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

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 6:41pm

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. 

 

But like I said, even if the usher didn't feel able to help, that doesn't excuse the lack of common courtesy and human decency in the way she spoke to the individual. 

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 6:42pm

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

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 6:46pm

They seem to think that "talking to her" is enough. I think they need to realize that it is representative of them as a company and that a formal addressment should be made on their policy. 

The whole thing was very icky. I don't wanna go after them relentlessly, but I want to know that they're taking larger steps than just speaking to her. Because until I do, I'm not seeing any of their productions. And if I see a New Group show, I will not make my usual stop to the Signature bar. 

[BroadwayPeasent]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 6:50pm

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.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 6:55pm

If you don't get traction from Michael Riedel, what about doing something like an online petition / boycott to make it clear it's not just you?  You could also reach out via Twitter to someone well known  who is an advocate for persons with disabilities and might be able to draw attention to the issue. (Marlee Matlin comes to mind. Obviously she's not visually impaired but as a Deaf advocate I believe she is actively promoting awareness of improving accessibility of theater generally.)

[bunnie3]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 7:00pm

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. )

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 7:06pm

bunnie3 said: "The theatre is in the process of making amends."

Have you corresponded with the theatre in some way?

 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 7:09pm

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. 

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 7:33pm

ChiTheatreFan, speaking as a retired attorney, if the theater is worried about liability and refuses to help and the lady falls and gets hurt, they would be held liable anyway. If I were plaintiff's counsel, I'd ask for additional, punitive damages if the theater refused to help.

Audrey

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 7:38pm

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

[emo_geek]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 7:53pm

Thank you for sharing. A terrible situation. I was a performance at the Geffen in Los Angeles and sat next to Ben Affleck. At intermission, he helped an elderly gentleman, who I believe he did not know, out of his seat all the way up the aisle and to the door. When the gentleman returned, Ben once again helped him to his seat. I've been a fan of his since. 

[lambchop2]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:01pm

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.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:04pm

A bit on the nasty side I would say. The milk of human kindness does not flow through the veins of this mental midget .

Updated On: 6/1/16 at 08:04 PM

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:10pm

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. 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:16pm

On a number of occasions, inside and outside the theater, I have been asked to assist someone who is disabled in some way and I always do what I can to assist the person in need.

Updated On: 6/1/16 at 08:16 PM

[morosco]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:19pm

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]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:20pm

Yes.  (To  Cupid).

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:24pm

bunnie3 said: "Yes.  (To  Cupid)."

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

 

[morosco]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:31pm

The Department of Justice operates a toll-free ADA Information Line to provide information and materials to the public about the requirements of the ADA.

ADA Specialists, who assist callers in understanding how the ADA applies to their situation, are available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) and on Thursday from 12:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). Calls are confidential.

To get answers to technical questions, obtain general ADA information, order free ADA materials, or ask about filing a complaint, please call:

800-514-0301 (voice);

800-514-0383 (TTY)

http://www.ada.gov/infoline.htm

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:40pm

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. 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:57pm

This was not a volunteer. She was not in all black or in a Signature shirt, and was using a headset. Most like she was the house manager for that individual theatre, as I know she isn't the head for the entire center. 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 10:02pm

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

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

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 10:11pm

Myself included, LOL! But yes, you're right. She was definitely some kind of Signature staff though.

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 10:31pm

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

 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 11:51pm

When I saw Blackbird, a visually impaired group attended the performance. The Staff at the Belasco (especially the young man in the orchestra), went above and beyond to help them. A shame this isn't a given in all theatres.