Challenges in Organizing an Accessible Christmas Party

The author, like many others, anticipates the Christmas season and a celebratory gathering with colleagues. However, for an individual with a disability, securing a suitable venue presents difficulties. This marks the author’s inaugural year at Newyddion S4C in Cardiff, where colleagues are eager to locate a place for their collective celebration. The author lives with a rare form of muscular dystrophy, a condition characterized by muscle weakness, which impairs stair climbing. Consequently, a venue devoid of stairs was necessary, a requirement that proved more challenging to fulfill than initially anticipated. Numerous venues were contacted, but their responses consistently indicated a lack of accessibility, either possessing only stairs or featuring non-functional lifts. For many disabled individuals, including the author, crucial amenities include dependable lifts and sufficient appropriate seating to conserve energy during an evening event. The author has recounted multiple instances during social outings where prolonged standing, without opportunities to sit, resulted in fatigue and muscle pain, necessitating an early departure. This particular experience is not isolated to the author. Ciaran Fitzgerald, 29, stated that the obstacles he encounters during social evenings “give him a lack of confidence” and isolate him from his companions. He underscored that these impediments extend beyond physical limitations to encompass societal attitudes. Ciaran reported, “I have been refused service sometimes because people think I’m drunk, but actually I’ve got cerebral palsy.” He noted that this “adds a layer of awkwardness that you don’t want” when socializing. Ciaran, from Port Talbot, expressed, “I just want to be like everyone else, and sometimes that’s not possible because of the barriers that exist.” He further elaborated, “If institutions and establishments can take steps to adapt things in consultation with disabled people then I wouldn’t be disabled in those environments, and I’d be able to enjoy myself just like my non-disabled friends.” In the UK, 24% of the population, exceeding 16 million individuals, lives with a disability. Official data from 2021 revealed that two-thirds of disabled people (66%) encountered difficulties accessing bars, clubs, and cafes. Elin Williams of Disability Wales affirmed that “Lack of accessibility is a huge problem.” She specified that this issue pertains “Not only in terms of locations and buildings themselves but also the environments within the building, so lack of accessible toilets, flashing lights that have an impact on some people, and also a lack of rooms where people can go to have a little break if the situation is too high, and so on.” Williams lamented that “Unfortunately, accessibility is not at the top of people’s priority list, so it is not often taken into account, which means that all disabled people are left behind and feel like they don’t belong, if locations are not accessible.” The primary message from the charity is that “a lot more work is needed to create a society that is more inclusive for disabled people.” Many individuals hope that nightclub operators will heed the requirements of disabled people and modify their venues to accommodate all. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.