Excuse me, are you disabled?

The pressures of law school, and everything in between, makes the littlest occurrences seem bigger than they are. This, however, is something that has bothered me for a long time and I have been noticing it more and more on campus: able-bodied 20 to 50 somethings using the handicap door activation switches (“push plates”). Excuse me, are you disabled?

I’m not sure if anyone has noticed, but the push plate has the well-known handicap logo in clear view. Just like parking spots and other areas, indicated by paint or signs, designate those areas specifically for handicapped people.

Why then, must people use the push plate when they have not one, but two able hands/arms to open the door? I don’t see these people walk down the wheel-chair ramp, which takes longer. Not even people that roll their books around in luggage-like packs use the wheel chair ramp. They pick up their pack, proceed down the stairs, and then use the push plate. Why not continue to hold your pack, as you’ve just indicated you can do, and continue through the door using your other hand to open the door?

Even those that only have coffee or books in one hand/arm and have another free hand/arm take advantage of the push plate. I don’t even care if both of your arms and hands are occupied with books, coffee, food and/or babies (okay maybe I’ll let babies slide) you still have two functional hands/arms that, if anticipated properly, can open a door, without using the push plate.

There’s no need to take advantage of another person’s disability, in which they have no choice in the matter. (I am not saying disabled people are at a disadvantage for being disabled, only that opening our outward turning doors can create a disadvantage).

And just in case you were wondering, yes, if I am right behind a person that uses the push plate, then I go through the door… while burning a hole with my eyes into the back of their heads. If I am in a particularly unpleasant mood, though, and the opportunity presents itself, I will open the door next to them, with my own hand/arm, and show them how easy it was to accomplish.

Stop being lazy. Tell your brain to move your arm, to clasp your hand around the door handle, and pull. It’s not that hard, and if a five year old can do it, so can you. That goes for you too, Grandma.

Lay Down the Law.