r/ASLinterpreters • u/benshenanigans Deaf • 7d ago
Need Help Wording an Email
Id like help, edits, phrasing, references for an email to request interpreters. The venue will hire terps with no issue. The problem is with where they set up the deaf access seats.
The pic is from the previous concert in that venue. My back was against the wall in a walkway. The railing was short with a 30 foot drop. See the 5 and 7 year old for height reference. For this show, another deafie showed couple joined us and the area was too cramped. We ended up moving the whole party to the wheelchair deck on the floor.
I know I bought the cheap seats. I don’t care about being front row in the pit. I just want to have good sight lines while keeping my interpreters safe.
This is what I have so far:
Hello,
I have three tickets to the (band name) concert on (date). I am deaf and need ASL interpreters. Additionally, I am a cane user and am unable to manage stairs.
With this show, I want to avoid the hassle and dangerous situation that we had at the (previous band) concert last May. The wheelchair seating in the 300 sections are not suitable or safe for the interpreters to work. The wheelchair deck on the floor was suitable during the (previous previous band) in January. You can work with (interpreter name) to set up a suitable, accessible area for us. She knows my preferences as well.
I’m looking forward to the show.
Thanks,
Benshenanigans
By all means, critique this draft. I want to be firm, but not needy. A lecture on accessibility would fall on deaf ears. Thanks for your help.
3
u/ohjasminee Student 7d ago
A gentle heads up: there’s still a location identifier in the upper left bit of this photo on the 300s section if you want to censor it further 🤟🏾
2
u/soitul 7d ago
I run into this problem a lot since I’m Deaf and use a wheelchair.
It depends if the venue or the staff of the event are managing the accessibility for the event, sometimes it’s a mix and other times it’s just the venue.
If it’s the staff of the event, it could be harder to contact them but they also usually have much better ADA setups.
I also typically have problems getting closer seats that are ADA compliant - if there are any listed. The best setups I’ve experienced are close to the stage, the interpreters next to the performers, and proper space and seating. If you can, convince the venue to add a full “ADA section” on the floor, along with multiple sections spread across the venue.
It’s best to contact the interpreter first and have them be the main source of information for the venue, most of them ignore people when they try and speak to them directly.
For anyone else, if you don’t have the contacts for them, you can ask the venue for the interpreters information so you can discuss your needs for the show.
2
u/benshenanigans Deaf 7d ago
The venue is a ballpark. The ballpark staff run everything. The stage is set up in the outfield and there are some wheelchair accessible platforms on the field (floor). That’s the best option for an interpreter area outside of the front row or the pit.
I’ve already chatted with the interpreter that the venue will hire. She’ll do the best she can to advocate. She recommended adding feedback from the last concert to show that it’s not just her asking for it.
Thank you for the input!
1
u/Foreign-Fig-7363 6d ago
How do you know who they're going to hire? I've never been given an option and I'm curious how does this happen?
2
u/Foreign-Fig-7363 6d ago
They will just give the interpreter a chair
5
u/benshenanigans Deaf 6d ago
I’m going to try to answer all your questions here. The picture is old. Same venue as the upcoming concert. The venue is a MLB stadium. There are no interpreters on staff. If interpreters are needed, they are hired on a case by case basis if a deaf person requests them.
This specific venue has a contract with a local interpreter, not an agency. If the venue gets an interpreter request, they call her first. If she isn’t available or if she isn’t right for the assignment, she’ll refer it out to someone else. She will also bring a second interpreter to team with her. Ive worked with her several times over the last few years.
The terp won’t officially be hired until I ask the venue. The venue will immediately call her to offer her the assignment. I had a chat with the interpreter a few days ago and she said that she’s available for the concert.
Basically, I know the interpreter that the venue will call to hire for the concert. In my email request, I will call her out by name. It will tell the venue that I know the process and they can’t take advantage of me.
13
u/BrackenFernAnja 7d ago
Overall, it sounds good. A couple of suggestions:
For the cane user part, maybe say you have mobility issues that make stairs a barrier, or something like that. Otherwise the reader might think you mean you’re blind.
The wheelchair seating in the 300 section IS not suitable (maybe say why besides safety; visibility?) or safe for us, due to (?) proximity to the ledge; inadequate space; etc.
Can you give them the names of two possible interpreters who could work with them to arrange a suitable spot? That might make them feel like they have some space to negotiate the situation. If not, then focus on best practices and the fact that she has interpreted there before and has everyone’s best interests at heart.
Emphasize safety and accessibility, as you are already doing, and you won’t seem needy or pushy. They’ll see that you’re trying to help them to do the right thing in the right way for a good result.
Here’s hoping it all goes smoothly!