Edinburgh International Book Festival.

bwp

26 Aug 2016

Books and more in a surprising tented 'village'

5

5

Date of visit: August 2016

I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around and seeing.

Overall Rating

Excellent

I decided to award the full five stars to the Book Festival as their commitment to access and inclusion was very evident. From discovering that there was some thing for everyone, friendly staff, and a great layout it was amazing to think this was a temporary structure for the festival.

Disabled Access In and Around

Excellent

Getting into the gardens was easy as the entrance had a gentle sloping ramp to take you into the welcome 'tent' and from their boarded walkways led around the site. The central area was grass and thought had even been put into how you get off the boardwalks and onto the grass areal gentle ramped edges did the trick perfectly. Some areas of the grass has plastic style board walks as well to make getting around easier. The doors and entrances to each of the book reading areas and the other facilities were all easy access and wide enough for my powerchair. No unusual bumps and bumps to climb over which was great.

Parking & Transport

Average

Sadly parking around Charlotte Square is not great and the height of some kerbs made getting around as a powerchair user tricky. That said, public transport was close to hand with teams and buses a short distance away on Princes Street. The buses and trams were accessible with dedicate wheelchair space.

Accessible Toilets

Excellent

The accessible loo - for me was one of the highlight .... I've never in many years of visiting pop up venues as a powerchair user seen a loo with such a good ramp access and an automated door. No more acrobatics to try and balance on a ramp and open a door ! Once inside there was space to 'have a party' .... Beautifully clean, spacious and well appointed.

Staff

Excellent

Welcoming, friendly and helpful .... Happy to advise and assist ....

Additional Information

One of the best 'pop up' venues I've visited in a long time .... Maybe even a case study on how it should be done .... Everything from accessible and inclusive book reading and gatherings with BSL and more. An environment that is easy to access for wheelchair users, parents with buggies, and those less mobile. A loo that goes the extra mile to be accessible ....