u/LegalDrummer2982

It’s a crime against humanity that 2 talented people get 1 hour to make live music for us and a press play nepobaby gets almost 2 hours for a push play set.

There I said it 🤣😭😭😭😭

This weekend I went to see Mayan Warrior. I was hyped. Got there, got through security, got my ticket scanned, everything smooth.

Then I rolled up to the entrance and hit an 8 inch+ curb.

For context, I drive a 500 lb power wheelchair. That's not a "just pop a wheelie" situation. That's not a "grab a friend and lift" situation. That curb wasn't going anywhere, and neither was I.

I flagged someone down and explained the obvious: there is no ADA entrance here. The response was basically "oh shoot, we didn't think about that." Which, fair enough for the person standing in front of me, they didn't design the event. But someone did. Someone walked this site, planned this layout, and never once asked "how does a wheelchair user get in here?"

So then we waited. Production had to track down a power drill and literally uncouple a fence panel on the other side of the event just to create an opening wide enough for me to get through.

Let that sink in for a second. The fix wasn't "here's the ramp we built." The fix was "let's find a tool and dismantle part of the venue in real time" because nobody planned for this in advance.

I got in. I had a great time once I was actually inside. Production was embarrassed and owned it. But I keep sitting with how normal this is. This isn't a one off story, it's a pattern I run into constantly with events like this, and ARC. Access isn't an afterthought you solve with a drill and a fence panel, it's supposed to be part of the plan from day one.

I am coming in from LA and we love our SUGARFISH boxes of sushi to go for beach hangs and stuff. Is there such a thing anywhere near downtown or the beaches? We’re staying in Fulton market area and will be in river north most of the weekend or around the bean and museums

My 👸 and 👑 ya heard

I’m just throwing this out there for anyone with a physical disability.

ARC/Auris have been entirely radio silent to any informal and formal inquiries about the situation this year.

For some context, last year was the first year they REMOVED accessible elevated viewing at the (defunct) Elrow, 909, and Expansions stages.

The only place a person in a wheelchair or that had to sit could see was the main stage (ugh blah). I mean don’t get me wrong, some people love stay at main stage all day and no shade thrown, but I like to move around w the music and the flow of energy.

It’s incredibly disappointing to see this festival regress as a place people who have unique needs can experience a festival like anyone else without being subjected to dangerous conditions like wheelchairs ran into (in my case) or those who can’t stand long having to sit down and stare at peoples asses and not hear the music like anyone standing up.

If anyone has contacts to escalate this (we’ve already written city councilmen and park district leaders) to hopefully get some traction, I would be grateful.

Please bump this, comment, anything to help raise the noise level. I love you arc peeps

Anyone have a contact for the ADA team? Would absolutely love to work with them on improving the ADA experience for this year. Namely elevated viewing platforms for those of us in wheelchairs (no hate but I’d rather see the show them smell yall festi booty :))

Anyone have a contact for the ADA team? Would absolutely love to work with them on improving the ADA experience for this year. Namely elevated viewing platforms for those of us in wheelchairs (no hate but I’d rather see the show them smell yall festi booty :))