Blogging to ADA compliance
A while back, I posted about an encounter with the author(s) of The Traveling Wheelchair. This most excellent blog posts reviews of public places giving them zero to five stars based solely on their wheelchair accessibility and ADA compliance.
This encounter led to some emails and link exchanges. Yesterday I met with Kenny Cieplik and Company to interview him and get background information for my next column. I haven’t fully decided on the focus of the piece but it will certainly include the interesting way that Kenny is using his blog to engage businesses, governments, and people to affect positive change w/regards to accessibility. There will be some interesting success stories, and a mention of a couple of people who must not be allowed to pollute the gene pool.
Comment away if you have any feedback or suggestions for the next literary masterpiece aka my Bumpkin’s Corner column in the Middleboro Gazette.
As a bit of background, Mr. Cieplik spent 20 years in a nursing home after a cerebral hemorrhage at age 11 left him in a coma and disabled. Thanks largely to the Rolland v. Romney case, Kenny has been able to move into his own home and gets along very well. His home is beautiful, fully accessible, and nicer than mine – CURSE YOU KENNY 
It just goes to show you that state government can do something right when you beat them about the head repeatedly with a giant lawsuit stick.
That blog is wonderful to heighten awareness of places we normally travel that would suddenly be inaccessible were we suddenly incapacitated.
Great subject for a column.
Most people generally remain oblivious to the tremendous impact the loss of mobility has on a life until they find themselves or a loved one in that predictament. It causes great restrictions on freedoms that most take for granted. I applaud Kenny for his efforts to inform the public about businesses and buildings that are handicapped friendly/not friendly. There's also a lot of helpful info on his blog, including how to access possible resources.
The service that Kenny and his mother are providing is very commendable.
As the aging population gets larger and larger, we will find that the ways of ignoring disabilities can not and will not be tolerated.
Everyone in the United States of America has a right "to the pursuit of happiness."
Seeing on a first hand basis every day for the last 21 years what a disability can do to stop that pursuit makes it stronger to me, than ever, what must be done to increase awareness and force the changes that will allow every one to have the happiness that they so choose.
Massive changes in the school systems to enlighten children about disabilities have been incredible. For the most part, only full fledged bullies tease the different children.Most of the children have been educated in the genteel ways of disabilities. I commend the schools, parents, children and media for the new education of politeness and unbiased ways of treatment of the disparities.
Working together to include everyone in fair treatment and proper mannerisms is the only way that we are going to make and keep the changes of the laws and rights of everyone in the US and the world. We are Global and that needs to be considered.
Keep up the good work, Bellicose.
All nice comments and The travelingwheelchair.com is a great resource. I give Kenny & Co 6 stars ****** :>)
You've raised a flag of hope against the winds of despondency,thanks to Kenny & Co for their steadfast and prolific work, and also to you, dear bellicose bumpkin.