In the summer of 2001 I conducted a survey with my friend, David. This was intended for a website we were going to do. The website still doesn't exist, so I thought I'd publish the survey on h2g2.
The following survey contains only information about Nuneaton and Coventry. However I would be very interested if you would start a new conversation with your own experiences of your local shops.
All marks are out of 10, with comments added where appropriate.
"When my mother was ill we took advantage of the Shopmobility voluntary service in Sutton, Surrey and they were wonderful, so helpful and kind. So although you are requesting information on wheelchair access, I couldn't help but add a reply about this excellent service.
As chief wheelchair pusher, I was pleasantly surprised about how easy the access was to the great majority of stores in the town and how helpful other shoppers where in opening doors etc.
The two complaints I had at the time were 1) how narrow the gap was between racks in clothing stores and 2) that all questions where directed at me, even though it was my mother doing the shopping and waving her credit card in the air. I got the impression that store staff are given little guidance in dealing with those who don't find life as easy as the majority of us.
It was a real eye opener for me and made me more aware of other peoples attitudes to those in wheelchairs." - From Caerwynn "I spent quite some time in a wheel chair two years ago and I would split most people I encountered into 2 catagories - those who showed tactful consideration and help, and those who don't give a damn.
The assitants in my local Waitrose supermarket were brilliant - they couldn't have been better. However other shop assistants weren't so good. I found the public in general were reluctant to help (were they afraid of patronising me?) - even when my 8 yr. old son tipped me out of the wheelchair and into the road, people were hesitant as to whether they should help me or not."
- From Rainbow
"In London things are gradually changing to make things easier for wheelchair users. The newest style of bus in use can now take wheelchairs without a problem. The underground is still largely out of bounds though it is changing VERY slowly - all of the newest stations are now accessible (esp. the Jubilee Line).
I think that the SOLE advantage for wheelchair users is the fact that many theatres and football stadia only charge for the person who ACCOMPANIES the wheelchair user - four lovely girls from my school went to see Usher at the Hammersmith place last week but only three had to pay." - From
The Nitpicker
"Here in the US there are a lot of laws regarding handicapped access (that's what they call it, not a judgement). Many public places are required by law to have ramps, restrooms with wheelchair accessable stalls, loads of prime parking spots that are wider than the norm (and you get a hefty fine if you park there without a handicapped parking permit). At least for larger department stores there are laws regulating the width of aisles and obstructions in them. For the most part, over here, at least in larger cities and newer buildings, wheelchair access is taken into account." - From Mother of God
"Knowing Nuneaton and Coventry (ugh), I'd hate to be in a wheelchair in these areas. Not to condemn the whole town (although I'd like to, from tiring experience) but (Nuneaton at least) they're a bit unaware at times. Like the blatant misuse of disabled parking. What I'd hate most is having to go round shops- they're all so narrow and crowded, and people really do not look where they're ambling.
However, we do have those snappy new LoFloor buses." - From Mandragora Scrymidden
"I live in Liverpool, and must say that the city is (quite rapidly) becoming easier for wheelchair users. With the exception of HMV on Church Street, in the city centre, all buildings have wheelchair access and elevators inside. However, whenever I need to take my brother into HMV (I should mention that I am not myself a wheelchair user, but I am one of the chief pushers of my brother's wheelchairs), I usually ask the security guard at the entrance for assistance in lifting the chair up the steps. As far as I know, most other shops are wheelchair-accessible.
Public transport in the city is not quite as good. Although there are many wheelchair-friendly buses, there are still quite a few older buses around, and individual buses do not stick to the same routes, so that one day you may have no problems, and the next day, your journey is impossible. The trains, however, are better. The stations are being refurbished to make them accessible, and, provided you report to the station attendant at the start of your journey, they will arrange for assistance to be available at the end of your journey.
I would like to say, though, that some people seem to go out of their way to make life difficult for wheelchair users. Assistance is rarely offered when I am struggling to push the chair, although I must say that children and teenagers are the most helpful. Also, I would urge anyone who is not a wheelchair user, and so not familiar with maneuvering a wheelchair - PLEASE DO NOT walk out in front of a wheelchair which is moving forwards - the heavier models are remarkably difficult to stop, and can do quite a lot of damage to bare ankles." - From The Amazing Bongo
"I went to Camelot Theme Park near Charnock Richard, Lancashire. I went with a group of children in wheelchairs, and I don't think I have ever found a more wheelchair friendly place.
The whole park is wheelchair-accessible, with only two steep slopes (but nothing too difficult provided two people are available to push). There were plenty of disabled toilets, which were roomy, and the restaurant area was spacious enough to get a whole bunch of wheelchairs into.
What impressed me most, though, was the attitude of the staff. We were allowed to enter the rides via the exit, to avoid queueing, and plenty of assistance was available to help us on and off the rides. The staff were patient, and never tried to hurry us on or off (indeed, they asked us to stay until all of the staff manning the ride were available to help us off, to avoid accidents, which caused the queues to grow a bit).
All in all, Camelot is as perfect as any theme park can be for wheelchair users, and the staff are absolutely superb." - From The Amazing Bongo
"Chester Zoo: This is a strange place for wheelchairs. Although everywhere is wheelchair accessible, most of the animals are not easily visible, especially to smaller children in wheelchairs, due to the height of the barriers. Barriers seem to be highest around more popular enclosures such as the sealions. Barriers are obviously necessary, but do they really have to stone walls? Surely wire mesh or toughened glass/plastic would do just as well?
Also, the shop is a bit too small, and it is very difficult to maneuver a wheelchair without knocking most of the stock off the shelves." - From The Amazing Bongo
"Well while my sister was still alive (she died last christmas) we went to London to
some science lab to see if they could do anything for her. and while we where
there for two weeks waiting for results of the tests, we went off to see the sights
and we went in to Harods, now the access is amazing, the lifts are easily big enough,
there are ramps up to the doors and all sorts, but the staff, well they basically looked
at us as if we had just crawled off the cotton of their shoe. We definately were not
"their sort of people" now later on in the week we went back without my sister (she
was having more tests) the same woman was on the door and she was nice and
friendly towards us so I can only guess she objected to the wheelchair. The rest of london varied, the older parts
of it that are still cobbled where troublesome. And a few shops didn't have easy access for wheelchairs. but the major difference
was that the staff seemed willing to help, again in most places, it wasnt only Harods that we had a bad experience with staff but that is the shop I remember." - From Bob
This survey shows shops vary in their accessibility. I would be interested in other peoples experiences, and I will add them to my survey.
