A thread about general conference accessibility. Future threads will focus on #ACMSIGCHI and the #ACM in general. Tell us your stories of conference inaccess at CHI and other ACM venues. 1/ #CripCHI #AccessCHI #CripTheACM #CripTheConf
This is a known problem that spans all conferences in all fields. However, that the problem is pervasive doesn't absolve any organization of the responsibility to attend to it. 2/
#CripCHI #AccessCHI #CripTheACM #CripTheConf
#CripCHI #AccessCHI #CripTheACM #CripTheConf
There are several systemic problems that recur in conference culture related to accessibility. This list is not exhaustive. 3/ #CripCHI #AccessCHI #CripTheACM #CripTheConf
1) orgs don't even think about access until a disabled person is harmed and demands change. Several people are harmed and do not come forward. Because of fear of retaliation. Because of fear of futility. 4/ #CripCHI #AccessCHI #CripTheACM #CripTheConf
2) This labor is often not only unrecognized, but punished by covert career derailment, all while orgs begin the appearances of taking access seriously. 5/ #CripCHI #AccessCHI #CripTheACM #CripTheConf
3) These appearances take the form of policies without meaningful enforcement. Of accommodation request lines in registration forms that are ignored or pushed back on. 6/ #CripCHI #AccessCHI #CripTheACM #CripTheConf
4) there is a fundamental misunderstanding. Accommodations and Access are different things. Both are often necessary. But accommodation is about adjustment. Access is about justice. #AccessIsLove. 7/ #CripCHI #AccessCHI #CripTheACM #CripTheConf
5) no matter the orgs' access competency or intention, venues are often infrastructurally and systemicly hostile to access as a construct. They can't even handle most gov regulated requirements. Despite appearances. 8/ #CripCHI #AccessCHI #CripTheACM #CripTheConf
6) though many access efforts fail at the venue level, this won't change without intense effort and advocacy from conference orgs. /9 #CripCHI #AccessCHI #CripTheACM #CripTheConf
So. Tell us your stories of conference inaccess at CHI and other ACM venues. Have a story about other conferences? Jump in. #CripTheConf 10/10 #CripCHI #AccessCHI #CripTheACM
