AIBU to suggest the front row of all threatres and cinemas are reserved for use for people with mobility issues?

[RoseRedder]

Genuine question following on from a thread I started at the weekend about a threatre visit with mobility issues (I have balance problems and use walking sticks)

Replies were mixed, some posters obviously happy to stand up if someone like me needing a clear space to get past safely, others suggesting I should get there before them to avoid the situation

Each point of view has it's own merit.

But what if the front row could be used for people with mobility issues?

Would that not solve problems for both parties and make it safer all round in case of an emergency?

Daft idea or not? Thinking about it, I think this is really sensible however I'm maybe overlooking something?

Could I have some opinions on this please (I'm thinking of contacting my local threatres and asking if this could be implemented)

Would they all want to be at the front? I wouldn't. You have to crane your neck.

End of aisle seats for a certain percentage of the theatre I would agree with. Or the smaller side sections. I don't understand why it would need to be the front row though.

The local theatre reserves the front row, and there are spaces where the seats are removed to accomodate a wheelchair.
It's not right at the front (they keep those for groups of children, schools, Brownies, Scouts) but it's the level of the entry door.
Makes most sense as no worry with stairs and no neck craning.

What about those with IBS or other stomach conditions who want front seats so that they can leave for the loo without disturbing others? They don't have mobility issues but would still benefit from those seats.

You can book online with many cinemas now and select your seats, surely thats easier?

I don't think you can go by one experience. It sounds like the person you spoke to on the phone wasn't very helpful so perhaps calling with feedback would be a good idea.

I work in a cinema and there are certain seats reserved for this situation. If you book ahead of time these can be allocated to you.

If you are talking about sectioning off entire rows you do need to take into consideration the people you are attending with (unless you are going alone) would they also sit in this reserved area? What is there was then no room for others with mobility problems?

What about those with visual impairments who might prefer the front row?

As was mentioned before - might they not want to sit with friends/family instead of being shoved down the front with a bunch of strangers? A very odd idea.

OP, if people gave you a hard time because they had to stand up, fuck 'em :)

Last time I went to the theatre (and in fact, one of my local cinemas was the same) the entrance was at the back so reserving the front row would make no sense whatsoever!

I've been thinking long and hard about a way to make this feasible, I even wondered whether there could be a way of buying tickets, and booking the actual seat number further down the line (like some airlines do). Or maybe tickets could be released to those with a disability, medical need, etc a week earlier than to the general public? But then how would it be decided who could get a ticket early? DLA? Blue badge? But then that would exclude people with conditions such as IBS or Crohn's that doesn't affect their mobility or ability to care for themselves, but who have a genuine need to purchase eg an aisle or close to exit seat.

But ultimately, I think the onus is on the purchaser to ensure that their seats are suitable at the time of purchasing, contacting the venue if necessary to ask about accessibility.

I work in a theatre box office and would say that most people, mobility issues or otherwise, do not want to sit in the front row.

If patrons mention mobility issues then we always do our best to seat them somewhere suitable in terms of distance from doors, not having to navigate stairs, aisle seats etc. This definitely should have been done for you so I would feedback your experience to the venue.

Front row would be no good for me to see the signer onstage. I always ask where the signer will be and what the best sight lines are.

Same thing applies for mobility issues as the most suitable seats are not always at the front.

Box office software can be programmed to allocate seats for people with disabilities in relation to the venue And customer need. In the box offices I've worked in those seats stay reserved until the day before a show and are then released if un booked.

For outdoor and festivals the approach now is moving towards viewing platforms that are separate access to the general viewing areas and are stage with people trained to assist if needed. These can be fab if done properly.

There's a great campaign group for this called "attitude is everything", so if you want advice and support, please call them. They have lobbied and campaigned for some really important changes for access to the arts.

Reasonable adjustment wouldn't be seen to be blocking off a large chunk of the seats that might not be suitable anyway and impressionable young fans with crushes on the actors will pay more for.

But definitely complain that the box office didn't help you identify an aisle seat or otherwise try to find you a more accessible seat.

Thank you ....all food for thought

tallwivglasses ...I know! I should being saying fuck 'em

I think it's just that I'm getting used to new disability so feel sort of extra vulnerable if that makes sense

It's sort of like a new me, and I don't really know who that new me is yet or feel comfortable being her yet

When the one women laughed at me when I asked if she could possible stand up to let me past she laughed and said if you don't have enough room hold the sticks over your head, problem solved

The old me would have stamped on her foot and let my handbag swing in the direction of her face .......this new me who I don't know yet just felt 2 foot tall and stupid for not being able to get past without her moving

I have mobility issues and would hate to be in the front row. I prefer the aisle. I just get there at the last minute and plonk down. Interval time is a faff but I usually need a stretch anyway. It's too hard to generalise, we all have different needs.

Why would you want to sit in the front row if you have mobility isues? Surely sitting further back woukd be better.

I've always found no one wants to sit at the front apart from little kids who don't know any better.

I know now my AIBU is not workable however there are loads of great ideas coming forward from both potential users and people within these venues.

Thank you all for replying ....I'm learning

I think you had a shitty experience because of an ignorant customer and it's not nice. The venue may have been at fault too, but talking to them is a good idea. I don't think the venue are wholly at fault though.

Laughing woman said WHAT??

You should have done as she suggested, then lost your balance and fallen on the bitch

Don't worry, OP - you'll toughen up. There's some ignorant people out there but one thing's for sure we pretty much all end up a bit wobbly in our old age and I bloody hope she does.

I have mobility problems and there's no way I'd sit at the front. I also have AS and would meltdown with hundreds of strangers sat behind me.

If you have mobility issues then the end of a row is impossible as you would be expected to move to let people in and out.

I's a good idea OP, I can't see why not, other than for those who have spine problems.

Quote You can't generalise like that. I always sit at the end of the row, on a certain side, so my worse leg can stretch out and have more space. I just don't sit down till the last minute and I find it's good to get up and stretch during the interval, so it works for me. People with mobility issues are not one group and we all have differing needs.

I think nearest to the exit is probably best, as the wheelchair spaces are now. Perhaps a few extra seats for mobility challenged, with more leg room.

Candy

What I am saying is that assigning seats at the end of the row would often not work for the disabled person as quite a few people have limited mobility, It doesn't mean as a disabled person you would have to sit there it would mean you get a chance to have that option.

Speaking as someone who has a disability, I would find it hard to get up and down each time someone wanted to pass.

I thought the OP idea a good one, as it would make events much more accessible to people who do have limited mobility.

I'm going to suggest it to several places that I am often involved in events, I can't see the problem really, if no one with mobility issues wants the seats then they can be released to everyone, but I think it will useful option to a lot of people.

When they (my friend's run festivals) introduced disabled viewing platforms at the festivals it made a huge difference to how many disabled people attended the events.

For an amateur show I think it's a good idea (the theatre we use has removable seats on the front row for wheelchairs and the rest of it is raked seating so very difficult for anyone with mobility issues to use).

For a professional show I don't think it's a good idea. Seats at or near the front are often among the most expensive for a start and I don't think someone with a disability should have to pay more (but nor do I think the theatre should have to lose money by selling them at a lower price because someone has a disability iyswim). It's also difficult for theatres to reserve seats in case they end up unsold.

The Incidental - is there always a signer at the theatre? I can't believe I've never noticed this! (or do you have to go to selected performances?) We never provide one for our amateur shows. I wonder if it should be something to think about.