I am interested in hearing your stories re access to watching major events as a disabled person. So I’m thinking of Wimbledon, Wembley, Lords, Oval, Stadium of Light (to see Bruce S), O2, theatres, cinemas etc
I run website www.aid4disabled.co.uk and I want to publish a series of blogs about each place, I have already done Wimbledon but more comments welcome. Type of info will include ease to get tickets as a disabled person, facilities, could you see? parking, access, toilets blah blah blah.
I don’t get out much, running website takes a lot of time and I cannot drive so no experience of anywhere except Wembley stadium and arena & O2.
Obviously no names but what you write might be quoted on website. I need to know stadium, your reaction and why and possibly the sporting event
Hi Patrick I’ve been to Lords a couple of times with my husband. Getting tickets was easy enough but best to book as well in advance as possible. I was on my scooter and moved to a seat. There was a bit of a debate about where to leave the scooter but in the end I could leave it near my seat. There was someone else there in a wheelchair. We were right at the front with a wonderful view. The stewards were chatty and helpful. There were disabled toilets. Of course it was busy getting to them during the breaks for tea and lunch but not a big problem. The biggest problem is getting to the ground in the first place. We live near enough to London to drive down but parking wasn’t that easy. Many streets near the ground have residents’ parking only. Getting there by public transport by anyone in a wheelchair would probably be a nightmare as the nearest public transport is the tube…not sure about buses. Have also been to O2. Again, we drove. You can book parking online in advance. I seem to recal that it’s free for disabled people or, at least cheaper. Indoors there are lifts and helpful people to tell you where the lifts and your seats are. Great views from the seats. My scooter had to be driven away from the seats so my husband had to fetch it for me if I needed to go to the loo and when we left. There were several people in their wheelchairs. When a big event is on there are enormous queues for toilets so inevitably able-bodied people end up nipping into the disabled ones (of which there are not enough either). Hope this helps, Regards, Karen
Hi Patrick I’ve been to Lords a couple of times with my husband. Getting tickets was easy enough but best to book as well in advance as possible. I was on my scooter and moved to a seat. There was a bit of a debate about where to leave the scooter but in the end I could leave it near my seat. There was someone else there in a wheelchair. We were right at the front with a wonderful view. The stewards were chatty and helpful. There were disabled toilets. Of course it was busy getting to them during the breaks for tea and lunch but not a big problem. The biggest problem is getting to the ground in the first place. We live near enough to London to drive down but parking wasn’t that easy. Many streets near the ground have residents’ parking only. Getting there by public transport by anyone in a wheelchair would probably be a nightmare as the nearest public transport is the tube…not sure about buses. Have also been to O2. Again, we drove. You can book parking online in advance. I seem to recal that it’s free for disabled people or, at least cheaper. Indoors there are lifts and helpful people to tell you where the lifts and your seats are. Great views from the seats. My scooter had to be driven away from the seats so my husband had to fetch it for me if I needed to go to the loo and when we left. There were several people in their wheelchairs. When a big event is on there are enormous queues for toilets so inevitably able-bodied people end up nipping into the disabled ones (of which there are not enough either). Hope this helps, Regards, Karen
Many thanks for the reply I use a mobility scooter , my problem is that I cannot walk more than a couple of hundred metres if I’m lucky.
Lords, parking will always be a nightmare, do try to master the London buses, the Tube is a non-starter in my case and probably for you as well.
O2 - went there and thought the facilities were excellent. Disabled parking facilities were excellent. Had a bite to eat before going to the show and no problems there either. During the show my scooter was looked after at the cloakroom so don’t know what the facilities are like if you are too disabled to get out of your wheel-chair. All in all I thought it was a good experience. Same at Wembley. I know someone who goes to Wimbledon, finds walking very difficult and she has no problem.
I think the majority of sport places, museums and theatres in the UK are good at looking after disabled people and their requirements. People need to be made aware of good gacilities. Fr example at the British Museum you can drive in and park right in front of the museum. if nothing else it makes you feel important.