Jay W. Feldmann
March 31, 2005 [Email]

Please require that all cabin doorways on new cruise ships be at least 32" wide, not just those on handicap-accessible ones. This is the same requirement that ADAAG specifies for land-based businesses. Some of the reasons for it:

• it allows the handicapped to visit able-bodied guests in their room (cabin);
• it allows minimully handicapped "slow walkers" (those needing a wheelchair or scooter only for long distance use) to use a regular room, saving the few fully accessible ones for those more in need (neccessary inasmuch as wheelchairs and scooters cannot be left outside a cabin in the hallway and must be stowed in the cabin).

Although the uniform requirement for a wider doorway means redesign of deck plans, the changes should be minimal and, with a little ingenuity, no loss in the number of cabins.

Of course, your regulations must also include wheelchair access to all decks, i. e., at least one exterior doorway on eack deck with an exterior walkway must NOT be of the old fashioned "bulkhead" design, requiring one to step over the threshold.

Hopefully, you also address access issues involved in any "tendering" required at some ports.

Thank you for considering these issues. Please finalize and issue your regulations ASAP.

Jay W. Feldmann
[address]
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

[phone]
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