Accessibility
Introduction
This page is intended to be as honest as possible about the challenges you may face at an event so that you can plan and make decisions accordingly. In live role-playing there is an inevitable trade-off between making the game as immersive as possible and making it as accessible as possible. We strive to do both where we can and balance the two goals where we must.
We welcome early initial contact, so please talk to us to discuss your particular needs. We are keen to explore options and will make reasonable adjustments where we can. We want to improve accessibility at our events and feedback from our players help us to identify the problems that we need to overcome to achieve that.
You can mail our accessibility team on accessibility@profounddecisions.co.uk at any point on the run-up to an event to ask for help or information.
Camping Area
We have accessible camps spread round the site, so that participants with mobility needs can camp as close to the game as possible. The option to use these camps and the associated facilities is all on a self-declared basis. These provisions are there for those that find they have need of them.
Parking
In most cases, players are able to park their vehicle right next to their tent in the accessible camps or the regular out-of-character camps. If you are commuting to the event and not camping on site, there are dedicated accessibility parking areas that are close to the game. Please see the site information page for a map of the site showing all the camps, parking areas and other facilities.
Ground Conditions
Our events take place in a series of fields, one for characters playing the game and two for players who are out-of-character, eating, sleeping, resting, etc. The fields are almost completely flat and even. They are accessible to a fit user of a manual wheelchair or an electric wheelchair user attending together with friends. Drainage is exceptional, but the ground does become soft in heavy rain - and it could become churned and muddy in areas of high traffic.
There are a number of trip hazards across the site which can present difficulties to blind or partially sighted players; these vary by event and Profound Decisions is always willing to advise and assist with camp placement to minimise their impact.
First Aid Tent
Like GOD, the dedicated first aid team operate from a tent accessed at ground level. Refrigeration for medication is available, but please check with us before the event to ensure easy access.
Caterers
Most of our event caterers use tents which are accessible at ground level. Queues can develop at busy times. We provide a large tent with tables and seating for our main caterer in the out-of-character field but these quickly fill up during busy periods. Our other caterers operate from trailers.
Traders
Traders are located near to each other within the IC field. Each trader arranges their own tent, stock and layout. Ask them if you need any assistance.
Toilets and Showers
There stalls in the main toilet blocks on site are a standard size and none of them are equipped with grab rails. They each have at least two steps leading up to them and the gap between the toilets and the sinks are fairly narrow so it is hard to pass by them when they are in use. There is hand-soap but only a cold water supply. The hand-towel dispenser is located at the far end of the block from the door so all cubicles and sinks need to be passed to access them.
Next to each toilet block there are additional individual portaloos. These sit on the ground but there is a small step into each unit. There are six accessible portaloos distributed around the site wth one in each accessibility camp. These are much wider, sit lower to the ground and have grab rails inside. There are no wash facilities in the portaloo units.
There is an accessible wetroom in the main field next to GOD, that include shower and toilet intended for users with mobility issues. The room is equipped with suitable grab rails and shower stool.
Games Operation Desk (GOD)
All game administration is accessed via the GOD tent and players need to check in here before the game begins to collect their packs. The desk is based in a large tent with access at ground level. There are usually queues that form at peak times on Friday when people are waiting to collect their packs.
If using GOD makes the event harder for you because of the way it interacts with your access needs then you can arrange for another player to collect your pack and to deal with GOD for you by emailing us in advance or speaking to any member of crew with a radio once you're on site.
The GOD desk is the best place to go if you need any help with accessibility issues during the event. Please ask to speak to a member of our accessibility team, and they will do whatever they can to help.
Water Supply
There are several stand pipes spread around the site. Due to the nature of the supply, the ground around them is often boggy. There is no easy way to suspend the container to be filled, so two hands are generally required for the operation, one to hold the container, the other to operate the tap.
Electricity Supply
Electricity supply is available, by prior arrangement, for accessibility needs such as CPAP equipment or wheel-chair chargers.
Nation Camps
The nation camps only contain tents, so accessibility is at ground level. An 'ambulance run' runs around the IC field and through the nation camps, but we only allow vehicular access before the event begins, or in the event of an emergency.
Some camps have tents more densely pitched, some tents are close enough to cross guy ropes. In all the camps, the main accessibility issue is navigating between tents and avoiding guy ropes in order to access other parts of the field - finding a clear path through can be difficult. In addition, the smaller tents in use on the field are not always easily accessible to lone wheelchair users.
If you are camping in character with your nation your camp planner may be able to arrange for you to have a more accessible camping spot. They can also arrange for power in some parts of the camp for players that need it accessibility reasons.
The Hub, Bourse, Academy etc
The Hub is a large central tent where many (although not all) of the meetings of various groups such as priest assemblies take place. There are also announcements posted here. As it is set up in a tent, access is at ground level. Some of the notices may be too high or too low to read comfortably, but there should always be members of our crew in this area, portraying civil servants, who can help.
Tents are currently used for all other major games areas such as the Bourse and the Academy. There are no particular accessibility issues, however in general no seating is provided.
Lighting
Most of the field has no main lighting, but most camps are illuminated with smaller battery lights. Players are encouraged to use LED lanterns to help at night.
Battles
Our battles are open to all participants, but they are busy and fast moving so players with accessibility issues will be at a significant disadvantage. Please talk to our accessibility team if you need help assessing if the battles are safe for you to take part.
If you play your character in a battle at an Empire event, then you must volunteer to help monster one over the course of the event. If you have variable pain/fatigue and find yourself unable to take part in more than one battle over the course of a weekend then please speak to us and we will make alternative arrangements for you.