Accessibility Report – IMYM 2017
A Job Description for advocate for persons with differing abilities does not currently exist.
This year, 2017, I began the job by calling Rosemary Blanchard, who uses a 4 wheeled walker and is skilled at navigating and also identifying obstacles faced by persons with mobility concerns.
Rosemary agreed that Ghost Ranch will never be truly accessible, but urged me to bring a walker early on and travel the routes used on the lower level where most of the people with mobility issues are housed. I did so, but still missed some of the areas that Rosemary identified later on her arrival. I spoke with the Welcome Center staff about 3 areas. One was temporarily fixed, adding dirt/soil at the entrance of a ramp, though it was actually too soft and walker tires sank in, needing a solid surface. The other ramp entrance was not yet dug out by end of camp. The mesa trail behind Aspen appeared to have been cleared of loose stones, but I didn't walk the whole trail.
Rosemary, at the welcoming, asked a question of the Ghost Ranch Director, Deb, about accessibility and was later invited to come after Yearly Meeting, at Ghost Ranch expense, to consult on mobility issues, which she plans to do.
Toward the end of the week, I met with GR staff in the office to ask that they fix the ramp issues, giving a more detailed description of the needs to the grounds person responsible, as well as one of the managers. They expressed great appreciation for the information and said they would be happy to follow through with the changes. One of the ramp areas involves digging up precious grass, a rarity on this desert property, but they are willing to do so. I found them extremely interested in what we offered.
I also announced at various occasions that any issues should be made known to me personally or by leaving a message at Ghost House. This brought a couple of concerns to my attention.
I did check in with golf cart drivers and their clerks, who had a plan for efficiency, and talked with various passengers I met. The only issue brought to me was getting Doris Tildsley's wide walker on the back of the golf cart. I spoke with Charlie, who took care of showing others the method right away.
It was impossible to get a wheelchair safely into the arroyo where the campfire/sing was held, though we tried. Because of that, we should no longer organize the sing down there.
SUMMARY: the important thing was making it known to the gathering that help was available and to identify myself as a point person. The issues that arose dealt with use of walkers and trail safety for the less stable. It was clear that not only reporting, but meeting with the GR staff who would make the changes, was necessary for their understanding. No visual problems came to me. Rosemary Blanchard was critical in identifying physical changes needed on the site to facilitate getting around. She would make a great replacement for this position.
Judy Danielson