When I first walked in,
I focused on the sensory aspect of PJ’s. Right away I noticed warm colors and the smell of coffee creating a calming presence. The music was upbeat, but at a soft volume-not too overbearing. The lighting was also soft and the temperature comfortable. However, there were two characteristics about PJ’s that may cause potential problems for a person with sensory difficulties. Their smoothie machine would grind loudly and sporadically. There was no pattern and no warning. Also, PJ’s has a jazz band (with drums) play on Sundays. The band is very close to the eating area. With this said, I believe PJ’s to overall be a positive place for your senses.
Cognitively, PJ’s was a bit less pleasing, mainly because of their menu sign. PJ’s menu sign hung high over the counter and described everything they had to offer, but it was difficult to read. First of all, the words were very small and compact. They would have the name of the item and then a description next to it in the same amount of space. Next, the titles of each section were in a curly font. This font was not clear enough for people with cognitive disabilities. However, on the plus side, they did have white words on a black background eliminating color confusion. They also had a paper TO GO menu that still had small words, but was easier to read than their main menu.
Physically, I could tell that PJ’s tried to have a place accessible for all customers (ADA). The main thing I noticed was their variety of table options. They had booths, high-top tables, regular single and double tables, and couches in their lounge area. People of all shapes, sizes and limitations had an option of where to sit. Yet, even though they had so many tables, they still had enough open space for a person in a wheelchair to maneuver easily. There were no architectural barriers. Also for people in a wheelchair, PJ’s made sure to have their counters and trashcans at a reachable height. There were only two shelves on their condiment bars that were out of reach and neither had important items on them. The restrooms at PJ’s offered a bar for support and a low sink. Moreover, as with most coffee shops, PJ’s provides lids which I thought could benefit a person with physical limitations. To enter PJ’s, they have two options, a front and back entrance. Their front entrance has stairs with railings two provide support when walking up. Their back entrance is near a handicap parking spot and has a ramp that leads to a back door entrance. This door swings, but does not have a button to open automatically.
For a people with visual impairments, PJ’s is not the best choice. Although their restroom signs include Braille to identify the appropriate gender, nothing else in their café does. All of their stations are labeled, but none include the use of Braille. Additionally, neither the main menu nor the TO GO menu could be used for a person with blindness.
In general, PJ’s is doing their part to welcome their community, including people with disabilities. When I chose them for this assignment, I went in ready to pick apart all of their mistakes, but I have to admit they made that very difficult. It was surprising yet pleasing to see a place trying to make the necessary adjustments so all people can enjoy a nice smoothie on a Sunday afternoon like I did.
While learning about special education laws, I have discovered the value of the Constitution and its affect on special education; for example the Fourteenth Amendment. This amendment held states accountable for ensuring that none of their citizens are deprived of life, liberty, property and equal protection (Hulet 2009). However, because each state interpreted this amendment in a different way, a little more structure needed to be added to the mix. Therefore, the ADA was created.
The Americans With Disabilities Act has had what I think to be the most influential law regarding the development of businesses and community. Simple things like mandating ramps have created opportunities for many more people to be a part of their community. However, although I believe there are a few kinks that still need to be worked out. It seems to me that ADA’s goal is to take the burden away from people with disabilities and share it amongst the community. They do this by making all people adjust and adapt to a disability so that no one is left out. Although I think that is great, I question how much the burden is really ‘shared’ when it comes to small businesses. For example, if a small privately owned ice cream store may spend a copious amount of money (from their own pockets) to build a ramp at their store because a person in a wheelchair wants to go there. To me, the burden is much greater for this small business than for the person who may have to get their ice cream somewhere else. I think to really be a community, projects like this should come from property taxes so that ALL people of the community are equally baring the burden and helping out.
In addition to having life, liberty, property and protection, the Constitution states, in the first amendment, that Congress shall have the power to provide for the general welfare of our country. As a result, the Congress has created education plans to support the welfare of our students. One of these plans was the IDEA (Hulet 2009).
As a special educator, I see the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act as having been the most influential in assisting children with becoming more included in the community. I believe IDEA has been most effective because it encompasses multiple elements for support. It includes individualized attention, appropriate education, least restrictive environment, proper evaluations, active family participation and mandatory safeguards (Hulett 2009). IDEA has given the students who are usually ignored the opportunity to succeed like everyone else. It ‘opened the door.’ As a supporter, I happily comply with IDEA regulations, however I see that other educators are not as willing causing slow progress for many students. Although the laws are present, many people are finding ways around them to make their lives easier. To correct this, I think there needs to me more enforcement from the lawmakers. If people are not held accountable, progress will not be made.
ADA and IDEA have their flaws, but they have made drastic improvements in the education system. Many of my students will become integral parts of their communities as a direct result of these Acts.
