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"What in the World Do I
Call Them?"
The Correct Way to
Address GLBTI
Couples After They
Have Been Married
(8/20/2004)
Call Them?"
The Correct Way to
Address GLBTI
Couples After They
Have Been Married
(8/20/2004)
Considerations for
Wedding Ceremonies
and Special Events
Provisions for
Disabled/Physically
Challenged Persons
Wedding Ceremonies
and Special Events
Provisions for
Disabled/Physically
Challenged Persons
Similarities Between
GLBTI and Traditional
Ceremonies
GLBTI and Traditional
Ceremonies
Upcoming
Features
The Plight of the Day
Tripper:
For Visitors to Key West:
An Issue No More
By David Siegel
Guest Writer
Features
The Plight of the Day
Tripper:
For Visitors to Key West:
An Issue No More
By David Siegel
Guest Writer
How To Apply For A
Loan With Your
Same-Sex Partner
Courtesy of eHow.com
Loan With Your
Same-Sex Partner
Courtesy of eHow.com
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Considerations for Wedding Ceremonies and Special Events
Provisions for Disabled/Physically Challenged Persons---
The savvyplanners.com Approach
By
MW Savant, CEO
savvyplanners.com
With the input and requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, implemented/championed by
Justin Dart), one might presume that the needs of the disabled, relative to GLBTI ceremony provisions, are
already met. According to Census 2000, 49.7 million people found themselves dealing with some type of
long-lasting condition or disability. The accessibility issues are in fact addressed for the most part, however,
what about the fine points? To me , it is far more than a curb cut, ramp, lift or some other necessary, but
inanimate, object or tool. The "human" component cannot be ignored.
Buildings, venues, vehicles and such can be in compliance. I am referring to the specific needs of the
disabled person. On the wedding day, ANY person is under a certain degree of stress or concern. This is
natural. For some physically challenged persons, there is the constant concern about proximity to rest
rooms, unobstructed access to same--- privacy, dignity…Basic human requirements.
Having disabled persons on our team gives savvyplanners.com a rare and intimate opportunity to
recognize, identify, satisfy and anticipate these needs--- what a great privilege! The same rights apply to all
disabled persons including those seeking a same-sex marriage (the term I prefer: GLBTI Wedding). Actually I
prefer the term wedding. Period. Equal is just that.
Some things that have come to our attention are distances, pathways from place to place, thought-out
placement and location of event components, venue to venue transport...there are so many. We think
ahead, on behalf of the client that has special needs. This is not to condescend. There is nothing wrong
with making certain that each guest and client has the opportunity to experience and enjoy events with a
minimum of inconvenience or discomfort. It is also important to me that the guest feels as much a "guest" as
every other ---not a mollycoddled, incapable person. This brings me back to the dignity issue. It disturbs me
when I see the disabled something of which an "attraction" be made, if you will.
What do we do? ANTICIPATE!!!!!! Think about what situations COULD arise and develop contingencies and
alternatives. WE DO NOT, however, presume to know what is best for this guest. We ASK the guest what
they need, want and prefer. Not to be graphic, however, there are some issues that are germane to the
disabled. We discretely carry items, tools, personal care items and such. We pay determined attention to
monitoring the signals of our disabled guests. We make certain to maintain DISTANT and discrete visual
contact with these guests, throughout the event, so that they do not have to ”seek” our attention or
assistance nor ever feel "monitored" or having a "babysitter". We can, however, respond in moments. It is
our goal that others are unaware of our guest's issue. Discretion is an art form. I demand it for all our guests
and clients.
We remember that, though a person may have a disability, the input of needs and desires is paramount ---
and that they as adults have every right to make those determinations. The basic answer is to be
anticipatory, thoughtful, aware, sensitive, informed, willing and prepared.
Our goal is comfort and ease, no matter how a guest arrives, in what mode, with whatever needs or
requirements. It is no more difficult to make assurances and efforts to secure client/guest comfort. Thinking
ahead, being savvy and having a plan...this is the key to client care in general.
To serve our fellow human is a privilege and an honor. We are supposed to take good care of our fellow
human beings, no? I feel it bears restating:
All people want to be treated with dignity.
Good Luck and congratulations!!!
Provisions for Disabled/Physically Challenged Persons---
The savvyplanners.com Approach
By
MW Savant, CEO
savvyplanners.com
With the input and requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, implemented/championed by
Justin Dart), one might presume that the needs of the disabled, relative to GLBTI ceremony provisions, are
already met. According to Census 2000, 49.7 million people found themselves dealing with some type of
long-lasting condition or disability. The accessibility issues are in fact addressed for the most part, however,
what about the fine points? To me , it is far more than a curb cut, ramp, lift or some other necessary, but
inanimate, object or tool. The "human" component cannot be ignored.
Buildings, venues, vehicles and such can be in compliance. I am referring to the specific needs of the
disabled person. On the wedding day, ANY person is under a certain degree of stress or concern. This is
natural. For some physically challenged persons, there is the constant concern about proximity to rest
rooms, unobstructed access to same--- privacy, dignity…Basic human requirements.
Having disabled persons on our team gives savvyplanners.com a rare and intimate opportunity to
recognize, identify, satisfy and anticipate these needs--- what a great privilege! The same rights apply to all
disabled persons including those seeking a same-sex marriage (the term I prefer: GLBTI Wedding). Actually I
prefer the term wedding. Period. Equal is just that.
Some things that have come to our attention are distances, pathways from place to place, thought-out
placement and location of event components, venue to venue transport...there are so many. We think
ahead, on behalf of the client that has special needs. This is not to condescend. There is nothing wrong
with making certain that each guest and client has the opportunity to experience and enjoy events with a
minimum of inconvenience or discomfort. It is also important to me that the guest feels as much a "guest" as
every other ---not a mollycoddled, incapable person. This brings me back to the dignity issue. It disturbs me
when I see the disabled something of which an "attraction" be made, if you will.
What do we do? ANTICIPATE!!!!!! Think about what situations COULD arise and develop contingencies and
alternatives. WE DO NOT, however, presume to know what is best for this guest. We ASK the guest what
they need, want and prefer. Not to be graphic, however, there are some issues that are germane to the
disabled. We discretely carry items, tools, personal care items and such. We pay determined attention to
monitoring the signals of our disabled guests. We make certain to maintain DISTANT and discrete visual
contact with these guests, throughout the event, so that they do not have to ”seek” our attention or
assistance nor ever feel "monitored" or having a "babysitter". We can, however, respond in moments. It is
our goal that others are unaware of our guest's issue. Discretion is an art form. I demand it for all our guests
and clients.
We remember that, though a person may have a disability, the input of needs and desires is paramount ---
and that they as adults have every right to make those determinations. The basic answer is to be
anticipatory, thoughtful, aware, sensitive, informed, willing and prepared.
Our goal is comfort and ease, no matter how a guest arrives, in what mode, with whatever needs or
requirements. It is no more difficult to make assurances and efforts to secure client/guest comfort. Thinking
ahead, being savvy and having a plan...this is the key to client care in general.
To serve our fellow human is a privilege and an honor. We are supposed to take good care of our fellow
human beings, no? I feel it bears restating:
All people want to be treated with dignity.
Good Luck and congratulations!!!