Embedded Files
Dear brethren, sisteren, and non-binarian of the Earthshod Alliance, I have created some tools for your use when questioned or challenged in public. I have created a series of brochures and cards that use one of the archetypal defenses of barefooting: Medical, Religious, Freedom, Joy, and Reason.
1. Where Are Your Shoes!? - This brochure prints on letter paper in landscape mode. There are fold lines on one side to assist you. Its intended use is for handing to a member of the general public who expresses an interest. You fold it in thirds, and then in thirds again so that the customization block is visible, and on the other side is quote by Adele Coombs. This is the only customizable brochure. The image shows what it can look like when you put your own name and logo on it. You can do that by hand, by making a stamp, or by using software to overlay it when printing. That's up to you. I have had great success with these.
BROC_WhereAreYourShoes.pdf
2. Understanding the ADA - This brochure is for those of you that have a legitimate medical condition that prevents you from wearing shoes. Print it on letter paper in landscape mode and fold into thirds. There are fold lines on one side to assist you. It can also be folded into thirds again with the title showing and slipped into a shirt pocket or other convenient place for quick access.
The brochure covers the Americans With Disabilities act in the context of barefoot disabilities. It covers both general places of public accommodation as well as transportation. When challenged in a place of public accommodation or public transportation, smile and actively hand the challenger the brochure. If you must say anything, say something positive such as, "This will explain my situation to you." If the person is overly aggressive, say, "This will explain your obligations under the law." or "This will explain my civil rights to you." If you are still denied services, say, "Can you tell me why you are violating my civil rights today?" You can appeal to the person's supervisor or corporate office, or file a complaint with the Department of Justice or FTA as provided in the brochure.
BROC_Barefoot_ADA.pdf3. Barefoot Spirituality - This brochure is for those of you that go barefoot as part of a religious observance. Print it on legal paper in landscape mode and fold into fourths. An easy way to do this is to fold it in half, then fold the title page back then the end page back. It can also be folded into thirds again with the title showing and slipped into a shirt pocket or other convenient place for quick access.
The brochure covers the history of barefooting in the context of mankind's major religions, the spiritual benefits of going barefoot, and refusal of service and reasonable accommodation in the context of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. When challenged in a place of public accommodation or public transportation, smile and actively hand the challenger the brochure. If you must say anything, say something positive such as, "This will explain my situation to you." If the person is overly aggressive, say, "This will explain your obligations under the law." or "This will explain my civil rights to you." If you are still denied services, say, "Can you tell me why you are violating my civil rights today?" You can appeal to the person's supervisor or corporate office. Whom you file a complaint with will depend on your state. Different states have different state agencies. You can also file a complaint with the Department of Justice. Google will find the links for you.
BROC_BarefootSpirituality.pdf4. Barefoot Freedom - This brochure is for those of you that go barefoot simply because you want to as part of your individual liberty. Print it on legal paper in landscape mode and fold into fourths. An easy way to do this is to fold it in half, then fold the title page back then the end page back. It can also be folded into thirds again with the title showing and slipped into a shirt pocket or other convenient place for quick access.
The brochure effectively refutes the major objections to barefooters in public places. It also covers the benefits of barefooting, and refusal of service and reasonable accommodation in the context of the ADA and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. When challenged in a place of public accommodation or public transportation, smile and actively hand the person the brochure. If you must say anything, say something positive such as, "This will explain my situation to you." If the person is overly aggressive, say, "I understand that you want me to wear shoes, but this will explain why I don't need to" or "Please just do me the courtesy of understanding this before you lose a sale." If you are still denied services, say, "Can you tell me why you are refusing me service today?" You can appeal to the person's supervisor or corporate office.
BROC_BarefootFreedom.pdf5. Bare Feet are Happy Feet - This brochure makes the 'Joy' defense of barefooting. It is a positive affirmation of the reasons we go barefoot. Print it on legal paper in landscape mode and fold into fourths. An easy way to do this is to fold it in half, then fold the title page back then the end page back. It can also be folded into thirds again with the title showing and slipped into a shirt pocket or other convenient place for easy access.
This brochure is intended to be given to friends and acquaintances that may have questions, or to persons who express a genuine interest in barefooting. You can also use it with the general public. When challenged in a place of public accommodation or public transportation, smile and actively hand the person the brochure. If you must say anything, say something positive such as, "This will explain the benefits to you."
BROC_HappyFeet.pdf6. Barefoot Card 001 - This card is the size of a regular business card, but folds out to reveal a very small pamphlet that makes key points. It can be customized with your name and email address if you like. Print it on letter paper in color. Using inexpensive copy paper works well. Fold it in half lengthwise, then fold it in half again to form the card. Cut along the black lines to separate it from the page. You get one card per sheet this way.
The card makes key points and gives a short defense based on the ADA and the Civil Rights Act inside. This card is intended for easy carry and use in any situation to show that you are barefoot by design and not by vagrancy or idiocy. When challenged in a place of public accommodation or public transportation, smile and actively hand the person the card. If you must say anything, say something positive such as, "I am always barefoot. My fans expect it of me!"
CARD-BarefootCard 001.pdf
General Notes
Downloading - For each brochure you want to download, click on its image, then click OPEN in the top middle of the screen. When it opens, click the download button in the upper right and save it to your hard drive. You may or may not be able to download and print them from your phone. It works from my iPhone, but others report that it does not work on a phone. For best results, use a real computer.
Printing Tips - You should print these brochures to a color printer onto glossy brochure paper for best results, but plain paper works just fine as well. Do not use card stock or photo paper. Print at 100% with no scaling. If the printer software says that some cropping will occur, that's OK. Just click CONTINUE. If your printer does not duplex (print both sides at once) then print page one first, then put the paper back in the printer and print side 2. You may have to experiment to figure out how to insert the paper the second time. Refer to your printer's documentation.
Folding Tips - Use the fold lines on the letter sized brochures. For the legal sized brochures, fold the brochure in half, then fold the title panel back and then fold the back panel back. It's really easy once you do it a few times. You can fold any of the brochures into thirds so that they create a small rectangle with the title showing. See images above.
Carry Tips - Once folded in thirds, they fit into a pocket or a wallet. I like to keep extras in the car. If you keep them in your pocket, replace them from time to time if they get wrinkled or soiled.
How They Work - The brochures are a psychological tool called an "Appeal to Authority". My most people are willing to argue with *you* that you are wrong, it's really hard to argue with the printed word - which most people will take as true. You can use the brochures along with the techniques described in Barefoot Life Hacks. The brochure acts as an authority figure between yourself and the objector. While very effective, it isn't a foolproof method. Some people will refuse to examine it, and some people will refuse to believe that barefoot people have any rights in that context. All you can do is try. If the opposition is too aggressive, simply leave.
How To Use - Decide which brochures are right for you, and then print a few of each. Become familiar with them and what the individual defenses are. When someone makes a general objection, follow the advice for each individual brochure above. If someone makes a specific objection, then you want to be able to make that specific defense from the brochure. For example, if a manager approaches you in a restaurant and says, "You must have shoes on in here. It's a health code violation.", then you should pull out the Barefoot Freedom brochure and turn to the IT'S NOT A HEALTH CODE VIOLATION block, offer it to him, and say, "Actually there is no health code against bare feet." In that section there is a QR barcode. You can use a QR reader with any smartphone. That QR code will take you to the Society for Barefoot Living's page that will let you call up the health department letters from all the states.
Feedback - If you have any feedback - suggestions or edits, please let me know. Also if you have any success or failure using the brochures, please tell me about it. steinkamp@gmail.com
Under Construction - I have other items that are not ready for release, like business cards. I will post those here as they become available.
Copyright - The brochures are all copyright 2017 by Shane Steinkamp. You are granted a limited license to print and distribute them for personal, non-commercial use.
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