Height differential phenomenon- HDP

Just read a great article over at BBC Ouch by Victoria Brignell describing what happens to a wheelchair user socializing at a party where folks are standing around talking. She calls it height differential phenomenon: the fact that people in wheelchairs are sitting at the same height as everyone else's - well - butts. She writes:

"Holding a conversation at such events poses a major challenge for the average wheelchair user. How do you chat with another guest when your head is a considerable distance beneath theirs? The answer is: with difficulty. They can't hear what I say and I can't hear what they say - not a great basis for communication. "

As the author concedes, this kind of difficulty is never going to merit consideration like issues such as accessibility; however, in its own way, it can really stifle social contact and keep one out of the conversation, particularly in a room where multiple conversations are ongoing and you cannot hear what is being said. Moreover, I can relate when she says she's learned to put a certain look on her face and nod as if she can hear sometimes.

Victoria also writes about the experience of getting around on transportation and going to shows in a wheelchair - and some of the humorous and not so humorous aspects of that. Definitely worth a read - as are some of the comments.