SHOWBIZ EXPO DISCRIMINATES!Showbiz Expo is a great public event for people of all demographics and backgrounds in the entertainment world, striving to enhance oneself - whether for professional or personal advancement, find jobs, meet people, exchange or collect ideas or new developments, or simply looking for the latest trades or information.
When citizens like myself and others signed up for Showbiz Expo to attend workshops and shows floor, the first thing that comes to mind is: Accessibility. We'd contact them and request to be accommodated for the workshops we wanted to attend that we paid for.
It's that simple.
We didn't think we'd have to fight. Largely, because I've attended Showbiz Expo in Los Angeles TWICE in the late 1990's and TWICE in NY. They have provided accommodations for me without a hassle.
The initiate request for accommodation was placed by telephone two weeks before the event. A week later, a couple of followups by email. Therefore, Showbiz Expo had time to look for accommodation. Usually, it takes two weeks advance notice to request for an ASL interpreter from a website, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
As the time got closer, and we didn't hear back from them with a confirmation whether we were established. The workshops we wanted to attend were set and they had the time and the dates. Within three days before the event, we got a respond from someone that they will not be able to provide accommodation for us. They told us to bring our own interpreters! Well, what happens if we brought our own interpreters, will they PAY for their time? The answer is, NO! It goes both way, they are professionals certified interpreters, hired to work! Duh! They got the nerve to insinuate this to us. Wow, that was indeed a slap in the face, downright discrimination.
Showbiz Expo's headline on their website reads: "Film, Stage & Showbiz Expo is a five-star event that brings EVERYONE IN THE SHOW BUSINESS TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF."
Everyone together under one roof? Isn't that a joke? This doesn't include Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people, who are actors, performers, filmmakers, models, business owners, etc.!
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Here's a written note from a Zach from Showbiz Expo:
Hi Jade,
Thank you for contacting us regarding your request that the Expo provide you with an interpreter during our event this coming Sunday. We have considered your request very seriously and at length, and have been diligently working on ways to accommodate you and others whom you have indicated have similar needs. However, due both to the timing and the breadth of your request, we have determined that unfortunately we will be unable to provide you with an interpreter during the event, as your request presents us with an undue burden and is otherwise inconsistent with our obligations under the American with Disabilities Act. Because our workshops registration fees are only $10-$15 per attendee (with a maximum capacity of 120 attendees per workshop), it will cause an unreasonable financial strain to the Expo to provide an Interpreter for you, particularly since your request was made just several days before the event and the workshops you wish to attend are several hours apart (which would require the hiring of an interpreter or interpreters by the Expo for roughly the entire day). We also have determined that we are not in a position to provide you with an interpreter to escort you through the exhibition hall at your leisure.
We would, however, like to accommodate your needs in another manner which does not present an unreasonable burden to us. You are certainly very welcome to bring an interpreter with you during the event and we will gladly provide a complimentary seat for your interpreter during the workshops that you plan to attend and also provide a day-pass at no charge for your interpreter to escort you through the exhibition hall. We would also be happy to coordinate the logistics of such an accommodation with you and your interpreter.
Alternatively, if you decide not to attend the event (as you have already indicated may be the case in the event that we were unable to provide you with an interpreter), we will be happy to refund your registration fee in full. We also will be happy to refund the registration fee of any other registrant who decides not to attend the event because we are unable to engage an interpreter for such registrant.
We would be thrilled if you decide to join us at the event this Sunday. Please let us know which of the above alternative accommodations you prefer and we will move forthwith to provide you with such an accommodation.
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Q. What are public accommodations?
A. A public accommodation is a private entity that owns, operates, leases, or leases to, a place of public accommodation. Places of public accommodation include a wide range of entities, such as restaurants, hotels, theaters, doctors' offices, pharmacies, retail stores, museums, libraries, parks, private schools, and day care centers. Private clubs and religious organizations are exempt from the ADA's title III requirements for public accommodations.
A. A public accommodation is a private entity that owns, operates, leases, or leases to, a place of public accommodation. Places of public accommodation include a wide range of entities, such as restaurants, hotels, theaters, doctors' offices, pharmacies, retail stores, museums, libraries, parks, private schools, and day care centers. Private clubs and religious organizations are exempt from the ADA's title III requirements for public accommodations.
They knew exactly what we asked for. I find it demeaning for them to tell us to bring our own interpreters because we paid to attend the workshops. "It's like telling a crippled or wheelchair bound individual to bring their own ramp, or a blind person to leave their cane or their guide dog home." A request for accommodation like this does not happen often, and they could not simply provide accommodation just for few measly hours? They HAD to wait until the last minute to tell us the undue burden bullsh*t excuse. That never stopped them before.
I call that, cop out technique. It's unacceptable. Period.
Of course, we demanded our refunds back and they honor it. No questions asked.
With the American with Disabilities Act, which is a law, they've violated our rights for accessibility. Instead of prosecuting them, I chose to write about this experience, giving them bad publicity. So, there, they asked for it.
I've been discriminated many times, in the workplace and else where. I refused to be a victim. I am an activist who is a believer of advocating for equal access. I know my rights. I've sued and won. I used my films, visual images, my arts, my words or whatever applicable to endorse the fights for equal access or let it speaks for itself. No one should never give the perpetuators the satisfaction. Ever.
No one should be treated less of a citizen or be a victim of discrimination, EVER.
General speaking, to those who perpetuates, don't be the real victim of what I can do to your business or event: My words and my art are my weapon. Bad publicity is not something you'd want the world to hear. I don't consider myself a blogger or is a keen writer, however, I like to write about my experiences about the events that I attend in hope to provide valuable information to my supporters, followers and communities, not to mention for the ignorant, educated fools to learn something. (Sorry to be blatant, but we deal with them, EVERY DAY!) Tolerance can be very, very difficult.
"Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by education." - Bertrand Russell
So, what did they learn?
I certainly hope this is a lesson learned for Showbiz Expo, especially anyone in this business, that we do not tolerate this. I hope that Showbiz Expo do not repeat this pattern again in the future, should anyone, the disables, deaf and hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind people requesting for accommodation to gain accessibility. Learn to collaborate with us. It's not that hard.
Registration Booth at the NY Hilton Hotel.
The few workshops we registered for could have provided accessibility (ASL Interpreters) for privilege deaf folks, like Jubil, Damon and myself who could benefit.
I personally registered for: BANDS, MUSICIANS & VOCALISTS! Get Your Music Heard & Distributed! (Universal Music, SIRIUS, & More!) and Show Me The Money: The Independent's Guide to Internet Fundraising and Audience-Building.
Obviously, as an entrepreneur in the film, TV, fashion and music business, I want to learn about these stuff. I also want to understand the music industry, and connect with the panelists who may have something to contribute to the attendees.
Jubil preparing for an audition for
BROADWAY TALENT SEARCH for the following roles:
9 to 5
In The Heights
Legally Blonde National Tour
Rent National Tour
South Pacific
Wicked
The Color Purple National Tour
Catch Me If You Can
Addams Family
Spider-Man
Minsky's
Memphis
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
I attended to see some films. Of course, they
weren't captioned at all nor accessible.
Jubil getting closer to the audition room.
Just a few more lines... then she's good and ready.
We made the best of it-- not being victims of a
reputable public event discriminatory incident.
Well, to be honest with you, Showbiz Expo wasn't like it used to be. I got so bored within 30 minutes. I remember asking the floor workers if there were any other exhibitors on other floors. Attending the workshops would have been much more enlightened and informative.
However, we simply felt restricted due to lack of accommodation, providing us with ASL Interpreters.
hi my name is teyahana and i like your story keep making new ones i'll love to read them. and every time u post a story I will send u a new comment.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Teyahana. I sure will keep them coming. God bless.
ReplyDeleteJade,
ReplyDeleteYou should not give up and just simply accept a refund. You need to keep pressing them. In fact, I have encountered a similar situation at a conference in the past.
In that situation, the company that was sponsoring the event indicated they would lose money if they hired an interpreter because they were trying to keep the conference low-cost. They even sent their In-House Counsel to tell me that they would not be providing an interpreter. The attorney attempted to educate me on what the ADA covers and that they had an out because it was an undue burden.
I responded to the attorney explaining that he clearly did not read the ADA in detail. I stated that it was not my fault that they were dumb enough to not account for ADA requests when they were developing and planning for the conference. While undue hardship can be reason for a waive of requirements, it applies to the overall financial stability of the company.
As you stated, ShowbizExpo is a multi-city event with both Los Angeles and New York. Clearly, by doing that, it is a for-profit event. I knew that the company backing my conference was owned by a gentleman who was valued at $500m.
So, I explained, in order to get out of ADA requirements, you have to demonstrate that you will suffer a loss for the total of your income for the year as a company, not for the event itself. I then stated that we should probably resolve this issue in a court of law where your books are opened and we can review your financial status in a very public way.
The following morning, I got confirmation that interpreters would be provided full-time for the entire 3-day conference.
So, Jade, don't give up and let them win by simply requesting a refund. They need to be educated because unfortunately, there's too much confusion out there for what is defined as "Undue Burden." With all the sponsors and locations etc, I don't see evidence that this is an undue burden to that company.
Ahh shoot. I see the conference already happened. :-( Nevertheless, contact them again and explain their major faux pas. You still have the right of legal representation on this event as it has passed and you were robbed of your opportunity to attend.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, their delay until the last minute in responding to your accommodation proved an undue burden on your time as you had PLANNED to attend and you followed everything to the letter on proper and ample notification. They did not afford the same to you.
Hi there cutie! what, no jokes this time? I could use some here. Grin.
ReplyDeleteBryen, thanks for your comments. Yes, I agreed with you 110% what you wrote. Kudos to you for getting accommodated for the conference you attended. I'm a conference-seminar-panel-round table discussions whore. And, I'd make sure I get accommodated. I walk around with an ADA Bazooka wherever I go, and use it to my defense when needed.
I knew that Showbiz Expo didn't suffer undue burden. No doubt. I'm normally not a quitter, but I felt that I wanted to preserve and use my energy else where. To advance yourself, you need to contain your energy for bigger things life has to offer. I chose to write about it, and give them bad publicity. Nothing less, nothing more.
Will I attend their event again, no, never. I will tell others not to participate, unless I see that they will provide accommodation.
I appreciate your support.
Cheers,
Jade