Why accessibility is important: A lived experience point of view

As a 27-year-old, going out to a bar with my mates shouldn’t be a humiliating experience. However, the reality is that even when I was in my early twenties, all I did was stay at home. 

It wasn’t for lack of trying - I would try and go out countless times, only to be faced with how inaccessible the world really was. It felt better to be at home and in control than to be putting myself through distress and an upsetting situation.

I was born with congenital muscular dystrophy, meaning I have weak muscles and can’t lift heavy things. 

When you’re out and about in a mobility scooter and encounter one step, it may as well be one hundred. While the government has put all of these accessibility regulations in place, my lived experience with disability – and I’m sure I’m not alone – tells a different story. 

Recently, I went out in Fortitude Valley, and all I could see were the walls of stairs leading up to every single venue. I was too embarrassed to ask if there was an accessible entry for me, because I knew the answer would be just too much of a hassle. 

When I got my first full-time job, however, my outlook on accessibility was transformed. 

I’m fortunate to be a part of the team at First2Care family, who employe more than 15 per cent of our team lives with a disability. 

Working full-time has given me the confidence to live a normal life and shown me that I’m able to go to work just like everyone else does. 

Often, when I was younger, I felt like an “other”. Working has allowed me to overcome this feeling, and I no longer fear that my disability will prevent me from having other “normal” experiences.

It’s the small things, like having a chair and foot stool to allow me to work at my desk without pain or discomfort. 

I’m living proof that by making a few, small modifications, it can make a whole world of difference to someone like me. 

This is the perfect chance to make it a more accessible city for future generations to come. 

Accessible building standards in Queensland only apply to those built after 2011. That means if I wanted to have a beer at an iconic, old pub, forget about it.  Renovations are restricted in heritage venues, so they can rarely retrofit accessibility functions. For other venues, accessibility must only be incorporated if there are plans for a large-scale renovation. 

The system is largely complaint-driven, so if no one speaks up, nothing changes. 

We could start by retrospectively mandating accessibility upgrades for iconic public venues, between now and 2032, so that these can be enjoyed by everyone. There should also be considerations for a city-wide accessibility audit and upgrade plan ahead of 2032. 

If our pubs and restaurants aren’t accessible, then what message are we sending the world?