Bedford Express team 1023 from Temperance, Michigan would like to petition FIRST Robotics for a rule change to rule #E801 (No Saving seats - Teams are not permitted to save or designate seats for team members that are not present).

Bedford Express has a student team member confined to a powered wheelchair and can not get into the stands. This team member is an integral part of our team because he is our Outreach Captain and he is the heart of our team in the stands. Students that are kept from the rest of their team for whatever reason begin to feel alone and not valued. Not being able to cheer and high five their teammates after a win or console a teammate after a loss is a big deal no matter who you are. 

In the spirit of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion, Bedford Express would like to get FIRST to change this rule to allow teams in this situation to all sit together as a team. Making this accommodation would provide teams the best event experience possible and ensure they will continue to spread the FIRST message.