[Dixielandjazz] Wheel Chairs at Festivals

[Rebecca Thompson]

I have been away and just read this tonight.

I can imagine how no one wants to be told where they can and cannot sit.
However, I would like to make a point that I noticed at one of the venues at
Sacramento.  There was a gentleman in a wheelchair who sat in front of us,
and we could not see around him.  This has happened to us before because
some of the chairs sit so high up.  Perhaps there needs to be more input and
thought given to where wheelchairs can best accommodate the disabled and
also not be in the way of those behind.

Regards.
Rebecca Thompson
Flower Mound, TX 

-----Original Message-----
From: JBruno868 at aol.com [mailto:JBruno868 at aol.com] 
Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2006 1:14 PM
To: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Letter to the Editor

 



I am on a crusade. I have sent the following letter to  the Mississippi Rag
and the American Rag.
 
-----
 
 
 
 
Letter to the Editor:
 
West Coast Jazz Festival
 
Handicapped fans are poorly treated at this  festival and I for one refuse
to sit all the way in the back just because I  am in a wheelchair. It's one
thing to put  seats in the last rows with signs attached saying
"Handicapped" but this  festival goes even beyond not understand the ADA
Laws or how to treat it's  handicapped fans and I am very upset at the way
we were treated at this festival. First of all, there were no empty seats in
this special section and those of us who wished to sit there had to remove
the chairs  ourselves in order to make room for our wheelchairs and
scooters. 
 
Second, the reason I was given for putting the  handicapped section all the
way in the back? Fire Laws. Now, come on. There  is no Fire Law that states
those of us in wheelchair or scooters have to put way  in the back of any
room. 
 
Those in charge need to read the ADA Laws concerning  this and the directors
could also learn from other festivals in the area. For  example the San
Diego Thanksgiving Festival where the Handicapped Section is in  the center
of the room where those of us wishing to sit there can enjoy the  music and
see the stage but what they need to learn most of all is that no one  in a
wheelchair or scooter is REQUIRED to sit in any special section. It's  very
nice to have those special sections for some but I for one, bring my own
chair and I am allowed, by law, to sit where ever I so chose as long as I am
psychically able to get my chair into an area.
 
At the very first set on Thursday evening, even before  the music began, I
was up in-front of the stage talking to my Mother, who had a  Patron's Badge
and was sitting in the front row. There were many people all  standing
around and just as I was starting to leave one of the Festival  Directors,
John Dieball, actually yelled at me saying I couldn't be there. I was  so
taken back by this that I didn't respond to his "You can't be here" and
just left. Many people told me later how rude they thought his reaction was
and after thinking about it, asking why and being told that it was a "Fire
Law",  I have decided to write about this injustice.
 
With the age of Jazz Fans becoming older every year I  would think that
anyone involved with a festival would know these laws and treat  those of us
in wheelchairs, scooters and walkers with a little more respect.  After all,
we are all getting older and the need to make room for us should be  taken
very seriously.
 
I have decided to buy a Patron's Badge for the  Festival next year and would
then have the right to sit in the front row and I  just dare anyone to tell
me I can't. If there is a problem with this, I always  have the Law on my
side and again, it would behoove the Directors of any  Jazz Festival to know
the ADA Laws regarding the treatment of Handicapped  Fans.
 
Jazz Hugs
 
Judie Bruno
 
 
-----
 
I have already had a response from the Mississippi Rag  and they are very
interested in following up on this subject and agree with me  that with the
age of Jazz Fans getting older all the time, it is something that  needs to
be dealt with.