Disabled Access

mgn83uk

Bart: The local WH Smith here is exactly the same, it must be company policy to make life as difficult as possible for anyone in a wheelchair - the store layout sucks, they have this curious habit of placing hidden obstructions, and lots of crap in the aisles (needless to say, tacky magazines and sugar-filled *childrens* sweets - yay for healthy eating, lol).

You're right though, they do topple over very easily. Especially if I happen to "accidently" reverse into them...

foxxymynx

mgn83uk wrote: »

Bart: The local WH Smith here is exactly the same, it must be company policy to make life as difficult as possible for anyone in a wheelchair - the store layout sucks, they have this curious habit of placing hidden obstructions, and lots of crap in the aisles (needless to say, tacky magazines and sugar-filled *childrens* sweets - yay for healthy eating, lol).

You're right though, they do topple over very easily. Especially if I happen to "accidently" reverse into them...

This is going to sound awful, but if I accidently damage something when I'm in my wheelchair in a shop and it's because of bad access (ie things being placed deliberately in the middle of the isle) tough...it's dangerous, shouldn't have been there and chances are, really hurt me too.

mgn83uk

I agree completely; I will try to avoid needlessly damaging anything, but not if it puts me into a dangerous position. As for damage to myself, if objects were to hit me in certain places i'd be really screwed, although i'd otherwise still be in an enormous amount of pain.

-Mark.

linni

I still have not received a reply to my email so am going to write to Head Office. Thank you for the address and all your comments. Will let you know if I hear back from them. I can feel a campaign coming on!

cqdaniels

Sorry to crash in on your thread but I did post this on the Local MoneySaving forum, without success:

Does anyone know if there is any step free access into the new Westfield at the two entrances near Shepherds Bush Green?

I have mobility problems but, as I live very close by, I can manage the walk to the centre but cannot climb the stairs. There is a ramp at the Wood Lane entrance, but that's too far for me to walk and it just seems silly to drive that short distance and pay the car parking charges.

Considering it's a brand new development, they haven't put in much thought at all for people with mobility issues and even for those pushing buggies.

mgn83uk

As far as I can tell (have been trying to ascertain this information - I use a wheelchair and will be in the area in December) there is step-free access at all entrances, but the website for Westfield only gives reference to Shopmobility in terms of accessibility information.

You may want to contact them directly for a more detailed response...

-Mark

cqdaniels

Thanks for your reply. I've tried emailing them but have had no response, perhaps I'll try phoning. Their website is useless.

I've had a friend check out the three entrances for me and she says she could find no step free access at any, except the one next to Wood Lane station. If I find out anything different, I'll let you know.

Andromeda

foxxymynx wrote: »

This is going to sound awful, but if I accidently damage something when I'm in my wheelchair in a shop and it's because of bad access (ie things being placed deliberately in the middle of the isle) tough...it's dangerous, shouldn't have been there and chances are, really hurt me too.

Exactly. I was in my local Homebase yesterday looking for a Christmas wreath. Of course the wallies had made the aisle too narrow by putting stands of christmas paper there, but undaunted, I squeezed past and down the aisle to get where I had every right to be able to access - and I KNOW as I squeezed past, my right wheel was scraping against various decorative wreaths on display, but my thought was "Tough, you should keep the aisle wider for wheelchair-users".

Got back out to the car and as I sat in the drivers seat and took off the wheels to sling my chair in the passenger seat, I found caught in my spokes a pine-cone, a bit of tinsel and two plastic red berries! Decorated for Christmas already! :rotfl:

LameWolf

I arranged to meet an old friend in a pub yesterday; the CAMRA Good Beer Guide lists the pub as wheelchair-friendly. It isn't. Not the publican's fault, it's an old building, and not easily adapted; and indeed my friend had checked it out so I knew I'd need to hobble on my walking sticks. That in itself, while a nuisance, was do-able, as it was only a short way, and my husband was there to support/catch me if I fell.

But I do expect publications like the GBG to have accurate information in, and I have informed CAMRA of this fact. Especially as it's not the first time I've found the same inaccuracy in the GBG.

niloc66

cqdaniels wrote: »

Sorry to crash in on your thread but I did post this on the Local MoneySaving forum, without success:

Does anyone know if there is any step free access into the new Westfield at the two entrances near Shepherds Bush Green?

I have mobility problems but, as I live very close by, I can manage the walk to the centre but cannot climb the stairs. There is a ramp at the Wood Lane entrance, but that's too far for me to walk and it just seems silly to drive that short distance and pay the car parking charges.

Considering it's a brand new development, they haven't put in much thought at all for people with mobility issues and even for those pushing buggies.

I went to the new Westfield last Saturday. I had to use one of their Mobility Scooters.

When I tried to get to the 2nd level of Foyles Boookshop I could not as the instore lift is to small to take the mobiltiy scooter. The staff did offer to bring down some books for me, but I wanted to browse the shelves myself to get some ideas for christmas.

I left and have now done my shopping online. Whan I shoud have done is told them that I wanted to browse and got them to bring down one of every book that they had on the upper level.