Can I Even Get Through the Door?
Why clear facts and lived experience help disabled visitors decide whether a place will really work
If you have ever visited somewhere new, you will know that feeling. A bit of excitement. A bit of curiosity. And just a hint of uncertainty.
Now imagine adding one more question into the mix: can I even get through the door?
For many disabled people, planning a visit is not just about opening times or whether to have the soup or the sandwich. It starts much earlier, with the basics. Can I park nearby? Is there step free access from the pavement? Will the accessible toilet actually be accessible?
These are not unusual questions. They are everyday, practical details. And they can be the difference between a great day out and a wasted journey.
Everyday places matter too
When people talk about accessibility, they often picture the big destinations. Castles. Stadiums. Theatres.
But most of life happens somewhere else. The GP surgery. The local café. The supermarket. The gym. The post office.
If these places are unclear or unpredictable, they do not just become inconvenient. They become barriers. And those barriers can quietly lead to isolation, stress and missed opportunities.
Facts first, what good access information looks like
There are organisations doing excellent work to improve this. AccessAble is a great example.
They provide detailed, standardised access guides that go well beyond a simple yes or no tick box. They measure door widths, count steps, describe routes and note whether a toilet door opens inwards or outwards.
It might sound like a small detail. It is not.
This kind of information is incredibly valuable. It allows people to make informed decisions with confidence.
But facts are only half the story
You can know a doorway is 85 centimetres wide and still have no idea what it will feel like to be there.
Will staff speak to you or over you? Will requests be handled smoothly or awkwardly? Will you feel welcome or like a problem to be solved?
That is where lived experience comes in.
The human side of access
Platforms like Euan's Guide bring something different.
They capture real experiences from disabled people. Not just the measurements but the moments. The warm welcome. The helpful staff member. The café that simply gets it.
Or just as importantly, the places that do not. Because both matter.
Why you need both
If you are planning somewhere new, you need a complete picture.
Factual information tells you whether it should work.
Lived experience tells you whether it actually does.
Together, they turn uncertainty into confidence.
The business case
If you run a venue, this is not just about doing the right thing. It is also good business.
Disabled people, their families and their networks represent significant spending power, often referred to as the Purple Pound.
And here is the simple truth. If people cannot find reliable access information, many will not take the risk. They will go somewhere else.
Clear and honest information helps people choose you. Positive experiences encourage them to return and recommend you.
A simple takeaway
If you are a business or organisation, make your access information easy to find. Keep it accurate. Keep it up to date. And encourage visitors to share their experiences.
If you are a visitor, leave a review. Whether it is a museum, a market or your local café, your experience matters. It might make it easier for someone else to step out, try somewhere new and say yes to the world.