[Ansteorra] mobility issues

[Lady Einin Ciarnait]

I am well aware of the " tradition" ...and here we go back to traditions again.
However, many of us are not able to plan 3-4 weeks in advance of an event, except for maybe the larger wars and such. Quite often for me, it is a last minute decision as to whether I am feeling well enough to attend an event, as I don't know what my pain levels will be 1 day to the next.
and on that same note...if we wish non-sca participants to join us, having accomodations for the disabled at all events will encourage them to join, because we are showing a concern for their needs, before they have to ask.
Generally the special accomodations you are referring to that you would contact the steward about are food allergies.
I don't feel that a person who needs an electrical outlet for their scooter should have to ask someones permission to have it...these are the type of thoing that should be well thought out in advance, as should having the handicapped port-o-potties, just as a courtesy.
I do however believe that usually when they ask for advance arrangements for electricity, water etc, it is for the merchants.
Einin

Clarissa di Firenze <clarissa at supportyou.com> wrote:
There is a tradition that use to be used a lot in the SCA that I 
haven't seen used as much in the last few years - contacting the 
steward or cook 3-4 weeks before the event about special needs. When 
I started out in the SCA 18 years ago, it was routine to call ahead 
to find out about the event if a person had a special requirement 
(food allergy, need electricity, etc). Once the steward knew of an 
issue, they routinely did what they could to accomodate the person. 
Stewards are not all-knowing. They cannot know all the challenges or 
special needs people have. They are unlikely to know, for instance, 
that wheel chairs need extra space at table unless they have used or 
known someone who used a wheel chair.

If you know you are going to an event and you have special 
requirements, call the steward and talk to them. Let them know you 
would appreciate a handicap port-a-potty close to the action. Let 
them know wheel chairs need extra room for seating. Ask if there are 
stairs and if there is an alternate way around them, ask how spread 
out the event is and how rough the terrain is. Ask those questions 
that are appropriate to your issues. While at the event, if you need 
extra help, ask. You may want to be independent but all of us need 
help at times. People may not see you need help. No one is a mind 
reader. Yet, most folks in the SCA are very friendly and will be 
happy to help if asked.

I am sure most stewards will appreciate the heads up and will try to 
accommodate requests whenever possible.

Clarissa di Firenze

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