Overview

In the spirit of Disabled Access Day and #YouAndSomewhereNew I decided to make a trip out to somewhere I wouldn't normally consider. As a powerchair user my compatibility with flying is pretty low - I know it can be done but it isn't something that I would think too much about. I was interested in the airport and what it is doing for disabled travellers. And, whilst I don't fly (yet) I liked the idea of know how easy it was to get to, whether there are good loos and what is it like; after all I may want to go and greet folk flying in to visit me. It was pretty surprising how things have moved on since I last visited and the airport was all over the BBC local news for being a pretty appalling experience for many people.

Transport & Parking

My getting to the airport was a top class experience. I bought a ticket for the tram in the centre of Edinburgh, at St Andrew Square and lined my powerchair up with the wheelchair logo on the platform in anticipation. The long, snake like tube of the tram appeared from around the distant corner and gently glided alongside the level access platform. A great start not having to do battle with temperamental ramps and acrobatic manoeuvres. Two large clearly marked wheelchair spaces beckoned me in - you can choose which one and each faces the opposite direction. Handy, if like me you have a preference to see where you are heading; different to the backward seating position on buses. Arriving at the airport it was easy to wheel off and follow the signs into the airport building. An enormous set of giant letters spelt out the word 'Edinburgh" just before you went in - a great sport for the compulsory selfie that we are all so used to seeing. Not for me today, as it was pretty bleak weather with snow and rain belting around my ears and my fingers beginning to long for the gloves I forgot to pick up on my early morning dash out the door!

Access

Once in the warmth of the terminal building it felt like a blend between a busy railway station and a shopping centre. Fortunately, the signage was good and for once actually made sense. So often signs are out of sight or not that clear as to which way you need to head. The floor, important for me, was smooth and easy to wheel along and the lighting strong and daylight style rather than the doom and gloom of many a boutique shopping centre. My visit was to find out how the airport had 'upped it's game' for disabled travellers. I followed the signs for the 'Special Assistance' - not my favourite name but it works and people understand it. Wheeling in to the 'Special Assistance' hub it was a surprise to find somewhere that although having the feel of a dentist's waiting room was actually very spacious, colourful and welcoming, and with lots of comfortable seats. Welcoming as a descriotion reminds me that the first thing I encountered was the amazing 'Welcome' app and its creator Gavin from @Neatebox - put simply 'Welcome' is an app you have on your mobile phone. You use it to tell the destination, in the case the airport, that you are paying a visit. When you arrive at the building they know you are there and will offer the assistance you require. For me it's about physical things like carrying luggage, opening doors, finding my way, and locating the accessible loo. All of this happens without having to repeatedly explain what is helpful, it's private between you and the place your visiting. The fab news is that 'Welcome' is now in all sorts of places. From Jenners, the big department store in central Edinburgh, though to banks, airports, visitor attractions and so many more. I met the inventor of Ramble Tag - a clever wearable sleeve with a guide loop. Used to assist in guiding visually impaired people. No embarrassing not knowing where to hold people, what to grab (although you shouldn't grab folk) and a very safe way of assisting those visually impaired people who want a sighted guide. I also, met the Special Assistance Team and the Airport's lead on Accessibility. It was refreshing to hear of the work going on the plans for the future. So what made my day? Well, two things - the first was meeting Ben and other disabled people out and about exploring. Ben, a young wheelchair user, was out filming his journey through the airport on this GoPro! The second was the exciting new that Edinburgh Airport will be installing a Changing Places Toilet his summer!

Toilets

As is often the way, when you first arrive somewhere you're not that interested in the shops, the visit, the things on offer until you have found the accessible toilet! I'm sure many folk share this experience. The airport did well in that it's accessible toilets are well signposted and I loved the notice by the lifts telling you about the availability of accessible toilets on each floor. The loo I used was modern, well appointed and spotless. I chose to award four stars for toilets and whilst what they have is very good they don't yet have a Changing Places Toilet but I am told this will be rectified in the summer when they open a new Changing Places Toilet. So, well done ...

Staff

People make places! I was really pleased at the help and response from everyone I met. I could be cynical here and say, well it was Disabled Access Day. My gut reaction was that maybe, just maybe, this was how it is everyday at the airport. I know things do go wrong from time to time but it is how people are, what they do and what they say that makes a difference. I liked the way the special assistance team were keen to talk about everything they had on offer from the lanyards for folk with hidden impairments, the pre flight walk throughs for families who be bringing a disabled child on their first flight through to 'Welcome' and other techie things they are using.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Edinburgh Airport impressed me with it obvious and tangible commitment to accessibility and more importantly its willingness to listen to disabled customers and hear what can be done. Whilst I still won't be taking a flight anytime soon I'm happy to tell others how good it feels to me to have such a warm and positive welcome when visiting.

Photos