Not what I imagined at all .... better !!!
5
5
Date of visit: August 2015
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around and seeing.
Overall Rating
Excellent
I would find it difficult not to give five stars as here was a place where I felt was accessible but also very inclusive for me as disabled person.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
Finding dancebase was easier than I thought. I'd been told to look for the narrow archway toward the end of the Grassmarket. I spotted the signage from a distance. Going inside you find a large lift (room for more than one wheelchair) that takes you up to reception. Push pad auto doors let you in and the reception counter is fab as it's at wheelchair height. Once in I could wheel around all areas and the lift was fine going up to the upper level. In the studio there was plenty of space and my viewing position at the front of the seated tier was fabulous. The cafe and other areas were great!
Parking & Transport
Average
Transport to dancebase was probably its weakest point. There was a bus service running along the Grassmarket and some taxis were in evidence. You do have to walk, or wheel in my case, some distance from any parking space or bus stops. It was worth the effort so worth a try if you can ...
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
A large accessible loo was adjacent to the reception area. The door was wide and easy to use. The lighting was good and the layout worked well for me. There was space for me to manoeuvre my powerchair. All in all a good experience; not always the case in some 'accessible' loos.
Staff
Excellent
The staff I meet at reception, in the cafe, the waiting areas and during the performance I had gone to see were great. Offering directions, help with tickets, refreshments, and making sure I had a good experience. I felt included and welcome which is not always the case. As I told my friends afterwards ... it was all so seamless and it seemed so normal ! As it should be ...
Additional Information
A great experience and an excellent example of how things can be done. Here the combination of good physical access with staff awareness and the provision of things like audio description of the performance came together to make a memorable experience - oh, by the way... the fringe show was Give Me a Reason to Live performed by Claire Cunningham.
