section with a document service counter where you can mail packages and I can access this table easily for it is a perfect height for my wheelchair. I approached the wheelchair accessible customer service counter and found it is of a perfect height for my wheelchair and I purchased  a stamp from a very friendly, kind and helpful employee. 
 
I give this U.S. Post Office in Newton Center FIVE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. I wish all U.S Post Offices were as accessible as this one for I strongly believe that ALL U.S. Post offices should be fully accessible to ALL U.S. Citizens, regardless of their physical ability!

Parking is no problem for there are handicap parking places conveniently located right in from of the wheelchair access to the sidewalk. Tony held the entry door open for Ric and me because it is not automatic but it is wide enough to fit my wheelchair through.
 
Once we entered we were very impressed by the Futuristic Design of Bodeez. It’s a state of the art tanning salon with all the latest technology. The waiting area is very spacious with plenty of room to manuever my wheelchair around. We were warmly greeted by Ashley, an employee and she kindly offered to take my friends and me on a tour of the Hot Bodeez tanning salon.
 
Ashley showed us two kinds of tanning beds. The first is a Level 1 bed and this one is for beginners. The Level 1 tanning bed is not very wheelchair accessible for it dips in the middle and would make transferring difficult. But the Level 2 tanning bed is wheelchair accessible and best one for physically chalenged persons like me. This bed is the most comfortable and best for positioning and transferring. It is airconditioned with a control for the fan and the radio.
 
My friends and I inqured about the price for tanning and Ashely told us that it depends on what package and amount of visits you choose to purchase. You can use your package/visits at any of the other Hot Bodeez tanning salons. Just click on the website above to see the plans they offer and the locattions of other Hot Bodeez.

I purchased a single session at a discount and got a small packet of coconut scented hydrating body cream. Hydrarion for your skin is very important to use before and after tanning. I also got a pair of disposable Wink-Ease eye protectors for my eyes because it is very important to protct your eyes when you tan indoors. Tony and Ric, my friends had no problem helping me stand-pivot to transfer into the Level 2 bed. I found it very easy to get comfortable in this tanning bed and really enjoyed the music while I tanned for the seven minutes I was in here today. While tanning I dreamed of myself being on a beach in Hawaii with the smell of coconut!
 
The restroom is a unisex restroom that is fully wheelchair accessible. It’s spacious with penty of room to manuver my wheelchair. The toilet and safety grab bars are all a prefect height as well as is the accessible sink. The pipes underneath the accessibke sink are covered as is ADA required and I had no problem reaching for the soap or towels.
 
I give Hot Bodeez FOUR STARS for wheelchair accessibility. To earn the Fifth Star they would simply need to install an automatic entry door. I give Ashley Five Stars for sensitivity and kindness. I will definitely come back one cold and dreay winter day!

3 out of 5 stars
3 Roche Brothers Way
North Easton, MA 02356
Phone: (508)238-1628
http://www.tdbanknorth.com/
 
My friends and I went to the TD Bank North in Easton and were disappointed with the lack of wheelchair accessibility. There is plenty of handicap parking spaces located right in front of a sloped  cement ramp that leads to the main entry doors. Railings are located on either side of this cement ramp for added safety.

There are two doorways you will need help with opening in order to access the lobby of the bank for neither door is automatic. Once inside the lobby there is a document service counter which is a counter that customers use to prepare bank slips before actually going to the line at the teller window. This counter is not wheelchair accessible because it is too high!

We then approached the teller window and I found it difficult to talk to the bank teller because this counter is also too high. The bank teller was very pleasant and treated me with respect. She told me that tellers will provide assistance to persons in wheelchairs.
 
I give TD Bank North THREE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the other Two Stars, they would need to install automatic entry doors; lower a section of the document service counter and lower a section of the the teller window to a wheelchair accessible height so a person in a wheelchair can independently complete their banking business. 

Madeira Island, Portugal
www.madeira-web.com
www.madeira-island.com

Ben Vindo, (Welcome)

My friend Tony had taken a trip to Madeira Island and has told me much about his experience. While there he described all of his joyful moments especially finding out about his roots. Tony kindly offered to share some information that might enlighten people on reviewing wheelchair accessibility from another country’s point of view. 

Hi, My name is Tony and I have had the delight to be in Kenny’s life for the last 12 years. Throughout the years we have been on many vacations together and faced many accessibility obstacles when on these trips. I would like to share my thoughts on the accessibility of Madeira Island, Portugal.

What a breath of fresh air being on another continent. At the airport there was a woman who was blind. I could tell because she had a white cane and she was being escorted by an airport worker all the way to the gate to board. All her carry on luggage was also being carried by a worker. When it was time to board she was the first to get on and the first to get off the plane. The airport is totally accessible and you will have no problem getting around. Even the restrooms are all accessible.

The Island is celebrating it’s 500 years of discovery and is having the biggest party ever with fireworks and people who came from all over the world. The Island which is called the “Hawaii of Europe” and the “Island of the Sun”, has four inactive volcano’s. It has very high mountains and most of the cities and its villages are built going up these steep slopes. These pictures can’t do any justice for seeing is believing and capturing the beauty of this place.

Most of the Island have changed their transportation systems building new roads and highways. Most fascinating are building tunnels through the mountains in order to get to places quicker. At one time going from the airport across the Island would take 2 ½ hours through the old historic roads. Now, it would only take 40 minutes. Many of these new road now have sidewalks. When looking at these old roads as shown here by the edge of the cliff there is no place for a person to travel. Making it very dangerous not only for the driver but for anyone who wishes to travel village to village on foot. These roads still exist and some are just for tourists. Capturing a bit of history and imagination.

Passageways or short cuts leading from street to street would definitely be impossible for a person in a wheelchair to use. Most of the streets are too high up on a slope for wheelchairs. Although, someone in a power chair may be able to get away using some of these streets.

The Beaches were especially interesting to me. Since the Island is located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean it has bad undertows. It would be hard for even a good swimmer to safety swim in its waters. That is why these so called beaches are built with a barricade allowing people to swim and protecting  people from it currents. I have been to four different beaches and looking around I did not see any way possible that a person in a wheelchair can get into the water.

One in a wheelchair may be able to sit on a level cement slope overlooking the water or even use the remarkably built buildings by the beaches that have food, restrooms, locker rooms etc.

Some beaches import sand and make it look like the typical beaches that we are all use to. In the winter months seas are rough and the sand washes away only to get rebuilt by importing more sand for the summer months. These beaches would most likely be the best beaches for a person in a wheelchair to utilize a beach wheelchair and enjoy the waters of the Island.

I took a bus to get into the city of Funchal which is the major city and capital of the Island. Catching the bus at approximately 6:10am is not even accessible. There is no lift on the bus and you would have to order a special equip van in order to travel around. Once in the city you would have no problem getting around because everything looks just like Boston when it comes to accessibility. With very few obstacles that I encountered, a person in a wheelchair would have very little difficulty getting around the downtown area of the city.

Here are some pictures of places in the city of Funchal that are totally wheelchair accessible. Dolce Vita, is a wonderful mall recently built accommodating all. With ramps, double sliding doors, elevators and state of the art restrooms (which even have call lights for assistance) This mall makes your visit a memorable one.

The largest and most organized fruit and fish market in the world is located here and is totally accessible. It has ramps to get into, elevators and lots of space to maneuver around. This market puts a fresh look on things. A beautiful botanical garden which has trees that are imported from all over the world ranging to thousands of years of age is also accessible to persons in wheelchairs. The only thing that was missing was making the restroom a bit larger to get into.

Cable cars that go to the tops of the mountains are totally accessible, they are called Telefericos Da Madeira, (Madeira Cable Car). www.madeiracablecar.com This place was incredible with automatic double sliding doors; all equip restrooms; wide enough cable car; and access to the all gift shops and beautiful gardens. A definite a must if you ever visit.

There were some place that were disappointing to me where you would think access would be a definite. All churches that I have been to all have doors that open. But, they are not flush to the floor. They leave a little lip preventing access to a wheelchair. Someone walking with a cane may even have a hard time getting into the churches with the high step they need to take in. Once inside you would have no problem getting around or even finding a pew or an area to sit at. These churches are so old they may not have sections cut out at the pews for a person in a wheelchair to enjoy the service. They may have to sit out in the aisle.

One particular museum downtown was not wheelchair accessible. There was no way to get in with stairs leading to the front door. I asked if there was another entrance to accommodate and they said that the front door was the only way to get in. Too bad because it showed the formation of the island, all its sea creatures and species of birds. This museum also has a mini aquarium and a library. All important sources of information only to be left out for that part of the community who cannot access. Their local post office was not wheelchair accessible. It was a weekend and they were closed but when I looked around trying to find some sort of access I was not able to see it. Perhaps there was, but I was not able to spot it.

I had dinner at a Japanese Restaurant for some sushi. It was a newly built building and of course everything was thought of. An elevator led to the restaurant which was on the second level with seating overlooking a balcony. It was delightful. Even the Japanese waiter spoke Portuguese. Don’t leave a tip because they will know that you’re a tourist. Tips are never given and it’s not a sign of disrespect. Its OK not to leave a tip. Although, they will get excited if they get it.

The Presidential Palace is where the president has the option to stay as this house. The President of Madeira Alberto João Jardim usually only comes to the Presidential Palace to do business. He has a home of his own. The place was not showing tours so I was not able to see how wheelchair accessible it was. With guards at the front gates, they still let my mother and I in to take a look at his garden. It was beautiful and fully wheelchair accessible with paved cement paths leading to water fountains and different caged animals. It kind of looked like a miniature zoom/garden.

Back to the area of St Vincent where most of my family is from  was a museum called “The Volcano’s and the Origin of Madeira Island”. It was awesome where you got a first hand look at some tunnels were lava once flowed making the formation of the island.

Some areas of this museum, a person in a wheelchair would not be able to access especially when going through the actual volcanic tunnels. The museum itself is accessible and you would be able to get around most of the exhibits. The restrooms are all accessible.

In Santana Madeira there is a park called “Park Thematic of Madeira“. This park will take you through the discovery of the Island  its nature and ends where your imagination takes you. You can click on this site to learn more : www.parquetematicodamadeira.pt .

Entering the place you will have no problems for there are plenty of handicap parking spaces in a parking garage. Entering the gates there is a section just for persons in wheelchairs. Prices are reasonable but no discount for the disabled or visually impaired.

Basically you stroll along these walkways that are wide and lead you to different buildings that hold exhibits. At this exhibit, you would need to get onto a boat simulation ride that is on tracks and takes you through the history of Madeira Island. This ride is not wheelchair accessible for there is no way they you can get on the simulated boat. There is a virtual ride where the seats are in motion and you are locked into your seats. This exhibit is also not wheelchair accessible. Although, a person in a wheelchair may watch the film off to the side there is a section with stationary seating for women who are pregnant and persons who have and back problems. This was an awesome experience. It reminded me of the virtual ride MOM at Jordan’s Furniture in Avon MA.

The restaurant is totally wheelchair accessible, spacious, perfect restrooms and service is great. There are also row boats and a train ride that are not wheelchair accessible. Some people had a hard time maneuvering those boats. You are left on your own and it is included in the admission price. Overall, someone in a wheelchair would have a good time at this park. Anticipate a majority of your day being spent here.

I came to Madeira at the most busiest times of the year when all the festivals take place. Every province celebrates its own festival alternating every weekend. The best festival was the one where I was staying at in St. Vincent. It was about a one week long celebration. People are friendly and know how to party in a peaceful fashion. The streets are packed and you would have a hard time getting through the crowed. Not the greatest place for someone in a wheelchair unless you are adventurous.

The day before I was to leave, I helped my Aunt and Uncle pick grapes to be sent to the wineries to be made into wine. The Island is famous for richness and quality of the grapes. Trust me it was hard work. Something that I would not want to do on a full time basis. But it was nice to get in there and contribute getting my hands dirty. Someone in a wheelchair would never be able to experience this due to the unstable terrain and slope of the ground. Although, from the street you would be able to help sort out the grapes as my uncle is doing here.

Finally,  a chapel that is at the center of the village built as a reminder of all the hardship, commitment, love and faith of the people of Madeira Island. This chapel was built by the people of the village with their bare hands. A group effort made when there were no tractors, lifts and all those mechanical constructions machines to help build buildings today. My mother has told a story of a time when as a little girl she wanted to help so bad in the construction of this chapel. All her brothers and sister and herself brought up little bags of sand and hiking for over an hour before finally getting to their destination. This shows exactly what the people of Madeira Island are all about. They have come a long way and yet have so much still to overcome. I have found my roots and I am proud to be a Madeirian.

I give Madeira Island, Portugal THREE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. Madeira Island has become a busy tourist attraction. It has come a long way and shows growth year to year. When it comes to wheelchair accessibility Madeira vs. USA, the Island is about five years behind. I give the People FIVE STARS for caring, loving and being grateful for what they have. At a museum a painting of a sickly person sitting out on a stretcher being transported over mountains with two men at each end holding on. The people would bring the old, disabled and sick when going to the Doctors or Hospitals. They would sometimes travel for days until they got there. I believe Madeira Island is right behind us and their minds are set on the right track. OBRIGADO! Thank You!

The booths in this restaurant are not accessible because your wheelchair would stick out into the aisle and block access for others. Another section of this restaurant is not accessible either for it has a high countertop with high seats. A television in located on the wall in this section but not in the main dining area.

I found it difficult to access the hallway leading to the restroom because there was child booster seat stored on the side wall. My friends had to move the booster seat out of the way so I could get into the restroom.  The restroom is spacious with plenty of room to maneuver your wheelchair around. The toilet and required safety bars surrounding it are at a perfect height. I found the accessible sink to be a good height too but the pipes underneath are not covered as is ADA required. The mirror is too high for me yet the soap and towel dispenser are at a reachable height from my wheelchair.

The cashier counter is too high for me to pay my bill so my friends handed the cashier my money for my meal. Overall our food and service was really great. The waiter and waitress were very attentive, kind and respectful. This restaurant also has a drive-thru window so you can pick up your food to go.
 
I give USA Breakfast and Lunch TWO STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the other Three Stars, they would need to install automatic entry doors; space out some of the tables so it is easier to wheel around; remove the child booster seat from the hallway leading to the restrooms; lower a section of the countertop and lower the cashier counter.

There are plenty of handicap parking spaces located in the parking lot right in front of a wheelchair access opening to the sidewalk. The entry door is a double door and plenty wide enough but it is not automatic so my friends had to open the door for me.
 
Once inside, this is probably one of the largest and nicest Dunkin Donuts I’ve ever seen. It is spacious and easy to maneuver any wheelchair inside. There are couches off to the right with a large flat screen TV hanging on the wall and a counter located against the back wall. My wheelchair fits perfect underneath the counter and the tables in the dining area. The cashier register counter is a perfect height for my wheelchair too but the Credit Card/ATM Transaction machine is too high for me to reach.
 
The personal restroom has just enough space to maneuver my wheelchair around and it has the ADA required safety grab bars located at a perfect height on the wall. The accessible sink is a good height for my wheelchair but the pipes under the sink are not covered as is now ADA required.
 
I give this Dunkin Donuts FOUR STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the Fifth Star they would need to install automatic doors, lower the Credit Card/ATM Transaction Machine and place protective covering around the exposed pipes under the accessible sink in the restroom.

1 out of 5 stars
Rt. 53
Duxbury, MA
Phone: 781-585-2392
http://www.bongis.com/

Thanksgiving is soon approaching and many of us will be shopping for turkeys so my friends and I traveled to Bongi’s Turkey Roost to see if it is wheelchair accessible and we were very disappointed at the lack of accessibility.

There is plenty of parking in the parking lot on the right side of the building; however, none of the parking spaces are posted as handicap parking. There is a main front entry door that is not accessible for there is a two inch step but a side door is accessible. Neither door is automatic so you will need with opening the door. I was in my manual wheelchair so my friend Kevin had to push my chair through the door while my friend Kellie, held the door open for us. I’ll be very happy when my new Power Chair arrives!
 
Once inside we traveled down a very narrow walkway that showcased some very appetizing meals, side dishes and sandwiches. The front service counter is located at the end of this walkway and it is where people get in line to place their order.  The counter height is low enough for me to place my order and complete my transactions.
The main front entry door is located in this area but since it is not accessible my friends and I had to travel back down the narrow walkway to exit out the side door.

We spoke with the owner regarding how inaccessible the store/business is. He told us that this building was built in the 1940’s when there were no regulations regarding accessibility. He told us that he does has future plans to make this building more wheelchair accessible, however due to the current economic crisis we are all facing he is unable to make the accessible renovations at this time. He was very kind and empathetic. He told us that persons with a disability who will need assistance with their shopping should call the store in advance and they will make immediate accommodations to assist all handicap individuals.
 
I give Bongi’s Turkey Roost ONE STAR for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the other Four Stars they would need to install automatic entry doors; widen the walkway; add handicap parking spaces in front of the building and replace the two inch step with  an accessible threshold at the front entry door.

4 out of 5 stars
Colony Place
100 Colony Place Road
Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: 508-732-9216
www.starbucksstore.com
 
I’m usually a Dunkin Donuts’ drive - thru coffee guy but yesterday my friends and I went to Starbucks  in Plymouth.  This Starbucks has a drive-thru but we decided to go inside to see how wheelchair accessible it is and were very pleased to see that this Starbucks is fully wheelchair accessible.
 
There are plenty of handicap parking spaces right up front that are conveniently located right next to the wheelchair accessible ramp that leads to the front entry door. You may need help with opening the door for it is not automatic but it is plenty wide enough for any size wheelchair.
 
Once inside I had no problem maneuvering my wheelchair around for it is spacious and the aisles are wide. My friends and I approached the counter where you place your order and I found it to be a perfect height for me in my wheelchair. I was really impressed when I saw a sign posted at this counter which offers assistance to disabled persons. The sign reads, “We can provide assistance with ordering and delivery to table.”

I asked the employee for a cup of Columbian Coffee and she kindly told me that they didn’t have Columbian  but suggested another brand of coffee for me to try so I ordered it instead.  I bought my coffee to the condiments table which is a perfect height for me in my wheelchair and  I no problem reaching for the skim milk and splenda that I added to my coffee.

The tables located inside are kind of small but are of a perfect height for my wheelchair.

Amanda and I tried out the tables located on the outside patio and found they are also of a perfect height for my wheelchair too. I didn’t stay outside for long as the weather was a bit cold.

The restroom is very wheelchair accessible. It is spacious with plenty of room for my wheelchair and it has  the ADA required safety grab bars as well as an accessible sink with the pipes underneath covered as is a new ADA requirement.  The soap and paper towel dispenser are within my reach.
 
I give Starbucks at Colony Place FOUR STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the Fifth Star they would simply need to install automatic entry doors.

5 out of 5 stars
Green St.
Fairhaven, MA
Phone: (508)992-4524
www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/ftph.htm 
 
Yesterday while traveling from New Bedford my friends and I came upon Fort Phoenix Beach State Reservation. Since we’ve never been to this park, we decided to stop and see if it is wheelchair accessible. I was very pleased to see that it is fully wheelchair accessible. It’s a small State park and beach that is managed by the town of Fairhaven and it has beautiful views of Buzards Bay and  is  adjacent to Fort Phoenix.

You will have no problem parking at this park for there are many handicap parking spaces located right up front in the parking lot to the right of the fort.

Adjacent to the parking lot is the New Bedford - Fairhaven Hurricane Barrier. There is a wide paved walkway that you can wheel along that takes you to the top of the hurricane barrier that extends into the water. My friends and I went all the way to the end of the walkway and I loved the beautiful site from here!

The water front and beach at this park is part of Buzzards Bay. I’ve never come to this beach but I will definitely come here next summer. Since the beach is a State beach it is probably well maintained and has loaner beach wheelchairs too. In addition to the beach, there are grills for cooking, a Gazebo, basketball courts, volleyball courts, tennis courts and picnic tables.

The restrooms were closed yesterday so I couldn’t see if they are wheelchair accessible but I assume they are for it’s  a State park and all State Parks have wheelchair accessible restrooms. Plus, the only parking that is located in front of the building with the restrooms are three handicap parking spaces.

Fort Phoenix is located right next to the park  and this fort is an historical national landmark fort. A sign located in the fort states much of the history of this historical fort. In May of 1775, the first naval battle of the American Revolution took place off this shore and the town built a Fort with eleven cannons to protect the harbor. 

The Fort was attacked and destroyed when 4,000 British troops raided the harbor in September of 1778 but the fort was soon rebuilt and named Fort Phoenix, after the mythical bird which rose from its own ashes.

A paved walkway allowed me to wheel right up to the cannons and I loved getting close enough to actually touch the cannons for it’s like touching a bit of history. The paved walkway is wide and would have been a great place to drive my Power Chair along it but I was in my manual chair today. My new Power Chair should be arriving soon and I am very excited!

The Fairhaven Office of Tourism offers a free “Fort Phoenix Minuteman Tour” which is guided by Colonial Militiamen and Women. On the tour, you’ll hear the history of the fort, see a musket firing demonstration and learn about the equipment a militiaman carried. The guided tours are available June through September on Thursday afternoons at 2:00 PM. 

I give Fort Phoenix and Fort Phoenix Beach State Reservation FIVE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. I really enjoyed my visit because everything is very accessible and at the same time shows a bit of history.