Incident at Signature Theatre today..... — Page 2

Even if they aren't legally permitted to touch patrons, I don't understand why they think they couldn't have at least offered to have someone give her direction vocally while walking along at speed that would have been comfortable for her under such conditions. Sure, that's not ideal when compared to the offering of an arm for guidance, but it's appalling that they're trying to justify taking no action at all.

Updated On: 6/1/16 at 06:42 PM

I am sick of hearing companies that think Disabled people are not humans or 2nd tier citizens , They deserve equity and being treated as humans.



Iluvtheatre please write to them and the head person as well as a government body, Totally unacceptable behavior of a major theatre company.

The theatre is in the process of making amends. Let s not get overly crazy, and give them at least a bit of time to respond. ( And, NO, I m not making excuses for whatevet happened. )

Bunnie is right. Let's not start petitioning or boycotting. This all went down around 5:30 at the end of an office day for their staff. I would like to see how they respond tomorrow once they've had time to gather. I just hope they use this as a learning experience.

I am a frequent audience member there because I respect the work they do. Today was a disappointment. Let's wait and see.

Reminds you of the Seinfeld finale a little, doesn't it?

So disappointing but not surprising. Although there are many many wonderful ushers and people who do everything they can to help people with disabilities, there are always people who aren't willing to extend even the simplest human gesture. Please do take this higher if you can! reach out to their sponsors, post on twitter, Facebook, reach out to journalists and theater professionals, the show's producers and team, etc.

Even though the House Manager didn't have to touch this woman to assist her, I'm not sure if I buy the touching excuse. I often was a volunteer usher, and we were always told that if there was someone who needed help to get the House Manager, since they were insured and we weren't. So I'm not sure if I buy that no one could offer any assistance to this patron based solely on that.

I could never live with myself if I were to refuse assistance to someone in need, especially when the need for assistance is as reasonable as the one described.

I could never work for or support an organization that would discourage me as an employee from assisting someone who is blind.

bunnie3 said: "Yes. (To Cupid)."

Thanks for clarifying. I'm looking forward to seeing how they address this.

The ushers at Signature are volunteers, and therefore can't really be expected to do much, but the house managers are not. I hope they take your complaint seriously.

I'm sure you're right. Was just clarifying because others keep saying "ushers."

Updated On: 6/1/16 at 10:02 PM

ChiTheaterFan said: "I'm guessing the issue isn't touching in a battery sense (which yes has to be unwanted) it's a civil liability concern. It's not that it's illegal to touch them; it's that if they try to help and while helping the person falls and gets hurt, the person may claim negligence and sue. If you do nothing there's not that risk. (Same reason people certified in CPR used to be afraid to help before most states enacted Good Samaritan laws.). So it's probably not illegal but is probably not technically permitted by the theater (or more accurately the insurance company). They put those policies in place to cover their asses but I'm sure many ushers disregard them to help someone in need. "

I work on house staff (not a volunteer, but not upper management either) at a touring venue and can confirm this is the policy at our theater and probably many others. The training we receive (and have to renew every year) specifies that we are not supposed to physically assist patrons, but instead have someone in their party do it. We can technically be written up if we break this policy because of the legal liability involved.

That said, the way the OP describes Dawn's treatment is despicable. There are a myriad of ways house staff can assist a patron- many of which have already been mentioned in this thread- that do not violate liability laws and preserve the dignity of the patrons involved. I have also seen so many kind patrons who have stepped in even before a staff member can get there and offered a hand to a complete stranger. There are always ways to help, regardless of official restrictions. Alas, there are just as many ways to wiggle out of doing anything beyond the bare minimum, and that appears to be what happened here