[Access] Immobility at the Auction

[Cindy Pitcairn]

I feel discouraged, to say the least, at my experience trying to attend 
the UUCE auction tonight. The traffic pattern could hardly have been 
worse. With buffet tables lining the hallways and people gathered in 
front of them, it was almost impossible to move my wheelchair anywhere.

People did help me to get through to the main room. (Forget about 
food--not much of a chance for that, though someone did offer to get me 
a brownie or something!)  Once in the room it was impossible to get to 
the sides to view the items up for silent auction. There was not enough 
room to turn my wheelchair around to get out of the room without 
crashing into a walker, which had been set in the aisleway. In my 
attempt to turn, I knocked over the walker and broke the wineglass 
sitting on it. At that point I decided to leave.

I certainly didn't get the impression that the church offered much more 
space than our own, and  the way it was set up made maneuverability 
almost impossible, at least for me. I'm particularly unhappy because I 
offered to look at the facility ahead of time but my offer was refused. 
I also had sent accessibility guidelines that stated hallways should be 
kept clear of things set against the walls.

I know the people organizing the auction were well intentioned and 
worked very hard. I've no doubt it made lots of money for the church. I 
know I'm only one elderly and disabled person and probably was the only 
one of our wheelchair users foolish enough to try to participate. 
However, I had been assured I would have no problem.

Next week is the music soiree (talent show), another event I used to 
enjoy. However, I found out at the Coordinating Council this morning 
that they still plan to set up some tables (but fewer than last year) in 
the sanctuary because people find it so difficult to balance a glass of 
wine and food on their laps. So I doubt I will attempt to go to that event.

It is wonderful that our church is attracting so many people who feel 
welcome there, but I am feeling more than a little disenfranchised. I 
miss the church where I felt I could take part in events like this.

Cindy