What's Going On
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What's Going On - 1Voice4Accessibility Reviews: Western & Southern Open
Date posted: July 1, 2016
Mobility challenged? Then check out my review of accessible friendly events, venues
across Greater Cincinnati. I personally use a 3 wheeled scooter and know firsthand
there is a difference in being ADA compliant and accessible friendly. The two are not
the same! Would love to know what you think, if you agree. So, send me an email at
1Voice4Accessibility@aboutgreatercincinnati.com
Thanks and share! - BrenBren
Mobility challenged? Then check out my review of accessible friendly events, venues
across Greater Cincinnati. I personally use a 3 wheeled scooter and know firsthand
there is a difference in being ADA compliant and accessible friendly. The two are not
the same! Would love to know what you think, if you agree. So, send me an email at
1Voice4Accessibility@aboutgreatercincinnati.com
Thanks and share! - BrenBren
The What?
Did you know that Mason, just North of Cincinnati, is home to one of the biggest, non slam
tennis tournaments attracting fans from across the US and abroad? Whether tennis fan or
not, put this on your bucket list!
The W&S Open, played in the Cincinnati area since 1899 under varying names, is a mini US
Open with Midwest attitude, charm, and flair! The nation’s oldest tennis tournament
played in its city of origin, the tournament attracts the best in women’s and men’s tennis
for 9 days of awesome play.
It’s not uncommon to be on the tennis grounds and you find yourself next to Serena,
Roger, Venus, Novak, Rafa – both big names and up and coming stars. You can even watch
the pros practice! Always have your camera ready to snap pictures!
And it’s not just tennis. There are live bands, great food, shopping, tennis skills challenges,
and much, much more! It’s a fan and kid friendly event. Best of all proceeds, almost $10
million since 1974, goes to charitable causes – Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Barrett
Cancer Center, Tennis for City Youth. Oh, and the tournament is run and managed by over
1,300 volunteers from across the country!
This year’s event is August 13 – 21, 2016 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason,
Ohio.
Accessibility friendly?
This venue is one of the more accessibility friendly sites in the area that I’ve actually
frequented. Accessible seating is all over the grounds. On a 1 - 5 (1=lowest, 5=highest)
rating scale, for me I give it a 4 as it is very accessibility friendly!
I am told by the venue's Director of Facilities, that all of the restrooms are accessible. The
restrooms in the Corporate Hospitality Center are only accessible from the hospitality
center. Additionally, the family restrooms are located near court 10, next to the UC Health
First Aid Center and under Center Court across from the Food Court.
While ADA compliant bathrooms, not all bathrooms are scooter friendly. Some have
corners/angles that a person using a scooter might not be able to clear but someone using a
cane, crutches, powerchair would easily negotiate.
Bathroom stalls that I have used, like the ones located in an accessible friendly bathroom
next to the tennis museum, are big enough for scooter access but there are some that
aren’t. I find that particular restroom accessibility friendly because of the open entrance
i.e. no doors to open to get in/out, handicap stall large enough for scooter access, sink, soap
and paper towel dispensers at reachable heights from seated position. So once on the
grounds, find the bathroom(s) that best meet your needs. Not all are equal. Here's a site
map.
There are varying inclines, flat/smooth surfaces, pavers. So, be conscious of mobility
challenges as you move about the picturesque grounds. Oh yeah, the event draws big
crowds. So, be mindful of that.
When it comes to parking, there are a few handicap parking spots on the paved lots. Most
parking will be in areas that are unpaved, non-flat surfaces but negotiable depending on
mobility device used. If using a cane or crutches, you can always request a cart of the
parking attendant and get golf cart service from your parking spot to the tennis entrance.
If using a powerchair or scooter type mobility device, ask parking attendant if the person
you are riding with can drop you off at a ground level entrance before parking.
Extra extra …
There is accessible seating on the west side of Centre Court that you reach using an
elevator. The elevator can get really slow at times. So, be patient.
The beautiful flowers and plants you see throughout the grounds are sold to the public
after the tournament.
Wait! There’s more!
Visit www.cincytennis.com
What do you think?
Do you agree? Was this helpful? Would love to know your thoughts. Send me an email at
1Voice4Accessibility@aboutgreatercincinnati.com
last updated 7/9/16
Got a comment on What's Going On? Click here.
Also tweet us at @AGCinspires or follow us on Facebook
Did you know that Mason, just North of Cincinnati, is home to one of the biggest, non slam
tennis tournaments attracting fans from across the US and abroad? Whether tennis fan or
not, put this on your bucket list!
The W&S Open, played in the Cincinnati area since 1899 under varying names, is a mini US
Open with Midwest attitude, charm, and flair! The nation’s oldest tennis tournament
played in its city of origin, the tournament attracts the best in women’s and men’s tennis
for 9 days of awesome play.
It’s not uncommon to be on the tennis grounds and you find yourself next to Serena,
Roger, Venus, Novak, Rafa – both big names and up and coming stars. You can even watch
the pros practice! Always have your camera ready to snap pictures!
And it’s not just tennis. There are live bands, great food, shopping, tennis skills challenges,
and much, much more! It’s a fan and kid friendly event. Best of all proceeds, almost $10
million since 1974, goes to charitable causes – Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Barrett
Cancer Center, Tennis for City Youth. Oh, and the tournament is run and managed by over
1,300 volunteers from across the country!
This year’s event is August 13 – 21, 2016 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason,
Ohio.
Accessibility friendly?
This venue is one of the more accessibility friendly sites in the area that I’ve actually
frequented. Accessible seating is all over the grounds. On a 1 - 5 (1=lowest, 5=highest)
rating scale, for me I give it a 4 as it is very accessibility friendly!
I am told by the venue's Director of Facilities, that all of the restrooms are accessible. The
restrooms in the Corporate Hospitality Center are only accessible from the hospitality
center. Additionally, the family restrooms are located near court 10, next to the UC Health
First Aid Center and under Center Court across from the Food Court.
While ADA compliant bathrooms, not all bathrooms are scooter friendly. Some have
corners/angles that a person using a scooter might not be able to clear but someone using a
cane, crutches, powerchair would easily negotiate.
Bathroom stalls that I have used, like the ones located in an accessible friendly bathroom
next to the tennis museum, are big enough for scooter access but there are some that
aren’t. I find that particular restroom accessibility friendly because of the open entrance
i.e. no doors to open to get in/out, handicap stall large enough for scooter access, sink, soap
and paper towel dispensers at reachable heights from seated position. So once on the
grounds, find the bathroom(s) that best meet your needs. Not all are equal. Here's a site
map.
There are varying inclines, flat/smooth surfaces, pavers. So, be conscious of mobility
challenges as you move about the picturesque grounds. Oh yeah, the event draws big
crowds. So, be mindful of that.
When it comes to parking, there are a few handicap parking spots on the paved lots. Most
parking will be in areas that are unpaved, non-flat surfaces but negotiable depending on
mobility device used. If using a cane or crutches, you can always request a cart of the
parking attendant and get golf cart service from your parking spot to the tennis entrance.
If using a powerchair or scooter type mobility device, ask parking attendant if the person
you are riding with can drop you off at a ground level entrance before parking.
Extra extra …
There is accessible seating on the west side of Centre Court that you reach using an
elevator. The elevator can get really slow at times. So, be patient.
The beautiful flowers and plants you see throughout the grounds are sold to the public
after the tournament.
Wait! There’s more!
Visit www.cincytennis.com
What do you think?
Do you agree? Was this helpful? Would love to know your thoughts. Send me an email at
1Voice4Accessibility@aboutgreatercincinnati.com
last updated 7/9/16
Got a comment on What's Going On? Click here.
Also tweet us at @AGCinspires or follow us on Facebook
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