Disabled access at leisure venues goes under the spotlight

22 October 2009

PUBS, clubs, theatres, cinemas leisure centres and sports grounds will be put under the spotlight in East London as young people with disabilities go undercover to check out their accessibility.

The investigation by 16 to 30-year-olds is run by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's Trailblazers project to draw attention to difficulties people with disabilities can experience getting access to venues and to highlight good practice to show how it can be done.

Tower Hamlets is one of the five host boroughs for the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012 and Trailblazers is keen to hear about people's experiences in East London.

The investigation was launched after wheelchair users reported inequality and discrimination including being branded a 'fire risk' at cinemas and being refused entry to sports and music venues.

Philip Butcher the chief executive of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said: "Many people take for granted the ability to watch a film, to visit a museum or to support their local football team. This simply is not an option to some disabled people if leisure facilities fail to conform to the Disability Discrimination Act."

Further details about getting involved are at www.mdctrailblazers.org