Accessing Public Facilities as a Disabled Person
One of the struggles that disabled people have to go through is the use of public facilities. The world seems to be built for able-bodied people, with disabled people being considered later.
Several different sources echo this exact sentiment. For example in the UK an article by Jay Rayner states that “It can be impossible.”1
According to Rayner’s article, many disabled people need to know if the venue is accessible for individuals with disabilities and that websites contain very little information on accessibility. 2
This information is fundamental in order for disabled people to live similar lives to their able-bodied peers. Therefore, accessibility information should be included on all websites and should be updated regularly, in order to be in line with the Equality Act3.
An example of accessible facilities could be found in some cinemas. From personal experience I know that some venues can be difficult to access as a person with limited mobility (particularly one’s in older buildings). However, most cinemas have the option of using something called a CEA card that allows for disabled people to access cinemas with minimal barriers.4
These points are just the beginning of building a system that does not limit anyone’s mobility, regardless of whether they are disabled or not. Disabled people deserve to have the same quality of life as any other person, therefore, our restaurants, cinemas and other venues should be as accessible as possible.
Thank you for reading!
Jay Rayner, ‘Yes, It Can Be Hard to Get a Restaurant Table. But It Can Be Impossible If You’re a Wheelchair User’ The Guardian (15 February 2024) <https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/feb/15/yes-it-can-be-hard-to-get-a-restaurant-table-but-it-can-be-impossible-if-youre-a-wheelchair-user-jay-rayner> accessed 16 March 2025.
Jay Rayner, ‘Yes, It Can Be Hard to Get a Restaurant Table. But It Can Be Impossible If You’re a Wheelchair User’ The Guardian (15 February 2024) <https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/feb/15/yes-it-can-be-hard-to-get-a-restaurant-table-but-it-can-be-impossible-if-youre-a-wheelchair-user-jay-rayner> accessed 16 March 2025.
Equality Act 2010
Home - CEA Card’ <https://www.ceacard.co.uk/> accessed 16 March 2025.