Glasgow disability Alliance has just agreed to make us a member and support us on their facebook page This organisation has a membership of over 1500 disabled people which is the largest group of disabled members in Scotland. They act to represent the voice of disabled people and groups promoting quality rate and social justice
Author Archives: Jinxcc
Glasgow Disability Alliance
I wanted to highlight another great organisation: Glasgow Disability Alliance.
“GDA is a membership-led organisation of disabled people and
groups in Glasgow. Our mandated mission is to act as the collective, representative voice of disabled people and their groups, promoting equality, rights and social justice. GDA has a membership of over 1500 disabled people and is the biggest groundswell of disabled members in Scotland, if not, the UK”
They are currently running a campaign focussed on making bars,clubs restaurants etc more accessible so thought it was very appropriate to highlight it here on DAG because that’s what we’re all about
Please support them if you can
The Teapot Trust
Wanted to highlight this great charity supported by Cup on Byres Rd – ***The Teapot Trust***
“Currently operating in Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh and Yorkhill in Glasgow we aim to help children cope with the emotional and mental strain that so often accompany their battle with illness.
In particular, the Teapot Trust focuses on supporting children suffering from complex rheumatology diseases including Lupus. We want to promote greater awareness of these lesser known illnesses, and provide comprehensive support to the children and their families living with such demanding and difficult long-term conditions. Contact us on 01875 812012 or email info@teapot-trust.org”
A great cause hope you support them if you can
The Balmoral
Disabled access Glasgow has gone east again.
The Balmoral is that old, large, grand building at the end of Princes Street. It houses a hotel, spa, bar and restaurant. I admit it is very pricey but if you fancy a special treat it serves delicious food, amazing cocktails all in a seriously elegant setting.
The science bit:
There is ramped access to the venue at the front and level access to the bar and restaurant areas. There is also a disabled toilet available and the staff are more than helpful and accommodating.
Overall, it is an expensive but very accessible venue and if you fancy a touch of glamour you could always pop in for a cocktail – well recommended
http://
The left bank – Gibson Street
The left bank on Gibson Street is probably quite a west end phenomenon. It is a beautiful relaxed deli cafe/bar that serves cuisine which encapsulates flavours of the Middle East and a nice mix of drinks including cocktails.
the variety of food is impressive- from an all day weekend brunch, to small sharing plates, full evening meals as well as more formal graduation menus.
It has a lovely relaxed feel with comfy chairs and small tables dotted around the wood clad venue all faced by the massive floor to ceiling windows.
it is reasonably priced and the staff are exceptionally friendly- all of this means that you can queue a while on weekends to get a spot
The science bit
There is level access to the venue, disabled loo and to tables on the ground floor
There is a mezzanine and a level below but staff are accommodating if you request a table on level
if you have a good a blue badge parking can usually be found on the street outside otherwise or it’s metered spaces up the street or at Kelvin Bridge Underground station carpark (10mins walk over quite uneven hilly surfaces)
at the weekends they don’t take table bookings so having to queue might be negative for some
Otherwise I thoroughly recommend this as to wheelchair users or anyone looking for some different deli food
Caffe nero – Partick retail park
The site below is a generic one just in case anyone isn’t sure what a cafe nero is. The branch I’m talking about is in the retail park on crow road glasgow. positives
- disabled parking outside
- level access and throughout
- disabled toilet clean and all newly done
- handy for lots other shops which can be accessed by level pathway and whch each have their own disabled spaces including, M+S, argos, boots, home bargains, brantano shoes, cotswolds outdoors, sainsbury’s, macdonalds negatives
- doors push and quite stiff
- small but steep ramp up to door
Overall a great cosy spot for coffee if you want to combine it with some shopping
Brel – Ashton lane
Brel is a belgian bar in the lovely Ashton Lane
Positives
- level access to bar and some dining tables
- disabled loo available, clean and free of clutter
- great food especially sharing small plates and nice lively atmosphere (often do live music etc)
negatives
- narrow door and COBBLES on ashton lane can be a bit of a nightmare
- parking generally tricky in the west end. there is a car park nearby off great george street but will have to pay and is also slightly uphill from restaurant Overall though it’s one of the few on the level restaurants in ashton lane and is definitely worth a look
So this weekend’s trip was to Tattie’s Bistro in Otago Street the West end. It has had many incarnations in past including tattie macs and crabby macs.
positives
- completely level access, one level throughout
- disabled loo (is also the ladies), nice, clean and not full of junk
- staff lovely and accomodating
- food and atmosphere good and often on 5pm (see below). even without that we got free glass of wine on arrival
negatives
- in the heart of west end so parking tricky
In general this is a lovely wee restaurant and would definitely recommend for on the level eating
Glasgow Springfield Quay
So, the quay- it’s a typical slightly out of town family/young person type place of restaurants, bowling, bingo cinema etc.
Access wise I haven’t been to every restaurant (sadly) but… I can vouch for Frankie and bennies and nandos being on the level at least. Most are new buildings and are one storey so all I can say is that they are likely to be accessible in those terms
The Odeon is a really good accessible cinema one of the best in my opinion. The formal details are on the disabled go link below. What makes it for me however is that the screens are entered from the back so that the disabled seats are back here not at the front craning front like other venues.
One issue I’ve had is that non blue badges often use the spaces, especially on rainy nights so parking can occasionally be tricky.
Overall though the whole place makes going for a meal then film/ activity as about as easy as it can be http://www.glasgowonline.co.uk/street/Springfield_Quay/
Braehead shopping centre
I love shopping and I love braehead. I genuinely think it’s one of best shopping centers in Glasgow. It’s also clearly really accessible but I just wanted to highlight how good it is because I wouldn’t want anyone to be deterred from shopping
- disabled parking–> lots and free
- smooth level surface throughout with lifts at each end, in the middle and within some stores
- disabled toilets at middle in good condition and not locked
- most shops (can’t guarantee all) have disabled cubicles in fitting rooms, often with buzzer
- extras like shopomobility rental and changing room with bed etc
Best of all you won’t feel out of place as, because it is so accessible there are always loads of people on some form of wheels 
Overall – definitely top rating!
Overall – definitely top rating!