The Traveling Wheelchair

116 Winthrop Street
Rehoboth, MA 02769
Phone: 508-252-4100
http://www.yelp.com/biz/uncle-eds-front-porch-rehoboth

After enjoying a barbecue dinner at home on Saturday, my friends and I thought about having ice cream. We searched the Internet for an Ice Cream Shoppe we haven’t been to and came up with Uncle Ed’s Front Porch Ice Cream in Rehoboth. I called to see if it is wheelchair accessible and was told it is not wheelchair accessible for there is one step at the entrance. I thought what a perfect opportunity for me to utilize my EZ Access Suitcase Ramp.

Over the river and through the woods to Uncle’s Ed’s we drove. We finally arrived; there is a small parking area with no marked handicap parking spaces. We reached the entrance. I was so DISAPPOINTED to discover that there was not only one but TWO STEPS to get into Uncle Ed’s :<( I brought my 4 foot portable ramp and not my 6 foot ramp for I was told there was only one step. I couldn’t use my 4 foot ramp here for it would be too steep of an incline; my 6 foot ramp would have been perfect.

A kind employee came outside and offered me assistance. My friend Tony explained we had called and was told there was only one step; she looked down at the two steps and said, “oh my mistake”. She kindly offered to take our ice cream order and to bring them outside to us. She kindly gave us our ice cream for free since she mistakenly told us there was only one step.

Tony went inside to see how wheelchair accessible it is. He reports there are two picnic tables inside that are not wheelchair accessible; but on the other side there are tables and all are wheelchair accessible and of a good height; the counter where you place your order is of a wheelchair accessible height; there are no public restrooms.

After getting our ice creams, we headed to an outdoor grassy area which has two picnic tables; wheeling over the grass is rough because of the grooves and stones.  Neither of the picnic tables are wheelchair accessible :<) the side benches are permanently attached nor is there room for my chair to fit under the end of the table. The ice cream is delicious!

The most wheelchair accessible picnic tables I’ve seen are the tables at Scusset Beach State Reservation, where the permanently mounted bench seats swing out and the picnic table at Old Silver Beach, where the picnic table has an extension on the end to fit a wheelchair.

Unfortunately, I give Uncle Ed’s Front Porch Ice Cream ZERO STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn any Stars, they would first need to place a ramp at the entrance which would provide equal access to all; and place a wheelchair accessible picnic table outdoors. I give the employees FIVE STARS for being sensitive, courteous and kind.