Sydney Wyrick

Rogerian Argument Detailed Outline

R. Andrew Brown
UWRT 1102-33
4/30/2016

Why Handicap Accessibility Should Be a Bigger Issue

I.

Introduction

Making businesses handicap accessible is a huge issue. Although it is not discussed as

frequently as it should be, those with disabilities face difficulty daily doing things others take
for granted. Opening doors, walking through hallways and using the restroom are all things
every human being is responsible for, but some face major challenges when they are not
capable because of something so petty such as not abiding to ADA guidelines. Although I do
believe some are concerned about the well being of those with handicap disabilities, it seems
our country is far more worried about other issues that are not as serious as this one. I
personally think this is a huge issue and changes need to be made so that everyone has the
same opportunities.

II.

Opposition Perspective

I think the major issue here is that others are more concerned about themselves. I agree, it is
hard to think about different situations when you are not in one. If someone for example is
not handicap or if they do not have a family member or close friend with disabilities, they are
more than likely not aware of the issue these ladies and gentleman face on a day to day basis.

Sydney Wyrick
Rogerian Argument Detailed Outline
R. Andrew Brown
UWRT 1102-33
4/30/2016
I get it from their perspective, because I know for myself if something is not in my face, I
rarely relate to it. (Sad I know.) However, I also feel it is time to make a change and better
the lives of those who struggle constantly.

III.

Writer's Perspective

As you the reader can already tell, I feel strongly about making every public place (whether it
be a restaurant, public school, shopping mall, etc.) handicap accessible and by that I mean
complying with ADA guidelines. These guidelines were made for places to use to allow
handicap accessibility so I am not sure why there are not used accordingly. Although I am not
handicap nor do I have family members who are, I have grown up around several individuals
who are in wheelchairs. My mom has multiple friends whose children are handicap and it
breaks my heart when they have difficulty just getting through a door.

IV.

Common Ground

To fix this issue, I feel serious changes need to be made. There are already guidelines that are
supposed to be in place, but obviously that is not enough. I think that in order for a business
to be capable of remaining open, they should be required to pass an ADA inspection. This
could be designed like a restaurant inspection, where someone would come in the business
and make sure they are enforcing the rules. To make this really work, I think the government

Sydney Wyrick
Rogerian Argument Detailed Outline
R. Andrew Brown
UWRT 1102-33
4/30/2016
needs to be involved so businesses will take it seriously. I realize that getting the government
involved could take lots of work, but I also feel as if it is worth it. Sadly, there probably will
not be any drastic change unless business owners feel their business could suffer. Also I
believe people need to become more educated regarding the issue related to this topic but I
am not sure how that could be carried out.

V. Alternatives
I think an alternative to inspections would be to make businesses go through a class relating to
handicap accessibility. That way they could become more familiar with the basis of it and
hopefully understand what a serious topic it is. That then could lead to business owners wanting
to make a change instead of them having to be forced by government officials. Although this
process may seem unlikely, if it was required then what bad could come from it?

V.

Concluding Statements

I predict that as the years go by, handicap accessibility will get better. I know by reading the
articles used in my annotated bibliography that throughout the years progress has been made.
I do not think we as a country have gotten far enough though, and feel the process needs to
speed up. It really is not a difficult thing to do especially if we make sure new businesses take

Sydney Wyrick
Rogerian Argument Detailed Outline
R. Andrew Brown
UWRT 1102-33
4/30/2016
care of it as they are being built. I would love to think this issue would be resolved sooner
than later, but I guess a girl can only hope

VI.

Works Cited

Sources used in both annotated bibliography and rogerian argument:

"Archived: 25 Year History of the IDEA." Archived: 25 Year History of the IDEA. N.p., 2007.
Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
"Shibboleth Authentication Request." Shibboleth Authentication Request. John Wiley & Sons,
Inc., 1999-2016. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
"Welcome to Access-Able Travel Source." Welcome to Access-Able Travel Source. N.p., 19952007. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.