Carly Findlay

Writer, speaker, appearance activist. Loving life!

  • About me
  • Say Hello – my book
  • Hire me!
  • Support Me
  • Contact
  • What is Ichthyosis?
  • Ichthyosis + appearance diversity resources
  • Disclaimer
  • Shop
  • Guest post contribution guidelines
  • Growing Up Disabled in Australia

My concerns with Covid-safe outdoor dining and events in Melbourne

October 18, 2020 Carly Findlay Leave a Comment

Today’s announcement of Covid restrictions easing in Victoria has made me a little more hopeful. Can’t wait to see friends and visit shops and eat out. Well done Victorians on making this happen.

But I am dreading outdoor dining (and outdoor events in general). My concerns aren’t just for me, but this post is how it applies to me, because I don’t speak on behalf of all disabled people. I have heard similar sentiments from many disabled friends, colleagues and social media followers – in Melbourne, other Australian states and overseas where outdoor dining is starting to happen.

Melbourne weather is temperamental. Summers are hot, but it can also be freezing in January. Life with ichthyosis means I hate outdoor events at the best of times.

Outdoor dining is not accessible for me because of the weather, and being unable to regulate my temperature, and needing to stay out of the heat in the summer.

Additionally, if dining is on footpaths, it will decrease space for wheelchair and scooter users and prams to travel.

I understand we need to have outdoor dining to reduce the risk of Covid, and to ensure restaurants can reopen.

But not everyone will be able to participate and enjoy it. I fear for many of us, we will continue to be isolated because we won’t be able to access the Covid normal.

I need to read more about the Victorian roadmap out of lockdown. But with the information delivered today, I’m worried.

Covid aside, it’s really hard to request accessibility at events, restaurants etc. (It’s been hard to ask for a seat while waiting for takeaway as current restrictions stand (pun intended.)

I dread having to call a restaurant & potentially argue my need for an indoor seat because I cannot dine outside.

Things that could help:

– A welcoming statement from restaurants to say they will try to meet access needs where they can.

– Enough indoor dining options.

– Not having to disclose disability when requesting access.

– Shade, heating and cooling outdoors.

– Enough room on footpaths for people mobility aids, prams etc to move past outdoor dining spaces.

– Blankets (cleaned after each use).

– Easy access to accessible toilets inside restaurants.

I hope Daniel Andrews, Martin Foley, Brett Sutton  and all restaurants and cafes etc have an accessibility plan alongside their Covid safe plan, so that everyone can enjoy the easing of restrictions. I am here to consult if needed.

Also, no devil’s advocates please – I’m pretty tired.

Has this post helped you or made you think? Will you use it in your workplace? Please consider buying me a drink.

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Uncategorized

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Socials

  • View tune.into.radio.carly’s profile on Facebook
  • View @carlyfindlay’s profile on Twitter
  • View carlyfindlay’s profile on Instagram
  • View sqoggle’s profile on YouTube

Book me to speak

Sign up for some love in your inbox

Listen to my podcast

Tune in

Enter your email address to receive new posts by email.

Archives

Popular Posts

  • What's with the image descriptions on my social media posts?
  • The discrimination hangover
  • Interview with Beth Bradfield from Malory Towers
  • The death of Offspring's Dr Patrick Reid. The TV death that stopped a nation.
  • July is Disability Pride Month
  • Six at Best - Eddie Perfect - Offspring
  • What kind of person laughs at a stranger's face?
  • Ichthyosis Awareness Month - The Girl Behind the Face: "Life’s rarely been split between either laughter or tears; both have existed simultaneously."
  • Miss You Love - an analysis of a beautful Silverchair song
  • My concerns about Wonder the film (and how to talk to your kids about Wonder)

Copyright

The material on Tune into Radio Carly is copyright. The writing in this blog is by Carly Findlay unless otherwise stated. Most photos in this blog are by Carly Findlay unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without permission from Carly Findlay. This blog represents my personal opinions and experiences. It does not reflect those of my employers'. The information I provide about ichthyosis is mostly based on personal experiences. Please seek medical advice or counseling before trying any new treatments I've written about. Where stared, I use affiliate links on this blog. By clicking them, I receive a small percentage of the purchase.

Copyright © 2022 · Daily Dish Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.