What Accessibility Really Looks Like – From My Perspective

RachelG
Jul 29
3 min read

By Mole, PA Services Client Ambassador

Welcome to the second instalment of my blog series, where I talk about life as a wheelchair user and the reality of navigating the world around us. In my first blog, I shared a bit about who I am and why inclusion matters to me. In this one, I’m getting specific — let’s talk about accessibility.

I love going out into the world and attending huge events such as Capital Summertime Ball, Goodwood and Brands Hatch, but unless you are a wheelchair user or someone with mobility issues, you may never really appreciate the struggles we face on a day-to-day basis. Life in a wheelchair is hard enough, then you must contend with accessibility.

From awkward layouts and poor transport to great experiences that get it right, I’ve broken down a few recent events to highlight what worked, what didn’t, and what I think others could learn from.

When I go to Wembley Stadium I praise how straight forward it is, its quick and easy to get in, amazing seating right next to the stage and everyone is so polite and respectful. If I am honest, there isn’t really anything bad to say at all about Wembley, maybe the prices of food and drink, but that’s another story. Overall, I have to say I am impressed with Wembley and enjoy going back every year. Here’s a bit more detail:

⭐ Wembley Stadium

My top pick – 1st place

What Was Good

· Straight forward – quick and easy to get in

· Good seating – Right next to the stage with a clear view

· Everyone was polite and respectful

· Nothing bad to say about the experience at all

· Had a few drinks and had a great time!

⭐ The O2

Close second – 2nd place

What Was Good

· Easy to enter – straight forwards

· Great seats with a good view at the front

· Had a few drinks and loved the experience

· Nothing ruined the day for me

· Plenty of staff to assist me

· Fireworks were amazing

· Food was good

Room for improvement:

· Took a long time to get out of the car park due to how busy it was

· Struggle to be able to get disabled parking spaces to book

⭐ Brands Hatch

3rd place

What Was Good

· Was allowed into the stands with a good view when I asked even though I didn’t pay for them

· Great accessibility throughout

· Left without any complaints

⭐ Good Wood

4th place

What Was Good

· Great accessibility

· Good view

⭐ Goffs Park

Least accessible – 5th place

What Was Good

· Very good view once at the front

· Had an overall amazing experience

· UB40 was amazing

Room for improvement

· The designated wheelchair area was too far back and had poor visibility

· You must get on a bus to access and leave the park, but the bus did not have enough space for my wheelchair which made the experience worse.

· Bumpy path which made my chair move a lot when moving

What This Tells Us

Accessibility isn't a bonus, it’s essential to me and other wheelchair users. It's the difference between someone feeling like a welcome guest or a burden. And too often, it's clear when venues are ticking boxes rather than truly thinking about the needs of us.

From transport to seating, pathways to parking, getting it right makes all the difference. When it works, you barely notice it. When it doesn't, the barriers are impossible to ignore.