THANK you Mrs J Taylor for continuing to wave the flag for those of us who have disabilities (Letters, April 1), but don't hold your breath for any reaction from either City of York Council or the business sector.
Earlier this year the Evening Press printed my letter on the same subject but there have been no replies.
The prime example for public buildings on the "name and shame" list must be the Central Library whose toilet for the disabled is suitable only for those in wheelchairs, but not for those of us with colostomies and other similar disabilities.
Entry is by radar key only, but how many people have them or even know about them?
The library in Acomb has, as far as I know, no toilets at all. The Danish Kitchen in High Ousegate has no disabled toilets at all, and the ordinary toilets are up an impossibly steep flight of stairs.
The Jorvik Caf in St Saviourgate has no facilities for the disabled either, and their toilets are so steeply underground that potholing experience is a definite advantage.
Even those well-known, and respected, retailers such as Marks & Spencer and Tesco, whose disabled facilities are beyond reproach regarding cleanliness and availability, seem to think all disabled people are in wheelchairs.
A little imaginative thinking would soon point to what needs doing. Meanwhile, I repeat the questions I posed in my original letter. Who is responsible for ensuring the requirements of the the Disability Discrimination Act, which came into full force last year, are complied with? And is non-compliance a crime?
Bob Jones,
Albion Avenue,
Acomb, York.
Updated: 09:36 Thursday, April 07, 2005
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