Access provision at Brighton Pride is among the best at any outdoor festival in the country. Billie Lewis, the volunteer chair of the LGBT Community Safety Forum explains what is involved in providing this unique service which makes Pride accessible for people with disabilities.
What is Accessibility Matters?
Accessibility Matters is a project of the Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum that makes Brighton Pride accessible to disabled people.
How long has Accessibility Matters been doing this?
The LGBT Community Safety Forum first provided access services at Brighton Pride in 2013. We then set up Accessibility Matters to expand these services at Brighton Pride in 2014 and 2015. We are delighted to be doing this in 2016.
What is the LGBT Community Safety Forum?
The LGBT Community Safety Forum is an established independent LGBT forum of 8 elected unpaid volunteers working with the LGBT Community to address and improve safety and access issues throughout Brighton & Hove.
Who funds their work?
The LGBT Community Safety Forum receives funding on a project basis. Sources of funding have included the Rainbow Fund, Safer in Sussex Community Fund, Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove Pride Day Grant. We also receive donations from businesses and fundraisers. These funds are for delivering specific projects (e.g. our annual Trust and Confidence Survey, Accessibility Matters at Pride, Report It, OUT Reach and so on).
Do you have any paid staff?
No. We have no paid staff. We are an organisation of unpaid volunteers, led by unpaid volunteers.
What does Accessibility Matters actually deliver at Brighton Pride?
We organise a large team of approximately 85 volunteers to:
Create a Safe Space at the front of the Pride Parade for disabled people who want to take part. This space is protected by volunteer Access Stewards, enabling those who can to walk in the Safe Space, or use wheelchairs and mobility scooters at the head of the parade. Those who are unable to walk the considerable distance of the parade are accommodated on large golf buggies (some of which are wheelchair accessible), which take up the rear of the Safe Space.
Provide an accessible viewing area in London Road for disabled people and their carers to see the parade in relative comfort and safety.
Setup and staff an Access Tent on Preston Park, which provides:
♦ A separate Access Gate (labelled AM) to the park for disabled pridegoers and their carers – which spares them from queuing at the normal entrances to the park.
♦ A Safe Space for disabled pridegoers who may otherwise be overwhelmed by the sheer numbers at the event.
♦ Accessible toilet facilities specifically for disabled people who have asked to come.
♦ A High Dependency Unit for those disabled people who cannot use the standard accessible toilets.
♦ A Community Café for disabled people to have a drink and recharge themselves (and their wheelchairs!).
♦ A separate safe space for people who need to change their clothes in private.
♦ An information point with maps of the park and information about the Community Village.
♦ Viewing passes to ensure disabled people are in safe areas at the front of the entertainment tents.
♦ A Report It! point where people can safely report hate and other incidents.
♦ A Listening Ear service in partnership with Brighton & Hove Samaritans in a private area of the tent.
♦ Facilitate accessible parking facilities for disabled pridegoers, and a golf buggy shuttle service to and from the car park and the Access Tent.
♦ Provide British Sign Language interpreters at the Safe Space on the Parade, at the Access Tent, and at the main performance areas in the Park.
Can everyone who signs up receive a viewing pass?
No. The viewing passes are very limited and are allocated to those who need them the most.
Can everyone who signs up receive a Carers/PA Ticket?
No. The Carers/PA Tickets are safety net for vulnerable attendees that would not be able to attend on their own or without assistance.
What organisations do you work with on Accessibility Matters?
During this years Pride festival we will be working in partnership with Brighton Pride, Brighton and Hove District Samaritans and Blueprint 22 the LGBT youth project.
Can people just turn up on the day to use your access facilities?
We much prefer people to register with us in advance so that we know what their access needs are. They should first buy Access Tickets via the Brighton Pride website at http://www.brighton-pride.org/access-tickets-for-brighton-pride-2016/
then either visit our website at http://www.lgbt-help.com/pride-2016/sign-up/ (which is the best way) or telephone 01273 855620 and select option 3, or email: access@lgbt-help.com to register for our facilities
This year you will be able to purchase an Access Ticket online on the day of Pride too.
If people turn up on the day without having bought Access Tickets, they will unfortunately have to queue for entry with the non-disabled pridegoers at the main gates and then make their way to the Access Tent. They will still be able to make use of our facilities but it will save them much inconvenience if they register in advance.
Is there a deadline for registration?
The closing date for Accessibility Matters applications is July 23. This gives us enough time to process all of the applications.
What happens when people sign up?
First information and requests are collected on a secure form, then a volunteer will contact each person to discuss any requirements and needs to make sure we have everything in place for them on the day. This is mostly done over the phone however, if an applicant is deaf or has a learning need the consultation takes place via other means including a face to face meeting, email or Skype.
Has there been much interest for this years Pride?
Yes. Because of the access facilities we have in place the festival park is becoming more popular with the disabled and deaf LGBT community. We are expecting over 470 access attendees on the day.
Where can people find more information?
You can find more info by visiting www.lgbt-help.com/pride-2016 and following the sub headings.
