As someone who wishes to one day go to a book conference/signing – even though I have done a fair number of cons with my Artist and I know how hard it would be physically and mentally, and how crowded it is and overwhelming and overstimulating – the discourse after RTD has been interesting to watch unfold.

And as someone who recently realized that I actually do need mobility aids, despite being “you don’t look disabled” (more on that later) the conversation about disability and accessibility makes me a little twitchy.

But nothing makes me feel like out of my mind and want to scream more than seeing the words, “safe space,” thrown around.

Why? Isn’t it good that organizers are recognizing they need to be a “safe place?” Doesn’t it give legitimacy and reassurance to those who need a “safe space”?

Maybe. But it only goes so far.

A lot of the time, places designated as “safe” are the complete opposite. A whole organization, no matter how trauma-informed they are, no matter how many plans they have in place, cannot take into account everyone’s behavior and guarantee an environment is “safe” for everyone.

What’s the solution?

Get specific about the kind of “safe” you are and how you got there and what you are doing to ensure the safety of those particular groups.

Be upfront about how you are supporting the needs of the different groups you are creating “safe space” for and how you are ensuring it is safe for everyone.

When you break it down, you realize how impossible it is to be safe for everyone because that would be knowing everyone’s personal limitations or triggers and no matter how much screening you’ve done or how much security you have, you cannot guarantee personal boundaries are never violated and personal needs met.

But you can be an inclusive space (to whom? And how?)

You can be a supportive space. (what resources are you offering? What support needs can you meet?)

You can be a zero tolerance space for harassment. (what’s your policy? No questions asked or do you require proof? What is the consequence for harassment on your site?)

You can be a space that’s open to feedback and learning and doing better (if there are action steps actually taken and not bullet pointed in a social media post)

Still hoping that I can get myself to a conference.

They sound fun.