Award Winning Access: Cateys 13

I was honoured to attend the 2013 Catey Awards last week.  The awards recognise true excellence in the hospitality industry, including an accessibility category.

The venue for this very glamorous event was the 5* Grosvenor House Hotel on London's Park Lane.  We were treated to fine food and wine - I particularly enjoyed the chef's take on Tiramisu for desert, a chocaholic's dream!  For a hotel built in 1929, the Grosvenor House has been adapted very well for accessibility, but I always find that great guest service really does make all the difference to a disabled person, and I was very well looked after by all of the staff.  One particular member of the events team, Paulina, went out of her way to help me, and even better she enjoyed doing it - service which I won't forget.

The highlight of the evening was seeing One Great George Street win the Accessibility Award.  The leading Westminster conference and events venue is a Grade II listed building which has numerous accessible features, including a platform lift with integrated steps allowing access via the main entrance of the building. You can see a video here of how it operates.  I've been told about this lift many times over the years, and was very excited to finally get the chance to use it late last year!  I'm so thrilled that all of their hard work and commitment to welcoming all guests has been recognised by the Cateys, thoroughly well deserved.

I had a wonderful evening at the awards, catching up with colleagues, meeting some new industry leaders and seeing some famous faces - it's great to see positivity celebrated, and accessibility included.

Accessible Tennis at Wimbledon

After all the excitement of our wedding and honeymoon, Darren and I were thrilled to come home to an email telling us that we had been allocated tickets to the Wimbledon Championships.

We travelled to London by train on Thursday 28^th June, the day before we were due to go to the tennis.  Sadly, this was a day of flash flooding in Cumbria! Which resulted in a landslide just north of our local station.  Chaos ensued, and our journey was heavily disrupted, but the staff were extremely helpful given the circumstances.

Our hotel was the Premier Inn Hammersmith.  This was the first time I had stayed at a Premier Inn hotel, and I was looking forward to staying somewhere new and seeing a different take on accessibility.  There was Blue Badge parking at the front of the hotel, a ramped entrance and a chair lift down 5 or 6 stairs to the reception area.  The room was very spacious, and the bed one of the comfiest we have slept in!  The bathroom again was very spacious, with a low-level bath with transfer point.  We took advantage of the breakfast, dinner and drink deal, and had some really tasty food.  Overall a fantastic value option for a great location – all of the surrounding hotels were double the price of the Premier Inn.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) issue an easy access guide to Wimbledon with all wheelchair tickets, which is very comprehensive and contains all of the information that a disabled spectator needs to visit the Wimbledon Championships.  On entry to the grounds we were asked if we needed a RADAR key and told to contact a steward if we needed any assistance at all, they were really very helpful.  The grounds themselves are completely flat, and a smooth tarmacked surface ideal for wheelchairs.  There are accessible toilets near every court, as well as food outlets which are either level with the ground or ramped.  Each wheelchair tickets comes with a complimentary companion ticket, and a wheelchair space and seat is reserved.  There is ample room in the wheelchair space, even for a large mobility scooter. Our space at court 2 had a fabulous view, and a good patch of sunshine!  For souvenirs there are several gift shops and stalls, the largest being near court 1, which is more spacious and accessible than the rest. 

The first match we saw was delayed by 40 minutes because of rain, so we took the opportunity to indulge in some Pimms, until the sun came out again.  We had a wonderful day watching fast-paced tennis, the atmosphere at Wimbledon is really special.

After a fantastic, but long and tiring day at the tennis we spent the next morning wandering around Hammersmith, and had a leisurely breakfast in one of the many small, family run cafes.   We really enjoyed staying in this area and will definitely return, if we are very lucky we may even revisit Wimbledon.

With thanks to Disabled Persons Railcard on behalf of National Rail, for kindly supplying train tickets.

Planning an Accessible Wedding

Almost 2 years ago, in November 2009, my boyfriend Darren surprised me with a candlelit anniversary dinner, which ended in a romantic proposal.  I was ecstatic, and friends and family were thrilled for us.  After celebrations came the questions about when we would get married, and what we were planning… which was a daunting prospect!  As a wheelchair user, I really didn’t know where to start with all the preparations, how exactly do you plan an accessible wedding?!

The first thing to decide on was the venue.  We ruled out a church ceremony, as neither of us are religious, and for accessibility it would be good to have the whole day in one place.  We did a lot of searching online for accessible local hotels, but struggled to find one which met our requirements, until a colleague recommended the Grange Hotel, at Grange over Sands. 

The Grange Hotel was built in 1866 in an elegant Italianate style, yet still manages to be wonderfully accessible.  All the function areas are accessible by lift and wheelchair ramp, and they have bedrooms specifically tailored for guests with limited mobility, which offer spacious wet rooms.  After one visit, the decision was made!  The hotel have even offered to let us have two bedrooms on the wedding night – a honeymoon suite, and an accessible room, so that I have a choice of bathing options. 

Next on to one of the most important aspects of our big day – my dress!  After getting stuck in dresses and experiencing well-meaning but unhelpful assistants in bridal boutiques, my mum and I managed to persuade a local independent shop to let us take some dresses home to try in return for a guarantee.  My mum’s bedroom provided a much more comfortable and enjoyable trying-on experience – I even got one of my bridesmaids to try the dresses on so I could see them from all angles.  But still, we struggled to find ‘the one’ that would work from a sitting position.  Then, we found Bridal Dream Dress, who will custom make any dress to your exact requirements.  I have to admit it was a nervous wait for the dress to arrive, but I am delighted with the final result!

Once my dress had arrived, I started thinking about my wheelchair on the wedding day.  I decided that I didn’t want to use the same manual chair that I sit in every day, I wanted something special.  After my mum (AKA Chief Wedding Planner) spent days calling around local mobility suppliers, we finally managed to source a second hand manual chair that we will re-spray, re-upholster and customize to match my dress.

Instead of carrying a traditional bouquet, which would make pushing my chair difficult, I will have a wrist corsage of fresh flowers so that I can move around freely and not worry about squashing my flowers.

Since we first got engaged, Darren and I have been wondering how to approach our first dance as a married couple.  After all, slow dancing from a wheelchair is pretty restrictive, but we didn’t want something unnatural and choreographed.  We have decided that we will ask all of our wedding guests to join us for the first dance, perhaps to a song that is a bit more upbeat than the norm.  That way, the pressure is taken off us and we can all enjoy the moment.

With all of the big decisions made, we are now really excited about our big day, and May can’t come soon enough.  I’m now getting stuck into planning our honeymoon, which my work offering information on all aspects of accessible tourism and travel in the UK and overseas should help with!

Points to consider

• Always visit prospective venues to check out accessibility, and if you have any important wedding guests with access requirements, consider taking them with you. 
• Don’t rule out a style of dress because you think that it won’t be suitable or accessible until you have tried it on.
• Remember to shop around when sourcing things like favors, decorations and even dresses – eBay has saved us a fortune.
• Bear in mind the talents of family and friends – ours are helping us with the cake, hairdressing, stationary and my wheelchair, which makes our day more personal.
• Don’t be afraid to think ‘outside the box’ to make your day accessible – after all, the best weddings are unique!

Blackpool by Wheelchair

Darren and I took a day trip to Blackpool, to check out the accessible attractions.

As I’m a bit of a wimp, we decided against the Pleasure Beach, as rollercoasters really aren’t my thing!

After a blustery walk along North Pier, our first port of call was Blackpool Zoo, a short taxi ride away from the centre of Blackpool.

The zoo is all fairly level and flat, with low signage and ramps throughout.  Mobility scooters and wheelchairs are available for hire from the zoo reception.  The accessible toilets are very spacious.  We watched the sealion display, which was good fun and interesting.  Lower benches at presentation points are reserved for those with mobility problems, and all of the viewing windows for the animals are low level.  On our way out of the zoo we visited the Amazonia jungle, where the cheeky little monkeys took a shine to my wheelchair – I was surrounded by them!

Our next stop after another short taxi journey was Sandcastle WaterPark, which on South Promenade.

We were met by the Water Ambassadors on arrival.  These are qualified lifeguards who have close contact with guests in the water, and they are trained to assist disabled guests.  The first thing we noticed was the heat – it really is tropical! 

The downstairs accessible changing rooms are accessed via lift.  There are 4 of these, and the communal shower area has low buttons.  Big, clear fun signage shows accessible route from the changing rooms to the poolside.  3 wet chairs are available for use in the showers and pools, and are fully submergible.  There is also a wet room changing room with shower on the poolside, and a Gold Standard Changing Places room is to be installed.  This is to have bright, contrasting coloured walls and sensory features.  Sandcastle is very spacious throughout, and there is huge importance placed on staff training.  The staff are bubbly, fun and enthusiastic, and nothing is too much trouble.  They offer out of hours sessions for groups that will benefit, such as autistic children or those with a visual impairment, and recognise that building confidence is a huge factor to disabled people enjoying the attraction.  Sadly, we didn’t have time for a swim, but hope to return soon!

Our final place to visit before the train journey home was the new attraction Madame Tussauds Blackpool, which opened in October 2010.

There is ramped access to some celebrity models, but others are accessed via steps or on platforms.  Some chairs can be moved to enable wheelchair users to pose for photos with the celebrities but others are fixed.  Some floors are accessed via a goods lift, which staff are available to help with.  The bridge from the I’m a Celebrity area into the Football Locker room has a steep slope.  We found ourselves getting lost in some areas, as the lift entrances and exits aren’t on the signposted route, but staff were happy to guide, and again really enthusiastic and fun.  Areas like Gok Wan’s Dressing Room and Coronation Street’s Rovers Return are good for those who want something interactive, and especially good for amusing photos!

Our day in Blackpool was varied and exciting, even without the rollercoasters!  Lots to do with really good access, do visit if you can. 

With thanks to Blackpool Zoo, Sandcastle Water Park, Madame Tussauds Blackpool and Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board.

Disclaimer: Activities were provided on a complimentary basis for the purposes of this review. This is an honest review and my opinions, as always, are entirely my own.

Dundee by Wheelchair

Following last year’s successful trip to Stirling, Darren and I returned to Scotland, this time to check out Dundee’s accessibility.


We were really excited to be travelling to Scotland again, as we had enjoyed our previous stays so much. We changed trains in Glasgow, and managed to get from Central Station to Queen Street Station (a few streets away) to catch the ScotRail train without getting lost! As always, ScotRail staff were there to give us a hand.

On arrival at Dundee station, we were met by Tay Taxis. They are Dundee's only operator-owned taxi company, who have wheelchair accessible cars available on request. All of the drivers were very friendly and accommodating and I had no problems getting in and out with a bit of help from them.

Our hotel was the Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa, which is in the heart of the new City Quay development, and perfectly placed to enjoy stunning views of the Quay as well as the Firth of Tay and the Tay Bridges. Our room was spacious, with nice modern decor and the bathroom had both a wet-room shower and a bath tub, which provides a good choice for access requirements and preference. I have recommended that the hotel add accessibility information to their website. We had dinner in the hotel’s Metro Bar and Brasserie, where the food was great, and the staff very attentive.


The next morning, after sampling the hotel’s hearty full Scottish breakfast (with optional haggis!), we made our way to Sensation, Dundee’s Science Centre. They have over 80 hands-on interactive exhibits and almost everything is accessible. The atmosphere is bright and interesting, and we found the whole place very engaging – they have ‘Reclaim’ evenings for adults to see the science centre in a new light, socialise and enjoy a few drinks, which I think is a fantastic idea.

We then visited Discovery Point, which tells the story of the RSS Discovery from her beginnings in Dundee and Captain Scott's remarkable Antarctic expedition over a hundred years ago, through her long ocean-going career until her final journey home. There is a large visitor centre where there are a number of interesting displays, including a touch, feel and smell section with samples such as gunpowder, fur, carpet and fish, which is fantastic for those with sensory disabilities. As an historic ship, full disabled access is not possible; however there is a ramp that can be placed at the top of the gangway that provides access to the main deck. On the quayside before you board Discovery is a film show of a tour of the ship, above and below decks. The only problem is that there is no fixed door on the film viewing pod, which makes it quite uncomfortable during bad weather – we felt as if we were on the ship with Captain Scott!

Next we had lunch at Chambers Coffee House & Restaurant, which won the Eating Place of the Year 2009 award. Their chefs serve only homemade food and guarantee that everything that leaves the kitchen is fresh and, wherever possible, locally sourced. The restaurant is spacious and airy, with plenty of space to manoeuvre a wheelchair, friendly staff and great food.

After lunch we headed off to Verdant Works, which tells the tale of jute (for many years the mainstay of Dundee’s economy) with the life and work of old Dundee, from the incredible rise of the industry to its subsequent decline. We had a brilliant, informative guided tour. The mixture of films, audio tapes, audio described exhibitions and tactile examples of the material are very inclusive. However, we did find that some of the spotlights in the exhibition were not very well placed for people who have a visual impairment to read the information, so they are looking at what can be done about this.

That evening we had a wonderful dinner at the Hilton Dundee’s Riverfront Bar & Grill. The food was excellent, and we had a window table with views of the Firth of Tay. The only disappointment was that I found it difficult to get into the disabled toilet, because of the way that the doors were placed. After dinner we met the duty manager, and I recommended that the hotel install electronic door buttons. The hotel has wheelchair accessible rooms, a number of aids available for guests to use, and a hoist for the swimming pool.

The following day we had a wander into the city centre to visit The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum. The building has undergone an exciting and extensive refurbishment programme to provide a truly modern museum experience. The fascinating galleries and exhibitions have lots of interactive screens, audio descriptions and audio tours. Accessible features include a disabled toilet with adult-size changing bed, many seating points and wheelchairs for hire. We noticed that the pedestrianised area outside the gallery is a shared space – which basically means that there are no kerbs to distinguish between the road and the pavement, only painted lines. Whilst this is fantastic for wheelchair-users as there are no steps to contend with, it is potentially dangerous for those with sensory disabilities, and the concept has come up against strong opposition from disability organisations.

Before the journey home to Kendal, we had a browse around the shops of Dundee. There is a mix of shops of all sizes, making it a vibrant city centre. I was delighted to discover the statues of Desperate Dan, Minnie the Minx and Gnasher in the pedestrianised area, as Dundee is the home of the Beano and the Dandy comics.


Our journey home, with ScotRail to Glasgow and then on to Kendal, went without a hitch, but it was a shame to leave! Dundee is a wonderful place, and I hope that after reading my report you will decide to visit.

With thanks to VisitScotland, Apex Hotels, First ScotRail and TayTaxis, plus Dundee Science Centre, Dundee Heritage Trust, Chambers Coffee House & Restaurant, Hilton Hotels, the McManus, and Judith Sleigh of Tourism Scotland, who helped plan the trip.

Disclaimer: Transport, accommodation, activities and food were provided on a complimentary basis for the purposes of this review. This is an honest review and my opinions, as always, are entirely my own.

Oludeniz by Wheelchair

Earlier this summer, Darren and I travelled Oludeniz, on the beautiful Turkish Turquoise Coast. We wanted to try somewhere new together, and chose Oludeniz after recommendations from friends who had stayed in nearby Hisaronu.

  

After searching on TripdAvisor, I found the Turk Hotel, which had amazing reviews. I emailed them straight away with my access requirements, and was impressed when the owner came back to me within the hour! She confirmed that although the hotel wasn’t adapted, they had a standard ground floor room.

Our flight went without a hitch, and we were met at Dalaman airport by the air-conditioned minibus that the hotel had arranged for us.

After about an hour’s drive, we arrived at the Turk Hotel, and were met with a warm welcome and two cold beers! Our room was small and basic but very clean, and the only access issue I had was the large step into the shower cubicle, which I managed to negotiate with some acrobatics.

The hotel is family run, very popular and centrally situated, yet away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday resort. We spoke to fellow holiday makers who had been going to the Turk for 15 years – the atmosphere was like being with one big group of friends, a very relaxed vibe.

We spent most of our time at the hotel. During the day we soaked up the sun and dipped in the pool, which was level with the tiled floor so easy to slide into. In the evening we ate the hotel’s traditional, great-value Turkish food and enjoyed the fun around the al-fresco bar. The weekly Turkish BBQ night is amazing, with brilliant entertainment.

When we did explore Oludeniz, we found people very friendly and accommodating. The central village is fully pedestrianised and step-fee, however the beach walkway only takes you half way to the sea, which was disappointing. We know from experience that my chair is not easy to get over sand.

When Darren bravely decided to paraglide 6000 ft off the mountains, the company insisted that I join him, explaining that they had catered for wheelchair users in the past – but I decided to stay by the beach and watch him land, I am a wimp when it comes to heights!

We took the sunset cruise on a Gulet ship, which was a bit of a disaster. The walkway was too narrow for my chair to fit down, and when we did eventually get on the boat, I spent the whole time feeling sea-sick! But we managed to get some gorgeous photographs of the sunset.

We couldn’t leave Oludeniz without visiting the famous Blue Lagoon. The lagoon is a national nature reserve; I was pleased that they offered free entry for people with disabilities. It is absolutely beautiful, with calm, crystal clear waters and magnificent mountain views.

Overall a wonderful holiday – we hope to return to Turkey in the future.