Maggie My response to your suggestion is that people with disabilites would feel that once again they have to identify themselves as being different. What is wrong with having a table in the centre that everyone can use?
In making this comment, I am still agreeing with asking people before the event if they have any special needs. Regards Rochelle England >In a message dated 5/10/00 5:01:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] >writes: > ><< I facilitated an OS last week and a disabled person who's disability was >not evident came to me after feeling quite upset that a small table had not >been in the centre for people like her who cannot bend even to pick up a >sheet a paper and who does not want to ask others to bring her a sheet, not >wanting her disability to be known. She felt deprived having not been able to >participate and indicated that others with similar problems had made the same >comment. A young person with the same complaint having a physical problem >that limits kneeling or bending movements to the floor. >> > >Interesting story. I've been out of the country for three weeks, so forgive >me for sending a response so long after the initial comment. I'm the OD >consultant who has specialized in disability rights organizations for many >years now and your story made me think of many dilemmas I've faced in doing >Open Space. Let me add just a few words to what may have been a long thread >(that I'm yet to read). > >One of the hardest parts of educating the public about disability and the >Americans with Disabilities Act is getting recognition for the shared >responsibility of making accommodations. Under the law, the person with the >disability must request an accommodation and then the employer/public >accommodation/government agency is required to respond to the best of its >ability (financial and otherwise). In your situation, it appears that the >person felt "left out" but she failed to tell you this until the Open Space >event was over. > >I'm not implying that you had a "legal" obligation here -- I read your >comments as more personal and that you were concerned that she felt she could >not partipicate fully (and I would agree) -- but the ADA helps all of us >think about these issues in a "professional" and "moral" way in addition to >giving us guidance for legal purposes. So, one of the things you might say >in opening the space could be, > > "Now, there may be people with disabilities in the group of whom I'm not >aware and > for whom we have not planned. If this is the case, please let me or >others in your > discussion groups know if you need an accommodation to participate more >fully. > We'll find ways to accommodate you to the best of our abilities." > >And, keep those tables near by or available in case that is one request that >is made. I hope this helps. If you would want to hear of other >accommodation situations where I was a part, let me know. > >Maggie Shreve >[email protected] Rochelle England Email: Lecturer rochelle.england @newcastle.edu.au Organisational Development Phone: Austr. 02 4921 6311 Learning & Development Program Int. +61 2 4921 6311 University of Newcastle FAX: Austr. 02 4921 6994 Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia Int. +61 2 4921 6994 ___________________________________________________________________
