After hearing about Target’s commitment to accessibility, local wheelchair user Sarah McConnell decided to bring her disabled dog, Ace, with her to do some shopping. “I was immediately swarmed by employees trying to pet Ace and making sure he was able to get around the store safely,” she said. “That’s nice and all, but there was nobody left to help me get things from the top shelf.”
Ace was treated to snacks, pets and promises that he could go anywhere he wanted to, even if it meant he would need to be carried. He was also assigned a special accessibility ambassador to ensure his visit was as smooth as possible.
“We are deeply committed to serving our customers’ dogs, no matter what their ability level,” commented the manager on duty. When asked about accommodations for humans, he said, “We have an elevator. Granted, it hasn’t been working for three months, but we have it!”
Ace was even offered a job as store mascot, with a wellness plan that includes quarterly massages and a 401(k). When McConnell asked about a job for herself, an employee quickly told her, “I don’t think the doors to the employee lounge are even big enough for you to fit through. Plus there’s stairs. Like, a lot of them. Also our insurance won’t cover preexisting conditions. Also I don’t think we’re hiring.”
McConnell found various ADA violations in the store: The accessible stall was out of order, the up escalator was broken and the door button was damaged. “I went to guest services, but there was nobody at the desk. I think they went to pet Ace.” She also had difficulty getting her purchases into her vehicle since the accessible spot was occupied by an empty police cruiser.
When asked about these violations, the manager said, “What’s ADA?”