AIBU?
to think BAFTA have just let down disabled people??
LottieJenkins · 12/05/2013 20:32
I was horrified just now when the Paralympics coverage won a BAFTA. Ade the wheelchair athlete wasnt able to access the stage the same as the other winners. They were all stood there saying "Where is Ade??" and he suddenly appeared from the side of the stage. It wouldnt have taken much to put a ramp there.
I rather hoped that after Tanni Grey Thompson was left off the winners rostrum at the Sports Personality award a few years ago that things might improve. Apparently not!!!! 
WorraLiberty · 12/05/2013 20:43
I've just seen it on TV and I'm no expert but it looks a it too steep for a ramp and the audience are very close to the front of the stage.
Maybe they could have installed a wheelchair lift/moving ramp but they tend to move slowly, so it might have been quicker to enter from the side.
manicinsomniac · 12/05/2013 20:50
OT but why did an athlete even need to get on the stage for a BAFTA? I've never watched them so I'm not being arsey, just wondering. Aren't they for tv programmes? I get that it was for the coverage but the athletes didn't cover it nor did they act in it.
Surely sports people get enough recognition in this country without including them in Arts awards too?
on topic - I would be pretty certain that all possiblities had been considered and dismissed. They wouldn't just forget.
CloudsAndTrees · 12/05/2013 20:52
I haven't been watching the Baftas, but I think they were out of order to do this.
It is a hugely popular television programme and the ceremony will have had more than enough money thrown at it. Because of those things, it is not ok that they are effectively saying that its fine for people with disabilities to use a different access arrangement.
Separate and different access often can't be avoided and that is fine in many situations. But very best practice and in an ideal world, we would allow everyone to enter the stage/building/area via the same route.
A televised award ceremony that has probably cost hundreds of thousands should be displaying best practice. They could have found a way somehow, even if they had to use a different venue.
TheSmallPrint · 12/05/2013 21:04
I thought the same initially tbh but as someone who has to consider access in building design, a ramp must meet certain gradients and to get up that high would take a fair distance so I imagine it wraps around the back of the stage and thus takes longer than nipping up some stairs.
Pigsmummy · 12/05/2013 21:39
I have met Ade many times, he was probably busy charming the arse off the pretty ladies and if a ramp was a hassle for the organisers he would be the first to say that he would do without, he may have even suggested entering from the side.
He wouldn't be mortified, he climbed a mountain a few years back, a stage in a venue full of "lovie's darling" wouldn't phase him one bit.
I hope that the Bafta folks love him as much as everyone else lucky enough to spend time with him do and I hope that he has a great night.
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