O. Henry Museum

I loved seeing the museum. I highly recommend it. My issue was with the tour guide. I came with a senior group on a bus. I am handicapped. The bus did not have a lift, so I had to hold onto the bars on the bus to climb up or down the steps. Because of that, I could not carry my walker up or down the steps, as I cannot walk on steps without holding onto bars or rails. I use the strength in my shoulders to pull my feet up or down steps. So I had to wait until everyone got out before the bus driver could carry my walker down for me.

The tour guide began her presentation without me, and I was fine with that because I thought I would be allowed to ask questions about anything I missed. Boy, was I wrong. I felt highly discriminated against by her when I tried that.

I understand the museum and therefore, the docents to be part of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) even if they are volunteers. I don't know if she is a paid PARD worker or a volunteer. Though I am not sure about that, per accessibility, she should have waited or gone ahead with the presentation as she did, but then should have been polite about providing information to me when asked since it was she who chose not to include me in the presentation.

I told her I was not able to come in with the others, so I missed the presentation. She said, “Next time, maybe you won’t miss my presentation with whatever it was that you felt was more important.”

Not falling and seriously hurting myself is what I thought was more important.

I ignored her, but she did not stop. I asked a question, and she continued in a rude, huffy tone and made it clear that she considered me separate from the group and not having a right to ask questions or get information she felt that was rude of me. She obviously does not want handicapped people there.

I know this person obviously discriminates against those with mobility disabilities, and I am sure she will for the remainder of her life. But it would be good if she hid that while giving tours, as it is a form of inaccessibility, and I do not think the City of Austin, which supports this museum, should support that discrimination. Legally, they are not supposed to. They did put a ramp in so there is physical accessibility but outside of that they apparently don't want mobility handicapped people there. That was made clear to me.