This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Like many other theater goers, I too was looking forward to touring the new Eccles Theater during the open house. After all the glitz of the opening gala had faded, I discovered a disappointing view of the building from my wheelchair.
Of the 2,500 seats, only 13 were designed to be used by people who either must, or choose, to stay in their wheelchairs during the performance. That's half of one percent.
Further, all aisles have steps, not ramps. To access the front orchestra section wheelchair patrons must take the elevator to the basement, then travel a long ramp to the front of the theater where only three seats are designed for people who choose to remain in their chairs.
But the most alarming feature of the theater is the emergency evacuation procedures for wheelchairs. All the access elevators do not operate during a fire so wheelchair patrons must wait patiently to be evacuated. The ushers assured me that they know where the "special populations" are seated. I assume that will be helpful when identifying my remains.
The city, the county, the disability coordinators and the architects decided to only marginally meet ADA. In Salt Lake City, I frequently find myself wishing that I used a bicycle as my mode of transportation because then I know the city would pay attention to my needs.
Julie Hubbard
Salt Lake City