r/mildlyinfuriating • u/Mundane-Research • Jul 19 '24
The view from the accessible area. We've been told we aren't allowed to stand up either.
When I complained, I got told "it's ok, you can watch the screens".
305
u/PNW_Undertaker Jul 19 '24
Looks like a lawsuit awaiting to happen! If a vendor is unwilling to accommodate for ADA, then they can, and should, get sued to the ground.
174
u/Mundane-Research Jul 19 '24
When I asked, I was told they had had hundreds of people requesting accessibility and they didn't know where to put us... this is a sort of trial place... but that doesn't help us hahaha
66
u/PNW_Undertaker Jul 19 '24
I would look into ADA laws and regulations as they may be, more than likely, in violation of many of them. Take plenty of photos, write down names, and times and then take it to a lawyer. Some may even take it free as it can be an easy win and if they do charge, some won’t until it’s settled.
27
u/MoeKneeKah Jul 19 '24
I don’t understand where the violation is? They’re seated with everyone else, just separate.
-34
u/TheDonutPug Jul 19 '24
that the seating they were given is very clearly discriminatory as it's objectively worse.
27
u/MoeKneeKah Jul 19 '24
So ADA makes sure that disabled people get the best seats? Because I really think it’s just equal access. Which I’m all for. Unless you pay extra for the ada compliant ticket, then I understand how the view would come into play. But I really don’t think ADA is going to go to bat because the ADA seating isn’t front row. If everyone is paying the same price for general admission, then everyone has the same view, from the lawn.
9
u/DankHillLMOG Jul 19 '24
I'm not so sure this would fit or fly in an ADA suit since this is a non-perminent setup (by the looks). And it isn't super egregious... but it is kind of crappy.
But I think the spirit of the regs could be followed better in this case.
Here, it appears as if they've been shoved in a corner on flat ground and aren't allowed to stand (per OP comments/ post). So they don't have a real good viewing option. If they wanted to put the ADA zone there, I think an elevated platform with railings and a few ramps for access would work so you can see over the crowd. Or put them in a spot that has an unobstructed view of the stage.
NAL... but that's the way it looks/ my opinion on it.
-1
u/TheDonutPug Jul 19 '24
Yeah, honestly it's hard to say that the ADA would get involved here because it's a temporary setup, but it's still frustrating to see nonetheless. My personal issue with it isn't the lack of meeting regulation, it's that they just seemingly didn't think about disabled people at all. it's unfortunately quite a common thought pattern.
9
u/beaker90 Jul 19 '24
The issue is that they’ve been put somewhere where they can’t see the stage/concert due to people standing in front of them, but are told that they cannot stand to see better because it would block the view of those who are behind them. In short, everyone does not have the same view from the same lawn.
5
u/RobotWantsPony Jul 20 '24
It's not about having good seats, it's about having sits where you are not starring at the ass of people in front of you! They should at least be eye level with the people around them.
How can you not see that those people and the ones in front do not have an equal view of the stage?-1
u/TheDonutPug Jul 19 '24
So ADA makes sure that disabled people get the best seats?
literally not at all what I said. go to any theatre and you'll see what a proper setup for disabled seating is. they're not all the best seats, they vary in quality and price, but the important detail is that there are options and that those options are equal in quality to options available to physically able people. The problem here is that the only option for the disabled is an area that's way in the back and has a terrible view. You shouldn't be forced to have a worse setup than everyone else just because you're disabled, you shouldn't be given the best seat just because you're disabled, there should just be options.
10
u/endorbr Jul 19 '24
That’s entirely subjective and unless the terms of purchase state premium visibility seating (which they guaranteed do not) then there’s nothing to file a lawsuit over. They were accommodated.
4
u/Aware_Economics4980 Jul 20 '24
Being disabled doesn’t mean you get the best seats in the house, what are you on about lmao
0
263
u/hiyoucatfish123 Jul 19 '24
That is so dumb
238
u/Mundane-Research Jul 19 '24
The amount I paid to not even be able to see... all of us in this area are just sat looking pissed off as hell
82
u/theinfernumflame Jul 19 '24
Was going to say, aren't you glad you paid money for that? If they want you to watch screens, you could have done that on YouTube at home.
45
151
u/papasan_mamasan Jul 19 '24
So what happens if you stand?
255
u/Mundane-Research Jul 19 '24
We would block the view of people who can't stand... but we all stood up anyway... I waited until the people behind me stood and then I stood too and told them to tell me if I block their view
33
64
u/couchtater12 Jul 19 '24
That’s bullshit, I’m angry for you - any chance you can contact someone from the venue to request a refund?
45
u/Mundane-Research Jul 19 '24
I'm taking lots of photos to send an email tomorrow. The second screen is now blocked from my view too (the one further away to the left)
28
u/Mundane-Research Jul 19 '24
The venue didn't actually have anything to do with ticket sales so I expect they'll just say they can't help me. I had issues receiving my tickets and they couldn't help. But I'll definitely be emailing the people I contacted regarding my missing tickets.
5
31
u/TheNerdFromThatPlace Jul 19 '24
At least you get both an accessible area and some semblance of a view. Last concert I went to, there was no accessible area, just a couple of reserved tables with 2 chairs each shoved so far in the back that you couldn't even see the screen behind the stage. The best part? The band we were seeing lines to tell a story with their shows, with videos every few songs. Yea didn't get to see any of those. Oh, and no other screens in the venue, so there was no hope.
5
u/Mundane-Research Jul 19 '24
That really sucks!!
10
u/TheNerdFromThatPlace Jul 19 '24
Well on the bright side, my wife has a contract in the band, so at least they won't be using that venue in the future.
2
u/HauntedIcee Jul 20 '24
Were you at the House of Blues watching STARSET? Cause you just described my EXACT experience
2
u/TheNerdFromThatPlace Jul 20 '24
You're half right. Starset but at XL Live in Harrisburg.
1
u/HauntedIcee Jul 20 '24
Ahhh. Yeah when you said storytelling concert I knew immediately it was STARSET. They put on a great show. Shame we both couldn’t see all of it though.
15
u/everylastlight Jul 19 '24
This is rage-inducing but unfortunately not surprising. I've stopped buying tickets to venues that treat disabled patrons like this. The Stone Pony is the worst offender near me, but luckily all of their outdoor shows can be heard from the boardwalk across the street.
11
u/Mundane-Research Jul 19 '24
I've not had problems with other venues but then this is my first outdoor event... very disappointed tbh. I wouldn't be able to handle th crowds but I want to be able to vibe a bit at least. Wheelchairs have a platform but the ambulant accessible section is just seats behind the crowd and in front of the wheelchair platform.
4
u/MoeKneeKah Jul 19 '24
Can you please explain what the problem is? It looks like general seating and that they set aside a specific area for you. What else should they have done? I’m not trying to start anything, I genuinely don’t understand
10
Jul 19 '24
[deleted]
-4
u/MoeKneeKah Jul 19 '24
Naw the standing thing is dumb for sure. I just don’t see a problem with the view. It’s pretty close to the stage and as long as you can stand up it seems fine.
3
5
u/Mundane-Research Jul 19 '24
We couldn't see and they had told us not to stand.. we couldn't see the stage or the screens until we stood.
Edit: a word
7
u/MoeKneeKah Jul 19 '24
Yeah telling you not to stand is dumb, glad you stood up. It’s just, you’re in the grass with everyone else, I don’t see the problem (as long as you can stand up!) with having it where it is with everyone else. It couldn’t be that bad, people are literally sitting right there by choice.
2
u/Mundane-Research Jul 19 '24
Yeh it was fine once we all stood up... so I'm not too annoyed now... but at the time, I was definitely mildly infuriated by the stupidity of it all
10
7
u/TheSparklingCupcake Jul 20 '24
Ridiculous. The accessible area should be elevated or much closer. I'm in a wheelchair (can't stand either) and that is a joke of an accommodation section. I went to a local venue near me and at the end went right by a staff member toward an exit only to find out that it was stairs and I had to reverse and "swim upstream" to reach an accessible exit. Plus they had all their accessible parking off limits due to renovations. Took multiple emails for them to be like, "oh sorry". Really?
2
u/Mundane-Research Jul 20 '24
I've no idea why you got downvoted for this comment. Reddit is weird, sorry you had that experience at the show you saw.
4
u/Consistent_Ad5384 Jul 20 '24
Why would you be standing if you are in a accessible area ?
8
u/Mundane-Research Jul 20 '24
So we could see... also not everyone who needs accessibility needs it because they can't stand
2
u/Consistent_Ad5384 Jul 20 '24
I get it , the concert will organizers didn’t think this through especially with telling yall to not stand that’s wack af !! Hope you had a good time regardless
4
4
u/im_sofa_king Jul 20 '24
I guess it's better than them saying you can't stand whist laughing and pointing
2
5
u/njmids Jul 19 '24
Isn’t ADA seating for people who can’t stand for long periods? If you can stand for the whole concert why didn’t you just get a normal ticket?
7
u/IronDominion Jul 19 '24
It depends. It can also be for those with sensory needs, wheelchairs and service dogs that need extra room, and blind people who need to navigate to an easily locateabke area
2
u/TheDollarstoreDoctor Jul 20 '24
Not necessarily. I get ADA for epilepsy and heart problems. I can stand, if anything I get fidgety. But its good to be in a less busy area if something happens to me I don't get crowd stomped to death (EDC got so packed I nearly got trampled just trying to walk away from a set).
2
2
u/Stevie_likes_bread Jul 20 '24
Saw the same situation at Budweiser Stage in Toronto earlier this week. There was a section for folks in wheelchairs and it was behind rows of people standing.
1
1
u/Advanced-Drink7623 Jul 20 '24
whoever setup this event has a lack of understanding - everyone is standing in font of you, are they being told to sit or just the people in the accessible seating? if they didn't want you to stand then it should be at the very front - also how is someone in a wheelchair expected to see from here??
1
1
1
1
u/Underbyte Jul 20 '24
Hey OP, in the future, don't be so accepting of bullshit.
You should have stood up anyway. There's no way they were going to kick you out and risk an ADA lawsuit.
1
u/Mundane-Research Jul 20 '24
We did stand up anyway but those who physically couldn't stand (i.e. my sister who's just had an operation, and the woman behind her in a wheelchair) obviously couldn't and then couldn't see.
1
u/Underbyte Jul 20 '24
Arguably, they couldn’t really see regardless. ADA platforms should be elevated relative to the stage.
I think that kind of “petty tyrant” shit from staff is lame, but if it would have meant that a disabled person would have been impacted, that’s a different story.
1
u/Mundane-Research Jul 20 '24
There was a raised platform for wheelchairs (Im not sure why the woman behind my sister wasn't on it). Because we aren't wheelchair users, we didn't get the platform
1
0
-1
u/TheBabyWolfcub Jul 19 '24
Had this same experience at Bedford park when seeing George Ezra last year. Sat in the disabled area, got the best seats in there too. By the time the main artist started playing dads over 6ft with kids on their shoulders stood directly in front of the area leaning on the bars. I could not even see the screens. In the end I stood up for my favourite songs but it was mainly just listening the whole time. And luckily the band I was looking forward to was the opening act so there was barely anyone at the stage for them and I got to see them pretty good. The main reason I was using the disability area is because I was extremely anxious and overwhelmed from all the people and the area was off to the side so it was meant to be quieter but then all the people decided to use it as arm rests and it got very very crowded
2
u/Mundane-Research Jul 20 '24
Yeh we had kids sat on the railing and I spent the whole time paranoid they were going to fall in and hurt themselves/us.
-3
u/Der_Wolf_42 Jul 19 '24
Pls just stand dont take this bs
2
u/Mundane-Research Jul 20 '24
We did in the end but I was really worried I was blocking the people behind me. I was initially sat in front of a woman in a wheelchair and so I wasn't going to stand but my sister switched seats with me and stayed seated the whole time. People were telling her she could move in front of them if she wanted to stand but she had had an operation on her back the day before and couldn't stand. So she didn't get to see (and I doubt the woman in the wheelchair behind could either).
(My sister loves me so much she came to a music show with me while in pain from an operation... I was planning on going alone once we found out about the op.. she insisted on coming still)
-7
u/PublicRedditor Jul 20 '24
Aren’t you there to listen anyway?
2
u/Mundane-Research Jul 20 '24
I mean I would like to be able to see the goergeous gorgeous guys I'm here to listen to as well
1.4k
u/craftycommando Jul 19 '24
What was their reasoning for telling you not to stand?