View Single Post
  #31   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 26-02-2010, 21:36
ChrisH's Avatar Unsung FIRST Hero
ChrisH ChrisH is offline
Generally Useless
FRC #0330 (Beach 'Bots)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Rookie Year: 1998
Location: Hermosa Beach, CA
Posts: 1,229
ChrisH has a reputation beyond reputeChrisH has a reputation beyond reputeChrisH has a reputation beyond reputeChrisH has a reputation beyond reputeChrisH has a reputation beyond reputeChrisH has a reputation beyond reputeChrisH has a reputation beyond reputeChrisH has a reputation beyond reputeChrisH has a reputation beyond reputeChrisH has a reputation beyond reputeChrisH has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Handicapped or not

EVERY field comes equiped with a ramp designed to raise the eyelevel of a person who for whatever reason cannot see over the player station front wall. While it is called the "wheel chair ramp" I do not believe that is the official designation. I was not able to find plans for it with the field drawings, (which would include the official name) though it is considered field equipment.

Since it is field equipment it is available to anyone who needs it. I would not specify that it has to be used by a wheel chair-bound person. I will courageously omit the customary deferal to the GDC for final ruling. This one is a no-brainer to me and we shouldn't waste their time, unless somebody should think it is somehow "unfair" to use it as intended.

As an FTA who has had to keep track of these heavy beasts (and make sure it doesn't miss the truck), I'd sure like to see one used for once. I will admit to querying teams as to whether they thought they might need it and then quietly making it disappear into a hard to miss but out of the way place, when they answer in the negative. Every FTA's second-worst nightmare is leaving that beast behind during load-out. It would REALLY be a pain to ship to the next stop. So while it has most probably been at all your events, you might not have been aware of it. It is big and awkward and gets in the way, so we hide it.

My advice is to get with the FTA at your event(s) and see if the provided ramp will work. This can be done while the field is not in use, and is the sort of thing he is there for. If it works then everybody is happy, if not you'll need to work something else out anyway.
__________________
Christopher H Husmann, PE

"Who is John Galt?"
Reply With Quote