[Dixielandjazz] Re: Letter to the Editor

[JBruno868 at aol.com]

I received this reply from Don at the American Rag and must say I am very  
disappointed. Enclosed also is my reply.
 
 
Jazz Hugs
 
Judie
 
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Hello Judy:
    Thank you for your  Email.
    I won't be  publishing your letter in The American Rag for two  reasons.
     1.    You're not a subscriber.
     2.    As far as I could tell from my casual observation of your  
presence at the festival, you were allowed access throughout the hotel and  every 
venue allowed access for people in wheel chairs and  walkers.
    I'm no expert in  ADA rules and regulations, but I know from my personal 
observations attending  L.A. Philharmonic concerts at the Disney Concert Hall 
and L.A Opera  performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion, that both of 
these facilities  have a few places within their halls especially set aside for 
people in wheel  chairs, but as far as I've been able to see, none of these 
are front row seats  in any of the various seating sections, they are all in the 
back of those  sections. I sit in the Terrace section at the L.A. 
Philharmonic and in  the Loge section at the L.A. Opera and neither of these areas allow 
for wheel  chairs in their front rows, but rather a few wheel chair spaces are 
available  only in the back rows of each of these sections. I assume when 
these few  special spaces are sold-out, other wheel-chaired people have no place 
to place  themselves with their chairs, which is also the case for non-wheel 
chaired  people like myself. Sold out means sold out for everyone with or 
without a  wheel chair.
    Accordingly, if,  as you say in your letter, you intend to buy a Patron 
badge next year, I'm  confident Mr. Dieball will make every effort to seat you 
along with other  patrons within the patron areas of the venues.
 
Best regards,
Generating Success  Through Teamwork
Don Jones, Publisher - The American  Rag
News You Can Use About Traditional Jazz and  Ragtime
20137 Skyline Ranch Dr.
Apple Valley, CA  92308-5035




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No problem Don. The Mississippi Rag is going to run an  article on seating 
for Handicapped and this problem with Festivals. You just  don't seem to 
understand what I was trying to say. No one is asking for seating  in the front rows. 
I was only talking to my Mother who was seated there, before  the music 
started and many people were standing around talking but  what is important is that 
the directors of any Festival, need to learn  is the ADA Regulations. In 
seating's where those of us in chairs can get to  any part of the venue we do not 
have to sit in any designated place as long  as we are able to get into that 
section. In this type of seating, where all the  chairs and levels are the 
same, we are legally allowed to sit  anywhere.
 
The fact that they didn't even know that a designated  area for Handicapped 
needs to have spaces open so that those in chairs at least  don't have to 
remove the seats themselves before sitting, shows that they  don't know or 
understand what is needed by law. The law also states that  companion seating must be 
provided.
 
It was very rude for John to yell at me the way he did  but that is not why I 
am following up on this problem. It is a problem for many  festivals and the 
directors need to learn before they get sued. I will be  taking steps to see 
that this doesn't happen again at this festival or any  others but am 
disappointed that you would not want to help in this quest. After  all, many are 
reaching an age as Jazz Fans where there will be more and more  needing chairs, 
scooters and walkers and it is important that the laws are  followed.
 
Since my mother is a subscriber, maybe I'll ask her to  write a letter for 
you but then if your friendship for the directors of this  festival is more 
important, there is nothing more I can do. There are other ways  to publish my 
opinion in the Jazz communities and I am sure many will be  disappointed when 
they learn that you do not wish to help in this  quest.
 
I attend the Neil Diamond Concert last December and  was given very good 
seats and when I made the statement that I hoped no one  could stand up in front 
of me, they roped off the three seats directly in front  of me. This was a sold 
out concert and yet they took three seats to make  sure I could see the stage.
 
By law, any concert must offer seating for handicapped  at all price levels 
and that would include front row seats if requested and the  price paid.
 
Jazz Hugs
 
Judie Bruno
 
 
------
 
 
   
Dear Don:
 
Another point. Your wife seems to be having some  trouble getting around. I 
pray that the time will never come when she is in a  wheelchair but if it does, 
are you going to be happy, or willing to sit in the  back of the venue as if 
you were both second class  citizen's?
 
Jazz Hugs
 
Judie