[OSList] Question about OST meetings/conferences including people with disabilities

[Lisa Heft]

Rochelle -

What I am hearing you saying is that this is a case study you are  
developing - rather than an actual event. Yes?
Of course who knows - the event may become a reality when it is clear  
that the diversity of elderly people with different abilities are  
simply a way to learn and think about access and inclusion just like  
for any different-than-oneself potential participant - and a real  
event may become delightfully apparent in the near future, eh?

I also hear you asking about including these folks in the planning of  
such an event. Right?
So it is 'using OST' but it is also a planning event. What I am not  
sure of in what you are saying is if you also wish to use the  
participants in the planning of the OST itself.

So if I were to think of my own experience working with individuals of  
diverse abilities... perhaps you can include in your case study having  
conversations with people with diverse abilities about including  
people with diverse abilities in the planning. That was a funny  
sentence - but you know what I mean? The very people you serve may no  
doubt have great ideas and insight.

So if you explain to them what planning is for - such as a garden or  
how to work together for something that happens in their cafe or..?
Part of it is about the process used in the event - Open Space. How to  
make the things that happen in Open Space accessible to all who are  
present.

- larger type when you print things out
- placing notes lower on the wall so people seated in wheelchairs can  
read them or people without a lot of upper arm strength or neck  
arthritis, etc. can read them
- having pre-registration ask them to share anything they wish to  
share about their own physical, mobility, dietary or other needs so  
you know whether to provide a sign language interpreter or unscented  
markers
- looking for a physical site that has mobility access, transport  
access, and room enough to keep pathways clear for people who may be  
in wheelchairs
- maybe a place to label and 'park' walkers or canes for those folks  
who only use those to enter but do not need them at all times
- thinking about saying things louder, or more slowly, or naming what  
you are doing so that those who cannot see can visualize what you are  
doing when you are not speaking
- doing documentation design in a way that is accessible in different  
ways to participants - printed Book of Proceedings, another version in  
larger font? audio files? in-person reading circles post-event so  
those who can read and see can go through the documentation with each  
other?
- careful attention to food and beverage - protein and complex  
carbohydrates and not just pastries and fruits and things that turn  
into sugar (for diabetics and others); food on time.
- selecting a time for the event that allows people to attend even if  
they have to take naps on a regular schedule
- providing a quiet room or a place to go away to take one's  
medications or inject one's insulin - for some folks who may not feel  
comfortable doing so in front of everyone
- 'buddies' who can come along with any of your participants who might  
need language or writing or mobility or thought process assists

Part of it is universal for any dialogue event - what information do  
you feel they need to have in order to work on the task in the  
dialogue event ?
That is something you might want to provide them with before the event  
- because you ideally need all your time in-person for that which can  
only be accomplished with others - not for delivery of info.
So for example if you feel they would benefit from receiving some  
information or learning about gardens - or cafes - or healthy food -  
or whatever - in order to then meet together in Open Space and explore  
that issue - then you might want to create other little meetings or  
experiential learning opportunities to bring that information to them  
as a preparation for what they will then do later in Open Space.

If I am misinterpreting please do correct me.
And pPlease let our thoughts and sharing here inspire other questions  
you may have,

Lisa

Lisa Heft
Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
Fellow, Columbia University Center for International Conflict Resolution
Opening Space
lisaheft at openingspace.net
  
   
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