Armored Combat:Accessibility

Accessibility

General

1. The SCA is committed to promoting inclusion and equity in our martial activities. Safe and approved variations to weapons, equipment, and conventions are allowed for enabling participation.
2. Upon request, marshals should make reasonable accommodations, within limits of safety, for adaptive equipment or conventions. Only a warranted marshal can make this determination.
3. The following examples are only a partial list of approaches that could be used to meet this goal. Please reach out to your Kingdom and local branch DEIB officer and marshals to explore additional options.

Authorizations

1. For the theory portion, you can request a verbal test rather than a written test, and vice versa.

Combat conventions - Accommodation examples

Mobility

1. Options for being legged (if you cannot easily go to your knees during combat): stay standing, but the struck leg must be planted and not move
2. Missing arm/leg - could take 2 valid blows to the one arm/leg
3. Fight from the ground, or a seating platform (note: platform must be safe for the type of combat)

Hearing

1. Hand signals or flags (best for tournament)
2. Buddy system could be used for melees

General processes and best practices

1. Locations for practices and events should:
   1. be in safe neighborhoods with safe routes to get there
   2. include well-lit parking areas
   3. have bathrooms large enough to change clothes in, for all genders.
   4. Note: Personal safety is a major concern for many women and underrepresented groups when deciding on attendance.
2. Dedicated warm-up time at tournaments: Having 30-45 minutes of dedicated warm-up time before tournaments, with dedicated marshals and identified practice fighters. This encourages new or shy participants, who might not know many people. It can also be vital for many women to allow time for adrenaline changes.

Training

New fighters

1. Do not assume one weapon form or technique is the best way to start. Different body mechanics greatly influence this. For example, a glaive vs single sword, right foot forward vs left. The flat snap is easy for some, the hardest shot (and causes physical damage) to others.
2. Do not hit new people repeatedly in the head, or with hard blows, "so they know what to expect". If needed, calibration shots should be introduced on the body or arm/leg, when the new fighter is ready.

Methods NOT to use

1. Hitting people hard and/or repeatedly until "they get it" or "learn how to block".