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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think BAFTA have just let down disabled people??

84 replies

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!!!! Hmm

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 12/05/2013 20:35

"It wouldnt have taken much to put a ramp there"

Unless you are there doing the stage management, to be fair you couldnt know that.

Original poster
LottieJenkins · 12/05/2013 20:36

Its very easy. Surely they could have one there that they could slide up to the edge of the stage and then away again??

OP posts:
Picturesinthefirelight · 12/05/2013 20:37

They didnt day where is he though did they? They said we can't start without him as it just took him a bit longer to get there.

youmeatsix · 12/05/2013 20:37

probably 84 health & safety officers stood around for 3 days scratching their chins and tutting over " that they could slide up to the edge of the stage and then away again"

Amilliondifferentpeople · 12/05/2013 20:37

Yes they did it when the office was winning loads of awards -the producer Ash Atalla is a wheelchair user.

WorraLiberty · 12/05/2013 20:38

I'd sooner find out what the reason was before speculating.

I doubt it was an oversight but if it is, then your horror would be justified.

Maybe he wanted to enter the stage from the side and was quite happy with the arrangement.

Hassled · 12/05/2013 20:39

It did all seem a bit shit, especially given it was an award for the Paralympics. I know they got him up there and all, but it was hardly seamless.

Original poster
LottieJenkins · 12/05/2013 20:42

I have just played it back and someone said twice "Where is Ade?" Then "we need Ade, we cant start without Ade!"

OP posts:
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.

Original poster
LottieJenkins · 12/05/2013 20:47

I hope we get to hear what Ade has to say!

OP posts:
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.

gordyslovesheep · 12/05/2013 20:52

Looks like there is no space for a ramp - hardly the BBC's fault

gordyslovesheep · 12/05/2013 20:52

or BAFTA's for that matter Grin

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.

swlmum · 12/05/2013 20:55

Manic- I think he was up there as he was one of the main presenters during the Paralympics.

Original poster
LottieJenkins · 12/05/2013 20:57

Clouds That is exactly what i was trying to say!! Smile

OP posts:
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.

EduCated · 12/05/2013 21:05

manic He was one of the presenters during C4's Paralympics coverage.

YANBU, it's a bit shit really.

McNewPants2013 · 12/05/2013 21:13

Is the award ceremony in the same building every year.

manicinsomniac · 12/05/2013 21:14

ohhhh ok, thanks! I thought he was one of the participants.

SoupDragon · 12/05/2013 21:20

I haven't been watching the Baftas, but I think they were out of order to do this.

If you haven't been watching it, how can you possibly know the situation? Confused

mrsjay · 12/05/2013 21:27

OMG did they not have a ramp poor ade he must have been mortified it is easy to put up a ramp on a stage jeez I love ade poor guy i

mrsjay · 12/05/2013 21:30

I have just turned it on they so could get a mobile ramp for that stage

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.

mrsjay · 12/05/2013 21:42

Pigsmummy I think you have posted about the lovely ade before and he is lovely Grin I know he might have brushed it off as you said and probably not make a deal about it but I do think he deserved a ramp , it doesnt take much to put a ramp

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