Wheelchairs and theatres

Invasion

I've written the letter, though have emailed to start, see what happens, if nothing then will send it via post. It does say on the website that they have seating for wheelchair users and their companions, and implies that you can sit together... Anyway, will see how that turns out! Thanks

RAGSTORICHES

I am a wheelchair user and have found each theatre or cinema I go to has different seating arrangements. I always take my husband (carer) with me.Sometimes he is allowed in free sometimes not.Sometimes my wheelchair is on end of a row of seats with my husband allocated first seat in row, which is what I prefer as I can quietly tell him if I want anything and also it is easy for us to get out.Sometimes they put me in a gap in seats with him or someone else sitting behind.This is awful as the wheelchair is high and whoever is behind me cant see properly and it makes me feel bad.The best times are sometimes they have a sort of balcony with spaces for wheelchairs and put a seat next to them for carer.This way we can both enjoy show together and the first row behind us is raised which stops me spoiling anyone elses view.
I tend to ask about seating before I go now.

The_One_Who

Since every theatre/venue is different it is definitely worth asking about seating arrangements at the time of booking.

I work in a theatre-type place and we have wheelchair spaces at the side terraces of the main stalls. One companion can sit with them, and will be provided with a free ticket. If there are more in the party then they will have to sit somewhere else, usually along the terrace if possible. Once all the normal spaces have been filled spaces may be made available by taking out seats in the main stalls. It is usual to tell a party if they can't all be seated together and try to find seats close to each other if that's what they want.

OP, there probably isn't that much that can be done at this stage, but the venue may be able to accommodate a move for you and a carer if you are lucky.

cyberbob

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

I don't think it's right to assume anything like this, to be honest. Very many wheelchair users are fiercely independent - and rightly so. Just because they're in a wheelchair does not mean that they need the (constant) attention of a carer.

Your missing the point. Forget the wheelchair for a second. You book tickets for an event. Your party is ablebodied and there are two of you. One is put in one row and one is put 2 rows down. I'm sure you wouldnt be happy as you wanted to go together to enjoy the event. I'm sure you would kick up a fuss. Going on your theory if you went to a restaurant and they put the person in the wheelchair on a separate table you think thats exceptable!?!!

So why should it be different because one of them is in a wheelchair. I am the full time carer for my wife. If she is well enough and we go out to an event we want to enjoy together we want to be treated like any other couple not put rows apart.

Invasion

Apparently we were told wrongly... After emailing I've been informed that the "companion" seats are in the row in front, whether you need care or not, directly in front of me, the tickets say otherwise, and the person on the phone agreed, but if they leave 2 "normal" seat spaces for each wheelchair then it makes sense.

I still maintain that we should have been informed on booking, it's not easy to help someone or even talk to someone in the row behind you is it? And it's not as if I'm going to be standing up to whisper in mum's ear?! there'll be a reasonable amount of space between us. Hey ho, that seems to be the way they see acceptable.

Also, we got no carer discount, despite being told we would, £35 each ticket, and a total of £105 was charged, I don't see a carer discount in there?! Man that emailed back ignored that part of the email....