“Social Media + Traditional Media = Crazy Awesome!” Sponsored by Net Squared Greater Seattle. Location: Northwest Work Lofts, 3131 Western Avenue, Suite 303, Seattle, WA.
I’m trying to improve my social media skills, and I’m intrigued by anything advertised as crazy awesome. So I was game for this event. It seemed to be right up my alley. Up until the blockade. But let me back up, a little.
Like other wheeled wonders, I often encounter obstacles that, while not impossible to negotiate, pose a serious challenge. Past experience has taught me the value of research. But I can get a little lazy and chippy. Why should I have to call? Can’t I just figure it out? Okay. Uncle. I’ve preached the power of preparation. I often take my own advice. Expect when I don’t. I sometimes fall prey to denial when it comes to accessibility. But this event was in my general neighborhood. I was going with friends. How hard could it be?
Peter, his wife, Erika, a last-minute welcome addition, and I drive to the place and score a great parking spot. “Piece of cake,” I think. Then I balk at the wide, steep ramp going down to businesses below. Peter descends to do reconnaissance. No luck. I ask a passerby. No idea. Peter descends again and returns with bad news. “There’s no way around steps.” We spot a security guard who confirms Peter’s findings. Onward with resolve. I see the step. My nemesis. It is a substantial step: at least 8 inches high with no railing. I wheel to the edge, lock my brakes, heave myself up and grab the fire escape above. Peter brings the chair up. I shuffle forward and then plop back into it.
We enter the room. The chairs form a semi-circle, one that shuts me out. No designated seating for people with disabilities. I turn to Erika, “You can see how I feel unwelcome.” She nods. I find a place in the front where we could all sit. “This better be good,” I mutter.
It was good. Articulate guest speakers share practical experience born of deep work connecting non-profits to mainstream media. We break into groups to work through a scenario: ours focuses on my idea, increasing access to restaurants for dads with disabilities. We discuss media outlets to target, agree on a hash tag for Twitter, and create a plan I could use for Father’s Day 2014. In ten minutes, this exercise validates my ideas about access and the leadership role I can play.
I’ve learned to steel myself for awkward entrances, but imagine my desire to bolt. As I clung to that fire escape, I thought, “This sucks. But it might not all suck.” That’s about as optimistic as I could get at the time. And I was right. I don’t have the luxury of breaking the world into all-or-nothing categories. None of us does. Between a tough entrance and a frustrating exit, there just might be something you really need smack dab in the middle. I know I did. Push to get to it.
Like Abe Lincoln, you did find the way. Loved your solution to ‘the blockade’ and to savour the ‘good bits.’
You nailed it Randy – it’s always somewhere in the middle! It’s times like these being a little stubborn is a good thing.
Randy, thanks for your patience and grit in overcoming all the barriers we unthinking put in your way. So good to have your contributions to the discussion!
I organize my own NetSquared events in Vancouver Canada and I’m ashamed to say that our venue is up a flight of stairs with no elevator… we’ve already had to turn people away. You’ve inspired me to find a new venue.
Please be patient with our Seattle team… they’re relying on venue donations from the community. 🙂
ALSO, can I crosspost this blog with a link back on http://www.NetSquared.org/blog? I want to share this with the wider community of NetSquared organizers.
— Elijah
NetSquared Local Community Curator
Please crosspot! I am committed to help find an accessible space that works for everyone for future meetings here in Seattle and suspect there are folks in Vancouver who would be happy to help as well. Educating folks about the challenges of access is a good way to engage venues and to solicit donations. I think it is key to add a place to detail any accommodations attendees might require on the RSVP page. That way you could try to problem solve before the events. I think it also would be good to have a statement about inclusion and access on the home page with a disability symbol as well with a contact number and email address for questions or concerns. It is tangible proof that NetSquared wants to increase access.
I have high hopes for NetSquared and want to be a part of the solution. I think we can be a leader when it come to accessibility!
Randy
Randy – Glad you were willing and able to work around the accessibility issues with that venue. Your blog post was shared with Net Squared organizers throughout the region. It was a great reminder to all of us to think about accessibility when planning these events. Thanks for sharing your experience. Recounting the whole story — including the good bits and the not so good — provides great perspective. 🙂 – Brad
Randy, I’m adding a standard “accessibility” section to my event listings on meetup, and I’ve crossposted to http://www.netsquared.org/blog/net2-seattle-getting-good-bits
Thanks for much for your super valuable feedback!! 🙂
Now that’s what I call rapid response. Thanks for addressing the issue and spreading the word among the NetSquared community, Brad and Elijah. This is proof positive that speaking up can make a huge difference. I appreciate the on-line and real-time problem solving.