A disability rights advocate has called on event organisers and the public to prioritise accessibility and inclusion, criticising what she described as recurring issues for wheelchair users during this year’s Crop Over season, despite some events making commendable strides.
Janelle Skinner did not let her paraplegic condition hamper her ability to attend events, but the season left much to be desired, she said, as several events were neither accessible nor accommodating.
Skinner attended three major Crop Over events, beginning with Rise at the Kensington Oval.
She said: “I was in the VIP section, and I found that this is the second event I went to there, and transitioning from the food court area to where the stage is was very difficult. So when I say difficult, difficult in the sense that no provisions for a ramp were made, which means that it only had steps.”
This was her third year attending Rise, she said, noting that she and another disabled person always notified event organisers of their intention to attend well in advance. Nonetheless, there remained a lack of proper provision and training for security at the event.
“Thankfully, one person saw my distress and escorted me to another part of the Oval where I was able to gain access to the playing field area, where the stage was set up,” Skinner said.
“Even that, I find the lack of communication with security, and because, and I guess I can’t fault them 100 per cent because they’re doing their job. But in certain circumstances, you have to make accommodation, and I found that the security officer was a little bit reluctant and not allowing…the other young ladies to accompany me, through that point.”
She commended the venue, however, for having accessible washrooms: “Bathroom accessibility—fantastic because the Oval has great bathroom access.”
Skinner also attended the Bliss fete. She expected some challenges with the venue, as it was an outdoor setting and it had rained in the days leading up to the event, but she felt the layout was poorly considered, she said.
“They put down sand at the entry point, and when I expressed the difficulty that I would have encountered trying to navigate the sand, I don’t think that the security at the gate fully…understood my challenges.”
She explained: “I use a power chair, and if you are familiar with how the power chairs are set up, if I go on a surface that has like sand or marl, I will skid. I would not…get the traction that I need in order for the chair to move smoothly.”
The venue at Bliss did not have fully accessible bathrooms, even after she had emailed the promoters ahead of time to inform them of her attendance and to request an accessible facility, Skinner said. She said she received a response stating that there would be one, but was unable to locate it.
Access to food stalls was also an issue, particularly when seeking shelter from rain, as those too lacked ramps for wheelchair users.
Skinner’s most enjoyable experience came at Panache.
“Panache will forever be on my bucket list, every Crop Over. From the time I entered Panache, full accessibility…. I had no challenges getting to the food stations, and they were so accommodating, they also had some of the stalls that had the platforms, but not all of them had.”
She added: “But when I was approaching some of these stalls, persons were coming to me and asking me: how may I assist, can I get you something from this stall? I’m not saying that I need that specialised treatment in every single event, but that treatment for sure, that stands out.”
Skinner also said washroom access was smooth and the facilities were kept clean and reserved for users with disabilities.
She pointed out that every year she gives feedback to promoters along with recommendations to improve access, but expressed disappointment that her concerns appear to have gone unheeded.
Meanwhile, Roseanna Tudor, the executive operations manager of the National Council for the Disabled, shared positive feedback on behalf of the deaf community, noting that several deaf individuals were observed enjoying themselves along Spring Garden on Grand Kadooment Day. She recommended that the wider public remain considerate of the deaf community to avoid misunderstandings or negative encounters that have occurred in years past. (LG)
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