Places of entertainment in Valletta and accessibility for people with physical disability

Abstract

This research explores the experiences of young adult wheelchair users on matters concerning wheelchair accessibility in entertainment places in Valletta. The study goes into two main areas of physical accessibility. These are; the wheelchair access to buildings providing entertainment and wheelchair access to the facilities, goods and services within the entertainment establishment.

The methodology employed for the study was a qualitative design. Functionalism and the social model of disability are adopted as the theoretical frame work of this study. The study involved six young adult wheelchair users who were recruited to take part in this research. The data was collected by means of interviews. The findings of the interviews were analysed through thematic analysis.

The themes that emerged from the study include barriers and opportunities to physical access, second class citizenship, segregation and attitudinal barriers. For wheelchair users to participate in entertainment and leisure activities and visit entertainment establishments in Valletta it is a continuous challenge. One must however not that some of the recently renovated places such as theatres do observe universal design standards. The findings also show that wheelchair users want to entertain themselves in the same ways as and possibly in the company of non-wheelchair users and as much as possible, in the company of all types of young people, not just due to accessibility issues and other challenges wheelchair users encounter the opportunities are restricted.

Inaccessibility translates to discrimination, where the wheelchair user population is not being granted the same rights as other citizens. Consequently, the issue of accessibility needs to be strongly addressed in order to place wheelchair users on the same platform as the rest of the population, like all other young people. Opportunities engage with entertainment of their own choice and to socialize perhaps creating new and possible significant relationships improves the quality of life of persons with disability.

The presents a number of recommendations as a means to resolving this injustice. A foremost recommendation is the Universal Design accessibility principles in public spaces and entertainment establishments are to be strictly adhered to. This will be beneficial for all people. Another major recommendation called for by this study is for disability activists to engage in a disability awareness campaigns that provide society with a better understanding of disability and accessibility issues.