[From nobody Fri Mar 21 12:04:48 2008 X-Account-Key: account2 X-Mozilla-Keys: Received: from imta13.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net ([76.96.30.38]) by rwcrmxc18.comcast.net (rwcrmxc18) with ESMTP id <20080321144619r1800m0nebe>; Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:46:19 +0000 X-Originating-IP: [76.96.30.38] Received: from samwise.efn.org ([12.33.21.33]) by IMTA13.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net with comcast id 3qmG1Z00u0ipbnQ0D00000; Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:46:19 +0000 X-Authority-Analysis: v=1.0 c=1 a=PF83upW9NBkA:15 a=IXTjDxiUm6qv5CW3OCf4RQ==:17 a=xFG0s__B-Y1C6qGbVuIA:9 a=DxX01ehXZQW3ELf5ggkA:7 a=JpwTCqYjCO9SRV3QOFKhWvjIyFMA:4 a=plE8mkVoi54A:10 a=B2_THap3_T-4idHTDswA:9 a=jiqtBzRQppT70tUcWLwA:7 a=H0qwZd47vQuytF8SWgwnTXN_S8IA:4 a=RIEiF9ZthigA:10 a=si9q_4b84H0A:10 a=rC2wZJ5BpNYA:10 a=EfJqPEOeqlMA:10 a=U8Ie8EnqySEA:10 a=v6MMM96S_sUA:10 a=Y2SjC5fNJsoA:10 a=AfD3MYMu9mQA:10 Received: from truth (node34.240.100.208.1dial.com [208.100.240.34]) by samwise.efn.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 2969117007C for <cindypitcairn@comcast.net>; Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:46:10 -0700 (PDT) Message-ID: <009601c88b62$4f3a5d20$22f064d0@truth> From: "Linda Anson" <lda@efn.org> To: "Cindy Pitcairn" <cindypitcairn@comcast.net> Subject: e-mail 4 Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:46:11 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0093_01C88B27.A1B3CE00" X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3138 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3198 X-Antivirus: avast! (VPS 080321-0, 03/21/2008), Inbound message X-Antivirus-Status: Clean This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0093_01C88B27.A1B3CE00 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Linda Anson=20 To: Cindy Pitcairn=20 Cc: Alicia Hays and Adelka Shawn ; Chris Hohenemser ; Ann Hohenemser ; = Martin Lewis (for Anne Marie Hayes) ; Evelyn McConnaughey ; Carolyn = Colbert ; John Wagner ; Olga Turner ; Candee Cole=20 Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 7:48 AM Subject: Re: Your advice and comments are invited Your comments gave me additional insights, Cindy -- which are so obvious = once pointed out to me, but that I hadn't realized myself. I'm sorry = you missed the social hour because of lack of info on the elevator, and = felt excluded as a result. We could have so easily provided signage, = verbal direction from the stage, or an usher had we anticipated that. I = really like your suggestion to post someone at the accessible entrance = (and other routes once inside the building, such as to coffee hour) to = provide information, name badges, etc. Also, it seems to me preferable to have pews removed somewhere in the = middle third (rather than front row or back row) of the center section, = which would not only eliminate the neck strain of being in the front row = but tuck people using wheelchairs (and their friends and family) amidst = everyone else. True? RE: "When I attended a concert at the Shedd, they let me put my = wheelchair in the outer aisle. I was told very firmly this morning that = I could not do that. While I am sure there was a good reason for this (a = logistical or safety concern, perhaps), no one told me what it was." How frustrating. In the 15-minute tour the house manager gave ushers = and greeters yesterday morning before the service, he, unfortunately, = instructed them only about the front rows. Just as you were coming in, = I had pointed out to Sylvia Taylor the four additional spots The Shedd = had identified (on the outside aisles, as you said) on a seating layout = -- but it was the first she'd heard of it. Again, my apology not only = for relying on The Shedd's way of doing things without question, but = also for not thinking to provide seating layouts with WC seating = highlighted to ushers. Do you have any ideas on how we could improve access from the sanctuary = to the social hall after services for WC users? At first service, at = least, if WC users were willing to be seated in front of the accordion = curtain separating the two rooms, and the worship anchor opened that = curtain as soon as the service was over (which s/he may do already), = would just turning your WC's around give you a head start into the = social hall? Of course, once you're there, you'd kind of be stuck. = Hmmmm. I hope this is an ongoing conversation. The world is frustrating enough = for all of us, but especially for wheelchair users, I would think, that = I'd very much like the church (and all its events, wherever they are) to = be reliably welcoming and inclusive. Thanks, Cindy, for your thoughts. - Linda ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Cindy Pitcairn=20 To: Linda Anson ; Alicia Hays and Adelka Shawn ; Chris Hohenemser ; = Ann Hohenemser ; Martin Lewis (for Anne Marie Hayes) ; Evelyn = McConnaughey=20 Cc: Carolyn Colbert ; John Wagner ; Olga Turner ; Candee Cole=20 Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2004 5:04 PM Subject: Re: Your advice and comments are invited Linda, =20 Thanks for your message. I had been to the Shedd before so knew of = some of the access problems.=20 I find being in the front difficult, because I have fairly severe = osteoarthritis in my neck area and it is uncomfortable to have to keep = my neck bent upward to see. Thus, for me, removal of a back row or two = would be preferable. However, I don't much like the idea of a = "handicapped section"--which adds to the feeling of exclusion from the = group as a whole and means I can't be with friends. When I attended a concert at the Shedd, they let me put my wheelchair = in the outer aisle. I was told very firmly this morning that I could = not do that. While I am sure there was a good reason for this (a = logistical or safety concern, perhaps), no one told me what it was.=20 As to the separate entryway, the "abled" friends I came in with walked = through that entrance with me as a matter of course. To me having a = separate accessible entrance in a public building is not unusual and = doesn't bother me, though one of the reasons I like our own church = building is that the front entryway is a ramp. =20 There could certainly have been someone posted at the accessible = entrance to provide name tags, programs, and information about the = building layout (restrooms, elevator, etc.), and I think this would have = been very helpful. One thing that was confusing to me was where and if I could get an = elevator to take me down for the social hour, so I just skipped it. And, = in that sense, I did feel excluded. However, on a crowded Sunday in our = own church, because of the lack of space I also find it almost = impossible to get into the social hall without running over people's = toes or backing into them, . Fortunately most people are very forgiving. Thank you for your concern, Linda. For me, no apologies are = needed--your e-mail makes amends for any oversight. No one fully = understands the obstacles that people in wheelchairs deal with, except = those who deal with them. (I've avoided that old chestnut about "walking = in another's moccasins" as being wildly inappropriate ;-). Cindy Pitcairn ----- = Original Message -----=20 From: Linda Anson=20 To: Alicia Hays and Adelka Shawn ; Cindy Pitcairn ; Chris Hohenemser = ; Ann Hohenemser ; Martin Lewis (for Anne Marie Hayes) ; Evelyn = McConnaughey=20 Cc: Carolyn Colbert ; John Wagner ; Olga Turner ; Candee Cole=20 Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2004 4:02 PM Subject: Your advice and comments are invited Thanks to feedback this morning from Alicia Hays and Adelka Shawn, I = realize some changes we can make at future events so that wheelchair = users are afforded the same sense of inclusion that non-wheelchair users = are afforded. As one of the planners of this morning's Celebration = Sunday service, I hoped everyone would have feelings of belonging and = celebration, and apologize that the entry and seating options given = wheelchair users at The Shedd contributed, instead, to feelings of = exclusion and anger. =20 I asked Alicia and Adelka how we could better address access and = seating in the future, and intend to pass on their suggestions to staff = at The Shedd. (We accepted The Shedd's access and seating parameters = without question, and would like to share with them what we have learned = in addition to doing a better job, ourselves, at all church events.) I = invite and welcome your suggestions, too. =20 One improvement would have been removing the first two or three pews = in the center section of the Concert Hall (in addition to on the sides), = and furnishing moveable chairs next to open spaces so that wheelchair = users and their family and friends could sit together. (I thank Ann = Hohenemser for her example of moving a chair into the front row of a = side section so as to seat herself with Chris Hohenemser this morning.) =20 Another suggestion was that everyone use the accessible entrance, = rather than separating those able to use stairs from those not, so that = name badges, greeters, and access to seating are easily available to = all, and so that wheelchair users and their friends and family are not = separated from other participants.=20 =20 Until it was pointed out to me, I had not realized the lack of = appeal of front-row seating for wheelchair users, nor anticipated how = ridiculously segregating and un-welcoming it is for wheelchair users to = not sit next to family and friends. Neither had I realized the = rationale of setting up traffic patterns so that everyone takes the = accessible route instead of wheelchair users making the adaptation of = taking a different route than non-wheelchair users. =20 I apologize that my lack of foresight and insight, as well as = ignorance, resulted in anyone's experience of this morning's service = being less celebrative than it could have been. I thank Alicia and = Adelka very much for the perspective and suggestions they went to the = trouble to give me. =20 I will pass their suggestions on to The Shedd staff tomorrow, and = ask others of you for your suggestions for The Shedd (we may be back = there again). And if we use this opportunity to converse (online, at = least) how we may discontinue practices at our church building that are = exclusive AND how we may accommodate the physical and social needs of = wheelchair users and their families as well as we accommodate those of = non-wheelchair users, we'll all be the better for it. Thank you, all. - Linda =20 ------=_NextPart_000_0093_01C88B27.A1B3CE00 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML xmlns:o =3D "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; = charset=3Diso-8859-1"> <META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.6000.16608" name=3DGENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----=20 <DIV style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A=20 title=3Dlda@efn.org href=3D"mailto:lda@efn.org">Linda Anson</A> </DIV> <DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=3Dlucindap@comcast.net=20 href=3D"mailto:lucindap@comcast.net">Cindy Pitcairn</A> </DIV> <DIV><B>Cc:</B> <A title=3Dadelkashawn@yahoo.com=20 href=3D"mailto:adelkashawn@yahoo.com">Alicia Hays and Adelka Shawn</A> ; = <A=20 title=3Dchohenemser@clarku.edu = href=3D"mailto:chohenemser@clarku.edu">Chris=20 Hohenemser</A> ; <A title=3Dahohen@comcast.net=20 href=3D"mailto:ahohen@comcast.net">Ann Hohenemser</A> ; <A=20 title=3Dmartinlewis@hotmail.com = href=3D"mailto:martinlewis@hotmail.com">Martin Lewis=20 (for Anne Marie Hayes)</A> ; <A title=3Develynm@efn.org=20 href=3D"mailto:evelynm@efn.org">Evelyn McConnaughey</A> ; <A=20 title=3Dccspider1@aol.com href=3D"mailto:ccspider1@aol.com">Carolyn = Colbert</A> ; <A=20 title=3Djwagner@efn.org href=3D"mailto:jwagner@efn.org">John Wagner</A> = ; <A=20 title=3Do2turner@earthlink.net = href=3D"mailto:o2turner@earthlink.net">Olga=20 Turner</A> ; <A title=3Dcandeecole@uueugene.org=20 href=3D"mailto:candeecole@uueugene.org">Candee Cole</A> </DIV> <DIV><B>Sent:</B> Monday, May 24, 2004 7:48 AM</DIV> <DIV><B>Subject:</B> Re: Your advice and comments are = invited</DIV></DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2>Your comments gave me additional = insights,=20 Cindy&nbsp;-- which are so obvious once pointed out to me, but that I = hadn't=20 realized myself.&nbsp; I'm sorry you missed the social hour&nbsp;because = of lack=20 of info on the elevator, and felt excluded as a result.&nbsp; We could = have so=20 easily provided signage, verbal direction from the stage, or an usher = had we=20 anticipated that.&nbsp; <FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2>I really like = your suggestion=20 to post someone at the accessible entrance (and other routes once inside = the=20 building, such as to coffee hour) to provide information, name badges,=20 etc.</FONT></DIV></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV>Also, it seems to me preferable to have pews removed somewhere in = the=20 middle third&nbsp;(rather than front row or back row) of the center = section,=20 which would not only eliminate the neck strain of being in the front row = but=20 tuck people using wheelchairs (and their friends and family) amidst = everyone=20 else.&nbsp; True?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2>RE:&nbsp; "<FONT size=3D2>When I = attended a=20 concert at the Shedd, they let me put my wheelchair in the outer aisle. = &nbsp;I=20 was told very firmly this morning that I could not do that.&nbsp;While I = am sure=20 there was a good reason for this (a logistical or safety concern, = perhaps), no=20 one told me what it was."</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2>How frustrating.&nbsp; In the&nbsp; = 15-minute=20 tour the house manager gave ushers and greeters yesterday morning before = the=20 service, he, unfortunately, instructed them only about the front = rows.&nbsp;=20 Just as you were coming in, I had pointed out to Sylvia Taylor the four=20 additional spots The Shedd had identified (on the outside aisles, as you = said)=20 on a seating layout -- but it was the first she'd heard of it.&nbsp; = Again, my=20 apology not only for relying on The Shedd's way of doing things without=20 question, but also for not thinking to provide seating layouts with WC = seating=20 highlighted to ushers.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2>Do you have any ideas on how we = could improve=20 access from the sanctuary to the social hall after services for WC = users?&nbsp;=20 At first service, at least, if WC users were willing to be seated in = front of=20 the accordion curtain separating the two rooms, and the worship anchor = opened=20 that curtain as soon as the service was over (which s/he may do = already), would=20 just turning your WC's around give you a head start into the social = hall?&nbsp;=20 Of course, once you're there, you'd kind of be stuck.&nbsp; = Hmmmm.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2>I hope this is an ongoing = conversation.&nbsp;=20 The world is frustrating enough for all of us, but especially for = wheelchair=20 users, I would think, that I'd very much like the church (and all its = events,=20 wherever they are) to be reliably welcoming and inclusive.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2>Thanks, Cindy, for your = thoughts.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2>- Linda</FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr=20 style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000080 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV=20 style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B>=20 <A title=3Dlucindap@comcast.net = href=3D"mailto:lucindap@comcast.net">Cindy=20 Pitcairn</A> </DIV> <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=3Dlda@efn.org=20 href=3D"mailto:lda@efn.org">Linda Anson</A> ; <A = title=3Dadelkashawn@yahoo.com=20 href=3D"mailto:adelkashawn@yahoo.com">Alicia Hays and Adelka Shawn</A> = ; <A=20 title=3Dchohenemser@clarku.edu = href=3D"mailto:chohenemser@clarku.edu">Chris=20 Hohenemser</A> ; <A title=3Dahohen@comcast.net=20 href=3D"mailto:ahohen@comcast.net">Ann Hohenemser</A> ; <A=20 title=3Dmartinlewis@hotmail.com = href=3D"mailto:martinlewis@hotmail.com">Martin=20 Lewis (for Anne Marie Hayes)</A> ; <A title=3Develynm@efn.org=20 href=3D"mailto:evelynm@efn.org">Evelyn McConnaughey</A> </DIV> <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Cc:</B> <A = title=3Dccspider1@aol.com=20 href=3D"mailto:ccspider1@aol.com">Carolyn Colbert</A> ; <A = title=3Djwagner@efn.org=20 href=3D"mailto:jwagner@efn.org">John Wagner</A> ; <A=20 title=3Do2turner@earthlink.net = href=3D"mailto:o2turner@earthlink.net">Olga=20 Turner</A> ; <A title=3Dcandeecole@uueugene.org=20 href=3D"mailto:candeecole@uueugene.org">Candee Cole</A> </DIV> <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, May 23, 2004 5:04 = PM</DIV> <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Your advice and = comments are=20 invited</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>Linda,&nbsp; </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>Thanks for&nbsp;your message. I had been to the = Shedd before=20 so knew of some of the access problems. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>I find being in the front&nbsp;difficult, because = I have=20 fairly severe osteoarthritis in my neck area and it is uncomfortable = to have=20 to keep my neck bent upward to see. Thus, for me, removal of a back = row or two=20 would be preferable.&nbsp;However, I don't much like the idea of a=20 "handicapped section"--which adds to the feeling of exclusion from the = group=20 as a whole and means I can't be with friends.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>When I attended a concert at the Shedd, they let = me put my=20 wheelchair in the outer aisle. &nbsp;I was told very firmly this = morning that=20 I could not do that.&nbsp;While I am sure there was a good reason for = this (a=20 logistical or safety concern, perhaps), no one told me what it was.=20 </FONT></DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>As to the separate entryway, the "abled" friends I = came in=20 with walked through that entrance with me as a matter of course.&nbsp; = To me=20 having a separate accessible&nbsp;entrance in a public building is not = unusual=20 and doesn't bother me, though one of the reasons I like our own church = building is that the front entryway is a ramp.&nbsp; </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>There could certainly have been someone = posted&nbsp;at the=20 accessible entrance to provide name tags, programs, and information = about the=20 building layout (restrooms, elevator, etc.), and I think this would = have been=20 very helpful.</FONT></DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>One thing that was confusing to me was where and = if I could=20 get an elevator to take me down for the social hour, so I just skipped = it.=20 And, in that sense, I did feel excluded.&nbsp; However, on a crowded = Sunday in=20 our own church, because of the lack of space I also find it almost = impossible=20 to get into the social hall without running over people's toes or = backing into=20 them, . Fortunately most people are very forgiving.</FONT></DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>Thank you for your concern, Linda.&nbsp; For me, = no=20 apologies are needed--your e-mail makes amends for any oversight. No = one fully=20 understands the obstacles that people in wheelchairs deal with, except = those=20 who deal with them. (I've avoided that old chestnut about "walking in=20 another's moccasins" as being wildly inappropriate ;-).</FONT></DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>Cindy Pitcairn</FONT></DIV> <DIV>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; = &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; = &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; = &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20 ----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr=20 style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV=20 style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B>=20 <A title=3Dlda@efn.org href=3D"mailto:lda@efn.org">Linda Anson</A> = </DIV> <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = title=3Dadelkashawn@yahoo.com=20 href=3D"mailto:adelkashawn@yahoo.com">Alicia Hays and Adelka = Shawn</A> ; <A=20 title=3Dlucindap@comcast.net = href=3D"mailto:lucindap@comcast.net">Cindy=20 Pitcairn</A> ; <A title=3Dchohenemser@clarku.edu=20 href=3D"mailto:chohenemser@clarku.edu">Chris Hohenemser</A> ; <A=20 title=3Dahohen@comcast.net href=3D"mailto:ahohen@comcast.net">Ann = Hohenemser</A>=20 ; <A title=3Dmartinlewis@hotmail.com=20 href=3D"mailto:martinlewis@hotmail.com">Martin Lewis (for Anne Marie = Hayes)</A> ; <A title=3Develynm@efn.org = href=3D"mailto:evelynm@efn.org">Evelyn=20 McConnaughey</A> </DIV> <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Cc:</B> <A = title=3Dccspider1@aol.com=20 href=3D"mailto:ccspider1@aol.com">Carolyn Colbert</A> ; <A=20 title=3Djwagner@efn.org href=3D"mailto:jwagner@efn.org">John = Wagner</A> ; <A=20 title=3Do2turner@earthlink.net = href=3D"mailto:o2turner@earthlink.net">Olga=20 Turner</A> ; <A title=3Dcandeecole@uueugene.org=20 href=3D"mailto:candeecole@uueugene.org">Candee Cole</A> </DIV> <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, May 23, 2004 = 4:02=20 PM</DIV> <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Your advice and = comments are=20 invited</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000080 size=3D2> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT = color=3D#000000>Thanks=20 to feedback this morning from Alicia Hays and Adelka Shawn, I = realize some=20 changes we can make at future events so that wheelchair users are = afforded=20 the same sense of inclusion that non-wheelchair users are = afforded.<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>As one of the planners of = this=20 morning=92s Celebration Sunday service, I hoped everyone would have = feelings=20 of belonging and celebration, and apologize that the entry and = seating=20 options given wheelchair users at The Shedd contributed, instead, to = feelings of exclusion and anger.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20 color=3D#000000>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT = color=3D#000000>I=20 asked Alicia and Adelka how we could better address access and = seating in=20 the future, and intend to pass on their suggestions to staff at The=20 Shedd.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>(We accepted = The Shedd's=20 access and seating parameters without question, and would like to = share with=20 them what we have learned in addition to doing a better job, = ourselves, at=20 all church events.)<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I = invite=20 and welcome your suggestions, = too.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20 color=3D#000000>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT = color=3D#000000>One=20 improvement would have been removing the first two or three pews in = the=20 center section of the Concert Hall (in addition to on the = sides),<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>and furnishing moveable = chairs next=20 to open spaces so that wheelchair users and their family and friends = could=20 sit together.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>(I = thank Ann=20 Hohenemser for her example of moving a chair into the front row of a = side=20 section so as to seat herself with Chris Hohenemser this=20 morning.)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20 color=3D#000000>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20 color=3D#000000>Another suggestion was that <U>everyone</U> use the = accessible=20 entrance, rather than separating those able to use stairs from those = not, so=20 that name badges, greeters, and access to seating are easily = available to=20 all, and so that wheelchair users and their friends and family are = not=20 separated from other participants. = <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20 color=3D#000000>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT = color=3D#000000>Until=20 it was pointed out to me, I had not realized the lack of appeal of = front-row=20 seating for wheelchair users, nor anticipated how ridiculously = segregating=20 and un-welcoming it is for wheelchair users to not sit next to = family and=20 friends.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Neither had = I realized=20 the rationale of setting up traffic patterns so that everyone takes = the=20 accessible route instead of wheelchair users making the adaptation = of taking=20 a different route than non-wheelchair=20 users.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20 color=3D#000000>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT = color=3D#000000>I=20 apologize that my lack of foresight and insight, as well as = ignorance,=20 resulted in<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; = </SPAN>anyone=92s experience=20 of this morning=92s service being less celebrative than it could = have=20 been.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I thank Alicia = and Adelka=20 very much for the perspective and suggestions they went to the = trouble to=20 give me.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20 color=3D#000000>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20 style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT = color=3D#000000>I will=20 pass their suggestions on to The Shedd staff tomorrow, and ask = others of you=20 for your suggestions for The Shedd (we may be back there = again).<SPAN=20 style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>And if we use this = opportunity to=20 converse (online, at least) how we may discontinue practices at our = church=20 building that are exclusive AND how we may accommodate the physical = and=20 social needs of wheelchair users and their families as well as we=20 accommodate those of non-wheelchair users, we=92ll all be the better = for=20 it.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Thank you,=20 all.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT = face=3DPapyrus><FONT=20 face=3D"Comic Sans MS" color=3D#000000 = size=3D3></FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT = face=3DPapyrus><FONT=20 face=3D"Comic Sans MS" color=3D#000000 size=3D3>- = Linda</FONT></FONT></P> <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT = face=3DPapyrus=20 color=3D#000000=20 size=3D3><o:p></o:p></FONT>&nbsp;</P></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUO= TE></BODY></HTML> ------=_NextPart_000_0093_01C88B27.A1B3CE00-- ]