[sudo-discuss] [omni-discuss] [omni-building] Accessibility Liaison?

Tue Apr 21 11:27:06 PDT 2015

I think there is room for some compromise here. I don't think it is
feasible to make the Omni a completely chemical-free zone, and we will
likely always need to have a different level of expected chemical use for
CCL, Sudo, MPM and Rise Above. But we may be able to ban the use of incense
and spraying perfume in the rest of the building, adopt a list of
recommended cleaning materials, switch out all the paints and dry erase
markers to low-VOC ones, and prioritize improving ventilation in the rooms
that do use chemicals.

I know in the past, I've occasionally walked over to Sudo to tell them to
let us know if some of the chemicals we were using were bothering anyone.
But we've also had a number of people who've been having a great time
extracting essential oils from plants, and we've taught lotion and soap
making classes in which essential oils were used...

Patrik

On Tue, Apr 21, 2015 at 10:52 AM, niki <niki.shelley at gmail.com> wrote:

> Ok. I will write her back and tell her that because not every person who
> enters the doors of the Omni is able to occupy a place of absolutely pure
> ideological perfection, we will not be addressing these issues in any
> meaningful way.
>
> N
>
> On Sun, Apr 19, 2015 at 10:31 PM, Ryan <yandoryn at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> It's not just one person or one situation. And it's not always in an
>> aggressive way. And it's not just an issue of not caring (although I have
>> experienced that). It's an issue of feasibility.
>>
>> I've heard snowball arguments. I know that Material Print Machine tries
>> their hardest to be chemically sensitive but cannot function without some
>> volatile chemicals that can cause problems.
>>
>> If we got some serious ventilation going on, maybe we'd be able to deal
>> with CCL and sudo. But the 3D printers could be an issue.
>>
>> And the few times I've tried to broach this subject, I have hit hard
>> walls. I've also had a lot of support. But I've also heard a lot of people
>> basically say "it'd be too hard to care about such a small minority."
>>
>> I just think that anyone who is going to be dealing with this at the Omni
>> needs to know that not everyone is on board and that they're going to hear
>> some really insensitive stuff. From people you might not expect. My request
>> to have the Omni ban simply *spraying of perfume in the space* left me
>> in tears about ready to leave the space because of reactions like this from
>> many members.
>>
>> I did have a specific issue with one member who I try not to interact
>> with now, who followed me out and proceeded to become aggressive and tell
>> me I can't survive in the real world, but that was handled for the most
>> part. That's not the issue, though.
>>
>> I don't know. My brain isn't really functioning well (brain fog yay) but
>> I think anyone dealing with accessibility at the Omni, especially things
>> people are less versed in than physical (which is bad enough to deal with)
>> should be well aware that while some people may be totally on board, there
>> are some people who are solidly against.
>>
>> On Sun, Apr 19, 2015 at 10:21 PM, Laura Turiano <scylla at riseup.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>  I would like to know who said that, Ryan, so that we can have a
>>> conversation with them about their attitude.
>>>
>>> Laura
>>>
>>>
>>> On 4/19/15 8:09 PM, Ryan wrote:
>>>
>>> The consistent reaction I've gotten from the community at large is "We
>>> don't actually care about people with chemical sensitivities and would
>>> actively block any attempts to make the space more accessible to those with
>>> respiratory problems who are 'asking too much.'"
>>>
>>>  So, it might be best to be honest with her, rather than pretend like
>>> the Omni is actually going to actively work to be accessible.
>>>
>>>  Sorry if this sounds pessimistic, but eh.
>>>
>>> On Sun, Apr 19, 2015 at 8:06 PM, niki <niki.shelley at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hello friends,
>>>>
>>>>  Someone came in today who was very concerned with our efforts to make
>>>> our space truly accessible - she was particularly concerned with building
>>>> improvements and the impact on those with chemical sensitivities. She was
>>>> also concerned with the sound system at today's event as there were some
>>>> issues w/it that made it difficult for people to hear.
>>>>
>>>>  She asked us to not use any materials that will inhibit those with
>>>> chemical sensitivities from accessing the space and to create communication
>>>> around our accessibility and needs.
>>>>
>>>>  She asked to see our plan for how we will do this. We don't have this
>>>> scoped out currently and I'm wondering if someone would be willing to take
>>>> on the task of researching this issue and making recommendations to the
>>>> building Working Group as well as drawing up a basic outline for providing
>>>> greater accessibility.
>>>>
>>>>  Can someone volunteer for this?
>>>>
>>>>  xo
>>>>
>>>>  N
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> discuss at lists.omnicommons.org
>>>> https://omnicommons.org/lists/listinfo/discuss
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
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