This week, we celebrated international wheelchair day – a chance to think about the ways in which wheelchairs provide independence and how they totally transform the lives of those who use them. From powered add-ons to folding wheelchairs – there are so many options and ways to help you make the most of your mobility.
However, with innovation, also comes accessibility limitations. Despite there being more wheelchairs users in the UK then ever before, much of the country simply isn’t accessible.
This is frustrating and restrictive, especially when it stops you from being able to go about your day-to-day or puts you in danger.
On a recent visit to the Winter Gardens Carpark in Bournemouth, I experienced these frustrations first hand…
Bournemouth Council, I’m asking you, what are you doing to fix the problems in this car park and the others in the area that aren’t up to standard?
6% of spaces in a carpark must be disabled accessible. However, many are not wide enough to bring a powered chair to the car door.
Winter Gardens carpark has 250 spaces with 11 being designated as accessible spaces. Avenue road carpark 900 standard spaces, 14 disabled spaces. Pavilion car park 185 standard spaces, 8 are disabled access spaces.
A total of 33 out of 1,335 are provided as accessible for disabled car users.