Concerns have been raised by members of the LGBTI community regarding the accessibility of events during the Auckland Pride Festival for those in wheelchairs. Dr Huhana Hickey. Photo by Andrea GayNZ.com Daily News has been approached by Auckland disability advocate Dr Huhana Hickey who has raised concerns that several of the Pride Festival venues are inaccessible to people in wheelchairs. She says this is a longterm problem with Pride venues. The venues in question include The Basement Theatre, home to a number of the festival’s theatre shows, and night clubs hosting party events. Concerns have also been raised about access to toilets at the Big Gay Out, as toilets are locked during the event, leaving only portable toilets available. Dr Hickey says, “there is just no consultation or accommodation made for disabilities” and people with differing abilities are no longer getting involved or going to events when they can’t participate. The Pride Dog Show was held in Western Park this year, a location that is inaccessible for those in a wheelchair when the grass is wet, leaving those with service dogs unable to attend because of this.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 11th February 2016 - 12:59pm