Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Hi Roooooooooo-ers; I am curious to know and recieve feedback from people that have attended Bonaroo.
Is Bonnaroo Disabled people friendly?
Have you had a member in your group that had a special need, if so how did Bonnaroo respond/ assist their needs?
I am researching festivals that are Disability friendly and how they are disability friendly?
Many people have responded to responses for other festivals about visible disabilities but what about the people that have hidden disabilities? anyone have any expierances? Please share them and open the doors of information for all people to be educated on the Roo expierence!
Post by belltwala1 on Feb 10, 2008 20:46:36 GMT -5
i went with someone who had some mobility issues and some breathing issues. they also become fatigued easily. i would say that one of the main barriers was for him to put up a tent. had i not been there he would have been able to do so. the heat knocked him OUT. even simple lifting really wore on him. the handicapped area is very close to roo, however, just the walking around centeroo was something he had to plan for. he had to sit down a lOT. he pretty much slept all day and then went out later at night.
he did not require any special assistance but if i were you i would inquire about anything yo might need beforehand.
it was very helpful for him to have my assistance and i didnt mind because i got to camp down front. it was a win win! you might consider finding someone who is familiar with your situation to go with you and assist you?
I just want to make it clear that I am not suggesting that I have special needs. Just that I am researching and deciphering who is and is not able to expierance the world of bliss that can be expieranced at a festival?
Particularly the level of investment (portion of profits) the promoters of such events re-invest into the "expierance' to make it available for all.
I am hoping that other "festival-ers" share their expierence so we can find a way to incorporate all people to enjoy this blissfull expierence.
I have seen raised wheelchair areas in the tents at Bonnaroo. I thought I had a picture of one, but I can't find it, but I did find this picture with a wheelchair in it near the Which Stage. I would assume this means Bonnaroo is accessible to those with special needs.
It was pretty hard to get people that go to other people to take openly about disability issues (at first) Then they realized that they had seen more or knew more disabilities than just people in whell chairs.
Andrea thanks for looking for the pictures I appreciate the effort!
My preliminary research shows that Bonnaroo is very accessible but as most research there has to be information from both sides of the fence.
I know if you really try you can remember seeing some disabilities being accomadated!
Tell me how they were accomadated?
If you have seen people struggling with out help please tell me how?
I gotta say that Bonnaroo is one "Hot" festival the people seem so connected and dedicated to the Roo' expierance.
I just need the proof that this is true to be convinced so If you got pictures of the stage areas great Post 'em!
Together we can make the Festival world and all its Bliss available for everyone, we just need to think about it. After all, disabilities know do not discriminate it can happen to anyone, a car accident , a spider bite etc.
We could find our selves in any comprimising situation such as needing a wheel chair, cruthes etc.
You might lose your hearing (gasp!) but it is true for us music lovers and artist(s) over exposure to amplified sound affects our hearing in the long run.
Please keep this thread alive! and let your spirit be seen.
It was pretty hard to get people that go to other people to take openly about disability issues (at first) Then they realized that they had seen more or knew more disabilities than just people in whell chairs.
Andrea thanks for looking for the pictures I appreciate the effort!
My preliminary research shows that Bonnaroo is very accessible but as most research there has to be information from both sides of the fence.
I know if you really try you can remember seeing some disabilities being accomadated!
Tell me how they were accomadated?
If you have seen people struggling with out help please tell me how?
I gotta say that Bonnaroo is one "Hot" festival the people seem so connected and dedicated to the Roo' expierance.
I just need the proof that this is true to be convinced so If you got pictures of the stage areas great Post 'em!
Together we can make the Festival world and all its Bliss available for everyone, we just need to think about it. After all, disabilities know do not discriminate it can happen to anyone, a car accident , a spider bite etc.
We could find our selves in any comprimising situation such as needing a wheel chair, cruthes etc.
You might lose your hearing (gasp!) but it is true for us music lovers and artist(s) over exposure to amplified sound affects our hearing in the long run.
Please keep this thread alive! and let your spirit be seen.
Namaste' Trip
My wife has MS and we stayed in accessible area. On the two main (What and Which) stages there was a huge accessible platforms on the front of the VIP seats. The tents had smaller platforms. The only problem was when the show started and the crowds where thick and trying to move to them. But a tap on the shoulder always got a person out of the way. There was a guy behind me at the Police that had CP and was unable to push himself around but had a friend with him. The guy had a blast at the show.
You will need to go to the access tent toget a bacelet to use it. The person who sets of the access area does a great job. It is on gravel and dirt and it is a long way so if one has to push themselves or have mobility issues but walking it will be hard on them. The heat is bad. But thinks to people on this board we came away with a few good plans that helped us out a lot.
I am happy to see that you and your wife were able to have access to the festival expierence.
Unfortunately there are many festivals (some smaller) that people with disabilities i.e. sight, hearing and mobility etc. Do not have the opportunity to expierence this world. If they do it is in limited fashion and they only get to see a glimpse of it.
Anyone gone with or seen hard of hearing folks (may or may not wear hearing aids) at Bonnaroo?
Wow what can I say???? My first response (in hopes that it buys me time to respond to the travels of Mr. P)
Is thank you trixpix for her continuing contributions. P.S. I saw your kindered campaign to help your freinds out in getting to roo this year with tickets.........very kind and spirit-full!
I am not sure I even know what I want to say But I think I can describe how I feel ok I'll try........Yayyyyyy Mr. P!!!
What a great way to present a story line and incorporate some the many diffrent elements of our love of festival-ing!!!!!!!
Another fine example that disabilities do not define a person's creativity.
Keep them comming guys!!!! It inspires me in the work I do and my personal project!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mantra, Please remember that I stated that it ( The subject of Accessibility to the estival expierance) is a PERSONAL PROJECT. I clarify this because it is not a "funded" project.
The results of my interest in learning how EVERYONE is given the "right of way" to the "festival expierence" is dependent and provided by the "people" or the culture of Bonnaroo. In large part that community is represented by the Inforoo board. Hence my asking for all of your feed back.
The obvious benefit is that it gets those who are fortunate enough to enjoy all aspects (full access) to an event that inevitably (?) has an over all impact on ones outlook and life, to THINK on a large scale premise.
I find that when people think about thier expierence at a festival and then think about how a person with chalenges (Disabilities) it either humbles their view or enhances their sense of community spirit.
In any event getting peole to think, invoking the concious, and promoting good will towards all our brother and sisters leaving no one behind has a a reflection of DECENCY. A word you will see is a part of my everyday verbiage.
Cupcake; Thank you for the link to the 2006/07 access guide and your contribution towards decency.
Be well and again I ask you inforoo'sters what are some of the examples you have seen people with challenges i.e. disabilities face at the Roo'.
Any presumptions out there on what challenges you might face if you had a disability while at Bonnaroo- be creative and THINK about all of the various types of disabilities (not limited to whell chair/imobility).
Be well, and bask in the evervesent glow and warmth of DECENCY, Trip
^^that would depend on the disability. The heat and the distance is one. Even if you are in access the distnace from one stage to the other is ong. But there isnt much that can be done with that. There are a few rude people but for a group of 80000 not as many as ou would think. I am unsure what you are looking for. The Bonnaroo access people are upfront about the challanges and what they can and cannot do. The person who does is wonderful. Her name is Laura and answered my emails was very responsive to our needs. Here is her website www.everyonesinvited.com/testimonials.php
^^^I love the testimonials - this year we will be availing ourselves of access camping - after my ankle surgeries - it is difficult to walk. Combine that with arthirtis in my hips and some days are misery.
I ended up with a stress fracture last year from all the walking from BFE.
^^ There are a few rude people but for a group of 80000 not as many as ou would think. I am unsure what you are looking for.
Well that is what I am loking for to find out why? 1.) ANY of those 80,000 people would be rude? 2.) In what way are they rude?
Also I am asking Roo'ers to think of their friends and family (everyone knows some one with challenges) and imagine them at the Roo' what is their disability and how might they be "challenged" to enjoy the Bliss of the Roo,?
What challenges would they face? It is clear that the terrain challenges are visible and that Ms. Grunfeld's team does a great job in this regard but
are there not many other "challenges" to over come ?
THis is why in the world of "disability" they define disabilities in two catagories - Visible and Invisibile i.e Wheel chair vs. Hard of Hearing. You can see the wheel chair person (hard to miss) but how many deaf or Hard of Hearing people are there at the Roo'?
other types of hidden "challenges" can include diabetics and the need to refridgerate medications etc.
I look forward to your continued "Making the Roo' an expierance for all"
I just wanted to say YAY I got personal pmessages and "tripped on them" (interpret as you like) and figured out the pm option.
With that said this is a serious and sensitive topic for everyone as disabilities affect EVERYONE and no one is protected from the possibility of a catastrophic event i.e. car wreck that may cause disabilities.
we all know someone close to us who has frustrations and challenges and if your aq decent person well, that affects you in many ways.
For those of you who would like to pm me with your reply IWILL KEEP YOUR REPLY CONFIDENTIAL to the best of my ability!!! and in turn I will be your voice and pose your topic or questin (content only) here for general discusion.
I worked with Laura/Access last year, and the vibe you get is really that they will do ANYTHING they can feasibly do to help you. There are special entrances for people with Access bracelets so they don't have to wait in lines, sign language-ers at the tents and stages, and accessible camping that's right between the main and side entrances on the road beside Centeroo. As long as you had medical documentation, or your condition was very obvious, you would have no problem getting a blue bracelet. Obviously Access can't bring the temperature down, but they will make it as easy as possible for people with special needs to have the times of their lives.
I have heard that Bonnaroo is really good, but then I have heard other stories as well. I believe Bonnaroo has good intention(s) no doubt. I am just offering to help those who may or may not want to speak up and ask for things. There are people with challenges that are shy or have had bad expierences else where and just gave up trying. I 'd like to help them out, anyone if I can.
By the way thanks for your work with access last year!!!!!
Post by masshysteria on Feb 16, 2008 18:17:01 GMT -5
I personally would like to see a dedicated trolley like vehicle that can go around the centeroo venue to the disabled camping area that has access to only the people with disabilities and the friends that are taking care of them. They could easily have the driver check the folks bags and such before getting on, and it would save a lot of hassle for the disabled. You also have to give thanks to the people taking care of the disabled and should receive a major mark of kudos because without those folks, a lot of times the disabled would not be able to experience something like roo.
"That's the big thing about education. People can be book smart, but not really intelligent about anything else. A lot of times they just taking in all this information and regurgitate it. It's much more important to process it and personalize it. To apply it to your world, to your life. You have to walk the walk, or you can't really report about it honestly."
on would think that would be tolerated well by the crowd. I mean disney and six flags does it. But then again this is bonnaroo not disney.
I could not agree with you more on this. It is imparitive to realize that the mobility challenged may or may not get the regular amount of physical excersize a non challenged person does on a daily basis. It is easier for them to get worn out faster due to the extremes of Bonnaroo's heat and of course air quality- dust.
Thanks for your input, keep talking about these issues and possible solutions who knows maybe some one will HEAR us.
BTW.. something to keep in mind, random fact: Para/quadriplegics often do not have the ability to sweat below where they can feel. In the bonnaroo heat this could be deadly.. so if anyone out there knows someone dealing with this who is going to roo, make sure they know to bring mist bottles!
Awsome factoid!!!! Thanks , you heard him people pass it along and make the journey and the Roo the mostbissfull expierence possible-everyone is family!!!!!!!
We camped at the accessibility area last year. It was about where the little red circle is. It was really close to the gates and the people were really helpful.
I am curious as to how long it took you to get to centeroo from the accessibility area last year.
I would also like to know if you saw anyother disabilities and if any accomadation(s) were made for them (no names please).
DO you have any suggestiongs for Roo 2008? accessibility?
It took about 5 minutes to get to the gate. My friend and his wife would go through the accessibility gate, which they had armbands for. They went right in with no wait. So, like 6-8 minutes tops for them to get into Centeroo. I had to go to the regular gate and wait in line like all the other schmoes. That was the longest part...but I'm not complaining. After all, I didn't have to walk 1/2 hour to get there.
I saw people on crutches and wheelchairs, but those were the only obvious disabilities. There is a tent for the area that is staffed with friendly people who will help you out however they can. I guess there's only so much they can do to make things easier in such a rustic situation though.
I just suggest takining your time getting there (there was plenty of room for camping in accessibility), visit the tent when you get parked so that you can get your armbands for accessibility entrance to the venue and to the special seating they provide. Pace yourself and enjoy.
I signed up to be a volunteer last year and on the volunteer form it had a section for you if you wanted to volunteer to assist folks with special needs. So, to me they try to acomadate anyway they can.
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