I remember the day when people used to pump gas for customers-at what they called “service stations”. The key to that business was just that, service. Today’s “Self Service” business model reduces costs for the businesses, but ignores the fact that some of us actually need service.
- Nearly all gas stations today are self service.
- The ADA (42 U.S.C. 12181) states that all self-service gas stations must pump gas for customers with disabilities when there is more than one employee on duty.
- Limited access to gas limits access to transportation, employment and independence
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I have a c5-c6 spinal cord injury and I drive 3,000 miles a month for my job. I am independent, but when I pull up to gas stations, which is quite often, I have no idea how I am going to get gas. I have to play a guessing game EVERY TIME!
- Gas stations are all self service
- I can’t use the credit card readers
- I can’t pull off the gas caps
- I can’t reach the small call buttons from my car
- When I honk, no one responds
When I am in my home environment, people know me and know my car and come running to assist me. When I get out of that zone, people don’t know me and don’t offer that help. I am often greeted with symbols of access that allude to the idea of service, but it’s really a façade. Most of larger gas stations have intense sign programs but I wonder who they are for, the company or me.
I am not alone. There are millions of drivers with disabilities throughout the country with varying degrees of disabilities. Most have given up on the idea that this element of service is a lost art. However, the ADA requires that every gas station pump gas for people with disabilities when there is more than one employee on duty. The problem is knowing how many people are working, even once you arrive, let alone in advance. And then how do I get their attention?
I’ve been working hard to change this and I encourage others to join me and millions of others so we don’t have guess anymore.
Mitch Swanson
I had given up on ever receiving service from a gas station. I always made arrangements and planned ahead with family and friends, to meet me to pump my gas. And if my daily traveling did take more than a tank of gas, I’m very fortunate that I could bring someone with me.
I love being involved in my local communities and state, and even throughout this country. Even though I will continue being an active part of society, it would be much easier if I did not have to make prior arrangements wi th my family or friends to pump my gas. I would be able to possibly broaden my daily horizons.
Another set back, is if I decide to move away from my family and friends; who will help me pump my gas? Yes, I would hope that I could make arrangements with a local gas station; but one never knows.
I am very grateful for the technology that allows me to drive independently! Now only if there was a way I could refuel my vehicle independently…
Mitch,
Great post on “service stations” and the physical and emotional strain that they place on so many of us who could really use or absolutely need an attendant to help us with the service. While I have the ability to get/in out of my car fairly manageably with a mid-thoracic SCI, quite honestly, after nearly 30 years my old body is getting beat up just trying to keep up with a demanding job, family, friends, and doing my part around our home.
You hit so many critical truths around this issue - I won’t restate, but rather echo loudly. It’s a crazy “law” that has proven in practice to be nearly unenforceable. Further, it puts us in a position of essentially “begging”, when so many of us, like you as a perfect example, are hard-working, bright and independent citizens.
I was en route to an evening appt. for work a couple of weeks back and just lucked into the anachronistic, honest-to-goodness, full-service station on one of Chicago’s north side frontages to the Kennedy Expy. I had to do a double-take - and I have never been happier to pay full-service costs!
I’d love to see us petition the industry broadly to compel them to educate staff (or let us do it among the many fine nfp’s supporting quality of life for PWD)to be responsive to our needs…..we’re giving them business!
Kudos for this enlightening and relatable story Mitch!