Ethics of buying a wheelchair designated seat

April 30, 2023 10:25 PM

First off, we aren’t wheelchair users. But my wife was recently diagnosed with discoid lupus and the ADA seats are the safest ones for her. What are the ethics of using seats designated for wheelchair users and their companions when you don’t need a wheelchair? (More inside)

Discoid lupus is an auto immune condition affecting the skin that causes skin lesions and is triggered by UV exposure. We live in a very sunny area and are season ticket holders to an outdoor summer sports team. We love it but the sun is way too intense and dangerous for her. She wears SPF 70, large hats, UV protective clothing and drapes herself in a large shawl. Very soon it’ll be suffocatingly hot in the summer and the stadium doesn’t allow an umbrella or parasol.

There are some seats that are reliably covered with an overhang: the wheelchair designated seats. They are the only always covered seats we can afford. (The “premium seats” like suites are straight up out of our budget) We contacted the stadium and they also mentioned their ADA seats as an option BUT we’re both hesitant about the ethics. Is ethical to buy two of the wheelchair designed seats for next season for our party of 2? We would not give or sell tickets away if we couldn’t attend a game. Part of me thinks no it’s not ok, as people in wheelchairs possibly can’t sit in another seat. But for more than half the season, she can’t safely sit in another seat. Help???

Also: this is not simply a cosmetic condition. Unmanaged, scars can form on her internal organs. We’re taking it seriously. Please also take it seriously in your answering of the question.

posted by Pretty Good Talker to Human Relations (22 answers total)

Best answer: I really don't see a plausible concern here: your wife has a genuine disability, the ADA seats are an effective accommodation for that disability, no other alternative accommodation is meaningfully available to you. Book the seats, and enjoy the games, without guilt.
posted by kickingtheground at 10:49 PM on April 30, 2023 [49 favorites]

Call up your rep. Those seats might not be for sale to the public anyway. The ones at the stadium I have tickets for are not, but I get free access to them if I need them. None of people I’ve taken to the ADA seats have been in actual wheelchair.
posted by Back At It Again At Krispy Kreme at 10:58 PM on April 30, 2023 [1 favorite]

Yep! You do not have to be a wheelchair user to use ADA seating.

Here’s a bit more on eligibility:
https://adata.org/factsheet/ticketing
posted by mochapickle at 11:51 PM on April 30, 2023 [3 favorites]

You should double check that there are actually seats there. Lots of places have wheelchair parking spots there rather than seats.
posted by gible at 11:56 PM on April 30, 2023 [14 favorites]

Lots of places have wheelchair parking spots there rather than seats.

There are supposed to be seats for companions immediately adjacent. If you go to a movie theater, you'll see the wheelchair seats separated by regular ones. Those are for companions.
posted by praemunire at 11:58 PM on April 30, 2023 [1 favorite]

It's completely ethical: those seats are meant to accommodate disability and make attendance possible, simple, and comfortable for people for whom it otherwise would be impossible, difficult, or excessively uncomfortable. If you feel bad because you don't need the seats for the whole year, you might be able to "donate" the seat in exchange for a regular one during the shady season.

(The fact that many people and organizations automatically associate "disability" with "wheelchair" and think that's the only type of disability to accommodate is remarkable. For example if you need disability support at an airport they will inevitably stick you in a wheelchair, even if you can walk fine and find it physically and emotionally uncomfortable to be wheeled around. It's crude and stupid to make wheelchairs the catch-all for everything, but if that's the only option they offer and it does solve the problem, then use it.)
posted by trig at 1:12 AM on May 1, 2023 [7 favorites]

I am the caretaker of a wheelchair user: if you have a medical/health reason for using the seats then you are in the clear. If you just didn't like the sun, I'd feel differently, but the sun is dangerous for her; you are who the seats are for.

I have this argument a lot with people who get upset on our behalf when someone without a wheelchair uses handicapped spots. There are lots of people who need the proximity to the store MORE than we no; just because we're visible doesn't give us the monopoly on disability or accommodation needs.

Please enjoy your season tickets guilt-free.
posted by gideonfrog at 3:53 AM on May 1, 2023 [9 favorites]

The seats are for ANYONE with a disability. Generally if you are not bringing a device like a wheelchair, they have chairs available, especially for the one allotted companion. They just don’t get placed unless someone will actually be sitting in them.
posted by childofTethys at 4:14 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]

To be clear on disability it has to be a qualifying health condition that is germane to the seating request - and the mentioned health condition qualifies. Just posting this here as I missed the edit window and am now drinking my coffee.
posted by childofTethys at 4:27 AM on May 1, 2023

I am a wheelchair user and I absolutely support you in taking that seat! Your wife is disabled and this is a good accommodation for her; there's no reason why she would "deserve" it less than someone in a wheelchair.

Accommodations are often designed and meted out by non-disabled people who have a very poor conception of what disabled people need, and sometimes they get confused or obstructive about it -- unfortunately. I encourage you to take advantage of any and all accommodations that can help her in the future, whether or not they're specifically designated for her type of disability!
posted by fire, water, earth, air at 4:34 AM on May 1, 2023 [7 favorites]

I use a power wheelchair, and I don't have a problem with this.

Just check that there are actually physical seats - a lot of wheelchair spaces are empty spaces for a wheelchair user to park in, with no physical seats.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 6:20 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]

From experience: long term, see if you can get a handicapped placard for her because people can be absolute jerks (somewhat well motivated, but still jerks) if they think you’re misusing handicapped accommodation. I got one for my mom and boy did it come in handy in the time between when they saw how healthy I looked and when they saw my mom.
posted by Peach at 7:05 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]

I used to work making seating maps for performance venues, and frequently had to be the one to ensure that the venues were following the ADA. You're fine - these seats are for anyone who needs them, not just for people in wheelchairs. You may be asked to affirm that you have a need for the seats, but nobody is even allowed to ask you why you need them.
posted by Ragged Richard at 7:23 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks everyone. Still new at navigating this and we both appreciate the support and answers.
posted by Pretty Good Talker at 8:47 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]

Your wife is new at considering this as a disability, which it is. Many people have invisible disabilities and use wheelchairs some of the time, or ADA seating, or whatever. Please do not be shy about asking for any available, reasonable accommodation, with reasonable being a wide open term, and asking being firm. I hope she's doing well.
posted by theora55 at 10:17 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]

Definitely take the ADA seats! I have used them before for my kid on the spectrum when he needed fewer people around and more ability to get in and out of his seat at will.
posted by haptic_avenger at 11:18 AM on May 1, 2023

a lot of wheelchair spaces are empty spaces for a wheelchair user to park in, with no physical seats.

The way this works in our local stadium is that the ADA section has moveable folding chairs, so that there would be enough room to accommodate a wheelchair as needed.
posted by haptic_avenger at 11:19 AM on May 1, 2023

the stadium doesn’t allow an umbrella or parasol

sorry for the serial posting! but are you sure this is true? our stadium allows collapsible umbrellas, and you may be able to get an accommodation for a parasol/umbrella. that way you could stay shaded on the walk too/from your seats and just in case of any issues arising.
posted by haptic_avenger at 11:24 AM on May 1, 2023

I have a disability that does not require a wheelchair, but does sometimes impair my mobility enough that getting in and out of a regular seat is difficult. When I'm having a flare, I will get what are designated as "wheelchair transfer" seats, which are actual seats, but with a removable armrest on the aisle side, which makes it easier for me to get in and out of the seat. I've asked multiple venues whether there's any objection to me using those seats, and I've always been encouraged to take advantage of the accommodations I need. So I say, go for it!
posted by decathecting at 11:53 AM on May 1, 2023

As another point of anecdata, my father had limited mobility and used a walker or cane to get around rather than a wheelchair and we routinely asked for and got ADA seats. It is absolutely not a problem that your wife doesn't use a wheelchair; if she needs it, you should go for it.
posted by Aleyn at 9:56 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

I am a disabled person, who uses a rollator, and who also enjoys summertime outdoor sports.

Definitely use the ADA seats! They are there for any disabled person who may neeed them.

Also: if the usher gives you ANY issue with using it, don't hesitate to escalate the issue. I had to do this at a Seattle Mariners game recently, when they initially didn't want to move over a seat for me to park my rollator. (I can sit in my rollator, but not for hours at a time, and the stadium seats are a lot more comfortable.) One convo with a Usher Lead, and I was suddently allowed to use the ADA space, with my rollator right next to me.
posted by spinifex23 at 10:37 PM on May 1, 2023

As another wheelchair user, I also give you official permission; your wife has a valid need for these seats and you should go ahead and use them.
posted by BlueNorther at 1:27 PM on May 3, 2023 [1 favorite]