8 replies to this topic

[Slowlegs]

Hi,
I have noticed a number of disabled events (equipment expo's, sporting events, etc.) recently which seem to be scheduled on weekdays. Unfortunately for those of us who work, these events are often impossible to attend. I contacted a person recently (who was organising the event) about this and one part of his answers was "life wasn't supposed to be easy" and that the exhibitors wanted to display the equipment to welfare providers, not end users. Well, duh! Do you think I'd spend over 20 years learning how to walk, look after myself, get back to work and build a successful career only to have missed the lesson life isn't easy? Personally I think that shows like the latest one I have mentioned above, instead of "showing abilities", reinforce the pre conception that disabled people should not work but should be charity cases who live on welfare handouts. What do others think?

Edited by Slowlegs, 21 February 2009 - 09:53 AM.

[Kevin]

Discrimination? No. Events are planned when they are planned and it's up to the people who want to go to make arrangements. If you want to go, find a way to go. If the event planners wish to take into account people who work (people, not just people with disabilities) and hold their even on a weekend, they will. They may not even have that option. Or maybe the people running the vent (vendors, dealers, etc.) don't want to work on weekends.

So, I have 2 other questions. Should ALL events (disabled or not) be planned on weekends due to people working during the week? And, what about people who work on weekends?

I could ask a couple more questions, but you see my point. 'Discrimination' is a word that anyone can use for anything they feel personally slighted on. It doesn't make a case though.

As for reinforcing preconceptions of people with disabilities being charity cases... I don't understand your reasoning with that one. If they show up to an even on a weekday, therefore they aren't employed and a charity case? Or just because the event is on a weekday that people with disabilities are charity cases? Those are huge leaps.

Good questions though! It should be a good discussion. This was just my 2 cents worth.

[edlee]

Not much to discuss, really,,,,, the guy said it all...... His event was for providers,, not users. Those providers prefer to attend such events/shows during the week.

I see no discrimination in someone targeting his events to those who he believes will give him the largest return,,,,, we do live in a capitalist society, after all.

As was said above,,, one can find discrimination in anything,,,, if one wants to find it,,,,,

And no,,,, life isn't easy.
ed

[Travelling Blackbird]

I wouldn't call it discrimination to organize the event on a weekday. Events are organized on various days according to when the organizers think they'll reach the greatest target group. Many companies might prefer such events and expos to be on weekdays, because then they don't have to pay delegated representatives overtime for working weekends, or worry about giving people time off to compensate for having worked the weekend. Many event organizers may prefer weekdays because it may be cheaper and easier to get the hall or room. I think the assumption is that if you're interested, you'll find a way to attend.

I do think it was a shame that the person you dealt with took the line he did. Telling you "Life's tough" and "It wasn't for you anyway" is bad service, and borders on being rude.

While I wouldn't call it discrimination, I do feel they were limiting themselves in terms of their audience. Instead of being open to a range of groups attending, at least according to that rep, they decided "only this group will be interested", which seems short-sighted.

[araitn]

Not discrimination. The event organizer has the right to schedule the event for optimal return for their investments (cost, time, etc.). If the event was scheduled for a weekend, there would most likely be a person that would not be able to attend because they are scheduled to work on weekends.

I think it is good that these events are scheduled at all. I can't find a major disability expo to attend that fits my needs. There's the Abilities Expo scheduled for New York Metro (actually held in New Jersey) on April 17-19, but it's a 10 hour drive from my house. Also, my wife can't take any more time off from work to go because she took so many days off when I first got injured and to take me to doctors and attend lawsuit meetings. I drive now, but I couldn't drive that far by myself because of neuro pain. The same event is scheduled in Atlanta, which is closer to my house (4.5 hrs), but it's not until November.

I agree that the "life wasn't supposed to be easy" comment was rude and insulting. We all know that it definitely isn't easy. I used to think that life was tough sometimes before my injury....... I just didn't know how good and "easy" I really had it.

Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that we can't expect everything to be scheduled around our needs, because everyone has different needs and you can't make everyone happy no matter what you do.

[Slowlegs]

Hi guys, yes you are right regards the discrimination thing but I still find it annoying, especially the comments from the guy I emailed. As I am effectively my own provider though, not all providers are actually catered for. By aiming the events at welfare providers and not looking at holding the expo on the days when most people who work a standard working week would be able to attend without taking a holiday I believe they are reinforcing stereotypes some have that everyone with a disability is on welfare but that is my opinion of course. As I am walking now (although still need a not of things for my "para problems") I do find it hard to get info on items such as the ones at this expo. I was also interested in standard hand control alternatives, etc for a sportscar I am looking at purchasing. Over here there is generally no overtime paid for weekend work. I do concede you are right about the extra costs though.

Edited by Slowlegs, 22 February 2009 - 07:18 AM.

[eyelookok2blindgurls]

Its ok slowlegs all of us here in NZ know that almost everything in NZ related to disability is organised for service providers as us NZ kripples are not mentally able to relate to the equipment we need (also we have to make do with a very small selection of cheap nasty and ineficient disability aids ) I guess the people that don't live here have no concept of how limited our options are compared with most countries .

[Slowlegs]

eyelookok2blindgurls, on Feb 22 2009, 12:26 PM, said:

Its ok slowlegs all of us here in NZ know that almost everything in NZ related to disability is organised for service providers as us NZ kripples are not mentally able to relate to the equipment we need (also we have to make do with a very small selection of cheap nasty and ineficient disability aids ) I guess the people that don't live here have no concept of how limited our options are compared with most countries .

I suppose that is what happens when we only have a choice of welfare rather than insurance based providers. I entirely agree with you. With regard to the car conversion - I can't even get some hand control providers to even return an email regarding the possibility and price of fitting hand controls to an MX5.
I have been mulling over the idea of training to become a qualified engineer and offering mobility solutions for people who aren't eligible or want good quality hand controls fitted. Of the last three sets of hand controls I have had, two have had problems where either the throttle or brake jammed on full which required some modifications by me and the latest one was installed so the brake rod was rubbing through my wiring loom. This could have caused a fire or major electrical problems. All three of these sets achieved certification (which was provided by the manufacturer) I have made my own sets in the past with no issues whatsoever and cost me under $200 each as opposed to over $2000 by the "professionals".

[Travelling Blackbird]

Slowlegs, on Feb 22 2009, 07:38 PM, said:

I have been mulling over the idea of training to become a qualified engineer and offering mobility solutions for people who aren't eligible or want good quality hand controls fitted. Of the last three sets of hand controls I have had, two have had problems where either the throttle or brake jammed on full which required some modifications by me and the latest one was installed so the brake rod was rubbing through my wiring loom. This could have caused a fire or major electrical problems. All three of these sets achieved certification (which was provided by the manufacturer) I have made my own sets in the past with no issues whatsoever and cost me under $200 each as opposed to over $2000 by the "professionals".

Sounds like a fine idea, and seems like you have the initial skills to do it.