Why do disabled cinema-goers get the worst seats in the house?

In this week's Guardian film blog there's an interesting post following an undercover investigation by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

The post is written by Tanvi Vyas, a member of young disabled campaigners group, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's Trailblazers.

In their investigation of 125 cinemas the group exposed the widespread second-class service people with disabilities experience in UK cinemas.

In the post Tanvi writes how disabled people make up 12% of cinema-goers yet they automatically receive the worst seats in the house. She highlights rude and humiliating treatment at the hands of cinema staff with some people being branded "fire hazards".

The full post can be read at the Guardian.

2 comments for “Why do disabled cinema-goers get the worst seats in the house?”

ela

posted 25 August 2011 at 12:41:01

think you need to state that someone in a wheelchair may experience this problem but my son who has a LD and does not use a wheelchair is very well supported at the local watford Vue cinema -----sits anywhere and staff are very helpful. in a panic he could be fire hazard--- but has never been identified as one --yet!
Rebecca Blake

posted 30 August 2011 at 09:35:50

Cinemas who are not looking after their customers in wheelchairs need should visit Worcester Vue. We are a home care provider and one of our clients loves to see a film there as often as he can. It is completely disabled friendly and staff give great service! http://www.caremark.co.uk/redditch-bromsgrove/news/?news=1&newsId=106