That is an awesome post. I don't want to spoil it, but here's one pungent paragraph
begin quote There is a neglect of the importance of emotional access, that maybe people want to talk about something other than their disability, that a physically accessible space can feel unwelcome when people are staring at you, are commenting on your mobility aid, are making it clear that it’s okay to be disabled! You’re totally welcome here! This, too, is a form of singling out, and it can be deeply awkward and uncomfortable. quote ends
So how could we make this point?
Autreat, an annual convention/community gathering created by and for autistic adults, uses optional "interaction badges" to inform people about some of the issues s.e.smith raises. The badges are color-coded and flippable, so one can change the level of interaction as the con proceeds.
When I picked up my badge for FOGcon 1, they asked everyone to write down two topics of interest on their badge. This meant I was never at a loss for what to say to a stranger.
Given that we're all about the clever, we could have an elephant sticker, to remind people not to discuss the very first thing which comes to mind — whether that's a service dog, or policing someone's sexuality, or "can I touch [this Black woman's] hair??"
There's certainly a strong tendency at WisCon to avoid "the obvious" or "the common sense." Everyone knows not to pet a service dog but Access made announcements and included it in the printed stuff — and that may have made Andrea's con slightly less exhausting and frustrating.
Is there a game we could play, about staring and not staring, maybe first day of con?
I third the idea of an 'ask me about...'! I think it could be a great way to deflect attention from the elephant while also serving as a general awareness thing—hey, PWDs have interestss!
I don't mind small children staring and asking questions - it's what children do. But sometimes travelling around when I'm tired or need a people-break is made so much harder by having to keep a mask on and smile/interact about my mobility aid/s, etc.
I like the idea of 'ask me about' and markers for 'leave me alone please'.
At cons, I spend more time in my room than I'd like to get enough down time. Not only because of the above, but also the constant effort of monitoring everyone around me so that I don't 'run them over'. (I do have a bad habit of running other people over in crowded spaces when my scooter is turned off!)
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Date: 2012-08-09 01:30 am (UTC)So how could we make this point?
Autreat, an annual convention/community gathering created by and for autistic adults, uses optional "interaction badges" to inform people about some of the issues s.e.smith raises. The badges are color-coded and flippable, so one can change the level of interaction as the con proceeds.
When I picked up my badge for FOGcon 1, they asked everyone to write down two topics of interest on their badge. This meant I was never at a loss for what to say to a stranger.
Given that we're all about the clever, we could have an elephant sticker, to remind people not to discuss the very first thing which comes to mind — whether that's a service dog, or policing someone's sexuality, or "can I touch [this Black woman's] hair??"
There's certainly a strong tendency at WisCon to avoid "the obvious" or "the common sense." Everyone knows not to pet a service dog but Access made announcements and included it in the printed stuff — and that may have made Andrea's con slightly less exhausting and frustrating.
Is there a game we could play, about staring and not staring, maybe first day of con?
(no subject)
Date: 2012-08-09 03:41 am (UTC)I somehow doubt that being at a loss for what to say to a stranger is a common occurrence for you! :D (I tease.)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-08-09 02:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-08-09 05:24 pm (UTC)I like the idea of 'ask me about' and markers for 'leave me alone please'.
At cons, I spend more time in my room than I'd like to get enough down time. Not only because of the above, but also the constant effort of monitoring everyone around me so that I don't 'run them over'. (I do have a bad habit of running other people over in crowded spaces when my scooter is turned off!)