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Q. My fiancee and
I are planning to tie the knot on 19/8/06.
Unfortunately we are having difficulty in finding a suitable
location to hold the ceremony and reception. My fiancee
has Cerebral Palsy and is a permanent wheelchair user; consequently
we require a venue capable of offering rooms with suitable
bathing facilities i.e. wheel-in showers.
Obviously the venue should also be completely wheelchair
enabled - including a bridal suite
designed with such limitations in mind - are we expecting
too much or is there a nugget out there as yet hitherto
unearthed??
Any possible leads would be gratefully accepted.
A1. Firstly, congratulations on your
engagement! I have worked very closely with disability organisations
in the past, and still look for accessible features within
venues. I sympathise and know how difficult it can be, there
are an
increasing number that have wheelchair access, but specific
bathing requirements unfortunately make it a little more
difficult. Lets hope the
DDA continues to improve this!
I can't think of anywhere specific, but know there are a
number of organisations that might be able to help. Your
first enquiry might be to Holiday Care. They have a database
of all UK accommodation (hotels, B&Bs and self-catering)
inspected under the National Accessible Scheme, which still
a useful indication of the accessibility of establishments
for wheelchair users.
This information is produced in a series of Regional Information
Guides. www.holidaycare.org
Information -
Tel: 0845 124 9971
Minicom: 0845 124 9976
E-mail: info@holidaycare.org
Fax: 0845 124 9972.
I'm sure that if they can't help, they will certainly have
a better idea of an organisation that will.
Also www.disabledgo.info
and www.goodaccessguide.co.uk.
Can Scope help at all?
I wish you lots of luck with your
search, and would be interested to hear the outcomes if
you would be willing to let me know!
With very best wishes.
(Answered by Emma Pirie)
A2. Congratulations on your engagement. Unfortunately,
you're a little out of my area as I'm in the South but
I would suggest a couple of things: speak to your local
registry office as they should be able to provide you
a list of every civil ceremony venue in that area so you
can work
your way through and ensure you've checked everywhere.
Have a look on www.everybody.co.uk
- this website gives details of hotels across the UK that
are wheelchair friendly and you can contact
each establishment directly through that site
Alternatively, speak to a local tourist office as they
should have details of every hotel in the area that's
fully equipped for wheelchairs.
Do you have a local Cerebral Palsy support group? They
might well have some suggestions for you and I'm sure
they'd be pleased to help.
I'm sorry I can't give any more concrete suggestions but
I hope you find somewhere
suitably perfect very soon - good luck to you both.
(Answered
by Tamryn Kirby)
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