How Accessible is the O2 Institute

I finally got to see one of my favourite singers Scotty McCreery in concert, so I thought I would bring back one of my old post types. It is time to talk about how accessible is the O2 Institute, and though they are trying my experience was not good and I’m not alone!

My experience at the concert

I was so excited, I was meant to see Scotty just before the pandemic for my birthday but that was cancelled, so when this tour was announced in the UK I had to go. It was however in Birmingham which like most cities is not very accessible and can be dangerous to walk around at night, so I was nervous.

My friend who was coming with me as a carer, did her research though and saw there was parking for disabled people five minutes away. However, when we got there, it was in a very rough area and closed, so we had to park fifteen minutes away and walk to the venue.

The walk was not easy and as always ramps had obviously been designed by non-wheelchair users so not great. Kirsty struggled to keep control while pushing me at times, and that was because most of the time these things are designed without including disabled people.

Anyway, we decided to pre-book a taxi so we didn’t have to navigate it all at night which would not have been very safe. Still, I was hopeful at this point that the O2 Institute itself would be more accessible, it’s an old building but we have had the Equality Act since 2010 so there is no excuse really.

We hit the first hurdle as we arrived, there is not a smooth transition from the pavement into the building, and it was hard to push the chair inside. There was a woman who I am guessing is trained in some way, but she grabbed by wheelchair and tried to pull it inside. Before I could explain that wouldn’t work, she pulled and I almost tipped out of my chair, I was so shocked.

Luckily, I can weight bear and so was able to catch myself, but more training in how wheelchairs work would be useful. Also, there is no reason for someone to grab my wheelchair, I should have been asked first and then I could have explained.

Once inside we went to one of those awful lifts for disabled people, which inexplicably you have to press the button the whole time the lift moves. No other lift is like this, so I have no idea why they are designed so you have to press the whole time for disabled people to use.

Either way, for some reason we the public are not allowed to use the lift without this woman there. Not sure why that is, but it did mean at the end of the night disabled people had to queue and wait a long time because we couldn’t just use the lift.

One thing that upset me, was that once inside the venue we were just led to the lift and where we had been seated… more about that soon. But the woman leading us never asked if we wanted to see the merchandise, this meant that I didn’t get to buy a shirt or programme. I love having these because they are treasured memories, by the end when I asked her about it, we had to leave and couldn’t wait.

Getting to the disabled area, which was literally the two end of the balcony that are too small to have seats. To get there we had to navigate passed people who were standing, and it was not easy. That gave me so much anxiety and left me feeling in the way, plus I was not shown where the bathroom was or asked if needed before taking us to our seats, once in I felt I couldn’t leave again.

The area we were in was very small, but it was okay, I can understand why they use it for disabled people to use. However, giving my carer a very small stool with no back to sit in for a whole concert is not great. She had already travelled with me and pushed me to get there, least she could have been offered, is a comfortable seat to watch the show in.

Thankfully, both Scotty McCreery and his support act Caylee Hammack, were incredible and we really enjoyed the show. We did have a good view, but there was a high fence, and I only had like a letterbox to watch the show through. It was such a strange experience, and I am not sure who thought of this but it’s not great we deserve to be treated with dignity and not as an afterthought.

Overall, the concert was amazing, but the way we were treated, and the terrible parking situation really marred the whole experience. It is time that we stopped having to ask ourselves how accessible is the O2 Institute, or anywhere for that matter, we should have as good an experience as anyone able bodied.

So, let’s talk about what I think needs to be done to improve the experience of disabled patrons.

How to improve the experience

• Parking – The parking needs to be sorted, a dedicated place close by that is safe to get to and from and to leave your car in. There is no excuse for people who are travelling to feel unsafe this is so important especially disabled people who cannot protect themselves. This is the number one reason I will not be going back to this venue again, yes its in the middle of the city, but at least safe disabled parking close needs to be provided.
• Staff – I liked that there was someone looking after disabled people, but more training needs to be given. It is never okay to touch someone’s wheelchair without asking or having so little knowledge someone almost falls out of the chair. They should also ask if they want to buy from the bar or merchandise and show them where the accessible toilets are. These are basic things to let people who are disabled just enjoy themselves.
• View – I loved how we were above the stage and apart from being unable to see the band, we could see Scotty. However, the gate and railing make it so hard to see, I had to hunch down which left me in a lot of pain by the end of the night. A good view is important if people are paying the same as everyone else, they should have an equally good view.
• Carer – The carer seat is free, so I assume are an after thought to the owners of the venue. But to us, a carer is our freedom, they allow us to leave the house, they keep us safe and have a very important job. So, they should be at least given a comfortable seat with a back not a low stool.

Overall, it just takes asking disabled people and including them in the process of making a venue more accessible. Too often, we are left out of these conversations and that is a shame, especially as it is a job that we could do really well. So, if you are wondering how accessible is the O2 Institute, they are trying, but it needs a little work to make it a really special night out.

Thank you xx

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