Improve handicap access

My name is Elaine Howle (pronounced “Owl”), and I would like to get some response for the following concerns: 

Why was the winner of 1st place in World Powerlifting Games never mentioned in the Salisbury Post? Jennifer Zwann, manager and trainer at RIJK Strength and Performance, won 1st place in Masters 2 RAW and 1st place in Open RAW on Oct. 21, 2023. 

Why are most of the handicap stalls at the far end of the restrooms which causes the handicapped person to travel further? 

Why are the soap dispensers attached higher than a wheelchair-bound person can reach? 

Why do all the public restrooms not have grab bars on each side of the stall to enable the customer to have assisted lifting no matter which arm was needed? 

Why don’t all restaurants have colored straws? Clear straws are hard to identify with failing eyesight and they hurt when they go up the nostril. 

Why is distilled water required for many health apparatuses, but can only be bought in gallon containers which many older patients cannot lift?  

Why are all public commodes not adult sized? A child can always be lifted onto a commode, but “low-down” commodes are next to impossible for adults to get off without help. 

Why are there so many curbs running further out than they are needed? 

Why was the first roundabout in this area built going into Cracker Barrel (on the side next to Walmart). There are only two entrances. You can only enter and leave one way. There are no choices to make. 

Why are there so many speed bumps? Punish the speeders, not the persons with back pain. 

The above simple things make a lot of sense and would enable older adults to maneuver more easily in local restaurants. 

— Elaine Chapman Howle,
China Grove