Accessibility to Ripon Arts Hub has been dramatically improved with the introduction of a wheelchair lift.
For David Suddards, this means that he can now watch performances at the hub’s downstairs studio theatre with his wife Josie.
Mr Suddards, a wheelchair user, played a key role in raising awareness of the need for access for disabled people at the Allhallowgate building
This in turn led to successful applications for funding, which enabled purchase of the £12,000 lift and its installation, plus another £2,000 for associated building works.
The wheelchair lift means that disabled people can access the hub’s downstairs theatre.
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The lift was officially opened by Mr Suddards, when he became its first passenger.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s great to know that I can come to enjoy performances here and accompany my wife. Up until now I hadn’t been able to attend the studio theatre and the same applied to other people in wheelchairs.”
The opening was attended by Jeremy Dunford, a trustee of Ripon Disability Forum and also a wheelchair user.
He said:
“I’m pleased to know that disabled people now have access to watching theatre and other performances at the Arts Hub.
“They have the same right as an able-bodied person to be given access to facilities in the city and if you provide access for people with disabilities, you also make a building more accessible for other people, such as parents with prams and pushchairs.”
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Hub committee member and fundraiser Hannah Ruddy said:
“Improving accessibility for visitors and performers was a top priority when we drew up plans to reconfigure the building, to turn it into a flexible space for use by all elements of the arts community, as well as other visitors.
“In addition to the lift, we have an accessible toilet on the ground floor and have widened doorways to the green room and studio which also helps people with impaired sight.
“Once we’ve raised more funds, the next stage is to introduce a toilet for people with access requirements on the lower ground floor.”
