Bristol's Balloon Fiesta 'to meet with disabled people after frustration with how they felt treated'
We have approached organisers on behalf of a disabled Somerset nurse, after her efforts to raise concerns went unheard
Bristol's Balloon Fiesta are to meet with disabled people - to see what changes are needed - following criticism of last year's event.
Chloe Hammond, the only disabled nurse in the UK who works clinically whilst in a wheelchair, wrote to organisers to highlight concerns after last year's event but didn't hear anything back - and she also posted about her concerns on Instagram).
The 32 year old, from Somerset, cited problems including a lack of shade in the disabled area - which had been opened up to everyone - and her needing to pay for a carer to access a shaded area with her and a disabled toilet with paper in it.
The nurse says others were told they would be charged for parking twice if they left the site - to access a changing facility in the city centre as advised - and then tried to return.
She said: "The disabled people who were there were talking to me, we were all talking to each other because we were all felt let down by such a big event."
The nurse, who has been attending the event since she was four, added: "It just didn't seem to be a problem to them. They had so many able-bodied people that they didn't seem to care what the voice of disabled people were. I left saying I would never go back, which is such a shame."
Chloe is currently working with the organisers of this year's Devon County Show, who responded to her feedback last year about their separate event.
The changes being introduced for 2024 include a 'High Dependency Mobile Disabled Toilet Unit’ equipped with a hoist, dedicated ‘accessibility stewards', and a ban on retractable dog leads - as well as a 'call out to traders with raised stands to bring ramps in order to facilitate accessibility for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility'.
A spokesperson for the International Balloon Fiesta has responded to the concerns, saying: "We are sorry to hear Chloe's feedback following her experience of the event last year.
"The fiesta is committed to making the event enjoyable for all, and we're disappointed to hear that her experience wasn't reflective of the accessibility facilities and procedures that we put in place last year.
"We're really pleased her feedback has been brought to our attention ahead of this year's event and welcome the opportunity to liaise with her directly to address her concerns and seek to provide a better experience for all.”
The fiesta has updated its accessibility arrangement for 2024 which can be found here