In a message dated 00-09-06 22:59:27 EDT, Pamela Sezgin wrote:

<< Why are strollers banned at most museums, theaters, concert halls and other
 public venues?    Because they present a hazard in the case of fire or other
 emergencies when CROWDS have to be evacuated quickly.    The idea I guess is
 that people might abandon the stroller -- just take the kid and run to exit,
 leaving the stroller blocking a right-of-way and as a potential barrier to
 other visitors who are panicking on their way out. >>

...and I think she is absolutely right.  I don't know why I had forgotten
about this important factor.

At this point I'd like to say a further word about wheelchairs in
museums--how many should a museum provide?  I don't think there is a right
answer, and I'm not sure that two is "clearly" not enough, as was suggested
in a separate post.  It seems to me that the severely handicapped are going
to arrive at a museum in their own wheelchairs anyway.  How many do you need
for the less severely handicapped, the temporarily disabled, the infirm, or
the merely tired?  I guess experience would be the guide--if you regularly
get more requests than you can accommodate, you need more.  This reminds me
of a newspaper article about museum-going from several years ago, in which
the writer recommended the use of wheelchairs for the merely lazy when
touring museums.  He suggested that everyone should borrow a wheelchair to
ensure a leisurely, contemplative stroll through museum exhibits.  While that
struck me as a really good idea, something about it rubbed me the wrong way.
It seemed to me insensitive to use a wheelchair if I didn't really need
it--how would I feel, enjoying my ride, when I encountered a truly needful
person in a wheelchair?  But just as importantly, as Pamela points out,
unnecessary vehicles in a restricted space represent a hazard in the event of
an emergency.

David Haberstich

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