[Access] Immobility at the Auction

[Barb Prentice]

Cindy,
         I'm so sorry that you were not able to participate last 
night. I know the people working on the auction were well 
intentioned, but it was obvious that someone in a wheelchair would 
find maneuvering nearly impossible. I hope that we can continue to 
work on these issues and that we include them from every angle when 
we plan our new space.

Barb

  At 12:55 AM 3/9/2008, you wrote:
>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
>
>
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