I’m well aware that there is tremendous variation in the civil rights of people with disabilities from country to country. But I was very surprised to learn yesterday that there is a restriction in the U.K. that would probably prevent me from participating in an oceanographic research cruise on some U.K. research vessels. I was having a conversation with one of the marine techs on board the Knorr about a new U.S. research vessel that is just now being completed and starting its sea trials. During the design phase, some accommodations for people with disabilities were included. I’m aware of these accommodations because I was part of a committee several years backthat was charged by the national agency that operates all the academic research vessles in the U.S. to come up with recommendations for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance in the design and refit of our research vessel fleet.
A post-doc from the U.K. overheard our conversation and remarked with surprise about this new feature of an oceanoagraphic research vessel. She reported that anyone who wants to sail on a research cruise on someU.K. vessels has to pass a pretty stringent medical exam (called the ENG1). She knew of a case 6 or 7 years ago of a colleague who is deaf that was not allowed to sail. There was apparently concern that he would not be able to hear the “general alarm”, the equivalent of a fire alarm bell. She went on to explain that some efforts were made to quickly find a solution, such as a vibrating unit for under his pillow, but time ran out before anything could be put in place. So he was not allowed to participate.
This struck me as old thinking. If someone who is blind or deaf can get out of a school, apartment or office building in an emergency, they are certainly capable of doing the same on a ship. People with disabilities travel on cruise ships and ferries all the time. As long as the research cruise participant can carry out the work they need to do (perhaps with accommodations as well, such as in my case, where I need an accessible computer and a sighted guide at sea), they shouldn’t be excluded from participating based on their disability.
I have been fortunate in that never has anyone told me that there is something I can’t do or somewhere I can’t go because I’m visually impaired. This story about the U.K. restrictions hit pretty close to home, perhaps because it involves my own profession as carried out in another developed country, where I would have thought there would be more progressive thinking. I hope that the U.K. medical system has been, or will soon be, updated to reflect up-to-date ideas about inclusion of people with disabilities in research work at sea.
Amy Bower is a physical oceanographer at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. She has been chasing ocean currents in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans for over 25 years, primarily by releasing acoustically tracked floats far below the sea surface. Legally blind since her mid-20s, Amy uses adaptive technology to continue her research.
Amy, what you are doing is remarkable and just goes to show that people who are visually impaired can do ANYTHING with the right education, ambition and assistive technology. It is sad to read about the UK restrictions though, and surprising, since they are usually very forward-thinking. I will share with my UK colleagues to get their feedback too. Enjoy!!
This is why we had that little war back in 1776.
Wow, Amy, the UK surprises me, too.What restrictions are in effect on UK research vessels? Ads for our own country, you are fortunate to be working for the federal government. Locally, I was told by the director of a local senior center that as aa culinary school graduate with low vision similar to yours, I was incapable of preparing daily lunch for 15 senior adults because “you might hurt yourself”. (I am not making this up! I have been cooking for most of my adult life and still retain all my fingers.) We here in the US still have a long way to go to include people with disabilities in the workplace.
I am proud of your many accomplishments, Amy and congratulate you on your new blog. I look forward to following your adventures!
This also relates to your earlier post: “Physical vs. intellectual ability”
Hi Amy, I find you raised a really interesting point on leadership there. As I have a background both in nautical sciences, physical oceanography and meteorology, I have had to deal with some really hierarchic structures on gas tankers and a very loose experience aboard a very small research boat. Nowadays I am teaching nautical sciences to 14 – 18 year olds and this involves going sailing on ships that range from 16 to over 100m. When they are younger and we are on the smaller ships I like a really empowering approach. I explain, I show them how to do it, once I have noticed one of them is able to perform the task, “I forget” or pretend to be clumsy for them to come to my aid. This not only empowers them, it also initiates them into the excellent practice of supporting each other at sea. They especially enjoy being better than me in the physical aspects. On the larger vessels however, my hands on approach is harder to carry out as the margin for error becomes a lot smaller. There it doesn’t work as well and I have to resort to a different kind of leadership by asking some small questions, having small meetings in which we discuss the manoeuvres to be made or the order in which to perform a physical task. As for myself, I especially appreciate leadership that allows me to grow and also learns me to question myself once and I while. So I believe you need not to worry about the physical aspect, leadership is a game of the mind and I am convinced that there are a lot of scientists out there that would love to work with you!