[Access] Immobility at the Auction

[mary otten]

cindy,
i was wondering if you or anyone else who uses a wheelchair attended the auction, and how it was. it did seem to me that the other church had more room. but the crowding was still quite apparent. what is most disturbing about this is the fact that your offer to go check the place out was turned down. i suspect that this space problem isn't going to go away any time soon. but an offer of help should not have been dismissed. i did not attend the music event last year due to issues of crowding, and i don't have the same issues with space as you do. it would be great if we could find some cost effective solution for this issue, idde. a place that does not cost prohibitively to rent that is accessible with enough space for people who use mobility devices to maneuver with reasonable ease and all to feel comfortable and welcome. at the very least, if a venue isn't suitable and no better one can be obtained, then notice to that affect needs to go out before the event, so people don'!
 t have bad experiences and feel misled by assurances that all will be well. i forget the name of the person who will be auction lead next year. but i think it will be important to get with them and with the events committee to ensure that we try to find better venues and, if best faith efforts don't turn up anything good, that people are notified ahead of time.

mary