Clubbing with a disability

For many students, clubbing can be the highlight of their week, especially with Leeds’ unique place in Britain‘s nightlife scene. But not all experiences are equal; Jenny Unwin, who uses a wheelchair, tells us about the inequalities she’s faced on nights out due to her disability.

Like most students, I have experienced both epic and disastrous nights out, irrespective of my disability. However, I believe it would also be extremely naïve of me to argue that being in a wheelchair has no impact on my nightlife experiences. From facilities available (and their condition), to the attitudes and expectations of people around, there are a number able-bodied.

I am Jenny, a medical student in my fourth year. I have a spinal cord injury meaning I am paralysed from the chest down and have been for about six and a half years now. I love going out with friends, having a few drinks and a bit of a boogie. I am especially partial to a Fruity Friday! Despite this, I do think I would put myself out there more socially if it were not for my disability. I cannot count the number of times I have been pushed backwards out of my completely between such a crowd of people that I have absolutely nowhere to go, never mind myself making excuses for my lack of attendance.

one if the Union allowed students with disabilities to use the back entrance leading to the way and it had been an emotional night. Toilets are also an issue. If a club has a disabled toilet, it is a huge bonus, however more often than not they are out of order or covered in vomit. The Beaverworks disabled toilet has had a broken lock for as long as I can remember. These physical problems amount to me lacking independence on a night out, which causes a lot of anxiety for me.

Image credit: Fruity

is something they have to do for me. I also recognise that this is very unlikely to change anytime soon because clubs massively oversell tickets in order to create the claustrophobic it out, as though having a disability should mean I am somehow less capable of achieving a may be cliché, but disabled people are people too and only want to be treated the same as thought went into how a comment may come across to someone just trying to enjoy the same experiences as everyone else. Just because my disability is visible does not mean it needs to be spoken about.

are helpful and considerate, however I have had more than a few negative experiences, like the time at Fruity where a bouncer nearly broke down the door of the disabled toilet because I was taking too long - try pulling up your trousers without the use of your legs when slightly was practically shouted off the premises for wheeling the wrong side of the barrier because how humiliating this was. However, like I said, most club staff are more than willing to help - shoutout to the bouncer at HiFi who restored my faith in their kind by lifting me down the stairs safely so I was able to party with my able-bodied pals.

In summary, none of these issues I have mentioned will stop me going out and having a good harder for me, Fin and the countless other students at Leeds with both physical and mental health issues. I hope next time you encounter someone with a disability on a night out, you think a little more about our feelings and perspectives.