Trains

Using the train can be a huge step for people who live with disabilities. Trains can be noisy, crowded and difficult to step onto. This poses a barrier for people with a huge range of medical conditions and disabilities.

I have recently started to make local journeys on the train in my wheelchair. The assistance service has been completely wonderful. The station operators are always happy to help me; they get out the ramp and assist me with getting onto the train. Most importantly, they don't make me feel as though I'm in any way a nuisance. This matters a great deal to me because so often I feel like my disability gets in the way.

Before I needed assistance commuting, I used to wonder how wheelchair users travelled by train. I have outlined below the assistance that is available to commuters for local journeys. Long journeys, especially those involving changes of train, are slightly more complicated.

Commuters can book assistance up to 24 hours before the journey they wish to make. If a commuter books assistance, a member of station staff meets them at the station and gets the ramp out for them. The staff member also helps them with any luggage they have.

I was worried that having to book assistance in advance would limit me. However, I have discovered that the station staff and guards are more than accommodating when I haven't booked assistance for local journeys. This means that I have the freedom to make spontaneous decisions and have flexible travel arrangements. On the other hand, it is really important to book assistance for longer journeys as there is limited wheelchair space and the station staff need to know in advance that assistance is required for changes of train.

During the train journey, the guard checks at what station the commuter wishes to disembark. On some trains the guard operates the doors from the same carriage as the wheelchair space so is on hand to help those in need of assistance. On other trains, the guard comes to assist the individual after opening the doors. This means that the train never leaves the commuter's station without them disembarking (one of my biggest travel related fears!).

At the destination, another member of station staff or the train guard positions the ramp so that the commuter can disembark. If the commuter is changing trains, the staff member helps transport their luggage to the next train.

 We typically think of wheelchair users as those who need help on trains, but assistance is used by individuals with a wide variety of needs. For example, someone with limited mobility may be unable to step up onto the train so require a ramp even though they aren't using a wheelchair. Some individuals aren't strong enough to pull their suitcase so require help with that. Also, individuals affected by blindness sometimes need assistance safely navigating the platform and stepping over the gap between the train and the platform edge.

The train is a brilliant transport resource for people living with disabilities. Trains help people to travel independently so it is great that good assistance is provided on the train.

An Adventure…?

Before I became unwell, I loved going for long walks through the countryside. Another favourite was cycle rides along canal paths. I miss those days so I quite often go along the canal path in my wheelchair.

One of the things that I find interesting is the way that other people react to a wheelchair being used somewhere other than a roadside pavement.

Yesterday I went along the canal path and a man walking in the other direction stopped me. "Out for an adventure, are we? "He said.

I smiled back and answered, "Yep!"

It was interesting because he was clearly surprised to see a wheelchair on the canal path. He was being friendly but I still got the feeling that I shouldn't have been on the canal path in my wheelchair. Often when I'm in public spaces I feel like my wheelchair is in the way and that society expects wheelchair users to stay at home. It can be very difficult for people living with disabilities to go out when they constantly receive subliminal messages that disabilities aren't compatible with our society. This is magnified for people who are affected by social anxiety. How would you feel if every time you tried to leave the house, something told you that nobody wanted you to go out?

The man who spoke to me didn't intend to upset me. This post is not a criticism of him. This example illustrates a wider view prevalent in our society that needs to change. I'm a wheelchair user but I love the countryside. That isn't weird. I have every right to roll along canal paths. So does every other person living with disabilities.

#ProjectLetMeIn #LetMeIn #DisabilityAwareness

Let Me In!

One of the most challenging aspects of living with a disability is the isolation that comes with it. Having a disability makes it harder to go places and do things due to the limits of your condition. However, the isolation is made worse by the inaccessibility of many public places.

There are a wide range of conditions that make accessing facilities difficult. Many places aren't suitable for people affected by conditions like autism that causes sensory overload. Every person living with disability counts and deserves equal access to public places. This campaign will seek to help people affected by the whole spectrum of conditions.

Lots of venues are "wheelchair accessible". Sometimes this means that there is an easy to use ramp, a large disabled toilet near the entrance and lifts. This is fantastic and it is great to see venues adapting themselves to be inclusive. Sadly, in some cases, wheelchair accessible means a ramp that was added as an after thought, a disabled toilet right at the back and no lift. This sends the message that people living with disabilities don't matter and don't deserve the same access to places as non disabled people. People living with disabilities should have equal access to facilities and equal value in society.

Let Me In! seeks to obtain equal access for people living with disabilities. Together we can make a difference. Watch this space; together we can ask councils and businesses to Let Me In!