Jennifer Evans on Accessibility

Jennifer Evans is someone who is clearly not used to hearing no. Diagnosed with MS in 2001, she has since done a paraglide, skydive and a microlight jump after growing tired of being told what she could no longer do as a result of her illness. Jennifer currently lives in one of our Blackwood homes in Portobello and cannot express enough how much living here has changed her life. She has taken up the role of gardener which she loves and has also got her independence back as she is no longer reliant on someone else to take her out.

Jennifer is finding it increasingly difficult to keep her independence and positive attitude however. This is largely due to some serious accessibility issues in Portobello. This week two of our volunteers went out to meet Jennifer and discovered the seriousness of the problem. Jennifer is an upbeat and inspiring woman. However as we begin to talk about the accessibility issues within the area, it is clear how frustrated she is with the situation. It is not only the businesses that have accessibility issues. In fact, Jennifer explains how getting to places is difficult in itself. Many of the pavements have an uneven camber which causes her power chair to roll onto the road. And where she has to use the road, these are often full of potholes. As a result of this Jennifer says that she worries that something will happen to her. Her friends and family are also concerned about this and Jennifer believes that this has taken away some of her independence as they do not want her going out alone. Jennifer has contacted the council on numerous occasions and they are unwilling to do anything about it. On one particular occasion, where the council did go out, they spread some grit on the problem area and then left. Jennifer goes on to tell us about the complete contrast in accessibility between the two neighbouring councils-Edinburgh and East Lothian. Musselburgh, which falls under the East Lothian council is five minutes along the road and is ‘wonderful’ whereas Portobello which is under the city of Edinburgh council could do with making some changes.

It is not just the pavements, roads and council that are a problem however. Several of the local businesses also pose a problem. One pub, the ESPY, claims to have disabled access but has a step up to it and a narrow doorway. Some of Jennifer’s friends have asked the management about it but they maintain that there is disabled access and are unwilling to have a ramp constructed. The attitude of some people is another thing that annoys Jennifer. Some are ‘arrogant’ and are only interested if they have time. Boots on Portobello High Street is another difficult place. Here they have a ramp for individuals in wheelchairs but the button to open the door is placed so high up that it is unreachable. On asking the reason for this, Boots claimed that it had to be up high to stop children pressing it. Another place which Jennifer cannot access is the church at Brighton Place. She would like to attend classes and clubs here but is unable to. The husband of a lady in one of Jennifer’s classes made a ramp which allowed her access but the church was unable to store it so this leaves Jennifer back at square one.

With these numerous accessibility issues, it is understandable why Jennifer is growing increasingly discouraged and is tired of fighting. Accessibility is so vital to the lives of disabled people and having heard of the problems in this area, we are committed to bringing change. Our volunteers intend to go out and speak to the businesses and councils involved and explain how their actions are affecting disabled people. This is only the beginning of this story.

What are the accessibility issues like in your area?

Have you experienced anything similar?

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Permalink Reply by Fiona McCall on March 22, 2013 at 19:01

Absolutely had same experiences. In my town of Kelso the dropped kerb is at one end of the street and the other one is at the other end of the opposite side of the street and a cobbled road to travel down! Also just back from Blaydon near Newcastle and no drop kerbs anywhere in sight, just like the High Street in Edinburgh a central tourist spot of our capital city. To get into the Hub I had to use a temporary ramp out into the road, with taxis wheeching around me! So never mind trying to get in anywhere I struggle to cross a street!

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Permalink Reply by bespoken Team on May 31, 2013 at 10:23

Jennifer follow up story

Earlier this year we featured a story on one of our residents, Jennifer Evans, who was having some accessibility issues in her local area. This week we bring you an update on her story. For those who aren’t familiar with Jennifer’s story, we’ll give you a quick summary but you should check it out above. Jennifer was diagnosed with MS in 2001 and as a result of this is a power chair user. She got in touch to tell us that she struggles to get into a lot of the local businesses in the Portobello area. Understandably she was growing increasingly frustrated with the situation so we sent out two of our volunteers to meet her and see what they could do to help.

Summary over, let us update you on recent events. First things first let us say that our two volunteers love going to meet Jennifer and now consider her a friend. Lunches spent talking about life, weddings, holidays and of course accessibility don’t feel like work! We are now regulars at the Beach House, which by the way is amazing, we cannot recommend it enough! But more of that later.

On all their meetings Jennifer has mentioned the various accessibility issues she has and Margie and Laura (the volunteers) have listened with shock and frustration but last week they went out with Jennifer and seen it for themselves. Prior to last weeks meeting Margie had booked a table at the ESPY and explained how one of our party was a powerchair user. Jennifer has experienced accessibility problems with the ESPY in the past however we decided to give them another chance. When Margie spoke to them on the phone, the ESPY explained how this wouldn’t be a problem and told her there was disabled access. They then went on to say that there was a small step but that they could help lift Jennifer if needed. On the day of our meeting, we headed down to the ESPY. As we already knew there was no way Jennifer could get in as the step isn’t quite so small and at the other entrance where there is no step, the corridor is too narrow to fit a powerchair through. The staff were helpful and tried to find a solution but the reality is there is no disabled access for powerchair users. Our volunteers are in the process of arranging a meeting with the manager of the ESPY to see if changes can be made.

Unable to go to the ESPY for lunch, we headed over the road to the Beach House which as mentioned earlier is brilliant- great disabled access, tasty food (the toffee cake is a particular favourite of the volunteers!) and coffee and super friendly staff. After some delicious mushroom soup, they headed out to experience and photograph the places and businesses Jennifer struggles to access.

Boots, Portobello Road, Edinburgh

This store has disabled access but there is a problem with it- the button for the assistive door is placed up too high so that Jennifer and presumably other wheelchair and powerchair users are unable to reach it.

The library, 14 Rosefield Avenue, Edinburgh

The problem here is not with the library itself, it has excellent disabled access and the staff are very friendly. The problem is with the area outside. The first issue is that the pavement leading along to the library has such a sharp incline that it causes Jennifer’s powerchair to roll onto the road. After experiencing this once before and getting a real fright, Jennifer, understandably doesn’t want to use this route. The only other alternative is to go on the road which is full of potholes and is generally in a pretty bad condition. After manoeuvring her way down the road Jennifer can get back onto the pavement outside the library. There is a further problem here however. The only bit of drop down kerb is also where the disabled parking is so if these spaces are occupied, there is no access.

Greggs, Portobello High Street, Edinburgh

There is no disabled access here. Margie went in and asked if they had a ramp or any form of disabled access and they were unhelpful.

Thomson travel agent, Portobello High Street, Edinburgh

There is a step to access this which is too high for Jennifer to get her powerchair up.

BAYNES BAKERY, PORTOBELLO HIGH STREET, EDINBURGH

This bakery is un-accessible as it has a step to get into it. The staff are friendly though and if you tap on the window they will come out and get you what you want. This is okay on a warm day (rare in Scotland) but is less than ideal in the pouring rain.