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I would suggest that the wording should simply be -
A player cannot refuse to play an opponent on the grounds of their disability.
I think this covers most of the points and has the advantage of using fewer words.
A player can always refuse to play someone. The reason for the refusal may have to be considered and what action, if any, should be taken by the arbiter/organiser.
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Only being semi-serious if I am deaf can I refuse to play someone who is blind?
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Can I refuse to play someone who is blind on the grounds that I am severely disadvantaged by:
1. The necessity to move their pieces on "our" board
2. The distraction of them shouting out their moves at a random moment of their choosing
3. The fact that they are on completely familiar territory, whereas I am forced to adjust to a brand new set of circumstances
4. All of the above contributing to a huge impact on the level of concentration I am able to give
Yes, I get a few minutes extra time. It is not even remotely close to sufficient compensation.
Controversial? Not really.
Discriminatory? Not at all.
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Steve,
"Matthew, your post is disgraceful this is a serious issue. If a blind player is paired with a deaf player and its a correct pairing there would be no grounds for refusing to play."
So, just to be clear then a deaf player who couldn't hear what a blind was saying and therefore couldn't ensure that the blind player's assistant was making the 'correct' move would have no recourse to request an alternative pairing. I wonder if you need to think about it a little bit more?
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Kevin Mayo Wrote:Can I refuse to play someone who is blind on the grounds that I am severely disadvantaged by:
1. The necessity to move their pieces on "our" board
2. The distraction of them shouting out their moves at a random moment of their choosing
3. The fact that they are on completely familiar territory, whereas I am forced to adjust to a brand new set of circumstances
4. All of the above contributing to a huge impact on the level of concentration I am able to give
Yes, I get a few minutes extra time. It is not even remotely close to sufficient compensation.
Controversial? Not really.
Discriminatory? Not at all.
During the 70s my school would play Worcester Blind School once a year. The first time, yes, it was "unfamiliar territory" and I lost. But after that I would win because by watching which areas of their board they are feeling with their fingers, you can "see" what they are thinking about. Swings and roundabouts.
In Matthew's hypothetical case above, then the deaf player should be provided with a hearing assistant.
I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine
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Steve,
"The deaf player could make use of an assistant as well had you considered that? They tend to have their own sign language assistant."
Is it the responsibility of the tournament to provide one? Of course they would need to speak German, because the blind player would have to follow the FIDE rules and announce their moves in German.
These rules/guidelines have been written for a reason and I don't think it so the organisers can have a German/sign language translator present just in case a deaf player plays a blind player. The rules cannot cover every eventuality so maybe it is better that they don't try. How about this
1. Organisers and players are reminded of the need to abide by all anti-discrimination legislation. It is the organisers responsibility to make all reasonable steps to enable the participation of all disabled participants.
2. See guideline 1.