CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE OUT AND ABOUT THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, A GUIDE FOR ORTHOPEDICALLY DISABLED PERSONS A project submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies by Jean Rothschild Lusher January 1983 The Project of Jean Rothschild Lusher is approved: Dianne Philibosian, Advisor Dr. yrne Fernelius, Kar;- California State University, Northridge i1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank Dr. Isabelle Walker and Dr. Jean Teague under whose influence this project was conceived and initiated. To Dr. Dianne Philibosian, whose unstinting guidance, direction and assistance and Karen Burke, whose excellent ideas and encouragement helped bring this work to fruit­ ion, I express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation. Many thanks to Robert Winslow for so generously giving of his time, ability and efforts, and Dr. Bryne Fernelius for helpful ideas and suggestions. Especially do I want my daughter Lynn and sons Alan, Howard and David to know how much I cherish their en­ couragement and cooperation throughout the duration of this project. Finally I give my undying love and gratitude to my late husband, Hy Lusher, whose faith in me and "you can do anything" attitude inspired me to return to the Univer­ sity and complete my work at an age well past the half century mark. Jean Rothschild Lusher iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter I Introduction 1 Rationale (Purpose) 1 Statement of Problem 2 Definition of terms 4 Limitations 6 Basic Assumptions 7 Chapter II Review of Current Literature 8 Chapter III Jl.olethodology 15 Accessibility Criteria Used 17 Strategies for Use of Guide 18 Chapter IV Out and About the San Fernando Valley: 20 A Guide for Orthopedically Disabled Persons Department Stores: Listings 24 Grocery Supermarkets: Listings 27 Restaurants: Listings 31 Theatres: Listings 36 Special Attractions: Listings 40 Chapter V Field Testing 41 Procedure 41 Findings 41 Chapter VI Summary and Conclusions 43 Bibliography 46 Appendix 48 iv ABSTRACT OUT AND ABOUT THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, A GUIDE FOR ORTHOPEDICALLY DISABLED PERSONS by Jean Rothschild Lusher Master of Science Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies Purpose The purpose of this project was to produce a guide to frequently needed and used commercial enterprises in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles accessible to consumers using wheelchairs. This guide may facilitate their participation in the mainstream of society. A Guide for Orthopedically Disabled Consumers Five categories of commercial establishments were selected as being among the most used on a regular basis. They were department stores, grocery supermarkets, restaurants, theatres and special attractions. Criteria v for listing included the following, where appropriate: accessible parking, availability of restrooms wide enough to accomodate a wheelchair, drinking fountains and tele-· phone at wheelchair height, aisles wide enough for wheel­ chairs, ramped curbs and level entry. Selections for inclusions were made only from enter­ prises advertising in the yellow pages of the San Fernando Valley telephone directories. Nearly seventy listings were included, covering four geographical areas, East Valley, North Valley, Mid Valley and West Valley. Methodology Selections were made to obtain the_ widest geographical coverage in each of the four sections of the valley. Listings were selected on that basis if all other criteria had been met. Telephone calls were made to all, or in some cases such as restaurants, where there were several hundred listings, a representative number of listings, to ascertain if the criteria had been met. In most cases, a personal visit followed to each establishment claiming __to_ meet the criteria. Only after confirmation, was an enterprise listed. Verification was to have been done by students in a CSUN therapeutic recreation class but they were unable to visit all sites. Validation was done by non-students. Findings Nearly seventy commercial enterprises in the San v,i Fernando Valley, accessible to wheelchair users are listed in this guide. The West Valley area has the greatest number, with the North Valley having the fewest and in one category, none at all. Vital features such as restrooms, drinking fountains and telephones, accessible to wheelchair users, are lacking in many locations includ­ ing several major department stores and well-known res­ taurants. However, most enterprises, even those lacking other facilities, now have special parking for the disabled often with special marking. In general, most of the accessible enterprises are located in newer buildings, those constructed within the past seven or eight years. Recommendations The need for updating this guide at least yearly seems vital, since there is continual turnover in commer­ cial enterprises, especially restaurants. It is suggested that this function be undertaken by outside service groups or recreation students as a class assignment. The guide may be further extended to include addition­ al categories such as drug stores and home improvement centers. Disabled consumers who as a group wield sizable econ­ omic power need to insist on the right of access as well as facilities which meet their special needs in those establishments which they patronize. All structures open to the public at large should be fully accessible to all consumers, not just the able bodied. v~ii INTRODUCTION Chapter I Rationale (Purpose) The purpose of this guide is to reduce frustration and make life easier and less complicated for the ortho­ pedically disabled person in conducting daily activities. This guide to frequently needed and utilized commercial establishments accessible to wheelchair users may facili­ tate their participation in the mainstream of society. 2 OUT AND ABOUT THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY Chapter I Statement of the problem: It has become apparent in recent years that the energy resources of the United States are neither as limitless nor as inexpensive as they once appeared. Fuel conserva­ tion has become a necessity and advance planning takes on a far greater importance. For the orthopedically disabled consumer, planning ahead is even more vital. Too often, after reaching-one's destination, access may be impeded or prevented by archi­ tectural or other barriers. Interior barriers as well, including actual physical layout, placement of displays, counters, racks, tables and shelves may also prove frustra­ ting. If one had advance information such frustration might be avoided. It was from this premise that this guide to barrier free establishments was planned. Significance of the problem: After too many years of being ignored, the rights of the disabled population to benefits of society according to the non-disabled are being recognized. The Rehabili­ tation Act of 1973, Public Law, Sections 93-112 mandates the right of disabled persons to unimpeded access to all public buildings. The law is retroactive to 1974 and allows eight years to comply. 3 There is a growing awareness by business that the disabled population constitutes a sizeable group of con­ sumers with a significant purchasing power. It seems likely that these consumers would prefer to patronize establishments providing for their special needs. This guide recognizes, locates and lists such estab­ lishments. 4 Definition of Terms Definition of the following terms are from the New Standard Dictionary of the English Language, published by Funk and Wagnalls and Random House Dictionary of the Eng- lish Language Unabridged, published by Random House, New York, 1967. Accessible: providing access, capable of being used as an entrance. Commercial: having profit as the primary aim. Disabled: crippled, injured, incapacitated. Enterprise: venture, undertaking, project, purpose- ful activity, i.e., a business or restaurant. Establishment: something established. Handicapped: one having a disadvantage that makes achievement unusually difficult, such as a physical disability that limits capa- city to work. Mainstream: the prevailing current of activity or influence. Normalization: the process of conforming to the standard or common type. Orthopedic: pertaining to, affected by, or involving deformity or crippling. San Fernando the incorporated area of Los Angeles Valley: comprising the following communities: 5 Sun Valley, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Universal City, Panorama City, Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, Chatsworth, Reseda, Northridge, Canoga Park, llilinnetka, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Encino, Sylmar, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, Sepulveda, Lake View Terrace, Pacoima, Arleta. Special Attractions: Distinct or particular enterprise which draws, attracts, allures or entices. 6 Limitations An arbitrary choice of area, the San Fernando Valley section of the incorporated city of Los Angeles, and restriction of types of establishments evaluated to five categories were the principal limitations of this project. There are various other kinds of enterprises that could have been selected such as beauty salons, banks, drug stores, etc., but such extensive evaluation was not feasible. Another limitation was the primary focus on the ortho­ pedically disabled consumer. Though, persons with other disabilities such as blindness, deafness, etc., could also use a guide appropriate for their special needs. 7 Basic Assumptions Legislation has mandated the rights of the disabled to unimpeded access to public buildings, along with the main­ streaming of disabled students in regular classrooms when­ ever possible. These