ap.io/home

Summary

I happen to be one of the hundreds of millions of human beings on Earth who have long-term disabilities. I created this web page to help event organizers at university, public, and private venues accommodate my disabilities without any hiccups, embarrassments, or dramas. I hope you find it suitably informative.

If you are an event organizer, please skip to How to accommodate me below.

If you are curious to know more about the nature of my disabilities, you may read my disclosure page. Please do not abuse the trust I have placed in you by sharing this information here; thank you. You may also read my how to wrangle my disabilities page if you are a student, coworker, or colleague.

If you would like to learn more about how to be consistently welcoming to people with disabilities, I can recommend the terrific pamphlet on Disability Etiquette by the United Spinal Association of America. You might also be interested to read an article on Hidden Disability and an Academic Career by Elaine M. Beretz and an editorial I wrote on disability in academia for the APS CSWP/COM Gazette, Spring 2012.

How to accommodate me

I have (co-)organized enough conferences, workshops, and social events in my time to know how the associated workload feels. Accordingly, I never ask event organizers for unnecessary disability accommodations. The information below is a distillation of over 27 years of experience. Taking it seriously will make all the difference between me being able or unable to participate fully in your event.

At a single-day professional event, I need (1) an average of 5 minutes of health breaks per hour, (2) a reserved top-quality chair, and (3) barrier-free accessibility. At a multi-day professional event, I also need (4) a decent bed at a relatively quiet hotel which can receive shipped luggage, and (5) maps showing barrier-free entrances to all venues and the locations of all-gender restrooms. At a local social event with friends, I just need a high-backed padded chair and a picture of it ahead of time so that I can plan ahead. Please see below for specifics. Thanks!

1: Health Breaks

During meetings that are either in-person or on Zoom/etc., I need health-fostering breaks during any session lasting longer than one to two hours. If it is possible to have access to a Quiet Room, that would be even more awesome.

2: Chair

Most chairs are not comfortable enough for me to sit on them for more than 10-15 minutes, even on a good pain day. At a professional event, I need to sit on a high-backed adjustable ergonomic office chair with all of the following six properties. At a local party with friends, the first two are usually sufficient. In order of importance, the six requirements are:-

  1. High back: at least 26in/66cm high.
  2. No hard surfaces pressing on shoulder blades.
  3. Adjustable seat height.
  4. Adjustable arm rests.
  5. Lumbar support.
  6. Sturdy five-wheel base.

For reference: the chair I use in my own office is an ergoCentric tCentric Hybrid high-back model.

If your institution/organization/group/company does not have a chair that satisfies all of the above six requirements, please contact me by email with pictures and specifications of the highest-quality tall-backed padded chair(s) that you do have, so that I can evaluate suitability. Please do this a month in advance of the event, because trying to organize a special ergonomic chair on short notice tends to be difficult.

3: Barrier-free accessibility: doors/elevators

Because my shoulders have limited power, I need any heavy doors into and within buildings to have electric push-button door openers. Ideally, all venues including accommodations should be wheelchair accessible, with user-driven door/elevator access, and without interference from snow or ice in winter. Please let me know whether this is the case in advance, so that I can plan my briefcase/luggage choices accordingly.

4: Bed

If your event is multi-day, it is important that I am allocated accommodation with a decent bed. Even if the bed is decent, I still have to bring my own special pillow and usually also a mattress pad. Mattress pads are bulky and awkward, so I mail one to the location ahead of arrival. I may also ship my luggage.

5: Maps

Please provide me with detailed maps for all meeting venues, meals included, showing (a) designated accessible entrances with push-button door openers, and (b) all-gender restrooms.

Questions?

Never assume that you know what life as a person with disabilities is like. The truth is, you probably have no idea. If you are unsure about my constraints or needs, then please ask me directly.  Please do take the time to read this entire page first, though. Thanks!

[Some Ecard humour: You've got it backwards actually - I'm faking being WELL!]

[smiley face]