And since 37 comments have failed to mention this so far, and this is a particular bugbear of mine --
To access the stage for the Hugo Awards, winners had to climb up three steps. Before the live feed came on, I saw at least three people have difficulty navigating the steps. And I did not see one visible ramp.
After I posted about this on Twitter and LJ, I was informed that oh, yes, yes, there was indeed a ramp. It was HIDDEN BEHIND A CURTAIN, so dark that able bodied people had to be guided down it and even with that there were difficulties, and was set up under the (probably correct) assumption that Hugo winners would be so delighted and out of it that they would fall off the stage if it wasn't there.
Why am I annoyed about this? Because the Nebulas went out of their way to provide a ramp. The Democratic National Convention has both stairs and a ramp to their stage (it's all back access; I saw this when the CNN cameras were following Obama and Clinton last night.) Hell, the Republican National Convention, which is definitely NOT going for the disability vote and as far as I know had no disabled speakers, HAD A RAMP. (I will credit Ann Romney's influence there.) So did the Oscars which, again, not the first event to come to mind when thinking disability friendliness.
This is, I realize, minor compared to the elevator and other issues. I really do get that. But the plain fact is that many authors and fans and editors and authors use mobility scooters and wheelchairs -- this is definitely not just me -- and a ramp should BE THERE ALL ALONG, not just thrown up if and when one of us is nominated for an award.
#
My experience with Dragoncon pre wheelchair was that it was the least disabled friendly space I'd seen in some time. I understand some aspects have been improved, in particular disabled seating and some issues with the Sheraton, but I ended up not going to Dragoncon this year because the Hyatt hotel is reportedly still very, very difficult to navigate if, like me, you can't use escalators :(
#
Er. Sorry for ranting all over your space. I will shut up now.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2012-09-06 03:45 pm (UTC)To access the stage for the Hugo Awards, winners had to climb up three steps. Before the live feed came on, I saw at least three people have difficulty navigating the steps. And I did not see one visible ramp.
After I posted about this on Twitter and LJ, I was informed that oh, yes, yes, there was indeed a ramp. It was HIDDEN BEHIND A CURTAIN, so dark that able bodied people had to be guided down it and even with that there were difficulties, and was set up under the (probably correct) assumption that Hugo winners would be so delighted and out of it that they would fall off the stage if it wasn't there.
Why am I annoyed about this? Because the Nebulas went out of their way to provide a ramp. The Democratic National Convention has both stairs and a ramp to their stage (it's all back access; I saw this when the CNN cameras were following Obama and Clinton last night.) Hell, the Republican National Convention, which is definitely NOT going for the disability vote and as far as I know had no disabled speakers, HAD A RAMP. (I will credit Ann Romney's influence there.) So did the Oscars which, again, not the first event to come to mind when thinking disability friendliness.
This is, I realize, minor compared to the elevator and other issues. I really do get that. But the plain fact is that many authors and fans and editors and authors use mobility scooters and wheelchairs -- this is definitely not just me -- and a ramp should BE THERE ALL ALONG, not just thrown up if and when one of us is nominated for an award.
#
My experience with Dragoncon pre wheelchair was that it was the least disabled friendly space I'd seen in some time. I understand some aspects have been improved, in particular disabled seating and some issues with the Sheraton, but I ended up not going to Dragoncon this year because the Hyatt hotel is reportedly still very, very difficult to navigate if, like me, you can't use escalators :(
#
Er. Sorry for ranting all over your space. I will shut up now.