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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, March 21-23, 2018 The Park Record B-7 Accessibility problems dominate Paralympic fan experience in 2018 KIM-TONG HYUNG The Associated Press GANGNEUNG, South Korea – As the world’s top disabled athletes competed on ice and snow, Erica Mitchell steered through her own obstacle course on Pyeongchang’s narrow and uneven streets. The 31-year-old from Chicago was one of many people with disabilities who spoke to The Associated Press this week about accessibility problems at the Paralympic Games in South Korea’s rural east, despite what organizers described as a “perfectly” organized event that provided the “highest level” of access. “I felt like my walker was on waves,” laughed Mitchell, an accomplished women’s sled hockey player who came to the games as a spectator. “There were other people with crutches and they were struggling to walk because of uneven surface. Some of the (sidewalk) stones were falling out – that wasn’t the best.” When the Paralympics ended Sunday with the closing ceremony at the soon-to-be-demolished Olympic Stadium, South Korea faced questions about the event’s legacy. Officials had said the Paralympics will help transform one of the nation’s poorest and most underdeveloped areas into a safer and more accessible place for disabled people. That would be a meaningful statement in a country where, even in richer areas like ultra-modern Seoul, the disabled continue to face what critics say amount to social segregation. Inaccessibil- ity to quality education and jobs and even basic functions such as transport has made it extremely difficult for many to maintain lives outside of institutions. But to many of the disabled visitors at Pyeongchang and nearby Gangneung, which hosted the hockey and curling events, the games felt like a missed opportunity. Their long list of complaints illustrated a harsh space for people dependent on devices like wheelchairs, crutches and prosthesis: Cramped and bumpy sidewalks; poorly-designed curb cuts; steep stairs; remote bus stops; tiny bathrooms; absence of handrails or back support on toilets; narrow and steep ramps; steps in front of stores; small doorways; clogged pathways; lack of tables and chairs at traditional floor-seating restaurants. “Not one thing has been comfortable,” said Lee Tae-shik, 63, as he waited for a game outside the Gangneung Hockey Center. Lee, who traveled from the western port city of Incheon with his wife, has been using a wheelchair since 1988 when an injury impaired his legs. He talked about the difficulty of moving between Pyeongchang and Gangneung, the far-flung bus stops, the exhausting trips up the steep slopes where the stadiums were. South Korea has spent about $13 billion on the Olympics and Paralympics, including millions of dollars to redesign dozens of public bathrooms with ramps and handrails. Kim Sung-soo, a 54-year-old Gangneung resident, didn’t think the money was well spent. He fumed about the public bathrooms near the stadiums, which he said barely fits conventional wheelchairs but not larger motorized chairs like his. “Once I get in, there’s not enough space for me to turn and move into the stall,” said Kim, who lost the use of his legs after contracting polio as a child. “It’s been like this for decades – this city never budges for an inch beyond what it’s legally required to do when it comes to disabled people. How hard could it be to make bathrooms just a little bit bigger?” Finding a place to eat can turn into a frustrating adventure. “We have people with us with spinal cord injuries – they can’t get out of their wheelchairs, they can’t eat at that restaurant,” said Mitchell, who was born with a condition that resulted in an inability to walk without assistance. “Getting into restaurants, no one really has a ramp to help them get in. If there’s one step, they can’t get in.” She also saw lapses in safety standards among workers, such as transport staff throwing or cramming wheelchairs into buses. “Not everyone’s brakes were working, so wheelchairs were like flying everywhere,” she said. Koo Ja-cheon, an official from Gangwon Province, which governs Pyeongchang and Gangneung, said the games have been a learning process. He said the provincial government will explore ways to use the experience to improve the lives of its disabled residents. Future steps may include strengthening accessibility requirements for buildings and facilities, acquiring more low-floor buses to accommodate wheelchair users and creating more “accessibility maps” for smartphones, he said. “The games have been an opportunity for us to think about things we never knew or previously never thought about,” said Koo. “We used to just walk upright into a restaurant and eat, but now we are thinking about ramps and tables. It will be a matter of getting that different perspective into policy.” Gangwon had offered up to $7,000 each to restaurants and motels to revamp for the Olympics and Paralympics, such as renovating bathrooms and hallways, converting floor-seating to tables and chairs, widening doorways and adding other features to accommodate wheelchair users. But many local businesses refused to make the changes, saying that the money officials were offering wasn’t enough. Others questioned why they need to change so much just for a few weeks in February and March. Moon Ae-rin, a Seoul-based activist who spent several days at the Paralympics, said South Korea has failed to use the games to make lasting changes that would truly raise awareness of disability rights issues and highlight the bigger role people with disabilities can play in an inclusive society Moon, who has cerebral palsy and uses a motorized wheelchair, is one of the country’s most vocal advocates of accessibility rights for the disabled. She has been arrested or thrown off her wheelchair several times during protests at bus terminals and subway stations calling for safer and more accessible transport for disabled people. Some of the petS at NuzzleS & Co. lookiNg for love These animals are available to be seen at the Nuzzles & Co. Adoption Center and Rescue Ranch. Our Adoption Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located in the Tanger Outlets in Kimball Junction. Our Rescue Ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Sunday. The Rescue Ranch is located at 6466 N. Highview Road in Peoa. Eggs Walnut Nessie Murphy Meet Eggs, a 1-year-old Chihuahua. Yes, it’s a silly name, but he’s a silly guy! Eggs is a playful and energetic little dog who loves to be around people. He gets along with other dogs who can match his energy and could likely share a home with a cat, too. Walnut is a Shepherd mix and is about a year old. He’s a high-energy dog that loves to play and will need lots of exercise. He is working on his training and is a fast learner! He prefers a home without cats, but may do well with another dog with proper introduction. Meet Nessie, a 1-year- old Catahoula mix with a ton of energy. He loves to play but is learning how to walk on a leash and trust people. Nessie is looking for a forever home that will shower him with affection and help him feel safe and loved! Meet Murphy, a 1-year-old Shepherd mix. This happy dog is full of energy! He needs a patient owner who can help him overcome his fears. He is dog-selective but ignores cats. He also prefers a home without small children. He’s an active guy who will make a great companion! Introducing... 435-645-7139 www.marketatparkcity.com Please look for our insert in today’s paper! LIZY MICHELLE JA N E L L E Deer Creek TITLE INSURANCE, INC. Confidence to close! MICHELLE HUGGINS 4 35 . 6 59. 4 4 07 D M I C H E L L E H U G G I N S @ H OT M A I L .CO M "With one concussion I went from collegiate alpine racing to unable to stand on one foot and catch a bean bag. After a year and a half I had lost all hope any doctors or rehab could help me until I started Slackbow." Taylor Guetschow Ski Coach janet@slackbow.com Finn Squash Golden Marilou Finn is a gentle and friendly Lynx Point Siamese mix. She’s about 9 years old. Finn is a mellow cat who enjoys relaxing and lounging in the sun. She may be considered a senior, but she is has lots of love and snuggles left to give! Squash is a big and beautiful buff tabby Domestic Shorthair. He’s 4 years old and loves to be around people! Squash is outgoing and social, and he will be a wonderful addition to any loving home that’s in need of an expert snuggler! Golden is a sweet and mellow Siamese mix who is about 6 years old. He is gentle and easygoing, and he gets along well with people and other cats. If you’re looking for a loving companion to curl up with you on the couch, Golden is your guy! Marilou is an affectionate middle-aged Domestic Shorthair with a beautiful dilute tortie and white coat. She’s a sweet cat and is always up for a good scratch behind the ears! She’d be happiest in a peaceful home where she can enjoy curling up on the warm lap of her favorite person. WaNted: voluNteerS These Organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words Girl Scouts Be the Girl Scout volunteer she’ll always remember. As a volunteer with a Girl Scout troop, you’ll introduce girls to new experiences that make every day feel like the best day ever. At every turn you’ll be their cheerleader, guide and mentor, helping them develop the skills and confidence that will last long after the meetings are over. For more information, visit http://www. gsutah.org/en/volunteer-role-model.html or call Heather Smith at 801-716-5109. Guide Dogs for the Blind Guide Dogs for the Blind needs puppy raisers and sitters. Volunteers provide a nurturing, well-rounded, social environment for puppies 8 weeks old to 15 months. Guide Dogs for the Blind supports raisers and sitters with organized weekly training and socialization meetings. Basic equipment and complete veterinary care is provided for the puppies while with their raisers. Meetings are Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Park City/Heber areas. Contact Stefanie at 435-657-0760 for meeting location or questions; Facebook/SummitGuideDogs, or www.guidedogs.com. Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties Habitat for Humanity invites you build sustainable, healthy and affordable housing as a ReStore volunteer. Do you love to tinker and fix things? Find treasures? Are you looking for a regular volunteer opportunity that is fun and makes a lasting difference for local families? Immediate opportunities include cashier, merchandising, and customer ambassador roles. For more information call 435658-1400 or visit habitat-utah.org. Help Eliminate Alzheimer’s The Alzheimer’s Association’s Utah Chapter has many opportunities available for volunteers to raise awareness and promote community events. Areas of particular need are community education, outreach, research, social media, public policy, communications and development. Positions can also be created depending on interest and passion. Many positions are virtual. Please contact Ronnie Daniel, executive director: rdaniel@alz.org. For a full list of volunteer opportunities, visit parkrecord.com/ volunteers 435.640.5610 SlackBow and its trainers do not practice medicine or physical therapy. We improve the balance and coodination of athletes. The SlackBow method seems to help with difÞcult to heal concussions. |