Unrealistic request around inclusivity?

[+Ms Maddy]

This came out of left field this morning…

 

I have a letterbox cache with a simple one-step puzzle to solve. A newbie cacher logged a find and that’s all good 👍 Then logged a Write Note containing the solution. I deleted the note then messaged the geocacher and politely explained about spoilers and the geocaching guidelines. They messaged me back saying they only understood AUSLAN (having typed two logs in English already and the messages) and I need to communicate with them in that language. It’s an Aussie sign language. I replied and suggested they contact Groundspeak through the help form. They messaged me again to say they were offended and they would raise this with HQ. Now, I’ve been caching for 12 years and understand logs come in different languages at times. But HQ’s primary language is English. This particular cacher feels they’re being discriminated against - even though we have many hearing- impaired catchers in this region who communicate effectively on the website. Obviously to communicate in AUSLAN requires a face to face meeting - we’re not even required to provide other members with our ‘real’ name which I do anyway, in messages, out of courtesy. They also said it’s in breach of a UN Policy 🤷‍♀️ (not an Australian law).
 

Sometimes ONE single complaint can bring an entire activity unstuck. Where does that leave us, and our game? It’s not possible to be 100% inclusive of everyone in all activities. For example, I can no longer do the T5 stuff due to disability but that’s OK 👌Thoughts, fellow catchers and Admin??? I’m fine with that newbie cacher complaining to Groundspeak. It’s a much bigger issue than me nicely asking that they don’t post spoilers in logs.

[+Ms Maddy]

Just received a message from a different AUSLAN user about the same letterbox cache. 

[+x7Kevin]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the issue but it seems like an obvious troll comment? It's not just an unrealistic request but impossible and nonsensical? 

 

It happens sometimes, often teenagers or younger people. Someone left a log on one of mine a while ago saying they destroyed everything and threw it into the river. I messaged them saying that's not very nice and hopefully they don't do it again when I replace it, lol. It actually turned out everything was fine and they became semi-active later hiding their own.

 

I would just ignore them. On the topic of inclusivity though, one thing I had just realized was that someone who is colour-blind couldn't do one or two of my caches, so in the future I am going to make sure any field puzzles have alternate ways to be solved that don't require colours or at the very least add a disclaimer that it involves colours. It's good to try and make our caches more inclusive, but obviously as you said there's different caches for different people. I think we all have preferences and maybe certain types that we can't find or aren't interested in finding. 

 

I don't think a troll comment really has any impact, GS is not going to even care and I doubt they'll actually take the time to make a formal complaint. 

[+TriciaG]

Wait - they want to communicate by sign language in logs and listings and messages? This makes no sense! Deaf people can communicate by written word. English is written, and they seem to understand it.

 

Yeah, like Kevin said, it's gotta be a troll.

 

There are tree climbing caches that someone who is obese can't get. There are plenty of caches someone in a wheelchair can't get. All caches don't have to be "inclusive".

[+Viajero Perdido]

Insisting you use a language you don't know is a new level of ridiculous.

 

Have a good chuckle, roll your eyes, and ignore.

[+Goldenwattle]

2 hours ago, Ms Maddy said:

This came out of left field this morning…

 

I have a letterbox cache with a simple one-step puzzle to solve. A newbie cacher logged a find and that’s all good 👍 Then logged a Write Note containing the solution. I deleted the note then messaged the geocacher and politely explained about spoilers and the geocaching guidelines. They messaged me back saying they only understood AUSLAN (having typed two logs in English already and the messages) and I need to communicate with them in that language. It’s an Aussie sign language. I replied and suggested they contact Groundspeak through the help form. They messaged me again to say they were offended and they would raise this with HQ. Now, I’ve been caching for 12 years and understand logs come in different languages at times. But HQ’s primary language is English. This particular cacher feels they’re being discriminated against - even though we have many hearing- impaired catchers in this region who communicate effectively on the website. Obviously to communicate in AUSLAN requires a face to face meeting - we’re not even required to provide other members with our ‘real’ name which I do anyway, in messages, out of courtesy. They also said it’s in breach of a UN Policy 🤷‍♀️ (not an Australian law).
 

Sometimes ONE single complaint can bring an entire activity unstuck. Where does that leave us, and our game? It’s not possible to be 100% inclusive of everyone in all activities. For example, I can no longer do the T5 stuff due to disability but that’s OK 👌Thoughts, fellow catchers and Admin??? I’m fine with that newbie cacher complaining to Groundspeak. It’s a much bigger issue than me nicely asking that they don’t post spoilers in logs.

We have a number of keen deaf geocachers here in Canberra, and they have no problems with writing in English. I have learnt because of that to often pick their logs because of the word structure. I figure that's the structure they use when talking to each other. One of out caches with one of the biggest cache ownerships is deaf.

It a troll. Ignore them.

[+Max and 99]

3 hours ago, Ms Maddy said:

This particular cacher feels they’re being discriminated against -

They're absolutely not. You have nothing to worry about!

[+MNTA]

 

\\

 

 

https://lingojam.com/AustralianSignLanguageTranslator

But definitely annoying ignore them

[+MNTA]

Just now, MNTA said:

 

\\

 

 

https://lingojam.com/AustralianSignLanguageTranslator

But definitely annoying ignore them

Message was please do not post spoilers

[+The Leprechauns]

Every cache with a terrain rating greater than 1 star discriminates against geocachers with mobility challenges.

 

Every 5-star difficulty puzzle cache discriminates against geocachers with IQ's like mine.

 

Every challenge cache that requires lots of travel to meet the requirements discriminates against geocachers with a limited budget and vacation schedule.

 

Not all caches are for all people, and that's the way it should be.

[+lee737]

How will they communicate with HQ if all they can use is AUSLAN??!!    

[+vw_k]

So they've managed to create an account, use the geocaching website or app, read your cache listing, solve the puzzle, write two logs, read your message and reply to it all in written English but as soon as you politely give them some mild constructive criticism they claim that written English is not good enough to communicate in? They are definitely having a laugh at your expense.

[+JL_HSTRE]

I suspect a lot of folks would respond to the troll with some simple and near-universal sign language they would be sure to understand. 

[+Justin Of Terrytown]

I was born with a severe speech impediment.  Either that person is trolling you or that person is the village idiot of whatever town he is from.