I find access quite difficult when going around town – like getting up and down kerbs: that’s why I have a Support Worker with me. I have to go down all the slopes when I go out. Also, it is quite hard to find a disabled toilet when I am out in town. I have to wear a “bag” which makes things a lot easier. When I find a toilet, there are always baby changing bins in the way of the loo. This means I can’t get my wheelchair in the loo. I have to say, that there isn’t a lot of disabled toilets in town anyway which are wheelchair friendly, to say the least.
When I visit one of the local theatres in town there are three massive steps which lead into the foyer. For a person in a wheelchair, it is impossible to get up the stairs. However, they do have a side door at the side of the building, and it gives disabled access. They also have a disabled toilet in there but it’s very small to get into with my wheelchair. So, to get around this, yes – you know what I have to wear! This theatre is a listed building, so adaptions to the building don’t seem to be possible. I think there should be a ramp at the front entrance, but there isn’t one.
There is another local venue for performances that I love going to, as there is much better access for wheelchair users. They have access to the downstairs lift which takes you upstairs to the balcony; I’ve gone up there myself when some shows have been on. However, all the disabled toilets are a bit small to get into with a wheelchair – they should make them more accessible and wider.
I like living in my own flat. However, my sink in my kitchen is just a little too high for myself to reach, it should be a little lower down. Also, some of my cupboards are very high on the left-hand side of my kitchen wall, and it’s impossible to reach them to get any food from them. However, the staff at Alder House help me with that. In my opinion, there should be someone to go around residents’ flats to assess how their flats could be adapted to suit individuals’ needs.
Sometimes when I’m out, I can’t go into some of the smaller shops, this is due to bad access. By which I mean, my wheelchair can’t get into them and this is due to their size. My favourite place to go shopping is Monks Cross, on the outskirts of York. This is due to everywhere being quite “flat” – there are no kerbs to go up or down, and there is a very good choice of shops to choose from. However, not all the shops have a disabled toilet. There is one within the Information Centre. Sometimes I go into Asda, which is near Monks Cross and there is a disabled toilet in there. I would think that most supermarkets would have a disabled toilet!
With regards to my own transport, I now have a mobility car. This saves me a lot of hassle getting in and out of disabled taxis which are hard and very difficult to book, I might add. Also, I found that taxis didn’t turn up on time. With my car, I can just come and go as I please!!
In my flat, I now have access to my own hoist. The staff can now hoist me in and out of bed — morning and night! It also leads into my bathroom so that I can be hoisted in and out of the bath. Also, I have my toilet raised up onto a plinth so now I can transfer myself on and off the toilet at my desired height! I also have a bath chair, and this came with a battery charger. This means I can now lower myself into my bath. All these adaptations were made possible by a visit from an OT within my flat. However, my hoist was fitted by a company called Prism. I also I have a bed with a remote-control handset. This allows me to raise my mattress at any position that I want for a good night’s sleep.
I have to say that my flat is very spacious. I did mention two things could be adapted earlier: my kitchen sink, etc. I do have a microwave oven on one of my lower worktops and a kettle to warm my cups of tea/coffee up; I can also make some light snacks.
I mentioned earlier about the city-centre theatre I like to visit, which is a listed building. The front side of the building has access to an intercom system which is located near the “side door” on the right-hand side on the wall. When you press the button, a member of staff will let you in. There is a very steep and narrow path which leads down to the disabled access part at the side of the building. It has a lot of access to the stalls, and “level” entrances and wheelchair spaces. It’s always worth having a look online and checking disabled facilities at each venue I plan to visit.