Emily Yates of the Disabled Access Day organising team is looking forward to this year's event which takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend
This weekend promises to make quite an impact in the accessibility calendar.
Disabled Access Day, now in its third year is for the first time running over a whole weekend, from March 10-12. With the hopes of pushing inclusion high up on the priority lists of many businesses and organisations, #AccessDay encourages hundreds of venues globally to take part, showcasing their inclusive spaces and holding accessible events for disabled people, their friends and family and minimising the worry that often surrounds accessibility by turning it into a huge welcome. More than anything, Disabled Access Day is there to provide safe, stress-free and seriously good places to see and things to do for disabled people themselves.
We are always getting great feedback from people about #AccessDay.
George, from Whizz Kidz summed up last year's day perfectly when he told me he had never been prouder to call himself a wheelchair user and disabled activist.
Access Day was "unbelievably heart-warming, powerfully clear and collaborative," he said, adding that "a perfect world - more inclusive, tolerant, accessible and sustainable - is closer tonight than it was yesterday."
Others said it was great that venues were prepared for people with all kinds of disabilities and that the event created a buzz.
Imagine how great it would be if Disabled Access Day was every day?
This year promises to be even better.
For the water babies among us, Beach Wheelchairs in North Berwick are having an open day at the Beach Hut on Sunday (12 March) between 2pm and 4pm. Pop along to see what they do, and have a go in one of their beach wheelchairs!
If water isn’t your thing, how about the sky? Between 10am and 4pm on Friday (10 March) weather permitting, the adrenaline-loving team at Walking on Air in Kinross will meet at Portmoak Airfield and encourage the intrepid among us to fly a glider!
Are you an arty type? Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh is offering a walking tour of four of Edinburgh's contemporary art galleries on Saturday (11 March), starting at 10am at Dovecot, then onto Talbot Rice Gallery and Stills before ending at The Fruitmarket Gallery for lunch.
Glasgow Film Theatre will also have inclusive film showings across the weekend, or you could shake your tail feather at Dance Base in Edinburgh on Friday (10 March), with an inclusive hip hop class at 10am and an inclusive party playlist session at 11am, both free to attend. #AccessDay isn’t just about exotic activities, either! The CCA in Glasgow will be opening their doors for everyone to experience the gallery spaces at their own leisure. Their Cities screening and discussion will also have BSL interpretation.
Not found quite what you’re looking for yet? There are many more #AccessDay events to be found on our website! And don’t forget to tweet us @Access_Day with your feedback, experiences and recommendations for other disabled people. Wishing you a brilliant Disabled Access Day weekend!
Disabled Access Day is powered by Euan's Guide - the disabled access review website.
