[OSList] Accessibility concerns about bending down to pick up paper/pens
Birgitt Williams via OSList
oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
Fri Aug 19 07:38:14 PDT 2016
Hi all,
I am choosing to answer a question that was not asked. The question is
'what is needed in our OST meetings to ensure that people who have
disabilities of any sort can feel welcomed and included?'. Having worked
with people with lots of different abilities and what are commonly referred
to as disabilities...both obvious and invisible, there are some things our
clients have recommended. Some of them are basic good manners of welcome as
we would include in our homes.
1. For visually impaired, do not have markers/pens rolling around on the
floor either in the middle or at the agenda wall...use some sort of
container and explain to people why. For the blind, having a partner to
assist throughout the process is helpful....it is amazing how much of an
OST meeting depends on being able to see. For the deaf, arrange for people
to sign...not just in the main room but in the breakout space....and if
signing is no longer the best option with our advanced technology, do
something that is current and helpful.
2. For seniors and those taking medications who have difficulty seeing a
typical printed report...have reports on flip chart paper with big print OR
if printed on a computer, use 18 point or greater font...and double space.
3. For the 10% of the population who gets headaches and other symptoms from
scents/chemicals, use unscented markers/pens and in the invitation ask
people to refrain from wearing any products with fragrances. Check the
venue including restrooms/toilet areas to ensure no air fresheners are in
use. If the venue uses pesticides, arrange with them ahead of time to
refrain from spraying on day of meeting.
4.For those with joints that don't bend so well, provide some kind of
tables with markers/pens....maybe at the side...so that they can maintain
as much independence as possible in getting the topics up.
5. For those who have various allergies/intolerances/cultural needs with
food, take care with beverages and food so that people are not being left
out by the limited usually carbohydrate choices.
I am not sure if I have remembered everything and would appreciate anything
you all have figured out to add. While I respect that we create the
conditions for self managing, a more equal playing field from the start
that is welcoming to all is kind...and we can do with a little more
kindness in this world.
Blessings all,
Birgitt
On Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 10:11 AM Michael M Pannwitz via OSList <
oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
> I have seen people reject such help from others, especially with
> considerable verve from folks that one might consider differentially
> abled. One thing I have never seen is someone writing a thought for
> someone else.
> What happens regularly with younger children is that they will huddle
> and discuss an issue that they want to put on the paper.
>
> Considering the attempt to expand time and space for the force of
> selforganistion to show up in an OST event more clearly accompanied with
> some manifestation of selforganisation being the mode for participants I
> wonder what the least controlling, least prescreptive... mode might be
> for facilitation.
>
> Regarding the offering of issues I tell people very shortly after I have
> started my introduciton what I will invite them to later on... and I
> actually go through all the steps (walking to the center, getting on the
> floor, jotting down an issue, announcing it to the group, walking up to
> the bulletin board and posting it)... and then continue with my
> introduction. At the point of inviting for issues I have reduced my
> words to almost zero but I do make an inviting gesture towards the
> center...
>
> Greetings from Berlin
> mmp
>
> On 19.08.2016 15:28, MK Vidrine via OSList wrote:
> > I wonder if there would be any difference in results between inviting
> > people to ask their neighbors to help, and inviting people to offer help
> > to their neighbors? I'm imagining something like, "When you grab a piece
> > of paper, you could also get one for someone else nearby. After you
> > write down what you've got in mind, see if you can write down a thought
> > for a neighbor also- let's get as many written as we can."
> >
> > -MK
> >
> > On Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 5:13 AM, Jennifer Hurley via OSList
> > <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>>
> > wrote:
> >
> > I often say something in the opening like "if it's difficult for you
> > to bend over or you think your handwriting is too bad, ask one of
> > your neighbors to help." This also gives an easy out to anyone who
> > may be illiterate. I think it also fosters a sense of camaraderie.
> > But it doesn't make it 100% as easy for someone with physical or
> > literacy problems to participate, so it may not be the best answer.
> > I really resist tables inside the circle, though. I've had to do
> > several events that way, and there is definitely a negative impact
> > on the energy in the room.
> >
> > Jennifer Hurley
> > Hurley-Franks & Associates
> > 267-971-4598 <tel:267-971-4598>
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > On Aug 19, 2016, at 12:27 AM, Harold Shinsato via OSList
> > <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
> > <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote:
> >
> >> In the many OST's I've participated in or helped open myself, I've
> >> encountered this complaint about having to bend over to pick up
> >> the pens and the papers in only two instances. Both of which were
> >> Universities. In both cases, the leading edge of the complaint
> >> seemed to have to do with women's dresses, but I also heard
> >> something about being "able" prejudiced.
> >>
> >> The first University chose to put some tables outside the circle
> >> with some papers and markers. The second one is thinking they will
> >> wheel in a table after the opening into the center, which seems
> >> energetically disruptive.
> >>
> >> Have others encountered this? How did you deal with it?
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >> Harold
> >>
> >> --
> >> Harold Shinsato
> >> harold at shinsato.com <mailto:harold at shinsato.com>
> >> http://shinsato.com
> >> twitter: @hajush <http://twitter.com/hajush>
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> --
> Michael M Pannwitz
> Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany
> ++49 - 30-772 8000
>
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