Hillside Festival – Access For All

Susan Wheeler

Accessible Hillside – Thanks!
Susan Wheeler
Ability Advisor, Wheeler Consulting

This past weekend I attended Guelph’s ever-popular Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake. It was my first, and, I can say with certainty, it won’t be my last!

I suspect there will already be countless articles raving about the amazingly talented performers who delighted the large crowd in attendance, both rain and shine. I doubt, however, there will be many reporting about and congratulating the Hillside organizers responsible for the many features of the festival that made it possible for individuals with disabilities to attend with ease.

Being one of the many scooter/wheelchair users I found maneuvering through the park a breeze, except for a few muddy sections, following the rain.

Any first time experience going to public venues is not without concern when you have mobility issues to consider. Yet from the time I crossed over on to the island I felt valued, respected and welcomed as a customer.

Usually I dread lining up for registration. I asked my friend to register for me, however she explained she would be unable to remove my arm to put my wristband on, thus I entered into what I thought would be an onerous task. To my surprise it all went smoothly, without incident.

Moving on from there, I had the additional advantage of having accessible parking privileges. This enabled me to bring along extra health aids… just in case. Speaking of which, the accessibility tent provided me with an extra sense of security; it was comforting to know that should I need attention for some unforeseen disaster there was in fact a designated post.

Whew… fortunately I did not require such services. If anything I had to be mindful to not run  other people down – it was crowded!

Let’s move on to the other good stuff. The designated shaded seating area at the main stage was greatly appreciated, especially because it allowed me to enjoy this shaded elevated platform with my companion.

Believe it or not, when I traveled to the Grand Ole Opry a few years back I was placed in what I call disabled row. Close to the stage – no complaint there, but I was not allowed to sit with my friends.

How crazy is that? Let’s hope things have changed down there since then.

The Hillside folks, however,  have the whole ability enchilada figured out. Okay, I’m not a fan of those port-a-potties (who is?) but even those were more accessible then most restaurants I patronize (I won’t mention any names here …grrr).

Considering all the logistics required to put an event of this magnitude together, I just wanted to say thanks to the Hillside crew for their hard work and for providing me with an opportunity to simply be a face in the crowd.

Roll on next year!

Susan Wheeler
susan@wheelerconsulting.ca

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London Ontario’s Home County Folk Festival – An Accessible Experience

Susan Wheeler

London Ontario’s Home County Folk Festival – An Accessible Experience
Susan Wheeler
Ability Advisor, Wheeler Consulting

Last weekend I attended the 37th Home County Folk Festival in London ON. The talent was plentiful and amazing! Representing all age groups the music shone across the park as brightly as the scorching mid day sun. Children dressed with face paint, danced, clapped and many slept while pushed along in carriages. The rest of us, thousands of loosely dressed adults, relaxed and enjoyed the music of hometown and far traveled musicians. The highlight of the evening was the renowned Bruce Cockburn, who was true to form and absolutely amazing.

The festival itself was held in Victoria Park, and street intersections located immediately nearby were closed at appropriate times to accommodate and ensure the safety of the flow of walking traffic. The park’s grounds were exceptionally clean and the festival organizers provided many well-marked and person-managed recycle stations.

Vendor booths were adequately spaced apart making it easy to view products, manage line-ups of purchasers and still accommodate a continuous flow of shopping and browsing traffic.  The variety of foods available was sure to captured any and all tastes imaginable, and the hand-made crafts and unique products were interesting to say the least. Booths were lined along wide paved walkways, making it easy to access the vendor booths. They were positioned in such a way as to not distract from the performing stage locations, which were set further back from the walkways on well-manicured grass areas surrounded by the shade of large trees.  Every detail was well thought out.

The manufacturers of folding, collapsible chairs, the kind that easily slide into matching tote bags, were well represented as well; so much so that I made a mental note to look for possible stock purchases.

Myself a scooter wheelchair user, I was especially taken by true access that the festival exuded. For once maneuvering through a large crowd was not an onerous exercise. In fact, someone commented to me that many people attending had various disabilities; wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes were all well represented. Given the festival was freely available (no attendance fee was required) and held at a venue that was truly accessible (no stairs, flat, paved, well ventilated) it was a perfect example of build it and they will come, and I, for one will come again next year!

Susan Wheeler
susan@wheelerconsulting.ca

Susan Wheeler will also be reporting from this year’s Hillside Festival for Royal City Rag.

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