Hi, my name is cor1nne!

cor1nne
cor1nne Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
in Start here and say hello!
I love attending concerts and the theatre and never had any issues with my carer coming with me. 
I have just tried to book tickets for a local concert and went to buy access tickets for an aisle seat with my pa 2other friends. The access info said these were available. I ended up having to book 4 full priced tickets and not able to choose aisle seats. 
I emailed to ask why I couldn’t get these (can’t talk to anyone these days) and was told these were not available this year because if health and safety. The suggested that I sat in the wheelchair area with a seat for my carer only. There was no room for my friends so I would have been separated because if my disability. 
I asked if my seats could be changed to accommodate but was refused but they did thank me for pouring out the mistake in their write up. I have previously attended events here before. I now feel very let down. Also the wheelchair areas are very much out of the way of the stage. 
This doesn’t seem very fair or legal. I would appreciate your feedback 

Comments

  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Hi there @cor1nne and welcome, thanks for taking the time to reach out on the community. Sadly I'm sure you're not the only one to experience this as a wheelchair user. I've had similar things happen to me when booking for the theatre or sporting events.

    It's as if disabled people, or wheelchair users at least, aren't expected to have more than one person- their carer- with them. It's a clear example of accessibility as an afterthought. In an effort to make a space accessible, wheelchair spaces are almost bolted on, and often not in the best places to enjoy the view!

    Sometimes wheelchair users are also categorised as a fire risk. I've had a few times in the past, where I've left my wheelchair at the side of a room to transfer to a seat, and my chair is deemed a potential hazard to anyone evacuating during a fire. In a practical sense it might well be a risk to consider, but emotionally it can be quite hurtful, especially since we are already adapting ourselves to an inaccessible space. 

    It doesn't feel very fair at all, and I'm afraid I don't know enough to comment fully on the legality of it. This page on the Equality and Human Rights website might be useful to read, about Equality Law in theatres and other entertainment venues. 

    You might also like to contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service to see if they might be able to help. 

    If there's anything else you feel we can help with, please let us know :)

    Alex

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