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| Downtown stores make shopping easier for people with disabilities |
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print story|email storylast updated: 12/12/2004
Downtown stores make shopping easier for people with disabilitiesDecember 10, 2004 ¡ª Holiday shopping can be fun and hectic. It can be challenging for someone with a disability. But, many downtown stores have services in place to make it a lot easier. From getting into the store and dressing rooms to traveling to different floors, department stores are required to be accessible. However, each of the three large State Street stores have their own special way of accommodating these shoppers.
Holiday season at Marshall Fields is essential. Their window displays draws a large crowd.
"Our windows are featuring our interpretation of Snow White and you'll see that the store is adorned with white Christmas trim this year," said Ralph.
Fields works hard to please all their guests. Regional director Ralph Hughes says they have a lot to offer for guests with disabilities.
"We offer a personalized shopping service. It's pretty extensive where a guest could call us or one of our shoppers and do shopping for them," said Ralph. "We offer motorized scooters on a reservation basis. We have taxis that we can deliver merchandise, too."
The store has more merchandise on display this time of the year.
"We make sure that our aisles are easily accessible, that a scooter or a wheelchair can get through those aisles," said Ralph.
You can access any special service at Field express.
Over at Carson's, store manager Janne Safranek says help can be found at any counter.
"If by chance they would not be able to assist, they would definitely call a manager or the customer service area to get someone down there who could assist them," said Janne. "There's a lot of times we'll have a customer in that's not legally blind but has a hard time reading out tickets and of course we would stop and help them."
A number of modifications have been made throughout the store.
"If they are wheelchair or they don't feel comfortable walking down the steps, there is a ramp there that they can use," said Janne.
This is Sears 4th Christmas on State Street.
"We had someone come in who was sight challenged, we try very hard to assign a person to walk with them and we'll work with them," said Dave.
General manager Dave Johnson has assigned the customers service desks as the place to go for help.
"Which is our cash check out areas and then we would find somebody to be with them," said Dave.
In specific situations, Sears employees with disabilities get involved. Rafeal Rivera works in the hardware department.
"We train them in sort of ways to comfort people with disabilities because they do sometimes need a little more help than some others," said Dave.
Cashier manager Whitney Levon is hearing impaired.
"I think we actually do a pretty good job," said Whitney.
To avoid the large crowd, Rafeal says shop early.
"Early in the morning is the best time. You get the best bargains," said Rafeal.
Don't wait, now is the time to shop. There are special hours during the holiday season.
Marshall Field's on State
Phone: 312-781-1000
Website: www.marshallfields.com
Holiday Hours:
Sunday, December 12th 9 am - 9 pm
Monday, December 13th through Friday, December 17th 8 am - 9 pm
December 18th 6 am-9 pm
December 19th through 23rd 8 am- 9 pm
December 24th 7 am- 7 pm
December 25th CLOSED
Carson Pierre Scott on State
Phone: 312-641-7000
Website: www.carsons.com
Holiday Hours:
Sunday, December 12th 9 am- 7pm
Monday, December 13-14th 8 am-9pm
Wednesday, December 15th 7 am-9pm
Thursday, December 16-17th 8 am-9pm
Saturday, December 18th 7 am-9 pm
Sunday, December 19th 9 am-9 pm
Monday, December 20th-23rd 7am-10 pm
Friday, December 24th 7 am- 6pm
Sears on State
Phone: 312-373-6000
Website: www.sears.com
Holiday Hours: 8 am- 9pm all week
December 24th 8 am-6 pm
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