Jun 15, 2009 5:59 pm US/Central
Woman In Powered Wheelchair Denied At Drive-Thru
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
-
-
Ariel Wade rides her scooter everywhere. She has degenerative arthritis. When she pulled up to the White Castle drive-thru in St. Paul in her mobility scooter she was denied service.
CBS
A St. Paul woman who tried to use a mobility scooter at a late night drive-thru was turned away. Now she's championing a cause of late-night fast food for all, whether you've got a car or not.
Ariel Wade rides her scooter everywhere. She has degenerative arthritis. What she doesn't have is enough strength or enough money to drive a car.
A week and a half ago, she pulled up to the White Castle near the Capitol. It was late, around midnight.
The sign on the door says, "Drive-thru open 24 hours. Inside closed 11-5."
So Wade steered her mobility scooter into the drive-thru. She was denied service.
"He said that I couldn't be in the drive-thru because I wasn't in a motorized vehicle," she said. "And I am in a motorized vehicle!"
Wade's mobility scooter doesn't meet White Castle's definition of a motorized vehicle.
Ken Wilhelm, the Regional Assistant Director of Restaurant Operations, said the policy has been in place for years.
"We just decided that it's much safer than having somebody either walk through the drive-thru or on a bike or on a motorized scooter."
Wilhelm said the chain is worried that distracted drivers in cars might hit walkers, bikers or motor scooter users.
"They say it's a safety issue," said Wade. "I say hooey."
White Castle said it's standard fast food policy. However, the Burger King near Wade's apartment lets her scooter up to the drive-thru after hours. A manager there said it's, "No problem."
On the night of the White Castle flap, Wade did get served at a McDonalds drive-thru. She said she received her food and a stern warning.
"I was told you come through here again, you'll be removed by the police," said Wade.
Sonic has a walk-up window, but even that closes before the drive-thru.
Upset by what she considers discrimination, Wade took her case to the Minnesota Disability Law Center. The center is still investigating Wade's claims and is not sure whether it will take on her case.
Wade said she doesn't want money, just equal access for all -- equal access to late-night junk food.
"I'm not doing this just for me," said Wade. "I'm doing this for anybody who's disabled, who doesn't have a car, who can't or don't drive."
Paula Engelking, Producer
Contact Paula
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
