[dtengineering]

This is an interesting question that resounds well outside the rather narrow parameters of an FRC competition. As a reasonably large person (6'4", 225lbs) I enjoy the benefits of being tall, but also really appreciate it when people make compensation for my size, for example when airlines have moved me to an exit row or bulkhead seat for a long flight without making me pay for it.

We also have rules in several sports requiring "ballasting" to bring competitors up to a certain minimum weight limit. When we ran electrathon races here in BC we used to require ballasting to bring the average weight of a team's drivers up to 135lbs. Heavier drivers were still at a disadvantage, but there was at least some form of compensation to recognize that grade 8's had an inherent mass advantage over grade 12's.

In this case, I doubt anyone would have a problem with the principle of setting a "minimum eye height" for drivers, so that unusually short drivers -- regardless of a diagnosis of a medical condition -- could raise their line of sight to allow them to compete, but I get the sense there may be some challenge in the practice of doing so, particularly around tripping and falling hazards presented by the platforms used to elevate the drivers. This is where the concept of "reasonable accomodation" comes in to play... if it can be done within the contraints of organizing a safe and successful competition, then it should be done. But I suspect that FIRST has already considered this and would have good reasons for not allowing such accomodation.... but would also bet that they would love to have a proposal put forward as to how they could adapt their rules to include shorter drivers in next year's game.

Although it won't help with the line of sight issue, however, I do want to make the suggestion that using handheld (Xbox) controllers rather than joysticks removes the constraint of working from the shelf height, and also allows drivers to move around a bit during the match, resulting in an enhanced ability to view the field. We stopped using joysticks a few years ago.

Jason

P.S. I do have to take some issue with the suggestion that we should not compensate for disadvantages, particularly when the disadvantages are beyond the control of the individual or team in question and unrelated to the goals of the game. In hockey or basketball, well... if you're small you'd better be quick. They are physical games. But in FIRST, I want our team to win by being smart and working hard... not by being taller than our opponents.