Things I Wish More Places Told You Before You Visit

I do quite a bit of research before going somewhere new.

I’ll normally start with the accessibility page and then head to Google for reviews, which quite often leads me off in several other directions trying to find the information I actually need.

The problem is that a website saying somewhere is “wheelchair accessible” doesn’t really tell me much.

I’d much rather places gave me too much information than not enough.

Tell Me What Accessible Actually Means

For me, the surface I’m wheeling over can make a huge difference. I struggle with most ground that isn’t smooth, so knowing there’s gravel, cobbles, grass or another uneven surface before I arrive is really useful.

Even saying “gravel” isn’t necessarily enough. Some types are much easier to wheel over than others, so show me a photo if you can.

The same goes for slopes, cambers and dropped kerbs. I’d love to see more photos of entrances and paths so I can see what I’m actually going to be dealing with.

Distances are important too.

“It’s just a short walk from the car park.”

But how short is short?

A short walk to one person isn’t a short walk to another. Tell me it’s 200 metres and I can decide what that means for me.

I’d also like to know if there are parts of an attraction I can’t access.

I’ve found this quite a bit with museums. You can get into the museum, but then find there’s a particular area you can’t get to. Sometimes I wouldn’t mind missing it, but what if that was the bit I particularly wanted to see?

Parking and Toilets Matter Too

If you have Blue Badge parking, I’d like to know how many spaces there are, how close they are to the entrance, what the surface is like and whether there’s a charge.

Toilets are another big one.

I’ve learnt over the years that an “accessible toilet” isn’t always accessible to me. Sometimes it’s a bigger toilet, but there still isn’t enough room for my wheelchair or the doorway isn’t wide enough to comfortably get through.

It also helps to know whether there’s a Changing Places toilet rather than just being told there are accessible facilities.

Accessible toilets are often combined with baby changing facilities too. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with them being together, but when the only accessible toilet is also the only baby changing area, it isn’t ideal for either side. 

Can I Actually Use the Café?

I want to know about the café or restaurant too.

Are there steps to get inside? Is there enough room around the tables? And can I actually sit at a table with the people I’ve come with?

I don’t want to be shoved on the end somewhere because that’s the only place a wheelchair will fit.

Dietary information is useful as well, and I’d love to see more places think about intolerances as well as allergies.

And What About Everything Else?

Of course, not everything I want to know before visiting somewhere is about accessibility.

How much does it cost? Do I need to book? How long do people normally spend there? How much is indoors and outdoors? What happens if the weather is awful?

When are the busiest times? What time does the café close? Is the shop open for the same hours as the attraction? Can you bring a dog?

I’ve never found anywhere where I’ve been completely sure beforehand that we’re going to be OK.

I don’t expect every part of every attraction to be accessible to everyone. Sometimes there are old buildings, difficult terrain or areas that just aren’t accessible.

I just want to know.

Tell me there’s gravel. Show me a photo. Give me the distance. Tell me that one part of the museum has steps.

Then I can decide whether it works for me.

What information do you wish more places included on their websites before you visit?

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