I’ve been watching survivor episodes on YouTube while I haven’t been particularly well. I find the show and other reality television fascinating. Originally, I thought that was because I am a self-confessed “connoisseur of human folly”. I’m now not so sure that is the reason. I like watching the dynamics between individuals; but what I think I prefer is watching people work within the rules of the shows. It seems to me that the tension between the contestants is only really tension because of the boundaries that they need to work around set by the rules.
For example, if the rules didn’t state that every three days the tribe that didn’t win immunity had to go to Tribal Council that it would not be the scrambling for votes the afternoon before Tribal Council. Nor would there be any real incentive to win the immunity challenges. The interest in bragging rights would only go so far me thinks.
Somebody vigilant also needs to be monitoring these rules with a big enough stick, or carrot and the authority to enforce the rules. In an episode I was watching yesterday, which was the final elimination before the final tribal council (so the stakes were high), a contestant shifted her foot so that for a milli–second the foot cleared the beam it was both to stand on. This was against the rules and therefore disqualified her from winning immunity.
I fear that our disability discrimination legislation here in Australia (including the access to premises standard, that was lauded for a very long time as our next big hope for inclusion) will end up being little more than a toothless tiger, especially in relation to our obligations under the UN Convention for the rights of Persons with disabilities which we championed for so long.
As hard as this might sound, we need to actually start saying no to businesses that want to exclude. We need to start saying no to businesses that want exemptions. Not in 35 years when we hope everyone is adjusted. But now. Because human nature dictates that we will not adjust until we have to. If we want people to stop driving in the city, we need to stop allowing parking in the city. Cajoling will only work so far. I think we think that we still have time–an endless amount of time. We don’t. On a whole range of issues we don’t. Disability is one of those issues, only one of those issues. Or, we think that the rules don’t apply to us, however boldly we express that. Perhaps we are the exception that proves the rule except when we all want to be exceptions.
Recently, the bus route that I travel on most became prepay–meaning that bus drivers would no longer sell individual bus tickets on the bus. Rather you need to go and buy a a bus ticket before you ride. Whatever your thoughts about the equality of that approach, it nonetheless has been a progressive implementation across the city. Yet, people keep making excuses when they board the bus as to why they haven’t bought a ticket. But worse than that (if you want people to stop buying tickets on the bus that is), is that bus drivers continue to sell tickets to these individuals. At the time of doing so they might say “remember to buy your tickets next time” or similar but they do sell the ticket.
The other day when I was travelling on a bus route that has for a longer time been prepay only, a girl started to board a bus and attempted to buy a ticket in this manner. The bus driver simply said “we are prepay until 7 PM, see you then” and closed the door. She then said to passengers standing nearby, “They have to learn”. However harsh you think this approach is it will get the message across more so then grumbling but complying with people that want to be excused from rules.
While it is true that individuals can take individual action of discrimination claims against whoever they like, it is both expensive and time-consuming and piecemeal. If we are truly serious about ending discrimination (of whatever form) surely we need to take the approach that sometimes, some things are just wrong and the answer is just no. If we are as a country serious about social inclusion, increased participation and other good things then it is government that must take a more proactive approach and at all levels start saying no. Australians apparently believe in a fair go for all Australians. Sometimes that has to mean saying no.
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next time I express any pride on having been a bureaucrat bop me one.
