It’s not unheard of for Ash Dolby to call a restaurant ahead to ask about their venue accessibility, only to find out that their entries or bathrooms don’t meet her needs.
Melbournians are spoilt for choice when it comes to good food and drink. And when the choice of wine bars, cafes, and restaurants becomes overwhelming, there’s no shortage of online reviews to help you address your moods and cravings.
The real challenge comes in finding out which venues are accessible and disability-friendly.
Access with Ash fills a gap in online reviews
Ash, a Senior Client Support Specialist at Able Foods, lives with a rare neuro-muscular disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) that requires her to use a mobility aid. As her condition progressed, she decided that the only thing that would keep her from exploring her city would be the accessibility of the places she wanted to go.
The issue was that there was very little information and where those places were.
“I couldn’t find that information anywhere. So I thought why not take the photos and videos myself, and share them with other people,” Ash told the NDIS in this interview.
Last year, nearly a decade after her FA diagnosis, Ashlee started the Instagram page @accesswithash. With comprehensive pictures and videos, she reviews Melbourne’s accessible cafes, restaurants, bars and attractions from the lens of mobility scooter users.
She considers everything from ramps and step-free entrances to bathrooms, table heights, and whether there’s enough space to move around the venue.
“It’s been a passion project of mine for years!” Ash says. “Accessibility and inclusion is so important when it comes to eating out and participating in the community, I wanted to share my knowledge and make @accesswithash a resource for those with access needs.”
The @accesswithash Instagram reviews the accessibility of Melbourne’s cafes, restaurants, bars, and attractions.
“I know first hand how tricky it is finding somewhere suitable to eat out that’s accessible, so if I can help make it a little easier for those who need it instead of using google maps or calling beforehand, then that’s a win.”
Ash wants people with accessibility needs to have a handy resource, but she also wants businesses to take on her feedback and make the necessary changes.
“I don’t review places without an accessible toilet or accessible entry, they’re my two deal breakers. I want people with a disability to know they can just use my page to easily choose somewhere that will be good for them,’ Ash told the NDIS.
Since its launch, Acess with Ash has been recieving a lot of much-deserved attention, including a recent interview with Channel 9 news.
Able Foods is proud of our ready-made meals and the independence they help bring into our customers’ lives. But we also understand the joy and sense of community that comes with dining out with friends and family. We’re proud of the work Ash has put into Acess with Ash, and look forward to seeing it grow.
Be sure to give @accesswithash a follow and let her know what restaurant or cafe she should review next!
