John wrote
"Is it possible the organisers asked the notsofleetoffoot***
participants their preferences?"
***Is that another perfect example of "hyper-novelty of language"?
(which of course, doesn't exist); or what?
"Asking" means 2 different things, if tne option of providing a fully
equal experience for the award recipient is (A) not even on the
table..... due tot he barriers in the design of the auditorium....
compared with, (B.) if it is on the table.
If the situation is B, then asking is good consideration, nothing more.
If the enrironmental situation is A, then asking takes on a devious
political meaning-- it sets up one of those situations in which they can
defend any inequity by saying "But s/he 'chose' to get the award that
way." (Yah, but 'chose' from what list of available options?)
Using the word "choice" in situations where the person really did not
have much, or any (as in "you might choose to go to another Health
Maintenance Organisation", or you "choose" to work somewhere and don't
need any legal rights, because you can always "choose" to work somewhere
else...) is at least in the US, currently a centerpiece of right-wing
rhetoric.
The way you word the question, did they ask the (disabled) participants,
implies that this subset of participants is one they have a list of.
Since most disabilities are invisible, they couldn't have any such list
unles they had somehow done a survey... and therefor could only "ask" by
asking every nominee.
But again, if (hypothetical; we don't know this, and this is point is
limited to certain mobility disabilities for the moment) -- the stage
has no accessibility from it's front, then they'd be essentially asking:
"Do you want inferior option B, or inferior option C."
I'd say: "I'll take Equal Option A, do whatever it takes to get me on
that stage with as little "additional" delay as possible."
(Such as: install a lift near the center of stage, and seat me and my
party close to it. And, I promise I won't thank the staff at the Spago
Restaurant.)
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