Written by Michael F. Harris, Executive Director, MPVA

From the September/October 2007 issue of "Rollin' Times"

Over the years the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America (MPVA) has enjoyed a good working relationship with the Detroit Tigers and Olympia Entertainment to ensure that all baseball fans enjoy a positive experience while attending events at Comerica Park.

During the construction of the new ballpark we worked directly with the architect and project coordinator to ensure that the facility would provide accessibility to ticket holders with disabilities.

During last year's hot Tigers winning season I looked forward to joining the cheering crowds at Comerica Park. To my amazement, I quickly learned that the wheelchair seating locations didn't provide a cup holder for my beverage when every other area of the park had cup holders built in to accommodate thirsty able-bodied fans.

Providing cup holders in the wheelchair seating areas was not, as the saying goes, rocket science. At Ford Field in Detroit and Miller Park in Milwaukee fans in wheelchairs can place their beverages of choice into cup holders attached to railings.

MPVA and Comerica Park management have a positive history of addressing and resolving issues before they become problems. So I didn't hesitate to set up a meeting with Mike Healy, Stadium Operations, Comerica Ballpark, to make management aware of the need for cup holders in the wheelchair sections, As I hoped, Mr. Healy was ready to attack the issue from the perspective of the "glass being half full" instead of "half empty".

I presented him with a proposal. MPVA, I told him, would be happy to purchase the cup holders for the wheelchair seating areas as long as the ballpark crew had them installed as soon as possible. Plus, we wanted their permission to identify the cup holders as a gift from MPVA by labeling each up with the MPVA logo and contact information. The Detroit Tigers management quickly embraced the offer. It was a home run on behalf of the home team here at MPVA!

Every time that we have gone to the Detroit Tigers management with a request to improve accessibility at the ballpark they have jumped on board to accommodate fans with disabilities. Because of that cooperation and partnership attitude MVPA presented John McHale and the Detroit Tigers with our "Meritorious Service Award". This award honors people or organizations that go above and beyond expectations to welcome people with disabilities.

Please join us in congratulating the Detroit Tigers ball club for its willingness to meet the needs of the disability community. We're proud to have them on our team and thankful that they see MPVA as a resource for all and not as a threat to the club’s independence.

"We are proud to work in partnership with the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America to improve the ballpark experience for our fans with disabilities,” said Mike Healy, Vice President, Park Operations for the Detroit Tigers. "We appreciate these men and women for their service to our country and understand how important it is for them to enjoy Tigers baseball with the same amenities as every other fan. The input of the MVPA has helped us to make Comerica Park the best ballpark in America!"