12/11/2022
I made a new friend who has touched my heart and opened my eyes.
I‘ve always believed that Mannakin would be accessible to everyone.
(Except as****es obviously. They get turned into mannequins by Stephanie, my supervisor, seconds after entering the gate.)
And it is open to all - as long as you have love in your heart, you are always welcome.
So when someone emailed in to ask if my Halloween event was accessible to wheelchair users, I believed it was, but what better way to test than invite them to see. Test and see, before we assume.
What I learnt, is that assumption is taken for granted by many venues and locations that openly advertise as disabled friendly.
Meaning that because a venue, restaurant, pub, believes and assumes they are disabled friendly, in practice and reality, many are far from it.
I can’t begin to think how awful life would be if I was worried to go out, always opting for the ‘oh well I won’t go’ option.
We tested Mannakin Hall for the We’ve Found A Body game.
One doorway was too narrow. In my head I’ve already removed the door frame, but my friend tells me that no one would be offended if an alternative route is in place.
She also tells me that it’s very rare for such an invitation to test and offer advice.
I want to celebrate my new friend for having the balls to ask and visit me - it’s the first time I’ve been asked and yes I also assumed.
My reaction would always have been ‘yes, please come.’
Her assumption could have been ‘probably won’t be, so I won’t ask.’
But she did ask and I invited her to challenge my assumption. And challenge it she did.
Yes I’ve got some things to check and change. And as my plan for Mannakin Hall moving forward is as a visitors location, we will definitely redesign areas with accessibility in mind. It’s very little effort for gaining trust and friendship.
Image credit: Jade Greenfield ♥️