[Dixielandjazz] Re: Wheel Chairs at Festivals

[mmckay]

Judie, thanks for keeping us up on what is going on with this. It is
important to many of us (and will be important to even more as OKOM fans
continue to get older.)

Most places are smart enough to take care of us pretty well. I'm both
surprised and sorry to find out that Sacramento wasn't.

Mart (on a walker, out of a wheelchair about 3 years and with a sister who
has been in a wheelchair most of her adult life)

Martin D. McKay (also) Designated Listener

-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of
JBruno868 at aol.com
Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2006 9:24 PM
To: rebecca.e.thompson at verizon.net; dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Re: Wheel Chairs at Festivals

 
In a message dated 8/19/2006 5:59:39 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
rebecca.e.thompson at verizon.net writes:

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.





I agree and with only one level for most venues  like in hotels, it needs to
be worked out. Again, the San Diego, Thanksgiving  Fest. has arranged the
best I have seen.
 
I am only going after these guys because of the  attitude and lies I was
told when I asked. First, I was told that it was a Fire  Law and I know that
is not true but the letter I was sent by one of the Festival  Directors,
actually defending their violations and have said that they will not
change. It's really to bad. I did send one last letter to them asking if
this  was their "Finally Answer" and haven't heard back. I was also very
disappointed  in Don's, American Rag, defenses of them but then they are all
good  friends.
 
The Mississippi Rag is going to do an article  regarding Handicapped Seating
and the laws so that in the future, they can  accommodate everyone.
 
As for putting on concerts in older theaters, it is  not the responsibility
of the Producers but the theater. There are laws to  protect those places
that were built before the laws came into place but for  removable seating,
there is no excuse. After all they can't be expected to put  in elevators at
the Pyramids. Lol
 
I would have been very happy had, when I inquired,  been told that they
would look into the laws but instead, felt as if I was being  lied too from
the beginning as if I was just going to except their replies and  if I was
too stupid to know the laws or wouldn't do anything about  it.
 
I plan to give them 2 months to reply about what the  plans are next year.
If I haven't heard back from them, I do plan to submit a  complaint. If the
problem continues next year, I will submit that also to the  Department of
Justice. They can be sued by them, not me, if the violations are  not
corrected.
 
This is very much a OKOM subject as many here produce  festivals and
concerts and I wouldn't want anyone to find they are in violation  and get
into trouble.
 
As always, I am available to help anyone who wishes to  comply with the
laws.
 
 
 
Jazz  Hugs

Judie
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