Access issues

[eidsvold]

I remember some of you were talking about whether places had confirmed to the Disability Discrimination Act deadline of Oct.

Not sure if you know but apparently you can get yellow cards that you can hand out to companies/places when you have a complaint.

Apparently these yellow cards are available to everyone. The group that I am aware that has some is the Essex Access Forum. If you want to CAT Me then I can pass on the contact details...

Thanks for that eidsvold. Does it apply to buses? I've not passed my driving test yet and my local bus route doesn't let buggies/wheelchairs on. DD is in a major buggy and it's impossible to use the bus (trying to put it down- which you can't do with one hand- and hold on to her at the same time!).

bump

Jakbrown - the bus route doesn't let buggies or wheelchairs on?????!!!! WTF?! They should definitely be done under the DDA!

Doesn't let buggies or wheelchairs on???? So much for encouraging people to use public transport!

Well, they do, if you can 'collapse' your major buggy (not the world's easiest task, as I'm sure many of you know) WITH ONE HAND (impossible) whilst holding on to over-excited autistic dd, any other paraphernalia (including Major buggy footrest etc) with the other ON A MAIN ROAD! Ha!!! Ha!!! Ha!!!!
I don't get the bus.
But I am probably fitter than I would be as a result.
If you're a wheelchair user, you simply can't use the bus at all.

I assume it would also apply to people using public transport.... Could you not write a letter of complaint to the bus company outlining how difficult it is for you to access the transport and ask what they are going to do about it.

Yes, am going to rant

I've been wondering about the new DDA ruling and public transport in general. In London i think most bus routes now have at least some wheelchair accessible vehicles - well, they do in this area - but what about the tube? and train stations? My local station has absolutely no wheelchair access, can only just manage it with a buggy at the moment. In a year or so if dd still can't stand it will be impossible. So I won't be able to use my local train station at all. Surely that has to be illegal now?

I found out recently when a friend in a wheelchair was going to visit me in london, that although I found a nearby station that was accessible, the tube trains themselves aren't. I seem to remember hearing on some discussion abou the new Act, that trains have something like 10 years before they have to comply.