When trying to access services and organisations, some people may feel that there are barriers that make it difficult or prevent them accessing them. Do you feel that there are challenges that you must deal with when trying to access services and organisations?
What were the barriers? And how were they dealt with?
How do you think services and organisations could make themselves easier to access for people?
I would be really interested to hear your views and experiences!
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I find everything has to be organised as if you are doing a marathon. Booking holidays or breaks away have to phone to check rooms and accessability. Need to ensure a walk in shower with grabrails, some hotels believe a bath with grabrails sufficient!!!!!! Just back from a short break where advised lift to swimming pool to find that once down had a flight of stairs and no hoist available. Any local visit need to check on disabled toilets availability and parking. Can find pathways blocked or gates which are a barrier to a disabled person. Some shops don’t have enough room for a wheelchair down the aisles. Cats/vans parked on pavements blocking way through. Getting onto a pavement to find at the end there is no dropped kerbs, have to reverse back. Sorry just a few, many more!!!!!!! Everyone needs to be in a wheelchair for 48 hours and see how they do or ask a disabled person when planning, Sue xx
Thanks for your response. That sounds like you have so much to think about when on holiday or going out anywhere. It's a shame people aren't more considerate when blocking pathways and not thinking of the consequence for disabled people. I agree, I think a disabled person's view would be helpful when it comes to planning buildings. Have you found facilities have got better over the years in terms of accessibility for disabled people or remained the same?
I totally agree with Sue. To add to her list are swimming pools that have one disabled room so if there are several of you at an aqua therapy session there are problems. I am lucky at the moment as the other wheelchair users haven't returned after their opening. Disabled toilets are a nightmare trying to open the door with 2 sticks, a walker or even worse a wheelchair/ mobility scooter. I have been thinking about seeing our specialists in London but the thought of having to travel 3 hours into London is something that I am struggling to deal with whether it be by car or train.
Thanks for your response. Sorry to hear you have similar experiences to Sue. That must be difficult being in situations where provisions are limited. That is a long way to have to go, have you asked whether they are able to do a virtual, e.g. zoom, appointment?
I agree with Cherie, I experience the same, we could probably go on and on but my energy needs to be put into coping and determination to get round obstacles as much as I can. It’s like planning a route march so much needed before leaving home. There are some good factors in places like larger toilets and radar key, also hoists in some pools. Never mind we must keep going, stay positive all, Sue x
It's eye opening to hear your experiences, gives a real understanding of the challenges you face. It's great you're keeping positive though. Take care, Suzanne
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