Tina's 2023 disabled access wishlist

My Accessibility Wish List for 2023

Belated Happy New Year everyone. Here is my accessibility wish list for 2023.

1. More venues to be creative and push the boundaries regarding accessibility and inclusivity

Last year when I visited the “In Plain Sight” exhibition at the Wellcome Collection, I was very impressed that they had incorporated tactile paving into their exhibition space. It would be great if more venues reviewed the design and layout of their buildings with a view to making them more accessible. This might be installing a Changing Places toilet, improving the signage around the building, or making sure that the emergency red cord in their existing accessible toilet reaches the ground and all staff know what to do if it goes off.

2. Bus drivers doing what they should do

Anyone who follows me on Twitter knows this is a pet hate of mine. I do not have access to a car, most of the tube stations are still not step free and so I rely on buses to travel to work, attend medical appointments and generally get around. On a regular basis I find myself having to ask bus drivers to lower the bus or park nearer the kerb so I can get on and off the bus safely. Recently a bus stopped in the road, and it was thanks to a kind member of the public who offered me a hand otherwise I would not have been able to exit the bus. I would like bus drivers to always pull up by the kerb and lower their bus, and deploy their ramps when required, then to wait until passengers are seated before driving off. Also, to give passengers time to exit the bus before closing their doors.

 3. Bikes being park in places where they do not obstruct 

Being out in central London I regularly see pay-as-you-go bikes parked so they block the pavement. This makes it difficult for many people, but especially blind people, those with visual impairments or mobility disabilities and wheelchair users, as sometimes we are forced to walk on the road to continue our journey as we try to navigate around the bike. I would like all cyclists to park their vehicles with consideration to the access needs of other pedestrians. 

 4. Visiting some new accessible places 

Covid has not gone away so I still mask up. However, after spending most of the last three years shielding, I would like to have a bit more normality this year. I’m not feeling brave enough to go abroad yet, but I’d like to visit somewhere new. I have started checking out Euan’s Guide reviews to find some new accessible and fun places. I am particularly interested in discovering outdoor spaces with good access so I can safely meet up with friends without wearing a mask. If the venue has a cafe with outside seating and serves delicious cake that is a big plus factor.

 5. Writing more Euan’s Guide reviews

Linked to going out more is writing more Euan’s Guide reviews. I have set myself a bit of a challenge to write more reviews than last year. It is a personal goal, to push myself when I feel a bit nervous about going out to somewhere new. I also hope what I write and the photos I take may help and encourage other disabled people to visit new places with great access. 

Tags: 2023, disabled access, volunteers, Ambassadors, guest blog