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Originally posted by DJWickham
Prejudiced people don't think they are prejudiced. They can calmly and rationally discuss their point of view, but it usually is based on the belief that all [whatever] are the same. If we can't see a disabled person as an individual and see past the crutches and the wheelchair, we are prejudiced.
Umpires can take a leading role in this world. Rather than make a ruling based on fear and assumption ("no crutches on my field"), the umpire can make a ruling based on the law. ("Coach, we need to have the league or association perform an individualized assessment of your abilities and the risks of any injury before I can let you on my field.")
It's up to each of us to decide what to do. But, umpires who believe they are above the law won't be umpiring in the future. No league or association can afford to carry those who won't or can't follow the ADA.
Ok let's switch it around a bit. If a disabled person can coach on the bases then why can't a disabled person umpire a game?
What would the coaches reactions be if they saw a PU in a wheelchair or cructhes calling balls / strikes behind Home Plate? How about a BU in a wheelchair and/or crutches on the base-paths?
How long would any coaches association put up with this?
If we are going to allow a disabled coach to be involved in live ball activity then we have to allow disabled umpires to umpire a game otherwise we would be discriminating against umpires using your argument.
As I mentioned earlier, we are not saying to the disabled individual You can't be involved at all . We are saying let's use precaution, just as if a disabled umpire were allowed to umpire a game.
Pete Booth
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Peter M. Booth
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