The National Archives Building recently underwent a major renovation project that would update the building and provide better access for people with disabilities.

It reopened to the public on September 18 of this year. Now everyone, no matter what their physical disability, can get up close with the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and the Bill of Rights (collectively known as the Charters of Freedom).

Now, the main entrance located on Constitution Avenue near 9th Street NW is wheelchair accessible, however the doors are not automated (something I plan on writing a letter about). Previously wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments were required to enter through a backdoor, which was kind of a mockery of freedom. Once inside, elevators can take you up to the Rotunda, where the Charters of Freedom are displayed.

The display area is quite an improvement over the previous version; before wheelchair users had to go up a steep ramp to get near the charters and even then all you can really see was the Declaration of Independence, from a distance. Now, wheelchair users can go right up to the charters and actually get pretty close (well, at least as close as everyone else). No ramps, thank God!

What do people look for in a great sports bar? I went searching for the answer by patronizing some of the nearby sports bars in Miami, Florida. I went to Corbett’s sports bar in Pinecrest. Supposedly, it was supposed to be one of the best in Miami. I found it rather confining for two wheelchairs even when it was empty. The food and price were average. We had to literally chase down the waitresses for assistance. Overall, we were not pleasantly pleased.

However, we continued to search by visiting Flanningan’s, a Florida restaurant franchise, with delicious food. Although, it is pricey we can’t say no to their appetizers and daily specials. There are televisions located everywhere. The problem is that we have to really stretch our necks to see the television because the booths make it difficult to view for a disabled person in a wheelchair. The bathrooms are roomy and accessible so that is a plus. It is better to go there for lunch or dinner than to see a sports game.

We thought we would never find the place to hang out and really root for our favorite teams. As we were about to give up the search we stumbled across Tom’s NFL Club located at 5001 NW 36 Street in Miami Springs, Florida. That place smelled and looked like a sports bar. It is extremely large with an area for families with underage children who can shoot pool or play coin slot games while watching every imaginable sports game on the numerous televisions located around the room.

On the other side of the bar is what I refer to as the Fanatic Frenzy Room. It is usually packed with Dolphin fans.

People like myself who don’t exactly appreciate the Fins team should be weary of showing any excitement for the opposing team around these people. Their passion runs deep which makes the atmosphere that much livelier. Any one 21 years or older with a passion for sports should definitely check out this bar. Televisions are set up for every game in every television station. There is even a projection tv on the wall for the main events.

The atmosphere is a mixture of the customers and the helpful service. It feels like a rowdier Cheers. Strangers high five each other after touchdowns. Waitresses stop serving to see the replay and the manager moves around the room to mingle with the patrons.

The menu has a variety of food to cover the four hours that is generally the average customer’s stay. The prices are fair. The best part is that the waitresses and the busboys don’t make the customers feel as if they must continue to order for the duration of the games.

Overall, the place definitely gets the Touchdown Thumbs Up. But, yeah there is always a but, the place needs to fix a few areas to welcome the disabled community. The entrance ramps need to be remodified. They are all too steep. This is a doable situation and not very expensive.

After spending hours at a restaurant, what is the most important room? The bathroom! Unfortunately, the ladies restroom for the disabled needs a key from the waitress. It is located in the hotel adjacent to the bar. Although the bathroom is large enough for a gigantic scooter, the floor is slippery from the humidity. These accomodations are reasonable and not that costly yet the amount of business that it can generate the establishment can, shall we say, priceless!
If you know a place that hits the G-Spot for the disabled community let us know about it. Write your review and send it to nathasha@audacitymagazine.com along with your name, age, location and disability.

Dining out can be expensive but every now and then you want to feast in elegance and comfort. Norman’s Restaurant located at 21 Almeria Avenue in Miami, Florida is that perfect place.

The service is warm, friendly and professional unlike that cold feeling of some posh restaurants. We arrived earlier than our reservation time and they lead us to our table instead of the bar with the high counters to have cocktails. The two story restaurant with large windows is surrounded by wine bottles with personalized autographs from various celebrities like Francis Ford Coppola. Soft lively sounds of Billy Ocean play in the background.

Before we could even order an appetizer, we were presented with the Chef’s offering to tempt our palette. Every bite we took the rest of the evening was so delicious that writing this review is giving me a craving for Roasted Pork “Havana” with “21st Century” Mole, Golden Haitian Grits, Black Bean Salsa and a Spanish Sherry Wine Reduction. The price $29.50 is a bit extravagant for a normal entree but nothing at Norman’s is normal. It’s exquisite. Michael had the Pecan Crusted, Louisiana Catfish with Fried Green Tomato, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Collard Greens and a Lemon-Bacon-Peanut-Scallion Butter for $29.00. The desserts were the perfect end to a perfect meal and a memorable evening.

There are three locations across the country in Los Angeles, California, and Orlando and Miami, Florida. Not enough praise can be given to Norman’s and their staff. If I could make one suggestion, it would be to remove the chairs that were in the hallway before the entrance to the restrooms. The staff graciously apologized for the inconvenience as they rearranged the chairs to make room for my wheelchair. Once inside the restroom, I found everything to be quite accessible.

My thanks to this wonderful restaurant. For some disabled people on a fixed budget, Norman’s may seem a bit too expensive but if there is ever chance for you to go there say “Yes!” quickly because there are some things that money can buy.

Besides being the capital of the United States, Washington D.C. (or as the locals refer to it “The District”) is also home to some particularly wonderful museums. Most of these museums are relatively accessible, however one stands out as a shining example of what good accessibility can be. That is the National Gallery of Art on the National Mall.

The accessibility features can be seen in the post-ADA sculpture garden as well as the 1970s east building and the original west building of the 1930s. Of course, it helps that this museum is funded partly by Congress who despite all their wrangling manage to do some good things.

Outside: Getting to the Museum is easy for wheelchair users, through the nearby Metrorail station (the entire system is accessible) and driving. There are about a dozen nearby handicapped parking spaces; spaces are located directly in front of the east building and along Madison Drive. To enter the west building it is necessary to go around the building, but it isn’t far and is completely level. There are two wheelchair accessible entrances, one in the east building (4th Street) and one in the west building (Constitution Avenue), unfortunately the main entrance to the west building has about 30 stairs. One entrance has a button activated door and other is monitored by the guards who will open the door.

Inside the Museum: Elevators provide access to all levels of the Museum and are located throughout. An underground concourse provides a direct connection between the two buildings of the Museum and is completely accessible. There are many moderately accessible bathrooms, including one with button activated doors. There are also to companion restrooms for people who require assistance, one on the Mezzanine Level of the East Building and one on the Main Level of the West Building in the hallway by the men’s restroom.

Of course, a visit to the National Gallery would not be complete without a visit to one of the foodservice areas. There are at least four. All the restaurants are accessible, including the Pavilion Cafe in the Museum’s sculpture garden which has push button activated doors and moderately accessible restrooms.

Now of course, accessibility is not only measured in physical access. Staff members and guards are all very helpful and more than willing to help you out. If you get lost or simply do not know where an accessible restroom is, just ask and guards will usually take you to them. Also, recently someone complained to the Museum that one of their very large paintings by Salvador Dali was in a stairwell and was not viewable by someone using a wheelchair. The Museum responded and within a reasonable amount of time located a new display area for the painting and relocated the painting.

So, as you can see the National Gallery of Art has transformed itself into one of the most accessible museums in Washington D.C. I certainly hope than anyone who visits the city takes advantage of this wonderful institution. Hopefully, the accessibility is so good that you don’t even have to think about it. And if you do have to think about it, let me know and I will reimburse you for admission!

OKAY! You got me.

The Museum is free to get in.

ProPlayer Stadium is located near the border line between Dade County and Broward County of South Florida. It is the home of the Miami Dolphins and the Florida Marlins. It is now my sports home as well. Four of us, all in wheelchairs went to see the Florida Marlins play last Saturday. We were hoping to try out the clubhouse seats priced at $32 per person. We ended up paying $18 per person for a clubhouse suite! Now that is the right way to start the visit.

The employees at ProPlayer were extremely helpful, courteous and friendly. We were there 90 minutes before game time because my friend insisted we needed to get the bobbleheads that were given out at the gate. Since that was too early to enter the seating area, the staff directed us to a luxurious waiting area decorated with memorbilia of the Marlins. It was conveniently located near the elevator that would take us to our level.

Have you ever seen in the sport movies those clubseats where the team owners congregate to view the sporting event? That is what we saw! There is a disable clubhouse box with disabled door openers on each side of the room. Six small televisions with remote control, two sofas, a long counter, kitchen, and grill.

The best part was the mixture between air condition and the outdoors using the glass sliding doors as the controling device.

Our food was brought to us by the stadium’s personal attendant who took our orders and returned as many times as we requested. The disabled bathroom, clean and large, was across the hall. The overview of the stadium was fabulous.

Although, I had been at ProPlayer Stadium before, this was my first time in the clubhouse seats. I highly recommend ProPlayer as the model for which other stadiums to follow when accomodating the disabled.

It truly hit the G-Spot.