Theme parks super fan becomes accessibility scheme ambassador

A self-confessed theme parks super fan has become the first ambassador of a scheme developed by Nimbus Disability to make it easier for disabled people to visit attractions.

Eighteen-year-old Iona Wilkinson has visual and mobility impairments and lives with autism and dyspraxia, which means that she needs an essential companion on a day out and requires accessibility adjustments such as shorter queues for theme park rides.

The college student from Sheffield applied for an Access Card from Nimbus a couple of years ago and says that it has given her far more independence and increased her enjoyment on a day out – safe in the knowledge that staff can instantly understand and meet her accessibility needs.

Iona spends many hours researching thrill-seeking rides and then visits theme parks across the UK regularly with her dad Steve and other friends and family.

She answered a call-out on social media from Nimbus Disability to become an ambassador for the accessibility scheme and her introduction video was chosen above scores of other applicants.

Iona is now the official Access Card Ambassador for Theme Parks and she has helped launch the ambassador programme with a video filmed by Nimbus Disability at Merlin’s Alton Towers Resort to highlight how the Access Card has improved her enjoyment and experience at theme parks.

The Access Card has been recognised with The Queen’s Award for Innovation and is now held by more than 300,000 people across the UK.

It is the first accessibility scheme of its type in the world – offering a universal and consistent way of disabled people evidencing and communicating their access requirements to providers quickly and discreetly.

Iona said: “I love going to theme parks, but I do need adjustments. Before I had the Access Card, we would have to turn up with a load of paperwork to prove that I need an essential companion and queue passes.

“You never really knew whether these would be available or whether the person on the desk would understand my disabilities.

“Furthermore, my dad often used to have to spend the day re-explaining what we needed which could be really stressful for us all.

“Now, when we book tickets in advance at venues such as Alton Towers, they immediately know my needs so we can just turn up and enjoy a fun day out.

“Having the Access Card has also made me realise that there are so many other places that I can use it, from festivals to theatres, so it is encouraging me to broaden my horizons.

“I was dubious at first about whether the Access Card would work and would make a difference, but it really has been a breath of fresh air and I would encourage anybody with a disability to apply for the card.”

Martin Austin MBE, managing director at Nimbus Disability, said: “Ultimately our operating system lessens the administrative burden on disabled people at the same time as opening up equality of access to online ticketing solutions from West End theatres to theme parks.

“Iona has eloquently shown just why she is the perfect person to launch our ambassador programme.”