Old Navy - One Year Later

Hey Everyone!

This is going to be a quick update about something that I have been posting about for almost two years now.  It's been a little over a year since my last update!

About a week ago, I went to Old Navy at Livingston Mall. The same Old Navy that started it all. I am happy to say that there is an improvement in the fitting rooms. If you need a refresher on what I've previously written, the following are the posts I have written:

Old Navy
Old Navy Update
Old Navy Update #2
Old Navy: Trending on Twitter for the Wrong Reasons
Dear Gap Inc. (Old Navy Update #3)

So, again I said that there is an improvement from the previous times I have been there and wrote about it.

What improvements?

Well for one, both accessible fitting rooms were unlocked and empty (meaning - they weren't filled with racks of clothes). One of the rooms was, however, blocked by a rack of clothes but the associate working in the fitting rooms moved the rack out of the way.

There is still more that could be done - like changing around the floor plan in the accessible fitting rooms. Still have a problem being able to look at myself in the mirror (only can see the side of me).

Remember this picture?

Old Navy's accessible fitting room

The fitting room floor plan is still the same and that is one of the main things that I believe still needs to be looked into. We need to be able to see ourselves while we're trying on clothes and to fit in the fitting room because again, what if someone has a power chair???? They may not be able to get their power chair even close to the mirror.

So there were some positives and still a couple negatives but overall, I feel like it's going in the right direction. Thank you to everyone who has followed along in the last couple years. I hope you continue to do so as I'm sure this won't be the last update.

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3

Dear Gap Inc. (Old Navy Update #3)

Hey Everyone!

So I'm sure you're probably tired of these Old Navy update posts but like I've said before I'm going to continue writing them until well I guess until there's a change? Honestly I don't know when. But this post is going to be different then the ones previously. 

Now before I go into what this post is about. If you're new to this Old Navy ride, make sure you read the previous posts:

Old Navy

Old Navy Update

Old Navy Update #2

Old Navy: Trending on Twitter for the Wrong Reasons

Alright so yesterday, I went shopping at Menlo Park Mall and as always - Old Navy is one of the stores I go to (not because of this). So what I'm hoping you're going to ask is - how was the fitting rooms there? Any better than previously? Or the same?

Well...it was about the same and then not the same. What do I mean? Well yesterday in particular, this store seemed to have more clothing racks not only in the fitting room section but around the corners. They are doing better with leaving one of the rooms open and not blocked but they are still keeping the other one blocked, locked, and full of clothes (I'm guessing).

I also noticed that for the accessible rooms, they are allowing just about anyone to use them whether they are disabled or not. Can we please get it through everyone's head that when it says accessible, it's for those who need it (this isn't just for fitting rooms but also parking spots, bathrooms, arena seats, etc.).

But anyways I will say that Old Navy is ahead of where they were during my first post about it but again there is still more to be done - cleaner fitting rooms, keeping both accessible rooms accessible, and configuring the actual accessible room because hello, I still can't turn in the room to look in the mirror!

Remember this picture? (from Old Navy Update)

In the accessible fitting room at Old Navy

Well, it's still the same. The mirror is in an awkward position and so is the bench. Again if I can't fit it in it right - how do you expect someone with a power chair (or just a bigger chair) to do so?? I will again say that this isn't just at one of the stores, it's everywhere. I think at the moment, I've gone to about four Old Navy's in the New Jersey and they each have the same problem.

I love shopping at Old Navy and honestly if they fixed these fitting rooms, I would love it even more and I guarantee you that there are others who will as well.

Now after I was done shopping there yesterday, I decided to go to Gap and Banana Republic. To be honest with you, at first I wanted to see how their fittings room were since I know they are owned by the same parent organization (Gap Inc.). But when I got there, especially at the Gap, I found about new five shirts to buy (which was awesome!)

I also found that their fitting rooms are SO MUCH better than the ones at Old Navy. Check back to the Old Navy Update post for the picture from the Gap fitting room (at the other mall). When I entered the fitting room at the Gap, it was like a breath of fresh air. The same at the ones at Banana Republic (see following pictures).

The back of the Banana Republic's accessible fitting room.

Banana Republic's
accessible fitting room

As you can see by the two pictures above, I'm able to turn around and look in the mirror. I can look at my front, the back, the side, everywhere pretty much in these fitting rooms. So much better than the ones at Old Navy which I question - Why?? 

Gap Inc. is the parent organization of Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic but why isn't Old Navy up to par with their fitting rooms like Gap and Banana Republic?? 

Another difference I noticed between Gap and Banana Republic from Old Navy is that for the accessible rooms at Old Navy, they let anyone use those rooms (back to the whole use accessible rooms only if you need them [disability, need extra space, etc.]. 

But at Gap and Banana Republic, they leave those rooms locked but when someone with a wheelchair comes, they ask if I need the accessible room and then they will unlock the room to let me in. And then they will lock it after I'm finished with it. At least this is what happened yesterday which I have to say is Bravo! Because then I know the accessible rooms are being used for who needs them (and not just for anyone).

Another thing is that I noticed that if the accessible rooms are being used, I would be able to use the other rooms at Gap and Banana Republic because they're big enough for my wheelchair which is another check in my books.

So I'm asking Gap Inc. to please look into what's going on in the Old Navy stores when it concerns the fitting rooms because believe me it can definitely be better and I'm 100% sure that customer ratings would jump rocket and more people with disabilities would come shopping at the those stores. 

Reconfiguring the actual accessible rooms (to make getting to the mirror easier) and seeing what to do with the extra clothing racks (and clothes in the other accessible room) are just two things that can make the fitting rooms much easier to use. I'm not telling you how to do your jobs, I'm just making suggestions on how you can better your customers' experiences. 

Because I for sure can see how if customers are able to try on clothes, the more they may buy. Because believe me I can get frustrated easily with trying on clothes and then not want to continue shopping. I'm sure I'm not the only one. 

One thing I would definitely love to see is someone in the leadership role of Gap to appear on Undercover Boss and they can see first hand the differences in how the stories are run. It's just another suggestion (which I'm sure I've suggested in one of my other posts). 

Again - I would definitely be willing to show or discuss with Gap Inc. Old Navy's leaders ways on how they can make things better for all.

For all my readers, what do you think of this?? Are you tired of my Old Navy Update posts?? If so, share this and maybe I won't need to write anymore because there are more positive changes. 

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3

Old Navy: Trending on Twitter for the Wrong Reasons

Hey Everyone!

If you have been following my blog, you know that I have been posting about Old Navy and the issues they have with their fitting rooms.

Well today (May 1st), they were trending on Twitter and I don't know if you know or not but if you're trending on Twitter then it's either a negative or positive thing. And well with Old Navy trending, it was for a negative reason. Negative reason behind the reasoning for why they are trending but a positive thing for Old Navy themselves.

Why were they trending? Well it was definitely not for the issues with their fitting rooms (wish it was) but it was because they shared a new ad of theirs for their "Thank You Event." Have you seen the ad? Well take a look at it:

Oh, happy day! Our #ThankYouEvent is finally here. Take 30% off your entire purchase: https://t.co/nGQ9Pji1pN pic.twitter.com/vq4mIczm6A

— Old Navy Official (@OldNavy) April 29, 2016

I don't see anything wrong with it. Do you? Well the reasoning for the title of this post (Trending on Twitter for the Wrong Reasons) is because Old Navy was. The reason why it was trending was because there was "controversy" over the picture. What exactly was that controversy? Well...it was the fact that they have an interracial couple in the ad.

Oh my goodness! What is wrong with them?! How could they do that? Don't they know it's completely wrong to have an interracial couple on the ad? Don't they know that it's so terrible to show a couple who love each other even though they're "different"? It's not right! How dare they?!

Please. I hope you know the previous paragraph is all sarcasm. Like seriously? You're complaining that they put a couple of different color on an ad?? It's the 21st century!!! Get over it. It's life. People should be happy to be with each other no matter if they are "different." If they love each other, shouldn't that be what's important??

I still can't believe that it's 2016 now and we're still talking about interracial couples not being right and the fact that people believe that white should always be with white, black should be with black, green should be with green, and so on. You get my point. That's also saying that someone who can walk shouldn't be with someone who is in a wheelchair. Don't even get me started on that.

The whole point of this post is that Old Navy is being trended on Twitter for a wrong reason. There are those who hate the ad because of the interracial couple and then there are those defending it. BUT, there's a bigger picture here.

They are still being trended for the wrong reason. I'm going back to my reason why they should be trending - the usage of their fitting rooms. There are more important issues going on here but no is talking about them. Again, it's the 21st century and 2016, it's all about love. Get over the race, sexual orientation, disability, etc. issues when it comes to relationships.

Focus on what's important and that's the fact that there are still issues with the fitting rooms at Old Navy but you would never see that trending on Twitter? Why? I still don't know. It's the fact that media will always play the race card or the gender inequality card or any other card instead of the inequality between disabled and abled card because it's what gets the viewers.

Again, there needs to a be a change here. Go click the Disability Advocacy link above to see my other "rants" about disability in media and other discussions because it's time for that controversy to be talking.

Now going back to Old Navy - can we please stop talking about what's "wrong" with the ad they posted because Ha Ha Ha, there's NOTHING wrong with it. What's wrong is more needs to be talked about than that ad. Like fitting rooms or other situations.

I love Old Navy and I'm on their side with the ad they posted because it's a family that love each other but I'm here still wanting a change in their accessibility of the accessible fitting rooms in their stores. Please READ and SHARE my previous posts about Old Navy's fitting rooms:

Old Navy
Old Navy Update
Old Navy Update #2

This is what needs to be discussed. Not the ad. Yes there is still a problem with people believing that "different" people can't be together and the fact that there are those who are planning to boycott Old Navy because of it. Like come on.

Again even though I've been against the fittings rooms issue at Old Navy, I still support them because they have great clothes and items.

I don't know if you agree or disagree with what I have written and I'm all for different opinions so if you have a different opinion or don't like what I wrote; or you do agree, please leave a comment below!

In order for us to come together, we need to be open and listen to other people's opinions and have a conversation on how we can make things better for everyone.

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3

Old Navy Update #2

Hey Everyone!

Alright so if you have been following, you know that I have written about different experiences at one of the Old Navy (first post & second post) mostly being about the way their fitting rooms are set up.

Well I thought - why not do another update?? I have been asked to keep everyone in the loop by someone who commented about my last Old Navy update post so here I am.

This isn't going to be a huge ordeal type of update as there isn't really much to update. However, yesterday, I found that after going to multiple different Old Navy's over the last few months - that it's not just one Old Navy in particular that is a problem.

I have been to at least three different Old Navy's and each one had the same problem. Blocking the 2nd accessible fitting room with clothing racks and probably having it full of clothes. Lately, there has been one accessible fitting room open (which is better than what it once was when I first wrote about Old Navy).

And you're probably wondering - ok there is one open, what's the problem? Well the problem is that we need to have both accessible fitting rooms clear and open because what if there are two people in wheelchairs (or multiple people with disabilities) that need the room but there's only one? Because guess what - there can be more than one person with a disability shopping at the same place at the same time. (I mentioned this in the last post)

No only having the clearance of both rooms important but he usage of the fitting rooms. Again, I can not fit my chair by the mirror as there is a sitting bench in the way (see Old Navy update post for pictures and more on that). I'm sure that a little rearranging can be done to make things more accessible.

More accessibility = more customers.

So this update post is just to update that there is still one of the two accessible fitting rooms is still being blocked and not being able to be used. And that is NOT just at one Old Navy, it's at MOST of them (at least the ones I've been to) so I believe something needs to be brought up with the company leaders.

I think Old Navy should do an episode of Undercover Boss and the CEO (or whoever does it) takes a moment to focus on the fitting rooms and see if there's a "problem" during the filming of the episode.

I would definitely be willing to show or discuss with Old Navy's leaders ways on how they can make things better for all.

Again, thanks for reading and feel free to share and comment one what you think! (Also share the other two posts while you're at it.)

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3

Old Navy Update

Hey Everyone!

So today I decided to take a trip to Livingston Mall and while there, I went to Old Navy to see if there were any changes made with the fitting rooms from the last time I was there. Now, the last time I visited this Old Navy, there were a few issues with their fitting rooms considering accessibility. You can see that experience here.

As you see when you read my last post about Old Navy, they replied on Twitter saying that they would share the feedback with the store's leaders so I wanted to see if there was anything done. I am glad to say that there were a couple positive changes.

Positive changes:

The accessibility fitting room is clear of anything in the way. So as you see there is no rack of clothes blocking the door and on the inside of the room, there are no clothes and it wasn't locked. That means I was able to go in to try on some clothes. 

So this store is definitely heading in the direction, HOWEVER, there were still things that could've been brought up and here I am, bringing them up here. 

Even though, the room was clear of clothes and it was unlocked. There was someone inside to try on clothes and yes, I waited because that's the right thing to do. Right? I understand that there are others who need to try on the clothes and I expected this person either to have a disability or stroller, needing the room but nope, it was someone who probably could've used the other room.

I'm not completely blaming the person because there were racks of clothes blocking a few of the regular fitting rooms (I took a picture but it wasn't that clear). Makes you wonder where those racks of clothes would've been if I didn't complain. Probably right back in the accessible fitting room. 

So anyways I also found out that the other accessible room was unlocked BUT it was full of clothes. I mean, really?? Can't you put these clothes somewhere else? In other stores, the racks where the customers put clothes they don't want, are on the outside of the fitting rooms, not inside the rooms or blocking the doorways. It's not accessible for people in chairs or even those who can walk. 

Also what if there were more than one person in a wheelchair that needed to use a fitting room?? It does happen, you know? More than one person in a wheelchair at the same store at the same time. I know, it's shocking really (sarcasm). Both accessible rooms need to be clear and accessible for those who NEED to use them. I would never be able to use the other rooms, especially the ones at Old Navy (Don't get me wrong. I love Old Navy just the things need to be discussed.) 

Another thing that I complained about in the fitting rooms was the placement of the mirror. Where they have the mirror in every accessible fitting room in their stores are not very useful for someone who is in a wheelchair. I mean, just look at this picture that my mom took of me in the one I was in today. 

I can't even turn to look at the whole outfit. I'm only able to see really what it looks like on half of my body and I have a regular sized wheelchair. How about someone who has a bigger chair? Or even a power chair? There would be no way they can honestly see what they look like in the clothes.

You call these the accessibility fitting rooms when they are anything but accessible.

Now, I did do some more shopping after I left Old Navy (with three new shirts). I went to a few different stores and then ended up at the Gap. I wanted to try a shirt on and I have to say that their fittings rooms are a lot better and more accessible. Here's a picture of me in that one:

I'm able to turn around (probably even do a 360), look at myself in the mirror, and there's a bar in the right spot if I want to transfer to the bench. I also looked into the regular fitting rooms and I have to say, I even would be able to fit in those comfortably if I had to.

As you can see, there's a difference between the two stores' fitting rooms and one was better overall than the other. 

So what I'm asking is to Old Navy, please take in consideration of all your customers and the needs of many of them. There needs to be a better system for the fitting room situation. The Livingston Mall's store isn't the only one that has a fitting room problem so again, I'm asking for you to look into detail on how you can better your store. 

Thank you.

Let me know what you all think and feel free to comment and share this post! We need to have this discussion with all stores and have all people have the ability to enjoy the fun of shopping. 

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3 

Old Navy

Hey Everyone!

So about a month ago, while shopping for Christmas gifts - my mom and I had decided to stop at Old Navy to do get some gifts there and I also wanted to try on some clothes. Let's just say my experience with the Old Navy's fitting rooms wasn't so great. After my experience, I took it to Facebook and wrote a post about it using a picture that I saw hanging up in the fitting room. Want to read what I wrote?

Here it is:

IMPORTANT ------ So today while being at Old Navy in Livingston Mall, it took awhile to see the inside of the accessible...
Posted by Caitlin Goerlich on Saturday, December 12, 2015

As you see, there was a big problem here. They blocked the two accessible fitting rooms that someone who needs it wouldn't have been able to get in there which goes against ADA and many other situations. I have received feedback for this post: 13 comments (all supportive), 15 shares, and 31 likes. This was great feedback and one of the comments suggested that I post it on Old Navy's Facebook page and another suggested to share it on Twitter, both of which I did. 

On Twitter, Old Navy did respond which I think was a step in the right direction.

Old Navy's response on Twitter

But there still needs more to be done about these situations. Why are these situations still happening in this day and age? I'll never know. But I'm sure one of the main reasons why these things are happening frequently because they aren't being brought up in the media or shared as much as other situations are. Don't get me wrong, the other situations (shootings, terrorist, inequality with race, gender, and sexual orientation, etc.) that are brought up in the media and on the internet are important but YOU can't cover some of the types of discrimination and not all (especially leaving out one).

In one of my previous posts about adaptive sports programs needed in schools, I wrote about how 20% (49 million people) of the United States' population has some type of disability so why isn't there more spoken about things that happen in this group of people? I don't know. I can write another post about that which believe me I will. Look out for that one!

This post is about Old Navy. I love Old Navy. It's a great store, has great people who work there, and love the clothes that I buy but this situation needs to be fixed. I was told by one of my friends that this store in particular was the same way for about three months (could have been more) because she was there around Thanksgiving and spoke them about the fitting rooms, well as you can read from above, it wasn't fixed! 

Has it been fixed? I don't know. I haven't returned. But I will. If you have visited the Old Navy store in Livingston Mall and has seen a change or have not seen a change, let me know in the comments below. We need to seriously have these types of conversations. 

Now, I did go to another Old Navy at another mall and I have to say their fittings rooms was slightly better (they had one of the accessible rooms open but did have the other one blocked off). I'm not upset with theirs. At least they had one open but both need to be open especially if I had one of my friends with me or there was someone else with a disability in the store. 

Was this store like the one in Livingston Mall before I had my Facebook post? I'll probably never know. Had Livingston Mall changed? We'll have to see and don't worry, I will update you all after my return visit! 

Let me know what you think by writing a comment below.

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3