Getting to the shops in downtown Shawano is fairly easy for most people, but there are concerns that the disabled and elderly might not be able to access stores like most others can.
The Shawano Senior Citizens Commission has been concerned about the ability to enjoy the downtown shopping and food options by those with walkers or wheelchairs, or even those suffering from dementia, blindness or other conditions. Joan Porter, one of the commission members, talked with the Shawano Business Improvement District Board about the issue Aug. 21 and what can be done to improve conditions.
Porter said that about 50-60% of Shawano County’s residents are elderly, which puts the number of people in the 20,000 to 25,000 range.
“When I heard that for the first time, I was wowed by that number,” Porter said.
Being more accessible is just as important to business owners as it is those elderly or disabled customers, according to Porter. Increased foot traffic usually results in more sales for shopkeepers, she said.
“We also believe it improves customer satisfaction,” Porter said.
Safety is also a factor. Porter said that if an emergency situation came up as a result of a fall or some kind of medical condition, the commission wants to be sure that paramedics and police officers can easily get to someone who needs help.
“Other concerns are tripping, which could be caused from racks and tables being too close,” Porter said. “As we all know, when we had younger children, trying to get through spaces is more of a challenge. If you have a walker or a wheelchair, or you’re helping your elderly parent navigate through spaces, it can be a challenge at times.”
Those who have vision issues also can be at risk when there is not enough room to move around. Porter noted that those with macular degeneration are not able to see ahead of them and rely on their peripheral vision on the sides to move about. Those with cataracts that aren’t to the stage where they need to be surgically removed can have issues in tight spaces.
People with dementia can also have a hard time moving around because their depth perception is poor, Porter said.
“They are more likely to trip on things,” she said.
Porter recommended that business owners take the Purple Angel training offered by the Aging and Disability Resource Center to help address customers dealing with dementia.
“How do you treat them if they have a fit? That might be wrong terminology, but how do you manage that?” Porter said. “Who could you call to help you with that situation?”
Porter also recommended that clothing stores that have fitting rooms include grab bars for people with disabilities and have sufficient space for people with walkers and wheelchairs to get in.
Providing places to sit can also be an issue with some shops.
“I’ve heard from several elderly folks that it would be nice to have a chair or a bench in the store, just simply because people do have medical conditions like congestive heart failure, pulmonary diseases or they might have had a recent surgery, and they’ve come into your establishment to do some shopping,” Porter said. “They get a little winded, and they need a place to sit down for a few minutes.”
She added that the seating outside is good but noted that Adirondack-style chairs can be difficult for the elderly and disabled because they are so low to the ground.
Having more disabled parking is a concern for the commission, but Porter noted that there is limited parking as it is on Main Street.
Automated entry doors could make things easier for the disabled, but Porter acknowledged those would be very expensive and possibly cost-prohibitive for business owners.
“Sometimes I look at if there’s a salesperson that might be close and take note of someone who is handicapped and might open the door,” Porter said.
The issue of accessibility is not limited to the elderly and disabled. Porter noted that parents with young children in strollers do not have an easy time entering shops, as well.
Porter said that downtown Shawano has greatly improved in recent years, but she believes there’s still progress to be made.
“Overall, I would like to think that our downtown has been revitalized, and I appreciate it,” Porter said. “I’m a local shopper, and I come downtown a lot — come into the stores, look around, see what’s new and I enjoy it. You go to some smaller communities, and you look at their main streets and most of their buildings are boarded up and empty.”
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
