Walker Art Center Opens Amid
Accessibility Concerns
by Lance Hegland
Two visitors
report a malfunctioning elevator was not the only concern raised
during the first few weeks after the Walker Art Center’s
grand re-opening.
A local rehabilitation specialist
was asked to visit the Walker after a client mentioned he did not
feel it was sufficiently accessible during his April visit. Particularly,
he said wheelchair lifts providing access to two separate pairs of
galleries (e.g., Galleries 2 and 3 plus Galleries 5 and 6) were unavailable,
as was the lift from the Bazinet Garden Lobby to the new Cargill
Lounge. On April 30, 2005 she decided to take a look.
During her visit, the
lifts were still out of service. Two older lifts were awaiting
parts and service and the third was not yet completed, according
to correspondence C. Scott Winter, director of membership and visitor
services for the Center. After questioning staff regarding alternate
access, they directed her towards a set of elevators. However,
the elevators did not access those particular galleries. Other
staff she approached didn’t know where the wheelchair lifts
were located. Others were aware of their location, but had not
been informed they were not functioning.
The rehab specialist also
noted a door propped open that may have created a barrier for individuals
traveling along that particular walkway using a wheelchair or other
mobility aid. Finally, she was concerned the layout of the galleries
in conjunction with the elevator locations may pose difficulty for
individuals experiencing mobility challenges or relying upon manual
wheelchairs; the layout may require visitors to back track to elevators.
If you visit the Walker and
have accessibility concerns, please contact their Membership and
Visitor Services by calling 612-375-7600. For Walker information
visit www.walkerart.org.
Editor’s Note: C. Scott
Winter, Director of Membership and Visitor Services, apologizes for
any inconvenience guests have experienced and provides reassurance
that they are working to resolve any outstanding issues. You may
contact him directly at 612-375-7562.
