Before we do any show, I send an email asking about accessibility -- bathrooms, parking, show itself - moving in/out and the terrain of the land. We have been told not to come and we've been told totally accessible.
Last week we checked in and Jay asked about accessible parking. He then had to explain to the young man what that meant -- the young man suggested that we talk to the next check in guy which we did. ACCESSIBLE PARKING WAS COVERED BY BLOW UP JUMPING AND POLICE CARS. Van was parked in a regular parking spot about two blocks from the booth. There was a small parking lot right behind our booth that was blocked off - not to be used. Our neighbor asked one of the promoter's workers why we couldn't park there -- there was a shrug - no answer.
After a time, Jay had to use the bathroom. He went up the hill. There was one porta-potty - not accessible. He went down the hill. There were two (2) porta-potties -- one regular and one accessible. THE ACCESSIBLE PORTA-POTTY WAS PADLOCKED. There was no one around to find out why it was locked. He came back to the booth to tell me what was going on. There were no crosswalks to see if any of the restaurants were accessible (and later I found out the the place across from us did NOT have accessible bathrooms). He said he was going to try to find someone to help him and left. Soon two of the promoters' helpers came by. I asked them about the accessible porta-potties - where they were. Another explanation of what an accessible bathroom was. Down the hill - was finally the reply after he walkie-talkied the promoter. But that one is padlocked -- so it's not usable. There was a shrug and they left.
Jay found the promoter. He was told there was someone sitting in his air conditioned car watching that porta-potty. If someone came to use it (and he saw that person), he got out of his car, unlocked the potty, emptied the potty with the promoter's equipment -- then and only then could the potty be used. The promoter felt this was perfectly acceptable -- he said otherwise, the teens used the potty for sex and making the potty dirty. He didn 't understand that everyone has a right to use a bathroom. Jay going to the bathroom took over an hour of time. Had the show been busy, that could have been problematic.
Jay spent much of the next few hours upset over the potty situation. He told our neighbors. And when he saw the promoter again, he explained how the situation was inappropriate. Again, there seemed to be no understanding. He even went over to Town Hall ... alas, he could not get to Town Hall... yes, indeed, another accessibility issue.
So our neighbor saw the promoter and asked him about the accessible potty. The promoter came up to Jay and said he would take him down to the potty and help him. I asked the promoter how old Jay was that he needed help to go to the potty - and Jay said that he was old enough to take care of himself going to the bathroom if there was one available to him. Then I asked the promoter if I was handicapped. He looked at me and said no. I told him that I had a blue hangtag saying disability for my very self. I had a hidden handicap - but it's there. I asked the promoter the percentage of people over 50 walking the street. He said it was high and then I told him that many people have hidden handicaps - can't see them but they are there - and sometimes a raised toilet and/or grab bars can be very helpful. He said again that the teens use the bathroom for sex and mess it up - but if Jay wanted to go into a messed up bathroom... He agreed to unlock the potty, empty it of the equipment , and left in a huff.
A short time later he came back to tell me that there had been five (5) people who had already used the potty and they were more able bodied than him. There is nothing wrong with an able bodied person using a wide door porta-potty. I told him good - because that's the law - to have an accessible potty.
We are sure that we have burned our bridges with this promoter over the porta potties. We cannot believe that in the year 2013 we are again talking about accessibility and having bathrooms available to those who use wheelchairs or have disabilities. We shouldn't have to even ask ... and yet we are forced to ask.
Comments
yes, we always 'kill them with kindness,' give kudos to those who deserve kudos and value those who listen and do the best for us. there ARE promoters who understand and think placement ... an yes, as colin has stated, not always the 'prime' spot but definitely prime for us. we've had to pay for bigger booths , corners, parking, etc. in order to make shows work for us ...
Elle, I thought a "Food" attorney, then I realized you meant a good attorney. ha ha
I too am disabled. Many shows have cooperated with me, when it comes to booth location. I put it on my application and follow up, after acceptance. I rarely run into problems. Port-a-potties are a different story. I am sure the just don't think about it. And its understandable. They have a lot to deal with at a show. Its a matter of patiently educating them. :)
When a show helps me out, with an acceptable location, (or whatever) I always make a point to thank them. I make a big deal out it. Because, it is a big deal to me. For those who may not be dealing with this issue, but are reading this: An acceptable booth location does not mean a prime spot for me. Easy load in / out is important. That can sometimes mean I am in the back of a show, with lower traffic. But is helps me out, big time. It make a huge difference whether I do a show or not. Parking, food/drink and rest rooms are important (and challenging) too. Things that many people take for granted. I have to plan in advance.
Maybe a set of bolt cutters for padlocks ????!
Good grief! Intolerable at best. May I suggest that prior to the show finding the local handicapped rights organization or association or city or state government agency. For example the City of Denver government has an agency that deals with these issue. The next time someone refuses to allow you access to the handicapped parking, may I suggest using your car to block the entrance, and while speaking to the non helpful person, very viably remove your car keys from the ignition, while telling them that you'll be happy to wait while they call the ___ agencies attorney . And you'll be happy to supply the phone number if they need it. Be sure and smile, just kill them with kindness, but make it plain that THEIR pain has only just started if they mess with you. The LAW is on YOUR side.
I am amazed by how gracefully you and Jay handle this situation over and over again. My hat's off to you both. I'm mad, too!
Oh my goodness, that is just horrible. :(
I think we need to make more noises to promoters about accessibility. My husband has a hidden handicap and can't always walk long distances (as when the porta potties are 5-6 blocks away from our booth) or climb up stairs. Or walk 1 mile or more to/from "artist parking". It amazes me that these people (promoters and their crews) are not aware of ADA laws. I've had police help us in some situations, but not always. We do (did - not anymore) a show in a town where handicapped parking had a 2 hour limit. Real handy if you're working a show that lasts 8 hours. We all need to make noise to promoters so this doesn't continue to happen show after show. OK, off my soap box.
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