Disabled independence and getting out and about can be difficult for people in wheelchairs, especially if they are using public transport or travelling in a built up area, a busy shopping centre or transport terminal or trying to get around in a building with uneven floors. However, the government has passed laws to make owners, proprietors and employers think about disabled people and adjust their stores, properties and services to accommodate people in wheelchairs.
Making changes
The law requires people who provide a public service, as well as private companies, to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in order to allow everyone to use their service and prevent discrimination against disabled people. Adjustments to support disabled independence for people in wheelchairs may include:
- Providing ramps
- Providing lifts in a building with multiple floors
- Widening doorways
- Making an effort to even out floors
- Clearing corridors of obstructions (this is also important for health and safety and fire regulations)
- Providing ramps and assistance for people in wheelchairs on public transport (many buses now have a lowered front to enable people in wheelchairs and parents with pushchairs to get on and off the bus easily
- Widening aisles and creating space (for example, in shops, making space between displays, so that people can move around easily)
- Providing disabled car parking spaces
- Providing automatic doors
- Providing a disabled toilet
What to do if you cannot access a building or service
It is now a legal requirement for service providers to make adjustments to cater for people with disabilities. This means that owners or managers should make an effort to make their shop, pub or office accessible for people who use a wheelchair. If you are having problems accessing a service or building, you should talk to the manager about the situation and reiterate the legal requirements related to wheelchair access. Disabled independence is a very important matter that should not be shunned.