There are approximately 1.2 million people that use a wheelchair in the UK, and many of them use public transport as a way of travelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But has enough been done to make sure that the transport is accessible for those in a wheelchair, or is more action required to meet the guidelines set out in the 2010 Equality Act?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Priority seating, disabled booths and ramp access are becoming more readily available with Britain\u2019s public transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Buses allow space for a wheelchair, and trains can come with a staff member to help board and dismount a carriage. Yet there still seems to be room for improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Derek Lynch and his wife Jennifer both use a wheelchair, and have relied on public transport in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But when they have tried travelling together by bus, they have been told only one of them can board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking about the issue, Derek said: “Jennifer is also in a wheelchair, so if we want to travel out together, on the bus, we can’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It will only take one wheelchair, although often there is space for two wheelchairs on either side of the bus itself.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response, Arriva have said that it is the \u2018bus manufacturers \u2026 who implement the design and production of buses and vehicles.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Train companies have put systems in place to allow those in wheelchairs to use their services. A booking system enables there to be a staff member to help them on and off the carriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are limitations, though, which aren\u2019t helped by the recent rail strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jill Lovell is a wheelchair user who often uses trains for travel. She said: “It’s imperative for the train travel that if you’re getting off at a station between the beginning and the end destination that you’re off quickly so the train doesn’t lose time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ms Lovell does sympathise with the rail workers who have decided to take industrial action, but has concerns about the impact on those with disabilities using the trains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said: “I’ve got a lot of sympathy for the train strikes at the moment, for the workers, because they aren’t really striking for pay increases, it’s the whole conditions of service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“One of the biggest things they were fighting for is to maintain the number of staff who work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“For example, the people who assist people to get on and off the trains may be the first service to be cut.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The equality act of 2010 states that providers of goods, services and facilities have a duty to make reasonable adjustments in order to avoid a disabled person being placed at a \u2018substantial disadvantage\u2019 compared with non-disabled people when accessing services and facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if Jill and Derek are anything to go by, there\u2019s still a way to go to eliminate the \u2018substantial disadvantage\u2019 faced by those with a disability. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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