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TAM & wheelchairs

JoeyH

New Blood
J
Joined
Apr 6, 2012
Messages
5
Hi all,

I've attended TAM in the past with a cane, but for any future meetings I will have to use a wheelchair. I've heard rumors but no first-hand comments on how comfortable/accessible TAM and the hotel are for wheeled skeptics. I'm aware of the "on paper" info, but am seeking personal anecdotes and experiences. Private messages or public replies are both fine.

(I am aware that Randi attended a TAM in a wheelchair. That's already been pointed out to me, but it's kind of like telling a New Yorker "The Pope has no problem with traffic when he's in town." ;) )
 
JoeyH said:
I've attended TAM in the past with a cane, but for any future meetings I will have to use a wheelchair. I've heard rumors but no first-hand comments on how comfortable/accessible TAM and the hotel are for wheeled skeptics. I'm aware of the "on paper" info, but am seeking personal anecdotes and experiences. Private messages or public replies are both fine.
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I know you're looking for personal anecdotes, and I don't have one... but this is Vegas - they sort of do cater to the scooter set... The Del Mar may be a struggle, but I think that once you're up the ramp, people will gladly help move tables and other obstacles out of the way if that's your sort of hang out.
 
RSLancaster on the forum also uses an electric wheelchair and has attended at least one TAM with it. I'd send him a PM.
 
zooterkin said:
If you needed any specific assistance, asking here would probably work.
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Thank you! I will contact him as well.

I'm really just looking for some people to ask questions, and maybe confirm or deny a few things I've heard. (Not at all trying to stir anything up with that vagueness; it's just a couple of wheelchair-specific things. I've no reason to doubt the JREF follows both the letter and the spirit of the ADA.)
 
I spent a lot of my time at TAM8 with my good friend Robert Lancaster, who was in a wheelchair. Definitely PM him. My impression, though, was that it was overall quite wheelchair friendly. There are elevators leading directly up to the conference room floor, the conference doors are wide, and we were able to park the wheelchair at the end of a row of seats in the conference area with no problem. The walkways around the seating areas were spacious enough that it did not seem in the least bit in the way.
 
One potential issue with the wheelchairs is that getting around a crowded DelMar is tough. It can be done, and everyone will move around to accommodate you, but there might be a delay while shuffling ensues.

The rest of the casino does seem pretty open with ramps and elevators and wide aisles all around (but I have never walked through looking critically at that aspect).
 
ExMinister said:
I spent a lot of my time at TAM8 with my good friend Robert Lancaster, who was in a wheelchair. Definitely PM him.
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Thanks, will do!

Just a friendly reminder that what looks and sounds like accessibility to able-bodied folk doesn't necessarily work well for those it's designed for. (I have some good comedy on that point from my years as a sign-language interpreter.) Hence my seeking to chat with those who have experienced it themselves -- it's nothing personal.

(Also some things like the Del Mar wouldn't in fact be a problem due to my particular level of mobility.)

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far! All this visualizing of the hotel and conference areas is making me wish I could be at TAM 10. :)
 
Also how much DO you need the wheelchair? Last year I used one (from the hotel and they were not in good repair). I have to limit my standing to keep from damaging a disk too much...and doctors orders were to use a wheelchair to get around. When I got to the Del Mar I would park it and then walk to a seat. But the hotel was easy. Nice elevator right there. Also a friend attends every TAM in her scooter thing. (she also pointed out airlines will fly your scooter for free, or at least they DID). I also use a wheelchair now for the airport. I will say my experience at the Vegas airport was WONDERFUL. You don't even go on that tram thingy. They have a sort of underground tunnel they take you through, so no waiting for the tram and trying to smoosh on with everyone else. Really super nice at the airport there. Also, with lunch at the hotel, I was in the wheelchair, and the staff at South Point made sure I was one of the first ones in the room. They saw me in the line (get there early) and moved me right up front. They didn't want me to get lost in the crowd. They also made sure I had a good seat. My daughter did get me my food (standing in the long line). This year I'll need to find someone to do that for me as she isn't coming. The Coronado restaurant was lovely with the wheelchair also. And I ate there with Robert Lancaster and they were lovely to him also. They just move the tables about and make sure you are fine. Don't know about the other places.
 
kittynh said:
Also how much DO you need the wheelchair? Last year I used one (from the hotel and they were not in good repair). I have to limit my standing to keep from damaging a disk too much...and doctors orders were to use a wheelchair to get around. When I got to the Del Mar I would park it and then walk to a seat. But the hotel was easy. Nice elevator right there. Also a friend attends every TAM in her scooter thing. (she also pointed out airlines will fly your scooter for free, or at least they DID). I also use a wheelchair now for the airport. I will say my experience at the Vegas airport was WONDERFUL. You don't even go on that tram thingy. They have a sort of underground tunnel they take you through, so no waiting for the tram and trying to smoosh on with everyone else. Really super nice at the airport there. Also, with lunch at the hotel, I was in the wheelchair, and the staff at South Point made sure I was one of the first ones in the room. They saw me in the line (get there early) and moved me right up front. They didn't want me to get lost in the crowd. They also made sure I had a good seat. My daughter did get me my food (standing in the long line). This year I'll need to find someone to do that for me as she isn't coming. The Coronado restaurant was lovely with the wheelchair also. And I ate there with Robert Lancaster and they were lovely to him also. They just move the tables about and make sure you are fine. Don't know about the other places.
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I am glad to hear your experience in Vegas and the South Point was generally so positive. :)

JoeyH, hope to meet/see you there for TAM X!
 
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JoeyH said:
Thanks, will do!

Just a friendly reminder that what looks and sounds like accessibility to able-bodied folk doesn't necessarily work well for those it's designed for. (I have some good comedy on that point from my years as a sign-language interpreter.) Hence my seeking to chat with those who have experienced it themselves -- it's nothing personal.

(Also some things like the Del Mar wouldn't in fact be a problem due to my particular level of mobility.)

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far! All this visualizing of the hotel and conference areas is making me wish I could be at TAM 10. :)
Click to expand...

Oh absolutely, just thought I'd mention it seemed quite accommodating that way from my perspective, but I can imagine it could be quite different.
 
JoeyH said:
Thank you to everyone who has responded so far! All this visualizing of the hotel and conference areas is making me wish I could be at TAM 10. :)
Click to expand...

Hang on... so you're not going to be at TAM? Man... I was hoping I'd get to see you again.
 
Kitty, thanks so much for that rundown! We'd most likely drive again to avoid dealing with the airport (it's not a bad drive from L.A.). I'm also glad to hear you had a great experience.

xinit said:
Hang on... so you're not going to be at TAM? Man... I was hoping I'd get to see you again.
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Oops, thought I mentioned that in my OP. Yeah, 10 is not feasible for financial & other reasons. Not ruling out 11...

ExMinister said:
Oh absolutely, just thought I'd mention it seemed quite accommodating that way from my perspective, but I can imagine it could be quite different.
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And I appreciate your taking the time to mention it. :)
 
Southpoint Hospitality

I always drop in to the office of the event managers (when it's obvious they have a minute or two just to chat), and I found the folks at Southpoint to be very conscious of the event as it happened, and concerned about making sure that everyone enjoyed it. I have also found the TAM staff helpful, but they're trying to make a zillion people happy at once. So if for any reason the TAM folks don't respond to your needs, just go check with one of the Southpoint personnel, and I'll bet all would be well. Steve Bauer, Portland OR USA
 
As others have mentioned, there is an elevator to the meeting area. The hallway outside the ballroom is very wide. The JREF is hiring a professional event management company again this year, and they should be ready to help anyone that needs it.

As for crowds of inattentive skeptics, I'll mention that if you have spiked tires, people will rush to get their toes out of your way!
 
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