Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course is surprisingly not wheelchair friendly.
Arriving I followed signs to “accessible van parking”. Spaces designed with adjacent area blocked out for ramps or lifts to deploy. However, every space was occupied by a regular passenger car. … Instead we cruised the parking garage looking for an end space on an aisle to deploy the ramp.
Doors from outside to inside whether off the parking garage or to the casino display a wheelchair access sign but we could find NO controls. An unattended person in a wheelchair would be hard pressed to open and enter outward swinging doors.
Beware! There is a crisis in South Central Pennsylvania with people moving furniture. Every chair in front of a slot machine was bolted to the floor. Management must assume people only use wheelchairs or scooters for convenience not necessity.
Yes, you can find a manager who can direct you to a security officer who can contact a security supervisor who can contact a maintenance engineer who can unbolt and remove the fixed chair to allow wheelchair access. That took 20 minutes on a non-busy Wednesday evening.
Pictured are Patti, her Mom, and top of her Dad's head enjoying the ‘chosen’ slot machine.
A highlight was Penn National Race Course adjacent to the Hollywood Casino. Literally roll out the casino door and you are at the track.
Patti’s wheelchair could basically park at the rail. Between proximity and the size of a horse and rider it was visually impaired friendly entertainment.
Washed by an earlier summer thunderstorm the evening could not have been more beautiful.
Never confuse accessibility challenges with a good or bad time. Caregivers, family, and friends can usually overcome obstacles.
Good times are CREATED from time spent together.
Caregivingly Yours, J Patrick Leer
website: www.CaregivinglyYours.comvideos: http://www.youtube.com/daddyleer