An Unforgettable Choir Trip: Lessons in Harmony and Accessibility

As part of “Grá Mór” (my incredible national tour), our fabulous SUSO Community Choir embarked on an exciting weekend trip to Belfast to kick off the tour in style! It was a trip that promised to be filled with friendship, community, and musical enlightenment. It was a trip designed not only to connect us with each other but also to deepen our understanding of music and its impact. And it did all that and so much more. It was such an honour to have this choir as part of my tour, and just incredible for them to be there on the opening night. I cannot say enough good things about Belfast, about the Big Belfast Choir (our partner choir for the weekend), our hotel and our choir members. However, for this blog I wanted to share about the unexpected challenges we faced that taught us lessons about accessibility and inclusivity.

The Community Choir rehearsing just before the show at Grá Mór: Belfast

Our group is diverse, consisting of sopranos, altos, and baritones. Over the years we have had lots of different people with various needs within the choir, and this year for the first time we have a wheelchair user, the fabulously funny, independent, resilient, hardworking Helen. Having made an embarrassing error myself with our annual Christmas party for multiple choirs – I made a mistake in the seating plan and put Helen’s choir seated at an area upstairs and missed that Helen wouldn’t be able to access that area and therefore couldn’t sit with her own choir – I was determined to continue my learning and ensure that nothing like that would happen again. I had rung ahead everywhere we were staying or attending over the weekend in Belfast to ensure everywhere was wheelchair accessible and I thought we had it all covered. However, travelling with Helen for this weekend opened our eyes to the everyday obstacles faced by wheelchair users, and it was surprising and shocking at times to see the reality of accessibility issues. 

Accessibility Challenges

We have to say our hotel was fab, big shout out to the ETAP in Belfast. They couldn’t have been better, and we had no issues with the accessible room or lift. The Crescent Arts Centre was also amazing, so accessible and all plans went smoothly. It was moreto do with getting out and about as the following examples show. We booked a meal at a bar that claimed to be wheelchair accessible. However, we soon discovered that 'accessible' does not necessarily mean 'wheelchair friendly.' Helen could get access to the floor we were on through the lift and that was no problem. However, the seating was a big issue - the tables were too high, paired with stools rather than chairs, making it impossible for her to join us at the table comfortably. It was a moment of discomfort for us all, as it highlighted how often the specifics of accessibility are overlooked in favour of a checkbox approach. Helen laughed it off and made the best of the situation as she always does – she is an incredible person and has a lifetime of experience with these kinds of things – but we were shocked and disappointed.

Lookin’ good Community Choir

Navigating the Town

As we explored the town, the challenges continued. The paths and roads, with lots of uneven surfaces and curbs, proved to be a navigational hazard. What might be a minor inconvenience for me could be a significant barrier for her. Ordering a taxi was a very challenging thing; most were not equipped to accommodate a wheelchair, and those that were, were seldom available. By the end, Helen was considering getting her own car from the car park and driving around the city herself, a city she didn’t know and didn’t particularly want to spend her day navigating, but thanks to the persistence of her friend and choir member Marie and with help from the hotel, they managed to get someone willing to travel (for an extra cost). Entrances to coffee shops with steps, narrow doorways, and cramped spaces made it clear that much of our built environment is designed without considering the diverse needs of its users.

Onstage at the Crescent Arts Centre

A Shift in Perspective

This journey, while musically incredible (maybe not according to those in the hotel who couldn’t sleep due to the singsong coming from the resident’s bar at 3 am), turned into a much more crucial learning experience about empathy and practical inclusivity. Witnessing first-hand the difficulties faced by Helen every day, we realised that true accessibility goes beyond ramps and automatic doors – it’s about seamlessly integrating inclusivity into every facet of community and infrastructure. The trip brought us closer together. It deepened our bonds and made us appreciate Helen’s strength, and we really got to see how she faces these challenges daily with incredible resilience and grace. Her spirit and determination inspired us, and our shared experiences have made us more aware and proactive in championing the rights and needs of wheelchair users in the community.

In the end, what we took home from this trip was far more valuable than our musical experiences or our memories. We returned with a renewed commitment to making the world a more accessible and inclusive place, reflecting the harmony we strive to create with our music. Our journey was a stark reminder that while our songs can be powerful, the actions we take to uplift each other speak even louder. Big love to everyone in the choir and special praise to Helen.  It’s a shame that we must give praise for something that should just be a given, but we give the praise as it is deserved. Your resilience and good nature are palpable and we all feel we know you that bit better after our weekend. I will be ensuring that I play my part in making sure events, concerts, gigs, our music school, and anything we are associated with are wheelchair accessible AND wheelchair friendly.

- Eimear Crehan

Speak Up Sing Out Community Choir ❤️