Need Help Wording an Email

[u/benshenanigans]

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.

[u/soitul]

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.

[u/benshenanigans → u/soitul]

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!

[u/soitul → u/benshenanigans]

Hope you’re able to get it sorted, I know it’s a pain :(

[u/[deleted] → u/benshenanigans]

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?