Richard Hamer: Disabled people have right to access the world

Published on Tuesday 10 February 2009 08:45

DISABLED people's access to the world around them has improved markedly since the Disability Discrimination Act was introduced in 1995. You only need to walk along Princes Street to see the difference.

Following the removal of steps, the automation of doors and introduction of lifts, amongst other improvements, you'll see far more disabled people shopping alongside the rest of the general public.

However, there is still a long way to go – not only in removing physical barriers but also in changing attitudes. This was illustrated last week when an Edinburgh Council executive urged wheelchair user Sue Polson to avoid the city centre during the tram works because of a reduction in the number of disabled parking spaces. (Evening News, February 5)

Clearly, disabled people have the same right to use city centre facilities as anyone else. It also seems odd to turn away disabled customers when there are around a million of them in Scotland. These are people with a wide range of wealth.

There is clearly still progress to be made in relation to disabled access. As a start, planners and architects could consider access physical issues at the outset, not as an add-on. Taking advice from disabled people can prevent some of the embarrassing mistakes, such as lifts leading to steps, that regularly crop up.

Attitudes need to change too. Facing a staff member who is embarrassed or uneasy is not a pleasant experience for a disabled person. Disability equality training is a way of improving customer service.

Finally, the actual products on offer need to suit disabled customers. Levelled entrances, better signage and well-trained staff will all be wasted unless this is the case. A 'one-size fits all' approach doesn't apply in today's society.

Could Sue Polson have gone to an out-of-town shopping centre? Possibly. Should she have had to? No. Discrimination legislation is clear – disabled people have a right to access the world.

Richard Hamer is director of external affairs at Capability Scotland