Typology of Conference Attendees Who Ask Questions

This is a typology of NOSSCR conference attendees who ask questions.

Me Too!: At a workshop about a specific kind of medical impairment, e.g., a mental impairment, this attendee tells the workshop that he or she has the impairment and gives details about his or her experience with and recovery from the impairment. (The attendee proves by his or her question that he or she has actually not recovered.)

Aware of Obvious: At the plenary session, this attendee asks a high Agency official if the Agency has considered the utterly obvious, e.g., that raising taxes could generate more revenue. (Imagine that attendee back at home telling his or her spouse that the Bush administration is now on the right track given the attendee's guidance.)

Wasn't Listening: At a workshop, this attendee asks the very question a workshop presenter already addressed directly. For example, if a speaker said that the Agency would "request but not require" a certain procedure, the attendee asks the presenter if the Agency would "require" that procedure. (Imagine this attendee an ALJ hearing cross-examining an Agency expert asking exactly the same questions the ALJ already asked.)

Oooh, Oooh Can't Wait: At a workshop, this attendee can't wait to ask his or her question at the designated time at the end of the session. Five minutes into the workshop, the attendee blurts out his or her question that was supposed to be reserved for the question-and-answer session at the end of the workshop.

Can Hear Him- or Herself Quite Well: This attendee does not use the microphone despite repeated instructions to use the microphone. This attendee can hear him- or herself quite well, thank you.

Seen on TV: This attendee does not pose a question, but states that the workshop topic was addressed in popular culture, e.g., in a 60 Minutes story.

War Story With No Point: This attendee instead of asking a question provides a rambling summary of a case he or she handled with no relevance to the workshop except insofar as it pertains to disability.