At SCF we’ve always been focused on our community of fencers, welcoming in new folks to our Intro programs, and finding common ground in the space between our foils. But until recently, the salle was not a welcoming place for people who use wheelchairs. These folks were welcomed in spirit, but there was no way for them to get in the doors. Our mission statement starts out, “SCF works to bridge barriers in our community…” We meant this figuratively, but for that to be realized, we had to mean it literally as well. Now, with the help of volunteers and a grant from Performance Health Technology of Salem to build a ramp and a new doorway, we can welcome ALL aspiring fencers.
When I first started as the executive director, Mike introduced the idea of wheelchair fencing as one of the many projects we could pursue. Like many of you, I hadn’t been aware until then that people who use wheelchairs could also fence. I asked the same questions I’ve been hearing lately: “How do they move?” “Is that a real sport?” “Are there different rules?” The more I looked into the possibility, the more exciting it seemed. Unfortunately, there were a lot of barriers – literal and figurative – and the program had to wait.
Several things coalesced to make the program a priority and finally, a reality. The Wheelchair National Championships is coming to Portland in April, and we had hoped to field a fencer or two. This probably won’t be a reality (the deadline date is March 14th), but at the very least we can bring volunteers and supporters who are familiar with wheelchair fencing. Additionally, our other programs are not only stable, but growing, so I can focus my efforts on this new program. Finally, the grants from the Reeve Foundation and phtech gave us the financial foothold to purchase equipment and pursue a builder for our frame, and Mike Pintler from Chemeketa Community College offered his support as a builder and designer.
All of this will be in vain, however, if it isn’t supported by our fencers. So far I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive support. Here are some things you can do to keep that positive energy going and to make these new folks feel welcome. Some of the pointers are specific to our program, but most are useful to know when interacting with people with disabilities anywhere you go.
Barriers
SCF is doing all we can to bring down physical barriers in and around our building to make access easier. However, it doesn’t mean much if our fencers put up their own barriers. The first step to getting in the building is having access to parking. Please do not park in the “no parking” zone, as this blocks access from the accessible spot out front to the ramp. Even if you are “only staying a few minutes,” the person who needs access doesn’t know that, and can get discouraged if they are stuck in their car, waiting for you to move. Also consider parking farther away from the building so that the closer spots that are not marked “accessible” can also be used. Our landlords only designate two accessible spots, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help us unofficially reserve the other spots for our fencers in wheelchairs.
Once inside the building, you can help us maintain barrier-free paths. This means keeping your gear out of the walkways and off the floors in the dressing rooms. Unlike traditional fencers, seated fencers need to use the fencing frame to fence safely. Please do not block the frame. Offer to set up the frame (if you know how) for fencers, and treat it with respect. It is heavy, but the moving parts are surprisingly fragile, so please be careful with it. The same goes for the wheelchairs that we have available for able-bodied fencers’ use. The wheelchairs are tools, not toys, so please treat them with respect.
Person-First language
When you are referring to a person who has a disability, use “Person first language.” This means that you emphasize the person over the disability. Instead of saying “paraplegic,” you can say, “person with paraplegia.”
Words to use or avoid
Language can be a powerful way to make someone feel either welcome or excluded. Here are some “words with dignity” you can use to make our athletes with disabilities feel welcome.
USE: Person with a disability
DON’T USE: Cripple, Invalid, Handicapped
USE: Person who has [condition]
DON’T USE: Victim of [condition], Afflicted with
USE: Non-disabled or Able-bodied
DON’T USE: Normal, Regular (Referring to non – disabled persons as “normal” insinuates that people with disabilities are abnormal.)
Other terms which should be avoided because they have negative connotations include: Abnormal, Disfigured, Palsied, Spastic, Burden, Incapacitated, Pathetic, Stricken with, Imbecile, Physically challenged, Suffer, Deformed, Maimed, Pitiful, Tragedy, Differently able, Moron, Retarded
Common courtesies when speaking to an individual with a disability
(Adapted from “Understanding Athlete Classifications and Disabilities-Media Guidelines, Sydney Paralympic Organizing Committee, Feb. 2000, as referenced in the Blaze Sport Guide)
- Do not make contact with a person’s wheelchair unless asked to do so. Assistance may be offered, but do not insist upon it. Do not grab or push a person’s wheelchair unless asked to do so.
- If possible, place yourself on the same eye level with the person in a wheelchair. Remember that it is uncomfortable for a person who is seated to look straight up for a long period.
- Act naturally and don’t monitor your every word and action. Don’t be embarrassed if you use common expressions like “see you later” (to a person who is vision impaired) or “I’d better run along” (to someone who uses a wheelchair).
- Avoid using the words listed above. Emphasize the ability and not the limitation, e.g. by saying that someone “uses a wheelchair” rather than “confined” or “is wheelchair-bound.”
- Avoid portraying athletes with a disability who succeed as “extraordinary” or “superhuman.” Overstating the achievements of athletes with a disability inadvertently suggests the original expectations were not high.
- Share the same social courtesies with people with disabilities that you would share with anyone else. If you shake hands with people you meet, offer your hand to everyone you meet, whether or not they are disabled. If the person with a disability is unable to shake your hand, he or she will tell you.
- Do not assume an athlete with a physical disability also has a hearing disability or that their mental capacity is diminished in any way. Speak in a normal tone and do not use language that is condescending. Speak directly to that person, not through a companion or parent.
Additional print resources
In doing research for this program, I came across several books that helped me understand what it means to have a disability and the history of the disability rights movement. Below are some of the titles that I recommend and a short review. Even if you don’t expect to get very involved in the program, I still recommend checking one of these out (all are available from the Salem Public Library).
- “Moving Violations” by John Hockenberry – (Memoir, Adult readers) NPR journalist Hockenberry talks about about his paraplegia, travels in the Middle East, and his family.
- “Accidents of Nature” by Harriet McBryde Johnson - (Fiction, Teens) A girl with cerebral palsy goes to summer camp and comes to question her old beliefs about her disability and look at the world in a new light.
- “Wheelchair Warrior” by Melvin Juette and Ronald Berger – (Memoir/nonfiction, Adults) Wheelchair basketball star Juette tells his story of gangs, his injury, and recovery through a sociological context with the help of Berger so that readers understand how larger social structural forces defined his experiences.
- “No Pity” by Joseph P. Shapiro – (Nonfiction, Adults) – This is a useful primer on the history of the disability rights movement from the mid-1970′s until 1993 (publishing date). In this way it is somewhat dated, but still provides an easy-to-read overview of the history and struggles of people with disabilities.
If you have any questions about this program or wheelchair fencing, please ask. We are happy to answer your questions!
