[Noisebridge-discuss] ADA Access for the future Noisebridge
jim
jim at well.com
Wed Feb 28 03:33:45 UTC 2018
+1 and thank you.
On 02/28/2018 01:38 AM, jarrod hicks wrote:
> I think people outside of our Slack are effectively excluded from full
> participation in our location searching, since that is where the
> collaboration is being done. We aren't having new-space meetings and
> updates regarding the search aren't really going out to the discussion
> list or wiki. (I've certainly failed in this regard) I think the last
> new space meeting was in December and it was Kevin who put the notes
> on discuss.
>
> It may help us move forward better as a whole if we get more of the
> new space discussion here instead of on, or in addition to, Slack.
>
> We could start individual threads for the promising locations or other
> discussion threads using a somewhat standard subject line like:
> " - address or subject" for easy searching and filtering
>
>
> On Tue, Feb 27, 2018 at 4:05 PM, kprichard <kprichard at gmail.com
> <mailto:kprichard at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> Hi Zach,
>
> *_"Is equal access for all a fundamental part of Noisebridge's
> mission?"_*
>
>
> It is! Nobody should be prevented from coming to Noisebridge
> because of disability. Accessibilty is one of the top criteria
> when we talk about when a space is being presented.
>
> In the nearly eight years since Noisebridge moved into 2169#3,
> market rents have literally quadrupled. Imagine a Noisebridge
> where we're paying four times our current rent, Zach.
>
> Philanthropist & membership dues would be $320, not $80! That
> would leave Noisebridge inaccessible to most, if not all. (That's
> more than double TechShop's old rates, without all their equipment.)
>
> To deal with that, we expanded our search to include spaces that
> are not *currently* ADA accessible, because-
> a) they fit our extremely limited size/location/price nexus (being
> only 2-2.5 times more money), AND
> b) we feel there's a good chance those spaces can be upgraded to
> accomodate everyone.
>
> Note that I said "not currently ADA accessible." Of the two
> spaces on the table today, one is at least 90% compatible (and
> easily brought up to 100%), and the other has a big hurdle
> (stairs) which the landlord might be willing to help us overcome
> (I am waiting on an answer). And remember that we have talented
> people with architecture and construction skills in our membership.
>
> *"I know finding an accessible space is going to be really, really
> hard.I do ask that people really try though.That includes
> educating ourselves around access and including disabled people in
> the search and in the conversation."
> *
> A perfect space meeting Noisebridge's accessibility, size, price,
> location needs will not just fall into our laps. You can help
> Noisebridge by joining the hunt and finding some spaces which fits
> our needs.
>
> Try loopnet.com <http://loopnet.com> and sfbay.craigslist.org
> <http://sfbay.craigslist.org>, those seem to be the two main
> services where industrial and flex properties get listed. Our
> current criteria-
>
> 1. Accessibility: ground floor with wide doors, accessible
> bathrooms, and/or an elevator if not ground or if multi-floor (or
> potential to be made accessible)
> 2. Price: the current rent is around $9.50/sqft/year, and we'd
> like to keep it under $24/yr
> 3. Location: consensus is to be within 10-15 minutes of BART and
> major bus lines (that excludes Dogpatch, Bayview, Hunters Point etc)
> 4. Size: 4,000 square feet, or more
>
> When you prioritize all four criteria equally, the number of
> vacant spaces falls to zero. If we expand the search to spaces
> that we or the landlord can modify for accessibility, we get a
> handful. Or, at least we *did* get a handful, but now the market
> appears to have dried up. Prices are rising, and vacancies are
> vanishing as tech firms continue to flood San Francisco. That's
> why the two spaces on the table are not perfect.
>
> Call brokers and ask if they know about spaces meeting our
> criteria! The more people who are involved in the hunt, the more
> chances we have at surviving this fall.
>
> We're on your side, man! Join us in the search! Don't fight your
> fellow Noisebridgers -- fight NB's impending doom at the hands of
> the most nefarious villain of all, The Market. :)
>
> Best,
> Kevin
>
> On Tue, Feb 27, 2018 at 3:09 PM, Zach R <organicunity at hotmail.com
> <mailto:organicunity at hotmail.com>> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> It was recently brought to my attention that the search
> for a new Noisebridge home has included many (perhaps solely)
> inaccessible places.Meaning, the future Noisebridge would not
> allow me, or anyone else in a wheelchair, walker, etc. to
> enter.This would eliminate me from being part of the community
> entirely.
>
> Now, I know the search for a new place is very rough, rents
> are exorbitant, and I would not want to stand in the way of
> Noisebridge continuing to exist.But I think there needs to be
> a huge shift in the effort being put towards finding
> accessible spaces.I have some ideas listed below.But first, I
> want to pose a question to the community because I get
> different answers / opinions from different people:
>
> /_
> _/
>
> *_Is equal access for all a fundamental part of Noisebridge's
> mission?_*
>
> I don't know the answer to that question, but I think it is a
> good one to talk about among the community.
>
> Now, as far as an actual sincere effort to searching for an
> accessible space.Here are some suggestions:
>
> * *Include disabled people in this conversation and ask them
> about their needs* -this is very important.Please don't
> assume what people's needs are.Please include some
> disabled people in the closed-circle Noisebridge building
> search.
>
> * Call and ask the landlord exactly what accessibility looks
> like.How many steps are there?What is the size of the
> door, gate, etc?How narrow / wide are hallways and entry
> areas?Is there a large single-occupancy bathroom? What is
> the slope of the entry way?Is there a working
> elevator?Relay this information to disabled members for
> feedback and input /_before_/ going to a space, taking
> pictures, and getting really attached to it.
>
> * Reach out to organizations and do an internet search for
> accessibility options, and laws around construction and
> such.You, yes, /you/ can actually step up to do some of
> this research.Call:
>
> /Senior Disability Action (https://sdaction.org/(415) 546-1333
> <tel:%28415%29%20546-1333>)/
>
> /ILRC (https://www.ilrcsf.org/ (415) 543-6222
> <tel:%28415%29%20543-6222>)/
>
> or similar places to ask for advice.
>
> I want to be clear that I don't expect to be a part of
> Noisebridge come August.I know finding an accessible space is
> going to be really, really hard.I do ask that people really
> try though.That includes educating ourselves around access and
> including disabled people in the search and in the conversation.
>
> I plan on attending the meeting tonight (which hopefully
> happens) in case anyone wants to discuss this stuff with me.I
> do ask however, that you do not vent your frustrations on me.I
> do not want to be the scapegoat for San Francisco's problems
> with ADA access and high rents.As the most active
> wheelchair-using member of Noisebridge I have had to work
> overtime educating people about access, ableism, and
> advocating for myself.It's exhausting.I am just trying to be a
> part of the community and I hope everyone can understand and
> respect that.
>
>
> Thanks for reading this and taking the time to care about
> these issues. I look forward to our conversation and growth
> as a community together.
>
> -Zach
>
>
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