An Accessible Weekend

I have a writing group I’m part of called Writers HQ. Most of it is based online, with forums and Zoom retreats and weekly challenges. But occasionally, they do in person events too.

Recently, they did a Weekender, in Brighton. Brighton isn’t too far from where I live, and wasn’t too expensive, with a recent pay rise. I love being by the sea, with its sensory delights, and a whole weekend of writing flash fiction by the sea sounded like a dream. I dithered about whether to go, knowing it would finish late on the Saturday, and I would struggle to navigate back to my hotel. But Writers HQ were happy to do sighted guiding, so I booked a spot.

I put my accessibility requirements in a box, including the guiding, and hoped they would be put in place. You can never tell. But Writers HQ went above and beyond, and made my weekend accessible, from start to finish.

I had more sighted guiding than I could have hoped for, from being greeted at the entrance and helped to find a seat, to being shown where everything was, to a tour of the toilets. That one sounds silly, but finding bathrooms is a challenge when you can’t see the signs on the door, and it helps. I had guidance across the room, when I ventured across for caffeine, people helping me avoid walking into things. I had excellent guiding back to my hotel after the first night, with friends helping me discover more of the city even if it was raining. I was also guided back to the station on the second day, a feat I’m not sure I could have done on my own, a friend walking back with me up the hill so I could navigate the confusing winding streets.

On the first night, we could put our names in a hat to go on a stage and read a small piece. I went for it, deciding to be brave for once, and enjoyed everyone’s reading. At the last, I was chosen to read, and gulped at a dark stage space, wondering how I was going to find my way up steps. But a friend guided me there and back, and described steps for me, and even provided extra lighting so I could see a bit better. With the guidance, I was able to read my piece, gaining some confidence and praise in the process, only worrying about the words instead of my sight,

I had large print handouts for all sessions, and image descriptions which were perfectly written, enabling me to join in with picture prompts. Smaller resources were read out by friends, or I was able to magnify them. I was helped with making coffees and picking food items at lunch, and even had large print labels telling me which cakes to try!

And it was just a supportive environment. I was allowed to be myself, with my sight loss, no judgement, just accepted. My laptop and odd ways of working were welcomed, and solved the debate of whether to take it to the flash fiction festival. The writing world can be a bit focussed on using pen and paper, and I’m always nervous taking my laptop to events like these, but pen and paper has become a battle I am slowly losing.

There was kindness, coffee and cider, and a whole room of people happy to help. It was full of people who were open to listen, and to learning, and made of understanding when I couldn’t make out their faces. Anything I asked for or needed help with was no trouble at all, and it was just a warming wonderful feeling. It was like I belonged. I was okay. And it was a weekend of inclusion too. I was invited to join groups and activities, and even to the pub!

I had a really wonderful time, and was able to write and have fun without worrying about my sight. I would definitely go again, if they do another one.