to think BAFTA have just let down disabled people??

[LottieJenkins]

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!!!!

[CloudsAndTrees]

Dawndonna, your dd has it spot on and I'm really pleased to see that she has this attitude.

Like you say, so many people who have disabilities don't want to make a fuss and don't want people going out of their way to accommodate them, which is completely understandable and reasonable. But, and it's a big but, sometimes, for their own good, they need to be able to deal with that feeling effectively to enable them to have the help they need. I'm not explaining this well so I hope someone will be able to interpret what I mean properly, but this feeling of not wanting to make a fuss, while admirable, is preventing people accessing stuff they need, even when it's there for the taking.

It's up to those of us that can help and can make a fuss to remove this barrier.

I have heard so many people with disabilities say they don't want to put anyone to any trouble, or question whether its ok for them to accept help when someone else might need it more, or go over the top with thanks and gratitude for someone doing a basic thing for them. And this is within organisations that exist solely for the benefit of disabled people! They shouldn't have to feel this way. It's up to the rest of society to convince people that they are worth the extra effort and that they don't have to feel guilty for needing help and accommodations.

Sorry, will get off my soap box now!

[mrsjay]

happyscouse nobody was getting offended on Ades behalf he is a grown man we were just pointing out that there was no ramp in view he had to go the long way round and just because you are an auntie of a disabled person doesn't mean you understand what it is like, we (disabled people) should not have to be 'other' or attended to or taken in the back way , because it is easier , I am much older than dawn daughter and I was saying the same things she did at 16 and tbh nothing much has changed,


Dawndonna your daughter sounds awesome

[mrsjay]

happyscouse I just read back my post and I am sorry i said that about your nephew and you not having understanding that wasn't fair of me I just get a bit het up sometimes

[manicinsomniac]

Actually, I think Ade has made (or implied) a really good point there - if there was a ramp up then it would have been obvious that he was going to win the award thus spoiling the whole point of the nominations and announcement thing. I hadn't thought about that aspect of it.

DawnDonna (and others) - this might be a bit off topic but I wonder if I could ask you about a comment you made about the necessity to adapt all buildings for wheelchair use, even old ones. Do you feel that alternative entrances aren't ok?
I just can't see how old, listed, multi storey building could have that done? Certainly not without spending unbelievable amounts of money and spoiling some beautiful olf architecture. Maybe those two things shouldn't be enough to stop it happening but, I don't know, is step free access that isn't the main entrance so totally unacceptable?
What about things like the underground? Could it ever be possible to get all stations and trains accessible?

[CloudsAndTrees]

Personally, I don't think it would be possible to make all buildings accessible without either making a business become unviable or changing what they are beyond all recognition.

But I do think every building that is open to the public should at least have to show that it is an issue they have looked into and they should have to have sound reasons as to why they cannot become fully accessible.

For me, alternative entrances aren't ok. They are sometimes an unavoidable inconvenience, but I don't like it at all. It's just too much like segregation.

The point about it being obvious that they would win if there was a ramp there is valid, but only because there wasn't a ramp there as a matter of course. If it had become the norm for steps to be accompanied by ramps or lifts, then it wouldn't have been obvious at all.

[Dawndonna]

Whilst I do realise that it's not practicable to change everything (and as an ex history lecturer would have to question it) it's a nice ideal. Being sensible, most stuff from the late 19 century could be changed reasonably easily.
The going round the back thing is awful, it does state that someone is somehow lesser, that we don't wish you to be seen entering our premises, that we don't wish to acknowledge your existence. It is degrading to have to be dragged through kitchens if you wish to go out for a meal. There is a lot more we could do to existing buildings but councils choose not to spend the money on doing so.

[SlowlorisIncognito]

I agree with your point to an extent manicinsomniac wrt listed buildings and the costs to businesses. However, I recently went to London with a friend with a broken ankle who didn't feel comfortable using escalators. It is amazing, well to me anyway, how inaccessable the tube is for someone not able to use an escalator.

I think all buildings where people need to go, rather than want to, like council buildings, courts, university buildings etc should be fully accessible to everyone, no excuses. I don't mean by this that places where people want to go should not be... but places people need to go definately ought to be.

[manicinsomniac]

Thanks for the thoughts.

It's interesting, I really was of the opinion that things were pretty good now (as in 'most people can access most buildings, that's great' sort of attitude.) Weirdly, I've never thought about having to use a different entrance as something that would cause upset. Good to think about.

[LayMizzRarb]

Just a couple of things to add. I am disabled myself, and have been to that venue many times. They have step free access and really look after people with mobility requirements. Ramps were built so Ade could sit in the stalls. Having spoken to people involved with the production, To build a ramp to the stage, it would have to have to have a fairly long run as the stage is quite a height. You are only allowed a certain gradient with mobility ramps, to ensure user safety. The ramp would also have to be a certain width. The licence for the theatre is granted under certain conditions, one being that the walkways at the end of the row of seats are to be kept free of any obstructions to allow evacuation in an emergency. Blocking the end of rows with a ramp would breach fire regulations as it would impede swift exit for patrons in an emergency.
Wrt listed buildings and adaptations for those with disabilities, in law the the buildings do have precedent...