Blind comedian highlights accessibility barriers at Edinburgh Fringe
Jamie MacDonald smiling, standing against a dark panelled wall.
Performing at the world’s largest arts festival is no small feat. But for blind comedian Jamie MacDonald, just getting to his venue each day reveals a challenge that blind and partially sighted people face every day: getting to work.
Jamie, who is blind due to a degenerative eye condition, is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe with a brand-new show. Navigating busy streets, temporary venues, and the unpredictable festival layout can be difficult without the support that many sighted performers might never need to consider.
“Getting about Edinburgh is already a total nightmare for blind people and folk with mobility issues,” Jamie says. “Medieval folk seem to have been four-feet tall with a love for steep, stone stairs. When you add in the road closures, crowds and performers that the biggest art festival in the world brings, moving about becomes lethal!”
With no official assistance service available, Jamie reached out to RNIB. Two of our volunteers, Bill and Iain, stepped forward to support Jamie with getting to and from his venue throughout his run. Although providing one-to-one travel support isn’t within the charity’s usual role, RNIB Scotland was happy to help connect Jamie with volunteers ready to help, coordinated by Community Social Action Manager, Jane Coates.
Although Jamie is known for tackling blindness with humour, he’s serious about challenging the way society views disability. As he puts it, being blind seems to automatically make him a “role model,” whether he wants to be or not. He’s using comedy to question why disabled people are expected to be heroes rather than simply being complex, contradictory, or even a bit difficult - just like anyone else.
That same questioning extends beyond attitudes to the practical barriers disabled performers face.
“There must be a tonne of disabled performers who face the same or similar struggles to me,” Jamie says. “It would be sad, but not surprising if it put some people off coming to perform. I’m not pointing the finger at anyone here, I just think there could be more of a focus put on accessibility.”
The Fringe has introduced several accessibility initiatives in recent years such as audio-described and BSL-interpreted performances. However, support and accessibility can vary depending on the venue. The historic layout of Edinburgh, coupled with the festival’s pop-up nature, adds to the challenge.
Jane Coates, Community Social Action Manager for RNIB Scotland, says Jamie’s situation reflects a wider issue.
“Accessibility shouldn’t come down to individual goodwill,” she says. “We need systemic solutions that make it easier for blind and partially sighted people to access cultural life, as audience members, and as creators and performers too.”
For Jamie, the support from volunteers hasn’t solved the wider challenges, but it’s made all the difference in making the Fringe possible this year.
“Bill and Iain are legends,” he says. “I’m lucky. I’ve got my volunteers in shining armour, Iain and Bill, guiding me through the mayhem. Legends without whose help and support would probably see me seriously injured or worse, late for a show. So a heart-felt thanks to them.”
Jamie MacDonald is performing ‘Toxic Bastard’ at Venue 24: Dram at Gilded Balloon Patter House from 15 – 24 August.
