SC - special needs

[R. Del Boccio]

Most of the sites that we have available to us in Gleann Abhann  are not
handicap accessable.   The worst of these tend to be the state parks.   How can
we be held responsible for the inaccessiaability of State Property?  We were had
to use only handicap friendly sites most of us would not be able to hold events.

Our shire birthday is held in a horse pasture.  The only toilets are portalets.
There is no way we could alter the accomodations.

Do not get me wrong, I wish we could have better sites as everyone would
benefit.

You stated that every person should have the option of participating in
everything.  Is that realistic?  How would a wheelchair  person fight in a
melee?  Some activities by their nature limit who can participate such as rock
climbing.

My husband has a bad back, arthitis, and other difficulties.  Better sites would
help us persoanlly but we have a hard time finding any site much less a access
friendly one.

Rovena

"R. Del Boccio" wrote:

> Ras and listfolk,
>
> Lord Ras, I must respectfully disagree with you on "special
> needs."  We need to realize that the SCA is subject to the
> mundane laws of the land, one of which is the Americans with
> Disabilities Act.  Sites should be as accessible as
> possible, and if they are not, then there are often ways
> people can help to make it as accessible as possible.  This
> does not mean every recipe has to be altered for someone
> with food allergies, but we do have a lot of cooks in the
> Outlands who will do their best.  I know many of you do as
> well.  Naturally, a lot of people with food allergies have
> "safe" food with them and may even choose not to feast if a
> large number of allergens is present.
>
> A lot of people in SCA have physical limitations of some
> kind, such as diabetes, asthma, fibromyalgia, deafness, and
> the more obvious disabilities that require wheelchairs and
> canes and things.  The groups need to do the best they can
> to be sure that all are welcome and able to participate.
> Not only is this a matter of courtesy and chivalry and the
> high ideals we strive for, but is is the law of the land.
> Most people will not, but people could file a lawsuit for
> lack of access, and they could file a complaint with the
> government.  SCA is a non-profit educational organization.
>
> No, all persons are not expected to participate in every SCA
> activity, however, they certainly should have the option of
> doing so.  I am a mostly blind person and am learning
> archery, as is a gentle who uses a wheelchair.  We are
> learning how to compensate for our own disabilities in this
> area.  I was at an A&S event a few weeks ago at which people
> had to climb a steep flight of stairs to get to most of the
> event, and down a steep flight to get to where Court was.  I
> witnessed a lot of people with asthma and knee or hip
> problems having great difficulty with all the up and down.
>
> Many kingdoms have an office which is generally called
> Porter or Concierge.  the person holding this office is
> knowledgeable in the laws that SCA must adhere to regarding
> accessibility.  Outlands does not yet, but I am trying to
> change that.  I will happily answer questions as well.
>
> Not only are we trying to recreate the middle ages as they
> should have been, with everyone being gentry and indoor
> plumbing and etc., but we are part of an educational
> organization, and need to ensure that everyone is as welcome
> as possible.
>
> In Service,
> Lady Serian
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