A wheelchair user invited to a comedy show featuring disabled performers was left feeling “humiliated” when she found the first floor venue wasn't accessible. Hannah Tutt, 43, from Canterbury, was forced to abandon the show after she was unable to get herself and her wheelchair up in the room. But for Ms Tutt, the biggest joke of the night turned out to be that it was a comedy show for disabled people - but wasn't accessible. It even turned out that the disabled toilet was on the floor below, on the ground floor. After many failed attempts to exit the lift, which was too small for her to turn out of, Ms Tutt and her carer took themselves to a nearby Wetherspoons pub to cheer themselves up. Ms Tutt was excited at the prospect of a night out at the comedy event on the first floor of the Guildhall in Faversham. The pair had been invited to see a “neuro-diverse” chat show performance featuring disabled comedians at the historic venue, which was part of the town’s Fringe Festival. While staff put out a ramp for the steps, the problems started when she tried to access the lift. Ms Tutt said: “It was very upsetting and frustrating and humiliating. My chair isn't particularly big but it only just squeezed in. "The problem was that when we got to the first floor, there just wasn't room for me to get out and turn around. "We tried everything and it was all a bit humiliating with everyone standing around watching. "But we just couldn't get out because of the way another door opened, so I ended up going back down again. "A man who was helping us then offered to carry me and my power wheelchair up the stairs. But it weighs 300kg with me in it and would have been dangerous for both of us. I just had no option but to leave. "It was extremely disappointing because I was so looking forward to seeing the show with some of my friends. But while they got in, my personal assistant Jessie and I ended up in Wetherspoons." Ms Tutt had been invited to see the show through the charity Kent and Medway Disability Assist, of which she is a trustee. The council will be writing personally to Ms Tutt to explain the problems with the building and apologise for her experience.
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