The DDA – Access for All
The DDA – Access for All
DR Tucker
The radio stations are all playing the ‘Wets’ new single, – Love is all around. On the television, Paul Whitehouse’s new programme, ‘The Fast Show’ has begun to attract a cult following. Meanwhile the nation’s eye sight is being strained as everyone tries to make out what else is in the picture as ‘Magic Eye’ pictures become the thing to have, and of course, to be able to see! At the cinema, filmgoers are flocking to see Hugh Grant in his new film – Four Weddings and a Funeral. In West Devon, a farm with four specially designed, fully accessible cottages is about to open for its first season.
Can that really all be 10 Years ago
On October 1st 2004 Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act came into effect. From this date service providers will have to consider making changes that make it possible for disabled people to use their services. For the disabled this is good news. Or is it
Already many organisations have done something to make their services and accommodation more accessible. But here is the rub, the placing of a ramp may make a room or cottage accessible for a wheelchair user, but what good is a ramp if the standard door is too small for a large wheelchair In the bathroom, rails have been fitted either side of the toilet, but what good are these if there is no room for a wheelchair to manoeuvre or even turn and what good if there is no transfer space either side of the toilet
A shower has been provided, but this is either over the bath, or has a large step up into it. In the kitchen, there is no space to turn a wheelchair, the units are all full height and the oven is eye-level, that is eye-level to a walking, able-bodied person. The bedroom looks inviting but the chairs and the other furniture make it impossible to wheel around or to manoeuvre around the bed. The cupboards have rails out of reach, the light switches are too high to reach from a wheelchair and the main light only switches off by the door.
Another disappointed and sad guest, one of eight million disabled in this country, leaves knowing they cannot manage there. But the owner has complied with the DDA and made changes. He explains they have had ramps made for the front door and fitted rails and a shower in the bathroom.
I wonder how many stories we will hear of such as this in the coming year But even if a hotel room or cottage is truly accessible, what about the other facilities The details arrive and with excited anticipation you read about the indoor pool, licensed restaurant, games room and fishing.
The pool looks beautiful, but with no accessible changing rooms and only a steep ladder offering access, looking is all that you can do. Never mind, this evening you are going for a meal in the restaurant. The ramp allows you to get in, some 10 minutes later having moved several tables you are at last settled at your own table, admittedly you are by the toilets and unable to get your legs under it as it is so low, but never mind. After a couple of enjoyable drinks and before your dinner you need the loo. This is when you discover that the toilets too are non-accessible, yes rails have been fitted but there is no room even to turn your wheelchair let alone to draw alongside to transfer. You have no alternative and leave.
The DDA goes a long way to help and has made everyone aware of the plight of those with impairments, but in another way it will cause many problems. Guests are now likely to be informed that the premises now permit access for the disabled and that they have made changes to meet the DDA requirements. For those with some mobility and not full-time wheelchair users, these changes will surely help, for those with visual or hearing impairment these changes should really help. For those most in need, those full-time wheelchair users, these simple changes are more likely to confuse and make things more difficult as they chan