Handicap seating

[Jeri L. Davis]

My son is scheduled for PIR 6-5. My husband is in a wheelchair and can not climb bleacher seats. Does anyone know if they have wheelchair accomadations, and will I be able to sit with him through the PIR? Is there someone special to notify for these conditions?
Jeri(PNM to John)

[Brenda Sue]

Yes, they did have seating on the floor for wheelchairs - but I don't know who to contact.

[Ginny (Robert's Mom)]

I am bringing my son's 90 year old grandmother to PIR so I had similar concerns. I called the base and the person I spoke with assured me that we could park in the lot right next to the PIR building and that they had wheelchairs available for use. People in wheelchairs are put in a special area and you can sit right next to them in the stands. You have to get there early to be assured of both getting one of their wheelchairs and of being able to sit near each other. The telephone number to call is in the grad pack. They said there is nothing I need to do in advance. I'm going to PIR this week so I can let you know how it works out.

[Jeri L. Davis]

Ginny,
Thank you! This is all new to me. My husband is only 46, and this all happened since our son went to bootcamp. I have not told him about it, and will have to explain at graduation. Please let me know how it goes. I am in the process of getting a handicapped parking plackard for the car.
Jeri

[Re(A's Mom)]

We went to PIR in November. We had our handicapped parking placard displayed in our vehicle & (when in vehicle line right when you get onto RTC) (when they are inspecting your vehicle & asking for ID, explained that we needed to be directed to handicapped parking. We were directed to the handicapped parking area. They had sailors waiting in the parking lot with wheelchairs to assist anyone that needed assistance. We parked right in the lot beside the PIR building (for those able to walk it is a super short distance). Once inside the builiding there is a special area right in the front on the floor for handicapped persons, there are seats, or they will move the seats for wheelchairs or electric chairs/scooters. Both my in-laws & my husband are disabled (they can only walk short distances). They are very well organized & very helpful!!!! It went very smoothly for us. My only other suggestion is to get there very early to make everything go smoother. We left our hotel at 6am & got to RTC about 6:15am. (the waiting once inside was the worst part of the whole day). It could not have gone any better for us. Any other questions you have let me know.

[Jeri L. Davis]

Re,
Thank you very much. I was hoping we could still all sit together. Can you see pretty good from where the seating is for wheelchairs? There will be 4 of us together.
Jeri

[Re(A's Mom)]

You can see very well, since no one will be standing up in front of you. All of the divisions will march right in front of you. They usually keep the family with the handicapped person (even small children were sitting in this area with their family member). The Navy really does go above & beyond to accomodate all the needs of their sailors' families. They will even provide signing for the deaf (if they are notified that it is needed). They do a PIR every week of the year (with a couple of exceptions). These PIRs are run like a fine tuned engine. They really do think of absolutely everything! Make sure you have your handicapped placard & tell them you need to be directed to the handicapped parking when they come up to your window to check your ID (everyone over the age of 12 must have an ID, under 12 I think they require a birth certificate....but we went ahead & got a state ID for our 15 year old (she doesn't have her learner's permit yet). Everyone is friendly & helpful.

[Karen C from AZ]

Thank you Re(A's Mom) for your info on handicap parking etc at RTC. This will help me with my father, who, although not wheelchair bound, still is disabled as for long distant walking etc. I've reminded him to not forget to bring his placard for the car too! He is joining us, and we are crossing fingers that the one extra person (my son now) will get in. Caleb's older brother asked that we have him change his name to his sister's and that he would just come and wait in the visitor center, per the rtc website info, and take his chance getting into graduation. So, I'm hoping the whole family can do so. Anyway, i can't believe only 23 more days!!!!! I'm getting nervous.