Spicy Boutique in Plymouth
32 South Park Avenue
Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: 508-732-7297
http://www.spicyboutique.com/
Sunday, my Aunt Nancy, Jowanna, Tony and I headed to the historic Plymouth Waterfront on this beautiful sunny day. While strolling along the sidewalk we passed by Spicy Boutique and noticed there is NO Wheelchair Acccess to this store because it has one very small step and the entry door threshold is NOT Wheelchair Accessible.
Spicy Boutique sells unique woman’s apparel, sunglasses and accessories. My aunt went inside and asked if there is a wheelchair accessible entrance. She was told “Sorry–No”. My aunt asked me if I minded if she went in to look at the items on sale and of course I told my aunt I didn’t mind at all.
Tony and I sat by the door and I was pretending to joke about the dress they had hanging outside by the inaccessible entrance. Truth is I felt discriminated against, isolated, humiliated and embarrassed that I had NO ACCCESS to this store. I would have loved to watch my aunt as she looked at the clothing items and accessories.
I think others in wheelchairs feel the same way I do when there is NO ACCESS. Plymouth has one million tourists visiting each year and sadly there are many shops like Spicy Boutique and even some tourist attractions with No Wheelchair Access. Many woman tourists who visit Plymouth are in wheelchairs and would NOT be able to ACCESS this store; and men in wheelchairs would NOT be able to go inside to help their beloved wife or girlfriend pick out their apparel or accessory.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, “businesses that provide goods and services to the public are already required to remove structural barriers to access by people with disabilities when removal is “readily achievable”. A one step entrance is considered “readily achievable”.
I love the ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act which is civil rights law; yet the problem is that the ADA is not really enforced by anyone other than the Department of Justice in Washington DC who cannot possibly keep up with all the complaints filed.
I give Spicy Boutique in Plymouth ZERO STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn any Stars, they would need to replace the step at the inaccessible entrance with a cement slope; and place an accessible threshold at the entry door so a customer seated in a wheelchair can access the store and not be discriminated against by being left outside!!
June 20th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Hi Kenny,
I’m so sorry that NOT all places are accessible. Shame on them! Our world does need to be more sensitive, respectful, safer and accessible to all!
I believe your website is bringing about public awareness of the importance of equal and full access for all.
Love You!
Mom
June 21st, 2010 at 12:59 am
[...] Spicy Boutique in Plymouth [...]
June 21st, 2010 at 11:23 am
Individuals are fed up and mad about noncompliance and rightfully so. After nearly 20 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is hard to understand why barriers remain. In these economically difficult times, defendants’ attempts to plead hardship are common. That isn’t an excuse to discriminate. Even the Department of Justice attorneys Lyn Sowdon and Jennifer McDannell state this month “Civil rights must be consistently enforced, not just in good economic times.” Our experts have experience dating back 16 years on barrier removal lawsuits. When hardship can be proven, agreements can be drafted to incorporate stages of compliance. There is a tax incentive under IRS 190 for barrier removal up to $15,000 per year. In addition, a tax credit for 50% spent not exceeding $10,250 under IRS Section 44. They end up with a capital improvement and accessibility at Uncle Sam’s expense! Litigation makes accessibility happen with no expense to you. Let us know about your experience with the barrier. Every consultation is free; we encourage questions and will listen. Write ADAexpert@gmail.com to remove barriers and enforce your civil rights to access. Your experience may warrant a lawsuit.
It takes exercising your civil rights to make the barriers permanently disappear and finally realize the law is meant for EVERYONE, just like ACCESS. There is no such thing as being “grandfathered” to allow barriers to remain. Exercise your rights and discuss compelling removal of barriers that you’ve encountered. Write the Association at ForADA@gmail.com or to their clearinghouse at ADAexpert@gmail.com. They have the resources (paralegals, experts, investigators, assistance, and research sources) and there are never any fees or court costs charged to you. Expenses related to litigation are paid. Exercise your rights to be involved and make a difference. Lack of access is a Civil Rights violation.
June 21st, 2010 at 2:54 pm
First, let me tell you the shot of joy I got from Paula’s recent notice that Kenny was coming home. We all need a shot of joy as many times as we can get it.
Second, I am not sure that the Americans with Disabilities Act covers every business. Some might not be able to afford to comply. Kenny hits the nail on the head when he notes that many women who would love to shop at this establishment cannot get in. I would add that many people shop or browse as groups and many would just wander by. This type of approach [from a 32 year litigator] is how one can get businesses to “wake up!” even where legislation falls short….
I have read some of Kenny’s work and find him creative and thoughtful as well as undeterred by the small minded and disinterested. Hail!.
Richard
June 21st, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Hi Richard,
Ken and I are very relieved that Kenny fully recovered from his past illness! Thank you for your well wishes for Kenny and hope to see you at a Brown fucntion in the near future!
Warmest regards!
Paula
June 25th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
I just wanted to let you know that it is not necessarily the businesses faults that many of the stores are not wheel chair accessible. I work on the waterfront and am familiar with Spicy Boutique and many other businesses, many of these stores are LEASED ONLY, most business owners DO NOT own the buildings they are in, its slightly naive to assume business owners dont care when it is not their fault at all, many landlords of the waterfront area limit and regulate what the store owners can and cannot do, I also know that the girls and the owner at spicy boutique would have been more than happy to help get you into the store. If there is a will there is always a way!
June 25th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Hi Bebe,
I know most businesses in Plymouth don’t own the building. Yet they do choose to lease a space in a building with no access. If businesses refused to lease a building due to lack of access – maybe more owners would make their building accessible. By the way my aunt told me the girl who worked in the store was very nice.
June 25th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Excellent Point Kenny & Company! If businesses refuse to lease spaces in buildings that are NOT ACCCESSIBLE then owners might make needed changes to ensure the building is ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL!! It’s all about $$$ to the owners!! If their building remains empty..then they get no $$$!