Able Magazine

can anyone clarify if pubs/restaurants should be providing wheelchair access, and if not what do i do about it?.

Yes, they should make all reasonable adjustments to enable access for disabled people, under the Disability Discrimination Act.
If you are having problems, address the venue first and ask them if they've ever considered it (there might be a genuine reason for them not being able to improve accessibility, such as the premises being a listed building). Don't go on the defensive with it (even though you are probably a little more than hacked off!), just speak to their management and find out if they've considered it or if they have something in place already (some places have temporary ramps and things which they can bring out, but they don't always advertise it so you need to ask).
If you get nowhere talking to the venue, approach the CEHR (which has now taken over the DRC's responsibilities) - find out about access rights by visiting
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/y ... vices.aspx

Hope this helps!

hi, thanks lucy, the good news the pub is now for sale, so hope new owners will be more approachable

Hello,

Ryan Thompson (that's me!), a wheelchair using teenager with quad CP, has set up an e-petition campaigning for more accessible public transport to be made available.

I hope you will lend me your full support.

Accessible transport is needed to avoid the cost of taxi's and the embarrassment of having to have some else take us there!

The more signatures' on this petition, the more the government will listen to the needs of young and old people alike.

Please pass this message onto anyone you know!

If you wish to sign, the website address is: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/transportaccess/

Thank you.

hi ryan, just signed up to your petition,
i'm with you on this subject. i went to jersey last year, flew from exeter
brilliant all the help i needed. travelled all around the island by bus, all wheelchair accessable, the place to go for a holiday,
good luck, jasmine.

there might be a genuine reason for them not being able to improve accessibility, such as the premises being a listed building

Is not strickly true, Listed building still need to offer their services to people with disabilities, it just makes it that bit harder. English Heritage address the access needs of listed building on a one to one basis and have come to realise that more needs to be done, so providing the building changes are in keeping with the original building work can usually go ahead.

Even Westminster Catherdral has a chair lift installed