West Kirby Arts Centre: A Barrier to the Arts

As my confidence to get out has grown, so has both my loneliness and restlessness. Many of my friends are vulnerable and shielding, so not keen to mix.

This is fine, we’re all on our own path and re-emerging into a new world at our own pace.

I love art and find such joy in painting, so when I heard about the 5 week all abilities painting course, costing £90, I worked out how to save up for it, planned travel arrangements and got quite excited.

Then my p.a phoned the tutor at the West Kirby Arts Centre. He said, 'we’d love to have you join us, but there’s no wheelchair access.' Apparently, the Victorians who built the church didn’t think disabled people worthy of God’s love... And those who converted the church, don't think us worthy either as there are 8 steps leading up to the entrance, internal steps and no disabled toilet!

How a place like this is open in the 21st century, I do not know! Disappointed, angry and upset that they were effectively excluding me because I am disabled, I wrote to them.

Email sent to WKAC 22nd April 2022:

Dear west Kirby arts centre I recently phoned regarding the art course being held at your centre and was informed that there are 8 steps leading in from the outside and also internal steps throughout with no ramps at all, I was also told that there is no disabled toilets! As a blind wheelchair user I find this dispicable that in the 21st century which is post disability discrimination act 1995 and the subsequence Equality Act 2010 that replaced it and it dictates that businesses: “must make reasonable adjustments”

Installing ramps and an accessible toilet would be a reasonable adjustment, doing nothing to ensure that all people of all different abilities are welcomed into your building is dreadful!!! I am appalled that a place such as an arts centre does not have any wheelchair access, I and many other people who use wheelchairs are incredibly creative but as the West Kirby Arts Centre is effectively banning wheelchair users we cannot join in, I am an access champion and review places for my blog www.accesschampion.blogspot.com I would have loved to have done a fantastic review of the West Kirby Arts Centre but as I can’t get in I can’t. I hope this email has made you see that putting in a ramp would benefit so many people and hope you do so soon.

Thanks for reading

Lady Faye

They replied as below. 

Reply from WKAC 26th April 2022:

Dear Lady Faye

I can assure you we have done as best as we can to improve our facilities for all. I am not sure how you can ascertain that 'Installing ramps and an accessible toilet would be a reasonable adjustment' without doing a site survey? We have had various access specialists survey the property and none have been able to come up with a viable solution to our access problems.

We are always open to expert opinion and advice and will continue to endeavour to improve our facilities where possible.

Yours

Tony 

WKAC

I felt their reply to be rude and condescending. They offered no apology, had no empathy (I mean, asking a visually impaired woman to do a sight survey, come on!). However, never one to turn down a challenge, I went along, hoping to talk to someone, but as I hadn’t arranged this, I didn't expect to.

The day was a lovely, sunny day. My PA and I got the train to West Kirby. The West Kirby Arts Centre is about a 5 minute walk from the station and is on a residential street.

I was incredibly disappointed. It was worse than I had imagined. I turned to get closer and smacked my cane into the high concrete step. It was taller than my footplate.

I asked my PA to look inside. She said up the steep steps, the front door opened into an immediate bar area and, of course, steps galore!

I emailed my findings and made suggestions of how they can improve:

Reply sent to WKAC 6th May 2022:

Dear Tony,

As I mentioned, I phoned in the first instance to enquire about access to see if it was worth my time making travel arrangements to begin the course.

Just to clarify, a reasonable adjustment is what enables disabled people to access a place. Yes, the adaptions will be a big financial investment, but just think, you'll be opening up to the disabled community and giving us the opportunity to meet others and achieve goals.

Also, please be aware of the language you use, to suggest a blind person completes a 'sight survey' lacks empathy, I felt, rather insulted. I am just a blind wheelchair user wanting to fulfil my human right of accessing a building. As it happens, I visited the premises on Friday last week.

The first hurdle to overcome was the huge step that my blind cane made contact with. I could not get beyond the pavement. I sent my PA to have a look inside. She said at the top of the steep steps, there were more steps leading off to, presumably, the classrooms.

These are my ideas:

*You could convert the front of the building into either a zig-zag shaped ramp or a lift that opens from street level into the centre.

*On the inside, a complete refurbishment may be needed to bring the floors in line. *The topsy-turvy nature of the internal steps may be disorientating to the blind, deaf and those with dementia.

*The toilet needs to be large enough to turn around in.

I also listened to what your centre is about (aiming to encourage creativity and provide greater access to the arts) but by not providing disabled access, sadly, I do not believe you are achieving this. You say you welcome all ages, but what about the elderly, many of whom use mobility aids or people like my friend and I. She, although not a wheelchair user, does use a walking stick and can not manage steps. We just wanted a place to meet other like minded people who love art, what are we to do?

You asked for solutions, so I have given you some ideas,

Anyone can become disabled. I hope you are never refused entry into a building. It's incredibly humiliating having to prove your worth as a human.

Lady Faye

Their reply was as dissatisfying as the visit.

Reply from WKAC 11th May 2022:

Thank you for your interest and coments I will consider what you say, but unfortunatly as a small community focused venue we do not have the money required for type of refurbishment that you are sugesting.

The only option, following your rational, would be for us to close the Centre, stop operating and offering the services that we actually do manage to deliver in what is a very difficult, post Covid, finacial environment. 

Just to clarify I sugested a 'Site' survey and not a 'Sight' survey. I think you will find 'Site Survey' is the usual term used for such matters.

Once again thank you for your interest and good luck with your endeavours.

Yours

Tony

Founder Wesy Kirby Arts Centre

I then suggested that he contact the Arts Council England regarding a grant. But after lots emails back and forth, sadly, I don't think they will do anything to include everyone, of all ability. The West Kirby Arts Centre seem to have a strong aversion and reluctance to assist those with mobility issues 'accessing the arts'.

I have offered suggestions to the West Kirby Arts Centre, if they act upon them, I will eat a sprout and cabbage (ghastly thing, but, disappointingly, I think I’m safe from those particular green veg).

Writing this review has made me see just how much ignorance there is to still overcome, in the 21st century, in a world of equal opportunities for all, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality or disability... Yet, that last one always gets forgotten. Why are we, the disabled, constantly seen as a financial inconvenience. If businesses provided decent access, then they could fill their purses!

Having to phone and beg for access is humiliating. I cannot imagine any other section of society for whom this is a regular occurrence. And then being told, no, no wheelchairs welcome here... It makes me question, am I human? Do I not have human rights to enter a building? Art is meant to be barrier less, unbinded by restrictions. Art, be it painting, theatre, music or dance ought to invite, no exclude one group of people! Highlighting the law to a local business that really doesn't care about its potential disabled customers is extremely disheartening. The lack of empathy, blatant disregard for the disabled is hurtful.

All I can do is hope the West Kirby Arts Centre does realise that the physically disabled needs are as important as the able bodied.