Access requirements for a fulltime (non-ambulant) wheelchair user

So, I'm in conversation already with R to ascertain what his specific needs are. Almost certainly though, we will need to have a full size changing/ hoist bathroom, which we haven't had previously. At this stage, this is the biggest consideration, but trackways/ some sort of ramped 4x4 vehicle to enable R to access most parts of the site will also be a priority.

ahaha my apologies! I mean myself, Kay H :)

tagging access folks: @Iona Steen @Yon @Claire McAllen @Clint for visibility only

Last year having the first access area showed just how many people with disabilities will come to a burn with the right facilities in place.

Having a flat space large enough for everyone's needs is important. What is just as important is to make sure that each person's requirements are considered and that those with what may seem like lesser needs are not sidelined because their situation seems less important. All access needs large and small need to be made possible.

Also it is really important that there are toilets for disabilities at all the toilet banks. There need to be at least as many places for those with disabilities as with the able bodied participants. Given that people are tied by the distance they can travel and the urgency with which some conditions cause the need for a toilet.

It also needs to be clear that people respect the toilets so that disabled participants can use them when needed.

I think it is also important that camps are considering access needs before they design their art or camps.

regarding camps, yes, we made a start on this last year with repositioning Crumpet, due to access issues. Essentially, camps need to be (as far as is practicable):

• flat

• near a trackway or proper path

• well-lit

• preferably with a power point for ongoing wheelchair charging

• with a radio for any Burner to be able to call for pickup as/ when (unless we issue a radio to each person with additional needs, which would probably be easier)

• arrange their interior to have, eg, wide gangways, no clutter, no trailing cables

In terms of art projects, the difficulty is that some artists will want an 'off the beaten track' placement. I'm not sure what a solution could be at this stage.

Also, this seems like a sensible place to put this: I've applied already for an Arts Grant for each Camp to take responsibility for a bench, which will be constructed on site, and decorated by each camp. I don't know the outcome of the application yet, but this certainly would be helpful for this discussion.

At all the burns I have attended I have missed the art at remote places because I couldn't access them. Civic responsibility means following the laws of the land and in the UK that means adhering to the laws on disability discrimination.

I am fed up with people using radical self expression to justify either thoughtlessness of people with disabilities needs or down right ablism. This festival has ignored those laws to many times.

Last year, after arguing it for three years there was finally an access camping area and this showed the significant increase in those attending which shows that we were excluding people by not providing infrastructure for people with disabilities.

Cost is not a good enough excuse, so if people want to have a remote location they also need to put a plan in place on how they are going to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities.

There also needs to be training or in place so that those in charge are not breaking the law in response to situations that arise during the event. At best last year I was told I was jealous of the attention Clem was getting when I pointed out that the solution of moving his tent took away the area I needed to be able to get out of my tent with my disabilities. I was ignored and I ended up in hospital when I left and subsequently ended up back in a wheel chair.

At microburn I was forced to use toilets with steps and told to find random people and ask them if they would help me to the toilet. Both of the situation break the laws on discrimination of a person with a disability.

The principles of burning do not overule the laws of the land and in the UK we have clear rules which mean that even if you want radical self expression you still need to make sure you consider accessibility.

Last year someone argued that because of the site it is impossible to be accessible so people with disabilities shouldn't come if they can't be radically self reliant. This is putting the responsibility on the person with the disability which is discrimination and exclusionary.

With regards to the accessible camping, it felt rather cramped last year. It would be sensible to reduce the number of theme camps allocated to that flat area (last year it was Desanka, Costume camp (who moved because they were never going to fit), Shamanarama Cafe, Ishtar (who didn't attend), Antiquarian Speakeasy, Panravia and Loose Leaf Cuddle Infuser. This left a small area for accessible camping).

Totally agree with the need for an accessible toilet in the middle toilet block and exploring solutions for mobility on the site.

good points, well made

yes, I think there does need to be a balance between cluttering that flat space with theme camps and allowing accessible camping area. I guess the person to speak to about this would be someone from DPW, or site planning?

sadly, because of the protected nature of the site (a SSSI if i remember) prevents most sorts of trackway being laid, like you would see at a mainstream festival.