Award Winner Julie Fernandez Blocked From Inacessible Stage

Receiving an award should be a moment of celebration — a chance to recognise someone’s achievements and give them their moment in the spotlight.

But for disability campaigner Julie Fernandez, an awards ceremony intended to celebrate her contribution to workplace inclusion became a reminder of how easily accessibility can be overlooked.

Fernandez, an access coordinator at Peterborough Presents, was recognised at the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce Awards for her work promoting inclusive and accessible workplaces. Yet when the time came to collect her award, she was unable to get onto the stage in her wheelchair.

Instead, someone else collected the award on her behalf.

For Fernandez, the issue was about far more than a missed photo opportunity. She described feeling disappointed and embarrassed and argued that accessibility needs to be considered from the beginning of event planning — not treated as an afterthought.

Accessibility should be part of the plan

The organisers said they were aware of Fernandez’s accessibility requirements before the event. They explained that efforts had been made to provide access to the stage but that safely adapting the stage at Peterborough Cathedral was not possible because of the constraints of the venue.

A carer was invited to attend and collect the award on Fernandez’s behalf, and seating arrangements were made to make the evening easier for her.

Those measures addressed some practical needs, but they did not solve the central problem: Fernandez could not physically access the stage herself.

That distinction matters.

Accessibility isn’t simply about getting someone through the front door. It is about being able to participate in an event on broadly equal terms — whether that means reaching a stage, using a toilet, hearing presentations, understanding information or taking part in conversations.

The wider issue

Fernandez also highlighted another accessibility gap at the ceremony: a British Sign Language user was reportedly present without an interpreter or live captioning.

This raises an important question for organisations hosting public events: Who has been considered when the event is being designed?

Accessibility can easily become a checklist exercise. Is there wheelchair access? Is there an accessible toilet? Can someone enter the building?

Those questions are important, but genuine inclusion requires thinking beyond minimum requirements.

Can a wheelchair user reach every part of the event that other guests can?
Can deaf or hard-of-hearing attendees follow speeches and announcements?
Are accessible facilities clearly communicated before people arrive?
Have organisers asked disabled attendees what they actually need?

These questions can make the difference between simply allowing someone to attend and enabling them to participate.

Recognition means participation

The irony of Fernandez’s experience is difficult to miss.

She was being recognised precisely because of her work advocating for greater accessibility and inclusion. Yet, during a ceremony celebrating professional and community achievements, she encountered a barrier that prevented her from fully participating in her own recognition.

Sarah Hawthorne, who nominated Fernandez for the award, described the situation as disappointing because Fernandez was unable to have her moment on stage. She also said that, although the exclusion was not intentional, the outcome was still exclusion.

That distinction is worth remembering.

Accessibility problems don’t necessarily arise because someone deliberately wants to exclude disabled people. Sometimes they result from poor planning, assumptions, unsuitable venues or a failure to ask the right questions early enough.

But the impact on the person affected can remain the same.

Designing events with everyone in mind

The incident offers a useful lesson for businesses, charities, community groups and event organisers.

Accessibility should be considered before invitations are sent and venues are booked — not when a guest arrives and discovers a barrier.

That might mean choosing a venue where the stage is already accessible rather than trying to modify it later. It might mean arranging British Sign Language interpretation, live captioning or other communication support. It might mean speaking directly with disabled attendees about what they require.

Most importantly, it means treating accessibility as part of good event design rather than an optional extra.

An accessible event benefits more than disabled people. Clear information, step-free access, captions, good signage and flexible arrangements can make events easier for older people, parents with young children, people recovering from injuries and many others.

A moment that should lead to change

The Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce has acknowledged that more could have been done and said it wants to meet the standards expected of it.

That response matters, but the bigger opportunity is to turn an uncomfortable incident into practical change.

Every organisation will make mistakes. The important question is what happens afterwards.

Will accessibility be considered earlier when future venues are selected?
Will organisers routinely ask attendees about access requirements?
Will communication support become part of standard event planning?
And will disabled people be involved in designing the solutions?

Fernandez’s experience shows why these questions cannot be left until the day of an event.

An award ceremony is supposed to celebrate people’s achievements. Everyone who has earned that recognition should have the opportunity to experience that moment fully.

Accessibility isn’t just about opening the door. It’s about making sure everyone can take part once they’re inside.