A Bacchus Marsh family have appealed for more understanding and inclusion of disabled children after a much-awaited trip to The Wiggles concert in Ballarat on Sunday left them disappointed and unable to see the show.
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Sienna Corbell, 9, has cerebral palsy and epilepsy and had been looking forward to seeing The Wiggles play at Civic Hall, but despite her parents Brad and Brihony specifying they needed wheelchair access when booking, the family found themselves seated in the third back row with Sienna's wheelchair at the end of the row.
We are truly saddened to see this has happened. Our shows are meant to be a place of joy and inclusion and the seating provided for Sienna was not adequate and didn't allow for a comfortable experience. Our most sincere apologies to Sienna that she wasn't able to enjoy the show the way she was supposed to.
- The Wiggles
The couple grew concerned when they picked their tickets up at the box office before the 12.30pm show and were asked whether they still needed a wheelchair spot, only to be told they didn't have any left despite booking months ago.
The family were shown to their seats and were disappointed, but decided not to "kick up a stink" so Sienna could enjoy the show, but when the audience sat down she could not see.
"I'm just angry and it spoiled the show for my daughter. She didn't really see them to be honest and didn't get that excited."
The family put their experience on Sienna's Facebook page to educate followers about the challenges that disabled children face.
When The Courier raised the family's experience with the City of Ballarat and The Wiggles on Monday, both groups were upset to hear about the issues and pledged to make amends.
Ultimately it's not the right treatment for any child, whether it's my daughter or other families missing out. All I'm asking is that all children get the same opportunity.
- Brad Corbell
"The City of Ballarat sincerely apologises for the seating arrangements for Sienna at the weekend's Wiggles concert. City of Ballarat has arranged for free tickets to another Wiggles concert for Sienna and two family members," said City of Ballarat acting director of development and planning James Guy.
"Sienna and her family will also be given free tickets to the Pop Up Ice Skating Rink, with provisions available for wheelchairs to go on the ice."
Mr Guy said council had recently implemented its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2019-2022, which aims to break down the access barriers facing people with a disability, and pledged that the incident would be reviewed as part of the plan.
The Wiggles also responded directly to the family's Facebook post.
"We are truly saddened to see this has happened. Our shows are meant to be a place of joy and inclusion and the seating provided for Sienna was not adequate and didn't allow for a comfortable experience. Our most sincere apologies to Sienna that she wasn't able to enjoy the show the way she was supposed to," they wrote.
"We will be discussing this with the venue to find out how this happened and to ensure this doesn't happen again. With this venue or any other ticketing agent or venue."
They also promised "something special" for Sienna and another chance to enjoy the show.
Mr Corbell said he had simply put the Facebook post up to ask people to consider "whether they think this kind of thing is appropriate."
"We don't expect to be front and centre ... it's about being able to get the same experience as every other child and if that might mean some allowances have to be made.
"Ultimately it's not the right treatment for any child, whether it's my daughter or other families missing out. All I'm asking is that all children get the same opportunity.
With their eldest child now 20, the Corbells have been attending Wiggles concerts since 2001.
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Mr Corbell also hit out at thoughtless parents who used the few disabled parking bays around Civic Hall as space to unload their cars and families.
Ballarat Council's Mr Guy asked parents to think twice about using the disabled parking as a drop-off zone.
"While we try to constantly monitor illegal use of disabled parking bays, we would also ask residents to behave in the appropriate manner and to leave disabled parking bays for the people who are most in need of them."
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