It's probably seen as falling under the medical model of disability, where the focus is on 'fixing' the impairment (temporarily in this case by provision of an aid to allow inclusion). Whereas many differently-abled individuals would prefer to see that inclusivity achieved not via an aid, but by design (i.e. set the layout height such that a wheelchair-bound individual can view it seated in their chair), the social model of disability.
Suppose it depends if your a F/S or S7 child , a F/S one will be a couple of inches short of a full foot !
......... ooops ! duck's under the baseboard !
) the height at which we display an exhibition layout in the end is going to be down to who ever built it, as with large group layouts such as Love Lane then it's down to a consensus of opinion amongst the members.I see where @Terry is coming from, hence liking his post. I can’t speak for him but I imagine like myself he has every sympathy with less able or disabled visitors to shows. My layouts are displayed ’high’, this is because that’s how they sit at home, they are designed and specifically built for home use. If they are invited to a show that’s a bonus, and I don’t do many. If I were building a layout specifically or primarily for exhibition use, then I would design it differently and (probably) display it at a lower height. As it is the sightlines particularly for S2 and S3, are critical for the operators to position stock go automatic uncoupling. Changing those sightlines and presentation for an occasional show for me isn’t practical. I’ll try and take a picture later on with S4.
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Agreed it is a low percentage, but equally how may don't attend because they could not see half (or more) of the layouts?
Whilst I have sympathy for anyone forced to use a wheelchair, my point is that if you exhibit every layout at a height suitable for the minority of visitors, the majority of visitors will be affected to some extent. This might take the form of bending or crouching etc., which can be uncomfortable for many people, or they will be forced to view the layout as if from a helicopter. Not the best view in my opinion. The truth is that there is no height which will be suitable for everybody, either operator or visitor. As you say Tim, there is no reason why a visitor cannot sit on a chair and conduct a conversation with the operator. But experience of visiting many shows tells me that the number of chairs will be restricted to two at most, and having secured a seat, many occupants will be reluctant to finish the conversation and move away, thereby allowing the next two visitors to sit and engage. Frustrated visitors may simply give up trying. As I said earlier, you should exhibit your layout at a height which will suit you. You can't please all the people all of the time.
It has interesting possibilities. For instance, alternate the height periodically, say every hour. Hmm.. food for thought!
