The ongoing problems with the Virginia Beach Amphitheater are a type of segregation. It does not only affect the disabled community. It affects all citizens.
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page will display people’s opinions and thoughts on the matter. Please don’t
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(Messages
posted on a Def Leppard chat board)
July
15 2006
Quick
question,
I’m
not trying to stir things up; I just thought I’d get some opinions for
research….
The
Virginia Beach Amphitheater has been frowned upon (I guess you’d say) from when
it first opened in 95 by the disabled community here. They have s-l-o-w-l-y
made the place accessible people with disabilities... but not without time in
court. Some things are still being fought over, such as accessible seating in
lawn areas.
Ok,
here’s what I’d like your opinion on: Every section does not have accessible
seating. At times I do not feel like paying the price for that section which is
accessible. For this Def Leppard show I paid for seats in the back. One section
one up from the lawn. The amphitheater staff has no choice but to move me up to
an accessible spot.
One
hand I feel guilty for doing this, but then again, it’s not my fault the
amphitheater designer and/or the city failed to comply with the ADA laws,
passed in 1990. (Americans with Disabilities Act) Every section should have a spot
for wheelchairs. I’m sure other paying ticket holders would not appreciate it
either…. here I am sitting in a better section I didn’t pay for. It’s not fair
to everybody involved.
I
got front row for the Def Leppard show. Don’t hate me. I am by no means
bragging, though it was incredible sitting in front. Phil even smiled at me a
few times! But I felt a bit guilty the whole show…it’s just the type of person
I am.
I’m
a member of a disability advocacy team. Like I said, we’ve been battling the
amphitheater for years. Not just on this one thing, but other issues too. I’d
like to hear another view about this, besides from somebody without a
disability.
_________________________
The
reply:
I
don't know exactly what your question is.
If
you're asking what my opinion would be on how you choose what price you want to
pay depending on how you feel at the moment- knowing you will be moved up front
of other people who paid more- My opinion is you know you're manipulating the
system and feel entitled to do it, blaming the amphitheater’s response in
meeting the requirements. I'm sorry they're slow but then again- you know what
you're doing - because you pick and choose when to do it.
If
you're asking for advice on how to handle your guilt which seems to bother you
during the show but not enough to stop you from doing it again- I would suggest
alleviating your guilt by paying the full price or tipping whoever wheels you
to the front with the difference. You can also choose to see shows at places,
which have the appropriate accommodations.
I'm
not sure how you can have accessible seating in lawn areas. I would imagine
spaces could be created in front of the lawn. But - if they do that- you won't
going up front anymore. So, if you really want the changes to happen - get
ready for those front row prices.
____________________________________
I’m
manipulating the system…true in one viewpoint. A system that is flawed. But I
respect your opinion *******, thank you.
Most
all concert venues now have accessible seating in every section. The majority
of concerts at the amphitheater I do pay for the accessible seating. Honest.
Why should I be locked into paying for that section at every show? Keep in mind
that price changes with the band; it’s not always the same price for that
section.
There’s
another outside amphitheater here that has accessible seating in the lawn. I
have never been there because none of the artists I’m interested in have played
there. If they ever do, I have no problem buying a $10 ticket to sit on the
lawn far away.
I
was expecting to be moved to accessible seating that night, not front row. If a
band I’d like to see, chooses this venue to play at, I have no control over
that. I’ll go to wherever they’re at, I’m not going to wait years in hoping
they’ll play at a venue that is accessible to all.