I wonder if anyone has considered assigning some more hindered dancers a role that is not dancing? Could even make up roles for them. They could help make sure sound is ok. Could help refill water. Could make sure people's stuff isn't left. Other roles? Helping to set up. It wouldn't have to be a real job, just something where they could feel welcomed and useful. I think it's sad for someone to hear they are not welcome, and if they could be 'reassigned,' something like "We feel you may create hazardous circumstances on the dance floor both for you and for others, and in addition we really need________ role filled. Could we recruit you?"

I did this in the after-school orchestra I used to lead, and though the scenario is different it may still prove somewhat relevant. The orchestra's goal was to get kids off the street, so turning them away could mean that they ended up somewhere much less safe than with a violin. There were some kids who just didn't fit in the box. One I recall was significantly younger, and one was particularly advanced. One was really hyper-active and sitting for an entire 1.5 hours was not a posability. I used their abilities differently than I did the other kids, and they not only took their roles very seriously, but added to the quality of the experience for the other kids. It also provided a way for the other kids to see how being out of the box could actually help them out.

That gives them an out and does not ostracize.

Just a thought maybe someone could use.

On Wed, Mar 8, 2017 at 4:49 PM, Rich Sbardella via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I want to be clear that when I suggest other dance venues, I have never suggested that dancers stop attending a series.  My suggestion of other (additional) venues is so that the dancer finds a user friendly place to hone his/her skills.  
Like Don, I believe that our communities should be inclusive.
Sorry for any misunderstanding.
Rich
Stafford, CT

On Wed, Mar 8, 2017 at 5:34 PM, Don Veino via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
On Wed, Mar 8, 2017 at 1:26 PM, Mark Hillegonds via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Would you ever (or have you ever) asked someone not to return based on their inability to dance?

No. If we want to consider ourselves open and welcoming then, IMO, I believe we need to model that. There are venues that have a different mission and objective (the limited set of "experienced" dances) where this might be appropriate but for a general dance I'm uncomfortable with the idea of sending someone away because they struggle to perform as others might expect.

In the dance series I help run we have several folks with challenges whom dance with us regularly. These include blindness, some memory impairment, perceptual/developmental issues, physical impairment and just plain slowing down. They are all welcome, even though that may cause others to have to adjust - and that's just what we do. Callers adjust their material and timing/calls. Dancers find ways collaboratively to surpass the challenges presented.

We strive to keep the hall well mixed, or the dancers will naturally segment themselves such that the difficulties multiply rather than get mitigated. A lot of that has to do with material selection - fidgety fast-action dances will not encourage the mixing. Well constructed dances with great flow (and some space for flourishes/recovery) will. We also have generous experienced dancers who help in partnering.

Is it easy to continue this way? Maybe not. It may cost us attendance. There are times I (and others) get frustrated. But then I take a deep breath and move on from the temporary issue knowing the bigger goal. I feel you need to set a view of what you want the culture of your series to be and act in accord. My dance strives to be a real community where we dance and engage *with* people and not just dance *next* to them.

Of course there's a difference between lesser capability and inappropriate behavior. We don't tolerate the latter but fortunately we've had few issues in that regard.

-Don

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