Carlee Brumgard

I certify that this assignment is my own work. I have not plagiarized any of its contents, nor have
I collaborated with other students in writing this paper.Carlee Brumgard

Wheelchair Simulation
Social Context

Carlee Brumgard

Recreation Activity

Penn State University

Indoors

Inclusive Leisure Services

Dr. Dattilo
October 11, 2016

Outside

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Introduction
After picking up my wheelchair at 3:30 p.m. on September 21, 2016, I decided to go from
the Ford Building to Dunkin Donuts downtown. After leaving the Ford Building, I went past the
Chambers Building and continued around the library. After the library, I went straight down the
double sidewalks and that took me to the intersection of South Allen Street and West College
Avenue. I decided to go to Dunkin Donuts on West College Avenue to get an iced coffee, and
then I continued back down West College Avenue to find a place to eat dinner. I turned right on
South Allen Street and decided to go to Jersey Mikes Subs. When I left Jersey Mikes Subs I
went on South Allen Street then turned left on West College Avenue. To get to the parking
garage, I turned left onto Fraser Street. This totaled out to be two hours in a public setting. When
I got home, my boyfriend and I played catch for half an hour and then ping pong for half an hour.
To be able to spend the minimum of one hour in my home, my boyfriend had to carry me up two
sets of stairs and through the doorway. This created architectural barriers, those barriers that
were created by humans, such as steps, heavy doors, and holes in the pavement (Dattilo, 2012,
p. 78).
Environmental Barriers
Both architectural and ecological barriers were apparent from the beginning of my
simulation. The first architectural barrier that I came across was on the double sidewalks. I was
coming down the right side of the double sidewalks after the library and noticed that there were
no ramps on my side. It was clear that along with the ramp on the left side, that there could easily
be a ramp constructed on the right side too. Therefore, I had to go out of my way to access the
appropriate ramp. Those same double sidewalks posed an ecological barrier because of the
steepness. This made me more aware of how I should control my wheelchair, so I grasped the

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wheel rails as tightly as I could. The result of this was a blister on my hand and sore shoulders.
Both Dunkin Donuts and Jersey Mikes Subs had architectural barriers that opened my eyes as to
what people with disabilities have to surpass on a daily basis. Dunkin Donuts counters were not
low enough for me to be able to reach the coffee condiments, and Jersey Mikes Subs had a lip in
their doorway that I could not get over by myself, let alone with a major thrust of the chair by my
boyfriend. On my way to the parking garage, I got stuck in a sidewalk divot and could not
maneuver the chair out of it on my own. This presented an example of an architectural barrier.
There was no accessibility from my car to the sidewalk so this created a challenge for me.
Once I was pushed over the lip, I reached the entry way to my home and there were only stairs to
the front door. I had my boyfriend carry me up the stairs to the front doorway and then up the
first set of stairs into my bedroom. Just to get to my bedroom there were three architectural
barriers that I had to surpass. Once I got settled in, I tried to use the restroom, but the doorways
were too narrow for me to enter. I had my friends assist me to and from the restroom. To make
dinner, my boyfriend carried me back down the stairs to the kitchen, and once I was in the
kitchen I could not reach the ingredients that were in the cabinets. Both the bathroom doorway
and kitchen cabinet accessibility are examples of architectural barriers.
For some people, like my uncle Dave, who has been in a wheelchair for 30 years,
architectural barriers are presented in his daily life. My uncle Dave lives in old historic
Gettysburg and he explained how most businesses downtown are not accessible at all to those
people with disabilities. A few examples of places that do not offer accessibility are the Plaza and
the Varsity Barbershop. He proceeded to explain that when he can get into a business downtown
that the doors are difficult to open himself and often times not wide enough for a comfortable fit.

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When he does enter inside, most times he cannot wheel around because the aisles are not a
sufficient width (D. Sprankle, personal communication, October 3, 2016).
Social Reactions
The first social reaction indicated a negative verbal message to me. As I left the Ford
Building, I noticed a group of about 10 students at a bus stop staring, laughing, and making
gestures that I could tell were directed towards me because I was struggling. This intimidated me
because I had just started the simulation, and on a more serious note, it was devastating that
people would act that way towards people with disabilities.
The second social reaction I experienced was a nonverbal message. This happened as I
was waiting to get on the elevator in the parking garage. Coming into the parking garage I
noticed a lady staring at me. After she stared she preceded to say to me, Be careful. The tone of
voice she used implied that I was incapable of operating the wheelchair.
Both of these instances demonstrated staring, which is defined as a long, direct
examination that implies an evaluation or judgment that often causes the person being stared at
to feel uncomfortable (Dattilo, 2012, p. 82).
Third, and lastly, I encountered a nonverbal reaction when I passed two girls and they
clearly moved out of my way more than they needed to. This represented a nonverbal message. I
think that while they meant to send a positive message to me, by giving me extra space, I
interpreted this as a negative message because they saw I had a disability and reacted upon that.
In my opinion, I did not need the exceeded amount of space they had given me because I did not
take up any more space than a person without a disability.

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Ethical Considerations
I did not let my roommates know beforehand that I would be engaging in a simulation for
a school assignment, so this presented my first ethical issue. One of my roommates saw me from
the kitchen window and texted me as soon as she saw me. She texted, Hey, Car, are you okay?
I did not answer because I was playing catch and ping pong. She immediately texted again and
said, Like do you need anything? I responded with, Everything is fine. I will talk to you when
I come inside. Both of my roommates came into my room as soon as they heard me come
inside. They showed their concern by frantically asking multiple questions. I explained to them
how I was engaging in a simulation for a class to help become more aware of those with
disabilities. They thought this was a great idea but they both agreed that they would be too
embarrassed to participate in such a simulation. Another ethical consideration I considered while
I was participating in the simulation was how I was acting. At certain times it was hard to take
the simulation seriously because I knew I could just walk away from it in the end, but I had to
keep in mind that those surrounding me thought I was person with a disability. When I came
across an architectural barrier, like the lip in the doorway at Jersey Mikes Subs, I started to smile
and giggle, but I quickly caught myself and covered my mouth so that it did not become
noticeable to those around me.
D. Sprankle believes that participating in a simulation is a good idea but only when
participants are trying to navigate in a difficult area, like downtown. He thinks that this will open
peoples eyes and help them better understand how challenging it can be to get around in a place
where there isnt always accessibility. He thinks that as a participant we should be looking out
for reasonable accommodations that businesses are making, and although most say their
restrooms are accessible, they usually are not. He thinks that going to a public setting would be

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the most beneficial thing for participants to do because its the best way to understand what
obstacles those people with disabilities have to face in everyday life (personal communication,
October 3, 2016).
Although my uncle does not see any disadvantages in students participating in a
simulation, as a student doing the simulation, I know it can be hard to be completely ethical at all
times. Since this is a simulation and I am not actually disabled, it was difficult for me to
completely understand what people with disabilities actually go through. I had my boyfriend
with me the entire simulation for a safety precaution, but I think this may have taken away from
my experience. People with disabilities, like my uncle, do not always have someone there to help
them in an emergency.
I think the biggest take away from this was remembering that I was participating in a
simulation and I could just walk away from it in the end, but at the same time remaining ethical
while I was participating in it. Remaining ethical meant that I had to be serious about what I was
doing because that is how those people with disabilities have to live every day.
Professional Implications
All cruise ships do not offer the same accessibility for people with disabilities. This is my
biggest concern, but I understand that each cruise ship is its own entity; therefore, I hope to make
the cruise line I work for offer the most accessibility. I hope to make a change on the cruise line I
pursue because this will make people with disabilities feel just like everyone else. Although there
are specific opportunities that target people with disabilities, I would like to help make a cruise
line inclusive to all people, so travel agents and customers feel comfortable and at ease when
they choose a given cruise line (B. Twardowski, 2016; J. Twardowski, 2016).

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After researching and doing the wheelchair simulation, I have a better understanding on
how difficult it can be to try and lead a normal life because there are many setbacks. All cruise
ships are not the same and that results in a barrier to those trying to find a cruise line that will
have appropriate accommodations for them. Although cruise lines must comply with the ADA,
this does not mean that they will all be the same or comfortable for people with disabilities. This
will result in certain barriers, even if the law is followed. For example, Wilson says that each
cruise ship and cruise line is unique, and that each cruise will have its own advantages and
disadvantages for wheelchair users. Look for ships with lots of hard flooring, she suggests, as
carpeting can make it difficult to wheel around the ship (Dunham-Potter, 2008).
To make the most accessible cruise line, I would present surveys that could be taken by
the public, so I am able to get a better idea on how to best serve the customers. Not only could
this survey present how this cruise line could be designed, but I would offer the opportunity for
people with disabilities to give ideas on how to make the activities more inclusive for everyone.
I am especially interested in providing events on a cruise ship, and from personal
experience I can conclude that people with disabilities were not welcomed into activities as much
as people without disabilities. Some of the events they offered on the ship included, but are not
limited to, belly flop, push up, dance, and ping pong contests. These events and others need to be
more inviting to everyone on board, therefore events must be replaced or adjusted.
Its people like me, who are in leisure services that will be the ones ultimately changing
peoples lives. Because of the simulation, I realize there is so much more that can be done.
Cruise lines are meeting bear minimum in regards to complying with the ADA and that is not
enough. More effort can be put forth so people with disabilities truly feel included.

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Advocacy Implications
I know that I can reach out and help people with disabilities because of a simple quote
from D. Sprankle, Treat people like you would want to be treated if you were in their situation
(personal communication, October 3, 2016). I think this is the first issue in regards to advocating
for people with disabilities, no matter what is done, there will still be people who are not willing
to change their views. Although I believe that this will never happen, it is my hope that people
will reach out and make a simple gesture, such as opening a door or asking if they need any
assistance. Events like All In are ways that the community can come together and learn about
diversity and inclusion (Penn State, 2015). If more events are held and advertised appropriately,
more people will be aware of this subject. This can be provided by a number of agencies like the
Chamber of Commerce, Penn State, and the YMCA to name a few.
While participating in the simulation, I noticed two things about the pedestrian crossings.
The first thing I noticed was that from a sitting perspective it was hard for me to make out what
sign was on the light. Secondly, the pedestrian crossing symbol is a person walking. Therefore
this image is depicting only what some of us look like, and a minor fix could be done such as
making it say GO in green lettering to help us all feel the same. A changed could be done and
administered through the International Organization of Standardation. Based on information
from Tranchard (2008) there are already changes like the presence and location of a push
button, location of a pedestrian crosswalk, walk initiation period, direction of the pedestrian
crosswalk, and the prohibited walk initiation period. The aforementioned items I suggested
could be done without creating an undue burden.

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Conclusion
To conclude, when participating in the wheelchair simulation I came across
environmental barriers, social reactions, ethical considerations, professional implications, and
advocacy implications.
D. Sprankle, being the selfless person he is, reminded me that wheelchair users are not
the only ones defined as having a disability. There are other things that can qualify a person as
disabled, such as being visually impaired or intellectually challenged (personal communication,
October 3, 2016).
I think the best way to learn what people with disabilities go through, is to be put in their
situation, even if it is only for four hours. Although the simulation only represented one
disability, I am now more aware of all disabilities. I am now less ignorant to the subject in its
entirety and will be more capable of providing leisure services that can incorporate everyone. If
anything, I can definitely say that I am a better person because I am more aware and knowledge
on this subject.

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10

References
All in at Penn State. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.psu.edu/feature/2016/09/27/all-pennstate
Dattilo, J. (2012). Inclusive Leisure Services. State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.
Dunham-Potter, A. (2008). Best cruises for disabled travelers. Cruise Travel on
NBCNEWS.com. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/22542635/ns/travelcruise_travel/t/best-cruises-disabled-travelers/#.V_qI0CYVDIV
Tranchard, S. (2008). New ISO standard will make crossing the street safe for disabled persons.
ISO. Retrieved from http://www.iso.org/iso/home/news_index/news_archive/news.htm?
refid=Ref1112
Twardowski, B., & Twardowski J. (2016). A beginners guide to accessible cruising. Cruise
Critic. Retrieved from http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=9