For most people buying a concert ticket questions like, “How am I going to get into a venue?” or “Where will I go to the bathroom?” aren’t top of mind but for people with disabilities these issues can make or break a night out.
Wheelchair user Raven Van Camp recently toured two concert venues with CTV News Edmonton to shed light on their experience.
The Winspear Centre – known for its high quality sound – was built in 1997.
With its spacious lobbies, two public elevators and accessible seating on each floor, Van Camp describes accessibility here as “pretty good” but said there is room for improvement.
Carpet is very difficult to push on. Additionally, there’s the bars. I can’t actually see over the bar. To use the pin pad, they have to shove it off the edge so I can hold it.”
Van Camp demonstrated how they wedge the front of their wheelchair in the door of the public bathroom since it does not have automatic entry.
“Usually I go at intermission because there’s lots of people,” they said.
The Winspear said it is accessible to all patrons(opens in a new tab) with mobility concerns through both the main doors and artists’ entrance.
It also has assisted listening devices(opens in a new tab) available at all events free of charge.
Comments