Al is one of our team members here at Accessibull Eats. He’s quiet, but he’s also opinionated, and he will give you all the evidence and data needed to back up said opinions. He has a doctorate in Sports and Exercise Science, and has been working in the disability space for the last ten years.

I sat down with him to understand what made restaurants accessible for him.

Michelle: Where is your favourite place to eat and why?

Al: My favourite place to eat is Butcher’s Diner. I like it because its open 24 hours a day. My daughter often wakes up at odd times so it helps to be able to go out to a place that’s already open in the morning. It’s also really easy to get the pram in.

Michelle: What was your worst experience in going out to eat? How did you feel about it?

Al: Before I had my daughter, my wife and I would go out to this place to eat. The staff there were really friendly. But after my daughter came along, their attitude changed entirely. All of a sudden their attitude was standoffish and rude and it made us feel unwelcome.

Takeaway box

Do you run a restaurant? What can you take away from this interview?

• If your space is wheelchair accessible, it will also be accessible for families with young children.
• Attitude matters. Unhelpful staff can make your restaurant lose loyal customers.

Featured restaurant: Butcher’s Diner

Address: 10 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Opening hours: open 24 hours of the day

Getting there: Butcher’s Diner is on the corner of Bourke Street and Spring Street. It is opposite a tram superstop, across the road from the Bourke Street exit of Parliament Station and two minutes walk from the Lonsdale Street exit (that has a lift) of Parliament Station.

Physical access

This restaurant has a flat entrance into the door. The chairs are mostly swivel bar stools, with a few normal chairs with backs. The tables are normal height. There is a clear pathway down the middle with small tables on the left and a long table on the right. It is a relatively small restaurant. You can view pictures of the space on Broadsheet.

The restaurant has a function room that is up a flight of stairs. It is unknown if there is a lift up to the first floor, or if there is a toilet.

Information access

The Butcher’s Diner’s website includes their menu, address and a phone number. The All Day menu is provided in PDF format and does not include pictures.

Sensory access

Butcher’s Diner has one bright orange table, as well as cabinets full of raw meat. The ambient level of noise is normal (quieter when there are less people) and the lighting is consistent.

Do you have something to add? Let us know through the form below.