Four buses,

outside parliament.

Wheelchair access & avoiding stairs

TfL says:

We're introducing more and more step-free access, but it's important to plan your step-free route in advance and check before you travel, in case of disruptions.

TfL provide useful maps to help plan your route, at the website linked below.

How to plan

Now, I speak with personal opinion.

It is so important for wheelchair users to plan meticulously well, every trip that is to be made. OK, everyone plans, but we (wheelchair users) must realise that things go wrong, problems occur. Once completed, we can realise with glee, how easy these trips are. Yes, there are ever growing possibilities, for us. If planned, more and more is able for the disabled.

times are a changing...

Personally, I had the most unusual experience, the other day.  I was hailing the 281 bus, in my wheelchair, in Kingston. The bus looked empty, and I exchanged affirmative smiles with the bus driver, who pointed me back towards the ramp. All good.

I position myself alongside the ramp, and I see commotion inside the bus. Hmm, there are two buggies (occupied) aboard. Fair enough, I will wait for another. However, It seems that, to my surprise,  both mothers are trying to move the buggies, and are  creating space for me, a wheelchair! They successfully manage to do so! I board the bus.

Wow!

Times are a changing!

where are we?...

but...



Colours for London

London =

Accessible Kingston =

?

'That sign' again

Hmm. ‘That sign’, again. TransportForLondon do correctly seem to pride themselves on their high level of accessible communication of information and advice. Personally, I had a very new and unusual experience whilst travelling by bus yesterday.

I was at the bus stop and successfully hailed my bus, on arrival.  The bus stopped, the ramp ejected from the side, and I boarded. I ended up parking opposite ‘that sign’, facing the window. I had to face sideways, as the ‘wheelchair space’ was occupied by a Baby buggy. I had no problem with this, I was fine.

I look left, down at the buggy, and it is empty! Huh? Empty!...

I was fine in the position that I was so, made no complaints, but confused. A mother then walked up to me and offered to fold the buggy and remove it, but as I felt comfortable in my position, I declined, telling her that there was no need to dismantle it . I was still confused, what should I have done? I checked ‘that sign’ (displaying rules/suggestions). Nowhere does it say that a ‘baby buggy’ has to be occupied. A separate  sign talks about ‘wheelchair users’, so it assumes that wheelchairs  will be occupied, but baby buggies, no… Nowhere are baby buggy users, or babies, talked about. Passengers are left to make up their own rules!  

The next forum...

... will be held at 

Sessions House

17 Ewell Road

Surbiton

KT6 6A

What: Your chance to join our group discussing a range of topics to with transport in our borough.  The forum purposes are listed at the bottom, in the right-hand column.

When:  Tuesday 6th May, 4.00pm

Who: The forum is open to all who wish to attend. 

How: If you do want to attend, please email theo.harris@kcil.org.uk

Transport Accessibility in London

Transport Accessibility in London
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility/

A superb webpage, aiding us to use any mode of public transport. Supplier of invaluable help and guidance.

 .

A piece of mind...

Baroness Grey Thompson attempts to reassure all.

This may be a carefully edited video, showing examples of the best around, but it is entirely correct in what it states, and correctly encourages increased support for TFL.

that 'sign'

I must state that I make this note, as an entirely personal opinion, not claiming to represent the view of a certain organisation. A wheelchair user myself (for the past 7 years, and currently) I feel very confident  in noticing/understanding many of the  messages that TransportforLondon(TfL) provide to the disabled.
I feel that many of the difficult problems that are tackled, all involve the  general public awareness towards problems faced by disabled.

One boards a bus, in a wheelchair, and one is ‘re-assured’ by being greeted by 'that' sign.

We look at the sign, assuming that we can read English, we read
‘Buggies can use this area if it is not needed by a wheelchair user’
‘Please move out of the wheelchair priority area if necessary’
‘Buggies may need to be folded at busy times’

Three statements. Nowhere, does it claim that they are enforced laws, or rules. These three statements can be misread and misinterpreted, so easily. Public reaction always varies. As we don’t want to create further problems, perhaps it is best not to insist on, or enforce, laws. This would generate a further negative division between disabled users, and the general public. By using the word ‘Please’, TfL are immediately lowering themselves, raising the status of the general public, and perhaps demeaning the disabled. We don't want a divisive law created, so no 'Must'. Hmmm.
Perhaps an alternative directive verb should be found?
By re-wording the statements, into such, public perceptions will be altered effectively.

'Buggies should not use this area if it is needed by a wheelchair user'
'One should move out of the wheelchair priority area, if it is required'
'Fold buggies at busy times'