★★★★☆
300 Route 44
Raynham, MA
Phone: 508-823-8110
www.joann.com/

jo-ann-fabrics-027.jpgMy friends and I traveled to Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts to get some holiday ribbon for our Christmas wreath and tree. Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts has much more than just crafts for it has many Christmas decorations, small artificial trees and lighted outdoor displays for your home and it is fully wheelchair accessible.

jo-ann-fabrics-028.jpgThere is plenty of handicap parking spaces located right in front of the store. There are two entry doors that you will need help with opening for neither is automatic. My friend, Tony opened the door for me as he pushed my manual wheelchair for I still do not have my new Power Chair. This brought us into a foyer and then I was greeted by a store supervisor who kindly opened the second door for Tony and me. Opening the door for customers is not something to expect for it was just by chance that the supervisor was walking by and noticed me coming in.

I noticed that the entry door had a wheelchair accessible symbol posted on it so my friend Tony, asked the supervisor why they have the symbol on the door if it is not automatic. She said it is to inform the public that the store is fully ADA compliant. ADA doesn’t require automatic entry doors, yet my friends and I do require automatic doors if a place of business is to receive Five Stars for wheelchair accessibility. Our reason is that automatic entry doors are needed to ensure all persons can independently access a place of business.

kennythanksgiving.jpgIt is very easy to wheel down all the aisles for they are plenty wide enough and not cluttered. The cashier counter top is a good height for my wheelchair and if you need to pay by ATM or credit card, you will not have difficulty reaching the ATM/Credit Card Transaction Machine for it is positioned at a good height and very easy to reach. Well after we got back home we proceeded to get all our Christmas decorations up from our basement and set up our tree. I had to laugh because everyone is wondering who is going to make the bows from the ribbon we bought and I know it is definitely not me for I only can use one hand and am not very good at making decorative bows!

I give Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts FOUR STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the Fifth Star, they would need to install an automatic entry door.