How accessible is your area?

[Andy]

whilst posting in another topic it struck me that this subject would make an interesting topic, this is from the UK'S Disabilty Discrimination Act 2004

Access to goods and services
Service providers will have to make physical adjustments to their premises where these features make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use the service they provide.

The physical adjustments that are likely to be most relevant to blind and partially sighted people are those involving lighting, signage and colour contrast.

The Act specifies that service providers have to make adjustments to their policies, procedures and practices and provide disabled people with “auxiliary aids and services”. These can be adjustments such as providing additional staff assistance and insuring information is available in an accessible format.

I have seen little or no change since 2004 I live in cambridge uk and fully accept that the older buildings here are very difficult to convert and somerimes virtuallly impossible to as well , however so few shops have got alternatives in place like a bell to ring etc, I've actually had staff refuse to come out to me in my chair when I've asked someone to get them for me  on the flip side some are excellent with ramps and bells etc at wheelchair height. 

So many shops have stuff cluttering the aisles too woolworths here delight in making chocolate chicanes to the tills at easter and christmas time, I delight in knocking them over lol and we all know restaurants bars with a great disabled toilet being used to store kids high chairs/stock etc etc grrrrrr

wherever you are in the world please post here

[Andy]

In April 2005 a new Disability Discrimination Act was passed by Parliament, which amends or extends existing provisions in the DDA 1995, including:

making it unlawful for operators of transport vehicles to discriminate against disabled people
making it easier for disabled people to rent property and for tenants to make disability-related adaptations
making sure that private clubs with 25 or more members cannot keep disabled people out, just because they have a disability
extending protection to cover people who have HIV, cancer and multiple sclerosis from the moment they are diagnosed
ensuring that discrimination law covers all the activities of the public sector
requiring public bodies to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people
Some of the new laws - including the increased protection for people who have HIV, cancer and multiple sclerosis - came into force in December 2005. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website has more about the December 2005 changes.

Others changes will come into force in December 2006 - the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) website has more details on these.

[Gary Anderson]

Where I live in Glasgow we are beginning to get pretty good for the disabled. I must be honest, I am glad that I live in the UK where they are taking on board our needs. Must be honest, maybe I have answered the question wrongly because I chose "good." However, I do have a portable ramp that when I use a chair allows me access to most places.

It is not so vital to me now as I am once more up on my feet and most places have escalators - I tend to avoid lots of stairs.