access
Holland to Harwich by ferry
05/July/2010 07:33 PM Filed in: Travel
Journey: Hook of Holland to Harwich
via Stena Lines - Hollandica Superferry
This ferry was launched in
April this year and will join another Superferry
in Autumn. These cost £375 million pounds. Shame
they didn't spend much on thinking about the
overall experience for disabled people. Granted
the ship had some nice touches but compared to
our first crossing, the staff support was very
poor.
Cabins.
Again, we pre booked a
cabin with wheelchair access. We had our tickets
printed at the car booth which they told us also
acts as your room key. This was the same as our
first journey.
On locating the cabin (which had us wandering the isles of cabins to work out the number system) we found the door had a small low touch pad with a slot to insert the room key card. It also had a normal handle on the door. I believe the door was supposed to open automatically. I say supposed, because it didn't work.
My husband tried several times and the light flashed but nothing opened. Eventually a member of staff said we had to have a normal key to put in the door. What use is that! The automated door was not working and when we got in we could see why - the opening door arm was not fitted but the electronics were there.
On entering you can see the
cabin above (the lighting made the picture a bit
orange). The bathroom featured a level entry
(roll in) shower area with seat and lots of grab
rails. The toilet had two grab rails either side
and room to side transfer to one side. I'm not
that fat but due to scoliosis, lean to the right
side. When the grab rails come down they
basically wedged me onto the toilet and are
closer than what you would find in your average
UK accessible toilet. The floor surface is very
soft, with good grip but like the previous
ferry, the sink is not suitable for hair washing
and difficult to reach for me personally.
The bathroom is rather nice but the flat push panel to open the bathroom automatic door is situated above the side unit of the bed on the left of the cabin. So if you have to sleep on the right bed (which I do because of my spine) you can't press the button from bed. However, if you are a wheelchair user, how someone could sit on the bed, press the button, transfer into their chair and then get through the door before it closed again in about 10 seconds is beyond me anyway! The bathroom door swings back and because it is wide, there is only a few set places your wheelchair can go or it hits you and closes again. If you are standing in the way of the door the force would knock you off your feet - my wheelchair would rock with the force and it's a weighty machine. The location of the switch hasn't really been thought through in the overall design I felt and the close mechanism is rather violent (but possibly needed to close a large heavy door).
The cabins were nice though putting these problems to the side even if they did vibrate something chronic.
Customer service.
I was a bit miffed that the free wifi was only for 3 hours and the 'reception all over the boat' meant one bar if you're lucky. We also got an incredibly poor service when purchasing food as what we wanted from the menu wasn't actually available and my husband ended up with a microwave meal and I ended up with a chicken burger that makes McDonalds look like a 5 star restaurant. The guy who 'cooked' our meal was more interested in the football on the plasma tv installed in the food court than customer service. We had no offer of help to carry the tray and no 'quiet area' as in my previous blog. Too much money spent on umpteen plasma screen tvs and bars than on customer care I think.
Cabins.
On locating the cabin (which had us wandering the isles of cabins to work out the number system) we found the door had a small low touch pad with a slot to insert the room key card. It also had a normal handle on the door. I believe the door was supposed to open automatically. I say supposed, because it didn't work.
My husband tried several times and the light flashed but nothing opened. Eventually a member of staff said we had to have a normal key to put in the door. What use is that! The automated door was not working and when we got in we could see why - the opening door arm was not fitted but the electronics were there.
The bathroom is rather nice but the flat push panel to open the bathroom automatic door is situated above the side unit of the bed on the left of the cabin. So if you have to sleep on the right bed (which I do because of my spine) you can't press the button from bed. However, if you are a wheelchair user, how someone could sit on the bed, press the button, transfer into their chair and then get through the door before it closed again in about 10 seconds is beyond me anyway! The bathroom door swings back and because it is wide, there is only a few set places your wheelchair can go or it hits you and closes again. If you are standing in the way of the door the force would knock you off your feet - my wheelchair would rock with the force and it's a weighty machine. The location of the switch hasn't really been thought through in the overall design I felt and the close mechanism is rather violent (but possibly needed to close a large heavy door).
The cabins were nice though putting these problems to the side even if they did vibrate something chronic.
Customer service.
I was a bit miffed that the free wifi was only for 3 hours and the 'reception all over the boat' meant one bar if you're lucky. We also got an incredibly poor service when purchasing food as what we wanted from the menu wasn't actually available and my husband ended up with a microwave meal and I ended up with a chicken burger that makes McDonalds look like a 5 star restaurant. The guy who 'cooked' our meal was more interested in the football on the plasma tv installed in the food court than customer service. We had no offer of help to carry the tray and no 'quiet area' as in my previous blog. Too much money spent on umpteen plasma screen tvs and bars than on customer care I think.
Harwich to Hook of Holland
05/July/2010 06:51 PM Filed in: Travel
Journey: Harwich to Hook of Holland
+ Overnight stay at Premier Inn
Premier Inn is situated at
the port next to Lidle and adjoining a Brewers
Fayre. One night cost £61 at the time we booked
in January. We had to stay overnight because it
meant getting to the ferry 45 mins before we
sailed at about 9 am. Much less than 8 hours
sleep and my body falls apart. We had a roll in
shower, plenty of space and the sink was at a
good height to wash my hair in. Lacking in
personality like all of these sorts of rooms -
it did the job for the night and we were
relatively comfy with little noise outside.
Stena Line - to Hook of Holland on board Britannica (older ferry).
This slightly older ship was refurbished in 2007 and was fantastic.
We selected a disabled cabin for one person as a space to chill out and appeared to be the only wheelchair user on the boat getting a large disabled cabin with tables for 1-2 disabled people.
You can see a 360 of that cabin (with roll in shower) on their web-site here.
The only difficulty was the sink is quite high and basin is inset a way from the edge as opposed to the usual type of sinks in say a Premier Inn. It was airy, clean and the beds were firm with a soft mattress topper which even I found comfy having scoliosis.
On board we had free wifi
for the duration available on the decks which
suited me and my iPhone!
Top Class Service
We were met just outside the lifts by a steward who said they had a reserved area for wheelchair users on board away from the crowds of people and closely packed tables. So, just to the side of everyone else were 3 tables by a window, with a rope barrier and larger access space clearly signed 'reserved for our wheelchair accessible guests' which made me giggle as perhaps the intention got lost in translation now everything was Dutch/English bilingual. Either way, our steward said just to ask if anyone took our spot and he would 'hoof them out'. Sounds good. Not a single person or child tripped over us in our lovely corner and it was away from the hustle and bustle which was lovely. Some people might see it as segregation but there are times and situations you really need your own spot - not just wheelchair users but other people with impairments too. Our steward watched out spot as we went to get some lunch, went to get our cutlery whist my husband carried the tray and basically got us anything we needed. We felt like royalty,
Our meal was lovely and the journey didn't last long at all. Right from pulling up in the car, to boarding near the lift through our journey and off the other side it was very good. The ship was clean and tidy and not many people onboard in general. 10/10.
Stena Line - to Hook of Holland on board Britannica (older ferry).
This slightly older ship was refurbished in 2007 and was fantastic.
We selected a disabled cabin for one person as a space to chill out and appeared to be the only wheelchair user on the boat getting a large disabled cabin with tables for 1-2 disabled people.
You can see a 360 of that cabin (with roll in shower) on their web-site here.
The only difficulty was the sink is quite high and basin is inset a way from the edge as opposed to the usual type of sinks in say a Premier Inn. It was airy, clean and the beds were firm with a soft mattress topper which even I found comfy having scoliosis.
Top Class Service
We were met just outside the lifts by a steward who said they had a reserved area for wheelchair users on board away from the crowds of people and closely packed tables. So, just to the side of everyone else were 3 tables by a window, with a rope barrier and larger access space clearly signed 'reserved for our wheelchair accessible guests' which made me giggle as perhaps the intention got lost in translation now everything was Dutch/English bilingual. Either way, our steward said just to ask if anyone took our spot and he would 'hoof them out'. Sounds good. Not a single person or child tripped over us in our lovely corner and it was away from the hustle and bustle which was lovely. Some people might see it as segregation but there are times and situations you really need your own spot - not just wheelchair users but other people with impairments too. Our steward watched out spot as we went to get some lunch, went to get our cutlery whist my husband carried the tray and basically got us anything we needed. We felt like royalty,
Our meal was lovely and the journey didn't last long at all. Right from pulling up in the car, to boarding near the lift through our journey and off the other side it was very good. The ship was clean and tidy and not many people onboard in general. 10/10.
My first accessible party - on Twitter
Now - this is where Twitter comes into its own when you add a hashtag ( # followed by a word e.g. #equality) to the end of your message. If you go on Twitter, you can search for everyone in the world who has added the same hashtag to the end of their message and it will be displayed in a time-line. Hence people can see what others are saying on the same topic - and join the conversation.
The most used hashtag for my account is #mhlparty (over 430 Tweets) and it's my first experience at a Twitter Party I am going to share with you today - from a disabled person's perspective.
Accessible Parties.
I like the idea of parties - being around friends, having a laugh, good music and a bit of dancing. On the other hand I feel very uncomfortable in environments like these. For starters, crowded areas where everyone is standing up or dancing/falling over drunk is not my idea of fun. Perhaps because I can't stand up (use a wheelchair) and need some space to move, perhaps because people always used to fall over me as they wobbled to and from the bar. Maybe it was the drunken games of 'who dares chat the cripple up' or the fact that I could commit suicide on less than 1 Unit of Alcohol. Add to this the noise and the fact that my voice is sometimes little more than a whisper does not a conversation make.
All in all, I'm just not cut out to do the Party thing - even though the idea of loud music and waving a glow stick around all night has huge appeal!
Then I started tweeting whilst watching Most Haunted on the television, having a love of all things ghost like since the Ghostbusters first came out in my childhood. Prior to University I was so interested in the Paranormal because of personal experiences that I was originally going to do a Parapsychology degree. I guess you would say I'm a skeptic believer i.e. I believe in paranormal activity but don't believe every sound or bump in a spooky place is spirit activity. So, I take things like Most Haunted with a huge pinch of salt and a good dose of entertainment. Whether you believe or not, Most Haunted as a series has a huge fan base and I saw that some people who watched the show were Tweeting about a Most Haunted Live Party (mhlparty). I had to find out more - so I did and although the show brought us together we all agreed that it was our party and interactions with each other that made the night a fantastic one.
What is a Twitter Party?
Well for mhlparty, it was the idea of the lovely @JuicyJulesRocks and anyone who watches the show can join in. Each Tweet carries the hashtag so we can focus on just party tweets and we have a core group of about 12-20 people with the party theme being based on the show. We all seem to hold the same viewpoint - pretty darnn skeptical about the show but still loving it (and occasionally something does happen which makes us all go a bit quiet and reach for a pillow to hide behind!).
A party is held for every Live event - that's 3 hours of tweeting for 3-7 nights and can best be described as virtual role play. For example, someone will run a bar and make sure we are all well topped up if not getting a bit tipsy by the end of the night and others will let people know what music is playing (our favourite of course being on replay is usually Ghost Busters or for devillish investigations Road to Hell has been known to pop up on the old Jukebox). Not forgetting the party nibbles, lots of chocolate and I tend to supply glowsticks! We have a mhlparty website hoted by the lovely @MrRant and party games include competitions such as 'best costume' and the ever popular 'guess how many times they will swear on live TV'. In fact, our party has had a few mentions on air and we have had an official drop in who monitors the swearing from the broadcasting perspective and helps with the official 'count'.
If you have ever listened to Audio Description of a party scene on a TV programme - Tweets read a bit like that! Our own, virtual, interactive party world. Yes, people probably think we are all quite mad but essentially, we have a laugh and a chat, we've made some good friends and have a great night.
The best sort of party for me?
Yes, most definitely.
- To start with, I didn't have to phone up and check for wheelchair access or
- figure out inaccessible transport/parking.
- I didn't have to explain to anyone why I can't drink alcohol.
- I didn't need to feel 100% well to join in.
- I get a giggle because of my crazy party costume and not in a hurtful way because I've tried to cram my funny shaped body into party clothes.
- I have no fear of bullying or harrassement - or of being safe from some of the terrible disability hate crime of today.
- In all reality I am comfy and warm in my living room and not worrying about hot, claustrophobic environments.
- I can eat and drink what I want at a virtual party - unlike real life.
- I don't have to worry about trying to use a toilet that is inaccessible and wet underfoot with alcohol, vomit and urine - especially when I can only transfer in bare feet.
- I don't need to worry about getting home safely and
- best of all, I can communicate with people rather than words remaining as frustrated thoughts when I haven't the strength to get them out. Without communication, life can be lonely and it's easy for people to pre-judge me as anti-social.
Of course wheelchair users and people with all sorts of impairments go clubbing and enjoy the night life - but my choice is to stay in and party in an alternative way.
A sign of equality?
Nobody knows I have an impairment in most virtual parties - it's not relevant. I don't hide my impairment from anyone but I don't make a point of telling everyone I meet that I use a wheelchair unless it is relevant to the message or situation. I found it interesting that I could Tweet about every day life for months before people started asking if I used a wheelchair because otherwise a tweet didn't make sense! It's not everyday that someone can say they rolled down a hill when out for a walk. It's perhaps testimony to just how far equality has gone. I'm loving my virtual world - so drop in for a chat or a cup of tea anytime you wish :-)
* Dedicated to all the wonderful mhlparty goers.
Twitter - my new best friend
Twitter has been a global phenomenon for a while now. Until last year I had no idea, what it was or why I was hearing about Tweets everywhere. I wasn't inspired to give it a go thinking it can't be much different to the Face Book Status concept. That was until one day around this time last year I became a little too curious - and now I need therapy, really I do!
Hello everyone. My name is @crip_tic and I'm a Twitter holic.
To find out how I enjoyed a party for the first time in my life using Twitter - continue to the next blog post!
Twitter v. Facebook Status.
Twitter is definitely my social network of choice where I have made real friends and work contacts. I do a lot of work from home and TweetDeck (my free Twitter mission control software for reading and sending Tweets) is on all day on my desktop and on my iPhone when I'm away from my desk. I am only Twitter free when I'm teaching or asleep.
My hundreds of 'friends' on Facebook are largely people who are 'used' for the sake of playing games rather than actually forming friendships and some of the posts are quite frankly annoying, self pitying or self indulgent congratulatory messages about how clever they are, how drunk they were or how much Jesus loves them. Either that or people share their misery in good old Country and Western style 'Dogs dead, divorce papers came through, teenage daughter is pregnant and worst of all the price of cider has gone up'. Much more of that and I'd have to add depression to my list of ailments.
Interestingly, I have some friends with bi-polar who refuse to get involved with Facebook so perhaps they had been tipped off beforehand!! On the other hand, some of the status messages do make me wonder if it's just one big peer support group FOR people with varying mental health problems and it could be argued that due to the therapeutic and supportive benefits of Facebook - perhaps it should be funded by the NHS?
What's Twitter all about and is it accessible to disabled people?
The moment I created my account and typed my first message into the 'what's happening' box I was hooked. Essentially that is the start and end of all that Tweeting is about - these tiny glimpses into life, lovingly known as Tweets. People share what they are doing, where they are, photographs, drawings, links, what they like/don't like, what they think or talk about a TV programme they are watching ... you get the idea.
The concept is amazingly simple. No annoying adverts, no games - just a list of Tweets. You tell the world what you're doing in less than 140 characters. Others will be doing the same in real-time rather like instant messages. If you follow people, you will see their Tweets appear in your time-line. Likewise, if they follow you, they will see your Tweets.
Accessible Twitter
People can Tweet in so many different ways and one of my favourites is by drawing pictures. It's not that I can't type or read, but more because I use a graphics tablet instead of a mouse and like to be more creative with communicating my message (and sometimes it's a lot funnier because I can't draw for toffee!) On my desktop I use Wacom Minis which is free tablet software for Wacom tablets. It allows you to run an application called Draw Tweet on either a Mac or PC. It's really easy to use and could suit someone who prefers to communicate for whatever reason by drawing with some basic pens and colours. My pictures are saved in TwitPic which is a free photograph and drawing website linked to my Twitter account.
Using photographs to share what you are doing is another none-text way of getting your message across and something I use quite a bit. Video is also an option allowing BSL users to tweet signed messages to each other. Visually impaired people (amongst millions of sighted people) might consider audio tweets as an option. For people who prefer text input, there is a website which makes tweets easier for visually impaired people and a range of desktop software and phone applications to try out. On TweetDeck for example you can alter the colours of text against the background which might be useful if you're dyslexic but doesn't allow for changes in font size within the application or a change in the font itself.
To find out more about how I enjoyed a party for the first time in my life using Twitter - continue to the next blog post!
Loo story with wobbles
Archive from 2006
I noticed a recent article where a woman in Chicago went to use the loo in her local book store and is now suing them
In Chicago, a woman claims an unsecured toilet seat in a Borders Bookstore caused her to fall and become “permanently disfigured.”
The seat “shifted to the side,” causing her to be thrown onto the tile floor. The suit said she landed on her bum, causing her to suffer “multiple spine injuries, including the need for multiple neurosurgical spine surgeries.”
It made me recall the time when I was at work in Ashford and assured my meeting room had 1 accessible loo. On arrival I saw a sign 'out of order' I enquired and was dismayed at having to stay there for many hours with no loo to use!
A maintenance guy came back and said oh don't worry, it's just that the seat wobbles as it is broke (giving me a demo of a very wobbly seat that was totally unsafe). Considering I have no balance at the best of times I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to cross my legs. He then said something like 'it's not that far to fall anyway... I'm sure it will be ok'. Eh hmmm. Guess I'll be wetting myself then...
I noticed a recent article where a woman in Chicago went to use the loo in her local book store and is now suing them
In Chicago, a woman claims an unsecured toilet seat in a Borders Bookstore caused her to fall and become “permanently disfigured.”
The seat “shifted to the side,” causing her to be thrown onto the tile floor. The suit said she landed on her bum, causing her to suffer “multiple spine injuries, including the need for multiple neurosurgical spine surgeries.”
It made me recall the time when I was at work in Ashford and assured my meeting room had 1 accessible loo. On arrival I saw a sign 'out of order' I enquired and was dismayed at having to stay there for many hours with no loo to use!
A maintenance guy came back and said oh don't worry, it's just that the seat wobbles as it is broke (giving me a demo of a very wobbly seat that was totally unsafe). Considering I have no balance at the best of times I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to cross my legs. He then said something like 'it's not that far to fall anyway... I'm sure it will be ok'. Eh hmmm. Guess I'll be wetting myself then...
Birmingham - short break.
26/January/2010 03:49 PM Filed in: Leisure
From the archive - Birmingham 2006
So why on earth Buuurrm-ing-am. Well we had tickets to see 'I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue' (BBC Radio 4) on the Sunday night so we made a weekend of it. Friday night we said 'Tom Tom' take us to our Holiday Inn. Well actually, we said take us to 'x' road - and it did (but not the right one - an hour and a half away from the hotel... eh hmmm [cough]).
We arrived very late, checked in and went to our room. It wasn't accessible - normal room.
Back we went and without a word the guy at reception handed over another key card. After a trek, once again, down the corridor, the room wasn't the twin we had booked...back again. Anyway, basically the booking got messed up somehow so we stayed in the twin. Not even an apology.
Good and Bad.
How did I rate this room. Bathroom was half of the room next door converted and was big enough for a bath and a shower - but only a bath and oodles of room. Not a bad room really. Just 0/10 for friendliness of reception - shame on you.
Saturday we went to the Black Country Museum. It rained for the majority of the day. Accessibility is as expected for a Victorian recreated museum (bump bump bump.... oh how I love cobbles). They did have portable ramps to go where no Victorian could have gone before and we even donned on a hard hart and went down the mine. It was so funny. The chap (guide) kept referring to me as 'the chair' in a really Brummy accents. Every time we stopped to hear the 'story' of that part of the mine complete with resin pit pony and figures, he signposted each member of our party to a particular viewing spot so 'the chair' could see. Each time we stopped we had this loud ushering of people into their places. You had to be there - it was very John Cleese. My hat kept falling down to cover my eyes and I couldn't see anything as we trundled through the narrow passages.
Sunday we basically stayed inside until it was time to go the city centre to 'see' our Radio Show. It was really funny and a good night.
Monday we checked out - and the tried to charge us £600 for three nights!! Finally having argued my case with another guest who had been charged too much, we paid up and headed back home.
So... that was Birmingham!
So why on earth Buuurrm-ing-am. Well we had tickets to see 'I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue' (BBC Radio 4) on the Sunday night so we made a weekend of it. Friday night we said 'Tom Tom' take us to our Holiday Inn. Well actually, we said take us to 'x' road - and it did (but not the right one - an hour and a half away from the hotel... eh hmmm [cough]).
We arrived very late, checked in and went to our room. It wasn't accessible - normal room.
Back we went and without a word the guy at reception handed over another key card. After a trek, once again, down the corridor, the room wasn't the twin we had booked...back again. Anyway, basically the booking got messed up somehow so we stayed in the twin. Not even an apology.
Good and Bad.
How did I rate this room. Bathroom was half of the room next door converted and was big enough for a bath and a shower - but only a bath and oodles of room. Not a bad room really. Just 0/10 for friendliness of reception - shame on you.
Saturday we went to the Black Country Museum. It rained for the majority of the day. Accessibility is as expected for a Victorian recreated museum (bump bump bump.... oh how I love cobbles). They did have portable ramps to go where no Victorian could have gone before and we even donned on a hard hart and went down the mine. It was so funny. The chap (guide) kept referring to me as 'the chair' in a really Brummy accents. Every time we stopped to hear the 'story' of that part of the mine complete with resin pit pony and figures, he signposted each member of our party to a particular viewing spot so 'the chair' could see. Each time we stopped we had this loud ushering of people into their places. You had to be there - it was very John Cleese. My hat kept falling down to cover my eyes and I couldn't see anything as we trundled through the narrow passages.
Sunday we basically stayed inside until it was time to go the city centre to 'see' our Radio Show. It was really funny and a good night.
Monday we checked out - and the tried to charge us £600 for three nights!! Finally having argued my case with another guest who had been charged too much, we paid up and headed back home.
So... that was Birmingham!
Door Hell - unbelievable!
26/January/2010 03:47 PM Filed in: Social Care
Door Hell - from 31st July to 7th July 2008
31 July 2006
Today the door fitters from JLC installed our new front door and side panel. It looks really nice and tomorrow they will automate it. Kent contract with JLC to do these so they are arriving tomorrow. Kevin had to take the day of work because I had a meeting at work. JLC only told us last Friday afternoon they were coming so it was rather short notice.
1 August 2006
Well, this guy arrives today and basically didn't have a clue what he was doing. He spent from early morning until the end of the working day trying to make out all was well followed by running out to his van and saying it was f**k*d up. He spent all day on the phone and reading the instruction manual.
We were having a system with a pin code panel on the outside so that my PAs can let themselves in, remote buttons for me to press to open it, and the mechanism itself. The door was pre installed with part of the mechanisms - the wrong part so the door would not lock. We had to revert to a key for the night and he said a new one would have to be put in. The window company JLC used, last night, parked a door (large door and glass) in our hallway for the engineer to pick up - only he knew nothing about it. He said he doesn't normally fit the type I was having installed and the whole thing is a mess. He is coming back on Thursday to put in the new parts.
3 August 2006
The same guy came back today armed with the new parts. He installed these but then the door was opening and the lock was activating in the open position... He said it basically is caused by the air pressure - in layman’s terms the arm mechanism that opens the door is not strong enough. Someone else will be in tomorrow to install the new arm mechanism and finish the job.
Aghhhh.
3 August 2006 - 6.30 pm
The electrician contracted from KCC arrived at 5.30 for a 15 minutes job that took an hour. He has now put in a spur (for connecting door to the mains).
Up until now we have had a mains extension leeds trailing across the hall way into the porch.
4 August 2006
7 August 2006
Today Kevin is calling them and they have received an e-mail about our complaint.... we shall see what happens
24 August 2006
On Monday JLC visited to look at the problem areas and apologised profusely. Rest assured someone would be back on Tuesday to fix all the problems. So Tuesday came and yes most of it was done... until the engineer saw that the wrong key pad had been fitted to open the door from the outside... Finally on Wednesday morning (causing me to be 30 minutes late for work when the job was supposed to be done) the engineer was back and fitted the key pad. Hurrah... it is now working.
JLC also sent a bouquet of flowers to say sorry!
28 August 2006
Guess what... strange bleeping noises were heard coming from the door... on investigation this was the signal for a low battery and sure enough the back up had failed and also the door would now not lock without a manual key... JLC are coming again next week to have a look.
1 September 2006
There was an unknown error and 'Dan' the man got the door locking and disarmed the beeping noise so that next week a new unit could be fitted.....
5 September 2006
JLC were back again this morning, replaced the unit and I now have new remote switches which are my equivalent of a door key I can keep on me. Nice chap and door now works.
By 4.15 the beeping noise was back..... changing the unit hadn't worked so something else is the problem... JLC are apologising yet again.... is this going to be another bouquet of flowers.....
14 April 2007
Well - they never turned up for their 6 months check to see if the Door is working - and by hec it's got a mind of it's own.
Sometimes it doesn't let you in, then it won't let you out, then it shuts quickly so you have to run out.... you name it - every day it throws up something wrong. The battery back up isn't working and .... well we will be writing to them soon....
26 April 2007
Well - we have fixed the 'kicking you out persona' that the door took on. All it took was a bit of elbow grease (well just the grease actually) along the opener mechanism at the top... yeahhh.
One down.....
1 May 2007
Spoke to soon - the oil has not fixed the problem and it's as cranky as ever.....
14 January 2008
Well, since my last post, I think they have been here at least 4 times to try and fix the door which is as wonky as ever. It is driving my husband mad. First of all someone came, had a look and said he would order a new part. Came again, part didn't work. Said they would change the whole unit - returned some weeks later with only a replacement logic board. The problem was even worse now.
One day they said they said they would arrive at 8.30 but didn't turn up until 4!
He said 'Oh dear, I don't know what's wrong it it ' and again said they would replace the unit. That was a few weeks ago. Then an e-mail to say the part had to come from Spain and could take another 3 weeks..... and so it continues.
JLC are useless - never get a door from them.
10 February 2008
Well, the part that should have taken 3 weeks to come hasn't arrived - several weeks later - still no date as to when our wonky door will be fixed... hmmmmm.
15 February 2008
Today JLC turned up to fit in a new controlled - you will remember this as the one from Spain due weeks ago. Well the new one didn't work, the whole day was a fiasco and at one point the door developed a seizure and opened and closed in short stutters for some time! Alarms were sounding and the locking mechanism didn't work. Eventually he said he got it going - tried it many times and it did lock - but he said he knew it didn't always and there was nothing he could due as it was due to 'the door seal' and that it wasn't meant to work on a PVC door. Why is it, I asked, that this door was part of a 'door and opening system' which was put in together? Of course he had no answer for that.
Anyway, by the time Kevin got home it didn't lock - so when the door closes someone has to push it the last inch so the automatic locks bolt in. Also, the door has lost the ability to stay open e.g. when bringing shopping in, which he said was working - yet it isn't a function of the new system!!!
So, Kevin has told them once again that this is just not good enough and we await for them to return with the purchase of a 'new programmer' to make the door push with a greater force and close on its own like it is supposed to. So.... that would be the programmer they brought with them on an earlier visit which they now say they have to order as they have never had one....
to be continued...
03 March 2008
Turned up again today and fitted a second box next to the first one. Why - to make up for what box one should do if it functioned correctly.
They were also supposed to use a programmed to tell the door to close with the correct amount of force to actually shut - He brought the wrong connecter... I guess they will be back and we will be onto part 17...
02 June 2008
Today we told JLC that the door doesn’t reliably close every time. When going out we still have to wait until the door closes to be sure that our house is secure. Kevin and I are very unhappy with the level of service we have received from JLC Automation Ltd.
We feel that we have given them every opportunity to rectify the problem. However, after eighteen visits from their engineers and nearly two years of worry and hassle we have decided that enough is enough. We feel that this shows their company is obviously incapable of providing us with a reliable door opening/closing system.
Because of this, we have been forced to look elsewhere for a system that will work reliably and close, and lock, the front door consistently and securely. We are shortly going to have their door opener and controls removed and replaced at considerable expense to ourselves.
Obviously we are very unhappy that we are being forced to do this, but we just want this saga of incompetence and poor workmanship to come to an end once and for all. We will certainly not be recommending this company to other customers looking for such a system and are saddened that other disabled people and their families will have no other option if reliant on NHS/Social Care provision that contract with JLC.
07July 2008
Yahoo
This week marked a momentous occassions - the JLC parts for the automatic door were ripped out or modified by the new company.
What a difference. Polite and competent engineers, a door that works and several features my hubby is dancing around about in terms of functionality.
The end of an 18 part saga that started back in July 2006 we feel is finally over.
31 July 2006
Today the door fitters from JLC installed our new front door and side panel. It looks really nice and tomorrow they will automate it. Kent contract with JLC to do these so they are arriving tomorrow. Kevin had to take the day of work because I had a meeting at work. JLC only told us last Friday afternoon they were coming so it was rather short notice.
1 August 2006
Well, this guy arrives today and basically didn't have a clue what he was doing. He spent from early morning until the end of the working day trying to make out all was well followed by running out to his van and saying it was f**k*d up. He spent all day on the phone and reading the instruction manual.
We were having a system with a pin code panel on the outside so that my PAs can let themselves in, remote buttons for me to press to open it, and the mechanism itself. The door was pre installed with part of the mechanisms - the wrong part so the door would not lock. We had to revert to a key for the night and he said a new one would have to be put in. The window company JLC used, last night, parked a door (large door and glass) in our hallway for the engineer to pick up - only he knew nothing about it. He said he doesn't normally fit the type I was having installed and the whole thing is a mess. He is coming back on Thursday to put in the new parts.
3 August 2006
The same guy came back today armed with the new parts. He installed these but then the door was opening and the lock was activating in the open position... He said it basically is caused by the air pressure - in layman’s terms the arm mechanism that opens the door is not strong enough. Someone else will be in tomorrow to install the new arm mechanism and finish the job.
Aghhhh.
3 August 2006 - 6.30 pm
The electrician contracted from KCC arrived at 5.30 for a 15 minutes job that took an hour. He has now put in a spur (for connecting door to the mains).
Up until now we have had a mains extension leeds trailing across the hall way into the porch.
4 August 2006
Today the stronger arm was fitted by a second engineer. He showed me timing on the door like how long it could stay open etc for me to choose. At the end of the day he told me it was all fitted and working. Alas I believed him, signed his book and sent him on his merry way. Kevin later discovered:
- The unit is still plugged into an extension lead (trailing through the hall and acting as a trip hazard) even though the fused spur was fitted by the electrician on Thursday.
- The batteries inside the psu box are not connected hence we think we may not have emergency back up.
- There are two holes in our new door where the wrong opener was fitted.
- Part of the trim above the door
has been cracked and where it has been cut to fit
the second opener it has been
mutilated rather than being cut neatly as it was with the first opener. - The sealant around the door frame has been removed and not replaced.
- There are holes through the wall that have not been sealed.
- The switch to hold the door open
is on the wrong side of the opener so you can't
reach it when the door is open. It is also
a key switch rather that a 'normal' type (the engineer could not get the other switch to work). - We have been left a master remote for the locca unit but no instructions.
- The lid to the psu box is held closed with a wood screw rather than the proper one.
7 August 2006
Today Kevin is calling them and they have received an e-mail about our complaint.... we shall see what happens
24 August 2006
On Monday JLC visited to look at the problem areas and apologised profusely. Rest assured someone would be back on Tuesday to fix all the problems. So Tuesday came and yes most of it was done... until the engineer saw that the wrong key pad had been fitted to open the door from the outside... Finally on Wednesday morning (causing me to be 30 minutes late for work when the job was supposed to be done) the engineer was back and fitted the key pad. Hurrah... it is now working.
JLC also sent a bouquet of flowers to say sorry!
28 August 2006
Guess what... strange bleeping noises were heard coming from the door... on investigation this was the signal for a low battery and sure enough the back up had failed and also the door would now not lock without a manual key... JLC are coming again next week to have a look.
1 September 2006
There was an unknown error and 'Dan' the man got the door locking and disarmed the beeping noise so that next week a new unit could be fitted.....
5 September 2006
JLC were back again this morning, replaced the unit and I now have new remote switches which are my equivalent of a door key I can keep on me. Nice chap and door now works.
By 4.15 the beeping noise was back..... changing the unit hadn't worked so something else is the problem... JLC are apologising yet again.... is this going to be another bouquet of flowers.....
14 April 2007
Well - they never turned up for their 6 months check to see if the Door is working - and by hec it's got a mind of it's own.
Sometimes it doesn't let you in, then it won't let you out, then it shuts quickly so you have to run out.... you name it - every day it throws up something wrong. The battery back up isn't working and .... well we will be writing to them soon....
26 April 2007
Well - we have fixed the 'kicking you out persona' that the door took on. All it took was a bit of elbow grease (well just the grease actually) along the opener mechanism at the top... yeahhh.
One down.....
1 May 2007
Spoke to soon - the oil has not fixed the problem and it's as cranky as ever.....
14 January 2008
Well, since my last post, I think they have been here at least 4 times to try and fix the door which is as wonky as ever. It is driving my husband mad. First of all someone came, had a look and said he would order a new part. Came again, part didn't work. Said they would change the whole unit - returned some weeks later with only a replacement logic board. The problem was even worse now.
One day they said they said they would arrive at 8.30 but didn't turn up until 4!
He said 'Oh dear, I don't know what's wrong it it ' and again said they would replace the unit. That was a few weeks ago. Then an e-mail to say the part had to come from Spain and could take another 3 weeks..... and so it continues.
JLC are useless - never get a door from them.
10 February 2008
Well, the part that should have taken 3 weeks to come hasn't arrived - several weeks later - still no date as to when our wonky door will be fixed... hmmmmm.
15 February 2008
Today JLC turned up to fit in a new controlled - you will remember this as the one from Spain due weeks ago. Well the new one didn't work, the whole day was a fiasco and at one point the door developed a seizure and opened and closed in short stutters for some time! Alarms were sounding and the locking mechanism didn't work. Eventually he said he got it going - tried it many times and it did lock - but he said he knew it didn't always and there was nothing he could due as it was due to 'the door seal' and that it wasn't meant to work on a PVC door. Why is it, I asked, that this door was part of a 'door and opening system' which was put in together? Of course he had no answer for that.
Anyway, by the time Kevin got home it didn't lock - so when the door closes someone has to push it the last inch so the automatic locks bolt in. Also, the door has lost the ability to stay open e.g. when bringing shopping in, which he said was working - yet it isn't a function of the new system!!!
So, Kevin has told them once again that this is just not good enough and we await for them to return with the purchase of a 'new programmer' to make the door push with a greater force and close on its own like it is supposed to. So.... that would be the programmer they brought with them on an earlier visit which they now say they have to order as they have never had one....
to be continued...
03 March 2008
Turned up again today and fitted a second box next to the first one. Why - to make up for what box one should do if it functioned correctly.
They were also supposed to use a programmed to tell the door to close with the correct amount of force to actually shut - He brought the wrong connecter... I guess they will be back and we will be onto part 17...
02 June 2008
Today we told JLC that the door doesn’t reliably close every time. When going out we still have to wait until the door closes to be sure that our house is secure. Kevin and I are very unhappy with the level of service we have received from JLC Automation Ltd.
We feel that we have given them every opportunity to rectify the problem. However, after eighteen visits from their engineers and nearly two years of worry and hassle we have decided that enough is enough. We feel that this shows their company is obviously incapable of providing us with a reliable door opening/closing system.
Because of this, we have been forced to look elsewhere for a system that will work reliably and close, and lock, the front door consistently and securely. We are shortly going to have their door opener and controls removed and replaced at considerable expense to ourselves.
Obviously we are very unhappy that we are being forced to do this, but we just want this saga of incompetence and poor workmanship to come to an end once and for all. We will certainly not be recommending this company to other customers looking for such a system and are saddened that other disabled people and their families will have no other option if reliant on NHS/Social Care provision that contract with JLC.
07July 2008
Yahoo
This week marked a momentous occassions - the JLC parts for the automatic door were ripped out or modified by the new company.
What a difference. Polite and competent engineers, a door that works and several features my hubby is dancing around about in terms of functionality.
The end of an 18 part saga that started back in July 2006 we feel is finally over.
Too pee or not to pee... that indeed is the question
During my training I often talk about the most
important things in my life that give me personal
choice and freedom. It fits nicely into the how
Direct Payments could be used more flexibly and
demonstrates rights and freedoms disabled people
aspire to.
My number one thing in life is the toilet - and to hear the full story you will need to sign up to a course! So, of critical importance was to make our own bathroom accessible (cue clever hubby in the DIY field). That was in about 2004 and we are still completing it! Anyway, here is the story so far because I know others have written to me about the toilet in particular - so I have moved it onto the web again.
--
Talking about gadgets, the best invention in my bathroom has to be the vertical toilet riser.
Now you see, for all us none mobile sorts the biggest cause of incontinence is inaccessible toilets. This is a complete bug bear because the amount of thought that goes into designing accessible toilets is equivalent to the intellectual capacity of a goldfish.
Then if you can get into the room - there is the question - can I get on and off. Anyway, at home we have specifically designed our bathroom around easy access for me personally, visual appearance and use of gadgetry to make life easier.
In the beginning...
This was our layout to start with.
1) I need to transfer to my left so the toilet is the wrong way round.
2) Not enough room for hubby/PA to lift and transfer.
3) I need quite a low toilet - lower then normal. However it is really hard to lift me up from a low surface - so some gadgetry is needed.
4) Sink not correct height, shape etc and no room at the side for PA/hubby to wash/dress me.
5) Flooring needed to have enough grip so PAs and myself don’t slip when transferring, but not
so grippy that I can’t slide my feet across the floor to transfer.
6) Door needs to move for access.
Our own design.
Then we have transformed and rebuilt it to a 'wet room' which will have a second door leading to the bedroom if we later install a ceiling hoist. (large brown door on right side).
New features:
1) level entry shower i.e. now a wet room.
2) Door now in middle of the room (where it was originally as the owner had wall papered over the door!
3) Huge space (including shower area) on the floor to move around.
4) Chose a sink that is free standing with nothing underneath for lots of leg room, a big space to wash my hair in the sink (in reach of shower head) and room for someone to stand at the side to wash my hair.
5) A ledge behind the sink for a foot stool - so I can balance.
6) And a unique toilet (see below) with a round, bevelled seat (essential for posture and balance). It’s from Denmark (land of fabby toilets) and features rise and fall (and looks like the Starship Enterprise.
More to follow in future days.
My number one thing in life is the toilet - and to hear the full story you will need to sign up to a course! So, of critical importance was to make our own bathroom accessible (cue clever hubby in the DIY field). That was in about 2004 and we are still completing it! Anyway, here is the story so far because I know others have written to me about the toilet in particular - so I have moved it onto the web again.
--
Talking about gadgets, the best invention in my bathroom has to be the vertical toilet riser.
Now you see, for all us none mobile sorts the biggest cause of incontinence is inaccessible toilets. This is a complete bug bear because the amount of thought that goes into designing accessible toilets is equivalent to the intellectual capacity of a goldfish.
Then if you can get into the room - there is the question - can I get on and off. Anyway, at home we have specifically designed our bathroom around easy access for me personally, visual appearance and use of gadgetry to make life easier.
This was our layout to start with.
1) I need to transfer to my left so the toilet is the wrong way round.
2) Not enough room for hubby/PA to lift and transfer.
3) I need quite a low toilet - lower then normal. However it is really hard to lift me up from a low surface - so some gadgetry is needed.
4) Sink not correct height, shape etc and no room at the side for PA/hubby to wash/dress me.
5) Flooring needed to have enough grip so PAs and myself don’t slip when transferring, but not
so grippy that I can’t slide my feet across the floor to transfer.
6) Door needs to move for access.
Our own design.
Then we have transformed and rebuilt it to a 'wet room' which will have a second door leading to the bedroom if we later install a ceiling hoist. (large brown door on right side).
New features:
1) level entry shower i.e. now a wet room.
2) Door now in middle of the room (where it was originally as the owner had wall papered over the door!
3) Huge space (including shower area) on the floor to move around.
4) Chose a sink that is free standing with nothing underneath for lots of leg room, a big space to wash my hair in the sink (in reach of shower head) and room for someone to stand at the side to wash my hair.
5) A ledge behind the sink for a foot stool - so I can balance.
6) And a unique toilet (see below) with a round, bevelled seat (essential for posture and balance). It’s from Denmark (land of fabby toilets) and features rise and fall (and looks like the Starship Enterprise.
More to follow in future days.
Brighton break - 2006
26/January/2010 02:44 PM Filed in: Leisure
For this trip we pootled off to Brighton and checked
into the Holiday Inn on the sea front. Disabled
parking is right on the front and is charged at the
same amount as the underground hotel carpark.
Although we didn't pay the extra for a sea view, the accessible room did have a good front view through a window the entire length of the room. We also a had a balcony but access is through a narrow door without a low or level threshold.
I gave the room 1/10. The 1 point was for being able to get into the room and for one of the largest rooms we have stayed in - big enough for two Kingsized beds.
Where did the other 9 points go.... well.
Dreadful bathroom:
For starters, 8 of them went on the naff design of the bathroom. For example the door opened inwards so if you need help to transfer - once you have done so the other person can't get out (or back in). If someone fell off the loo nobody could get in to help because chances are you would be in front of the door and splatted on the floor. Talking about the floor - lovely white shiny tiles which are great for slipping and sliding. Oh and did I mention a grab rail stuck in the most stupidest of places - if you need a wide base to raise from seated to standing - forget it as the rail comes up from the floor and pins you to the loo... need I go on.
I will say one other thing - special people who book special rooms can not be trusted with hot water - so the tap water is regulated to 'luke warm' making a wash at the sink a cold and unpleasant experience - we used boiled water from the kettle to make it usable. I ended up using the bathroom in the lobby which was very accessible.
The good thing (and reason for booking it) was that we were a very short walk from the theatre where we had tickets to see Chris Rea. We had been before to this venue and you get to sit with all the other special people on the 'balcony' opposite the stage (it’s actually a good spot despite
the ’seat all disabled people together’ ethos).
The other 1 point was lost for the tables in the room - none of them accessible to me because they were too low to eat off when we had room service for dinner and breakfast. Even Kevin, sitting on chairs provided in the room could not get under the main 'desk' - poor design all round.
Although we didn't pay the extra for a sea view, the accessible room did have a good front view through a window the entire length of the room. We also a had a balcony but access is through a narrow door without a low or level threshold.
I gave the room 1/10. The 1 point was for being able to get into the room and for one of the largest rooms we have stayed in - big enough for two Kingsized beds.
Where did the other 9 points go.... well.
Dreadful bathroom:
For starters, 8 of them went on the naff design of the bathroom. For example the door opened inwards so if you need help to transfer - once you have done so the other person can't get out (or back in). If someone fell off the loo nobody could get in to help because chances are you would be in front of the door and splatted on the floor. Talking about the floor - lovely white shiny tiles which are great for slipping and sliding. Oh and did I mention a grab rail stuck in the most stupidest of places - if you need a wide base to raise from seated to standing - forget it as the rail comes up from the floor and pins you to the loo... need I go on.
I will say one other thing - special people who book special rooms can not be trusted with hot water - so the tap water is regulated to 'luke warm' making a wash at the sink a cold and unpleasant experience - we used boiled water from the kettle to make it usable. I ended up using the bathroom in the lobby which was very accessible.
The good thing (and reason for booking it) was that we were a very short walk from the theatre where we had tickets to see Chris Rea. We had been before to this venue and you get to sit with all the other special people on the 'balcony' opposite the stage (it’s actually a good spot despite
the ’seat all disabled people together’ ethos).
The other 1 point was lost for the tables in the room - none of them accessible to me because they were too low to eat off when we had room service for dinner and breakfast. Even Kevin, sitting on chairs provided in the room could not get under the main 'desk' - poor design all round.
Greenwich break - 2006
26/January/2010 02:39 PM Filed in: Leisure
My review of our two day trip to Greenwich, London.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and used the
Dockland Light Railway (DLR) to
get to Greenwich (or a ten minute drive by car).
Day 1 - Cutty Sark by car then to the hotel.
Day 2 - Greenwich Observatory & National Maritime Museum
Cutty Sark: It was raining and cold but we parked right next door in a pay and display car park. Kevin had just put in near a fiver for the afternoon - only to read it was free to blue badge holders.
The Cutty Sark has one accessible floor (the one beneath being the cargo hold and the one above the top deck and cabins). Most of the displays were on the accessible deck with the gift shop. Apparently they are putting the whole ship under cover with an external lift to all three decks in the next few year - and had reduced exhibits as a result of badly needed repairs and restoration. The 'model / plans' were displayed showing this great new access - yet were not on an accessible floor!! Oh yes, and at precisely the same time we were there on every third Sunday you will be subject to loud singing of sea shantees from local volunteer 'sailors' (prepare to be blasted or take ear muffs if you want to concentrate on reading the history of the ship!!). You can't really visit Greenwich without going on board to discover the joys of tea and its import- hurrah for tea I say!
We took shelter and had a meal in a local pub - expect London prices for a basic pub meal.
Accommodation
Holiday Inn express. Our first room had wheelchair access with 'wet room' with shower seat. Alas the sink was somewhat high and inset into the unit meaning I couldn't wash my hair in the sink. Also noticed that plugs were really low down even for a wheelchair user. As we discovered the shower then didn't work so we moved to another room fairly easily the next day. This was bigger and a different layout, again with a wet room. Electric sockets were at a more reasonable level along with other furniture - a much better room. It is worth looking at different accessible rooms if possible as they were both different. Parking was right next to the front door.
Day 2 - Greenwich Observatory & National Maritime Museum
Transport:
DLR from Silvertown station. A short walk from our hotel with one change on the outward journey. The DLR carriages themselves are very accessible in terms of wheelchair access. However we were let down by the platform lifts. We were supposed to get off at the Cutty Sark Station which is a few minutes walk to the Museum etc. However you must reach street level via a lift - which wasn't working. We had to get another train to the next stop at Greenwich - but that lift was broke also. Now we had to go to the next one which would not be within walking distance of our destination. We got off at the next stop where you could cross by ramps to the opposite platform. We returned to Greenwich stop only to find the lift again did not work on this side of the platform. However, we could reach street level and left the station and walked to the park.
What would have been ten minutes by car used up half of our day getting on and off trains. Apparently the 'lifts never work' which is not a lot of use for wheelchair users who want to do something other than visit a platform before going home again.
On the return journey we had to change twice - once at Canary Wharf during rush hour.... say no more. It was almost impossible to get off the train without just mowing people over - so I wouldn't advise travelling at that time.
So, trains are easy to access - if you find a working lift to the platforms.
Greenwich Observatory
We walked through the park and up the hill - use the road to reach the observatory rather than the steep path at the front which is impossible to get up. Alas this too was undergoing work for a new building and part of the museum - leaving not a lot left open. The new buildings will be more accessible and had lifts ready for when they open.
It is a good view from the top and at night is illuminated a a laser beams out showing the Meridian Line. The park shuts at dusk though. We will come back again in a few years to take a peak.
Greenwich Maritime Museum
Access was very good and we spent until closing time here. Many galleries to wander around and exhibits. Photographs aren't allowed which is a shame and entry was free. I can't remember how many lifts we had to get in and out of - lots as the galleries are on different levels and 'half levels' which is confusing! I could actually see the exhibits which was good - lots of galleries have cases you can't see into whilst seated so it was good in this respect.
Day 1 - Cutty Sark by car then to the hotel.
Day 2 - Greenwich Observatory & National Maritime Museum
Cutty Sark: It was raining and cold but we parked right next door in a pay and display car park. Kevin had just put in near a fiver for the afternoon - only to read it was free to blue badge holders.
The Cutty Sark has one accessible floor (the one beneath being the cargo hold and the one above the top deck and cabins). Most of the displays were on the accessible deck with the gift shop. Apparently they are putting the whole ship under cover with an external lift to all three decks in the next few year - and had reduced exhibits as a result of badly needed repairs and restoration. The 'model / plans' were displayed showing this great new access - yet were not on an accessible floor!! Oh yes, and at precisely the same time we were there on every third Sunday you will be subject to loud singing of sea shantees from local volunteer 'sailors' (prepare to be blasted or take ear muffs if you want to concentrate on reading the history of the ship!!). You can't really visit Greenwich without going on board to discover the joys of tea and its import- hurrah for tea I say!
We took shelter and had a meal in a local pub - expect London prices for a basic pub meal.
Accommodation
Holiday Inn express. Our first room had wheelchair access with 'wet room' with shower seat. Alas the sink was somewhat high and inset into the unit meaning I couldn't wash my hair in the sink. Also noticed that plugs were really low down even for a wheelchair user. As we discovered the shower then didn't work so we moved to another room fairly easily the next day. This was bigger and a different layout, again with a wet room. Electric sockets were at a more reasonable level along with other furniture - a much better room. It is worth looking at different accessible rooms if possible as they were both different. Parking was right next to the front door.
Day 2 - Greenwich Observatory & National Maritime Museum
Transport:
DLR from Silvertown station. A short walk from our hotel with one change on the outward journey. The DLR carriages themselves are very accessible in terms of wheelchair access. However we were let down by the platform lifts. We were supposed to get off at the Cutty Sark Station which is a few minutes walk to the Museum etc. However you must reach street level via a lift - which wasn't working. We had to get another train to the next stop at Greenwich - but that lift was broke also. Now we had to go to the next one which would not be within walking distance of our destination. We got off at the next stop where you could cross by ramps to the opposite platform. We returned to Greenwich stop only to find the lift again did not work on this side of the platform. However, we could reach street level and left the station and walked to the park.
What would have been ten minutes by car used up half of our day getting on and off trains. Apparently the 'lifts never work' which is not a lot of use for wheelchair users who want to do something other than visit a platform before going home again.
On the return journey we had to change twice - once at Canary Wharf during rush hour.... say no more. It was almost impossible to get off the train without just mowing people over - so I wouldn't advise travelling at that time.
So, trains are easy to access - if you find a working lift to the platforms.
Greenwich Observatory
We walked through the park and up the hill - use the road to reach the observatory rather than the steep path at the front which is impossible to get up. Alas this too was undergoing work for a new building and part of the museum - leaving not a lot left open. The new buildings will be more accessible and had lifts ready for when they open.
It is a good view from the top and at night is illuminated a a laser beams out showing the Meridian Line. The park shuts at dusk though. We will come back again in a few years to take a peak.
Greenwich Maritime Museum
Access was very good and we spent until closing time here. Many galleries to wander around and exhibits. Photographs aren't allowed which is a shame and entry was free. I can't remember how many lifts we had to get in and out of - lots as the galleries are on different levels and 'half levels' which is confusing! I could actually see the exhibits which was good - lots of galleries have cases you can't see into whilst seated so it was good in this respect.
Some archived blogs
26/January/2010 02:24 PM Filed in: Health
Today I am moving some blog posts from a past blog,
over onto IforI. Starting with this one from the
Archives:
January 2006: Maidstone Hospital - no access
Today I received a phone call saying they wanted me to go for a Barium swallow on Thursday. Despite having changed my name twice at the clinics they still had me under my maiden name which confused the issue. I then said a 'by the way, I'm a wheelchair user', to which they replied 'ah, that could be a problem.' Does anyone actually read medical notes - its pretty obvious! Apparently the room where they are doing them is not accessible due to moving around of departments or something. The lady was very polite and said she would find out what they could do....
A later phone call that day.....
Now they had booked for me to have it in an accessible room..... I then enquired 'how do you plan on doing this'.... she said 'eh... why' to which I reminded her that I could not sit unaided out of my wheelchair (although she said they had a hoist to get me out of my chair) and also could not hold a cup to drink the barium 'meal' for scan of how I swallow! She said that could be a problem and would have to consult with someone higher up as to what to do and so as to not waste my time or theirs coming in until they had worked something out.
So there you go. It's easy for these medical types to say ' do a scan' but they never put any thought into the needs of patients with impairments.... 0/10 my friends.
Part two... January 26th, 8 weeks from seeing my GP.
So my appointment came through giving no indication of access so I had to phone them to check.
It took two laps of the car park to find parking and then an icy walk into the main building... brrrrrr.
FROM A to B
Anyway I walked from shall we say part 'A' of the building all the way to part 'B' at the opposite end of the hospital.
FROM B to A
On arrive at radiology in part 'B' I was told 'sorry' you need to go to CT as they are doing them up there today'...... so off I went with my PA. There were no signs and asking local wards where this quite critical part of the hospital imaging department is - they hadn't a clue.
Eventually I worked out is was in the cancer unit - back up at part 'A'. So off we went.....
On arrival at reception I was told 'sorry, yours is being done at radiology'.... grrr......
FROM A to B
Back we plodded along miles of corridors to the opposite end of the hospital again.... 2 miles later....
Eventually I had to transfer (for transfer read ' be dragged/slided') to three different places because of different height beds / tables etc.
Eventually I made it and got the thing done - with no great conclusion as to why or what to do about my problem... Still at least it wasn't anything cancerous or that would have topped the day of nicely!
FROM B to A
All that remained was to trek back to 'part A' to get in the car.... now where was CT again?
January 2006: Maidstone Hospital - no access
Today I received a phone call saying they wanted me to go for a Barium swallow on Thursday. Despite having changed my name twice at the clinics they still had me under my maiden name which confused the issue. I then said a 'by the way, I'm a wheelchair user', to which they replied 'ah, that could be a problem.' Does anyone actually read medical notes - its pretty obvious! Apparently the room where they are doing them is not accessible due to moving around of departments or something. The lady was very polite and said she would find out what they could do....
A later phone call that day.....
Now they had booked for me to have it in an accessible room..... I then enquired 'how do you plan on doing this'.... she said 'eh... why' to which I reminded her that I could not sit unaided out of my wheelchair (although she said they had a hoist to get me out of my chair) and also could not hold a cup to drink the barium 'meal' for scan of how I swallow! She said that could be a problem and would have to consult with someone higher up as to what to do and so as to not waste my time or theirs coming in until they had worked something out.
So there you go. It's easy for these medical types to say ' do a scan' but they never put any thought into the needs of patients with impairments.... 0/10 my friends.
Part two... January 26th, 8 weeks from seeing my GP.
So my appointment came through giving no indication of access so I had to phone them to check.
It took two laps of the car park to find parking and then an icy walk into the main building... brrrrrr.
FROM A to B
Anyway I walked from shall we say part 'A' of the building all the way to part 'B' at the opposite end of the hospital.
FROM B to A
On arrive at radiology in part 'B' I was told 'sorry' you need to go to CT as they are doing them up there today'...... so off I went with my PA. There were no signs and asking local wards where this quite critical part of the hospital imaging department is - they hadn't a clue.
Eventually I worked out is was in the cancer unit - back up at part 'A'. So off we went.....
On arrival at reception I was told 'sorry, yours is being done at radiology'.... grrr......
FROM A to B
Back we plodded along miles of corridors to the opposite end of the hospital again.... 2 miles later....
Eventually I had to transfer (for transfer read ' be dragged/slided') to three different places because of different height beds / tables etc.
Eventually I made it and got the thing done - with no great conclusion as to why or what to do about my problem... Still at least it wasn't anything cancerous or that would have topped the day of nicely!
FROM B to A
All that remained was to trek back to 'part A' to get in the car.... now where was CT again?
Premier accessibility
When is an accessible Premier Inn not an accessible
Premier Inn?
Answer: When you phone and talk to staff at Poole North about accessible rooms.
I don’t normally question the accessibility of rooms in these types of places. However, having stayed at so many either for short breaks, work or visiting family, I know that no two are the same.
Sometimes it is a subtle difference or a difference that determines my personal level of access (like not needing to take so much disability equipment if I can transfer to the loo on one particular side).
Something made me query the sink (in which I would be washing hair and so on) as to whether it was built into a wall, built into a unit or was free standing to get underneath and up close from my wheelchair.
My husband called first and the person on the desk said they were built in... followed by ‘oh no, I don’t think so in the disabled rooms’. The moment the person gave me reason to doubt, prompted a second phone call the next day for a second opinion. This person also didn’t fill me with confidence.
Staff couldn’t provide a photo of the bathroom which would have cleared up the query once and for all so I had to enlist my brother, who was in that area this week, to visit and take a look himself (and take some photos). Of course, it was good of staff to let him do that but what would have been much easier is to see a picture of the rooms and layout. A cheap and easy solution that would have meant minimum inconvenience for all concerned and increased their standard of customer care.
Just having ‘accessible rooms’ is really not enough because different layouts pose different barriers for different people and a picture could really help resolve a customer’s query.
I believe photographs of accessible rooms, holiday cottages etc should be a minimum part of any disability standard because disabled people don’t always fit the ’accessibility standard’ box.
Answer: When you phone and talk to staff at Poole North about accessible rooms.
I don’t normally question the accessibility of rooms in these types of places. However, having stayed at so many either for short breaks, work or visiting family, I know that no two are the same.
Sometimes it is a subtle difference or a difference that determines my personal level of access (like not needing to take so much disability equipment if I can transfer to the loo on one particular side).
Something made me query the sink (in which I would be washing hair and so on) as to whether it was built into a wall, built into a unit or was free standing to get underneath and up close from my wheelchair.
My husband called first and the person on the desk said they were built in... followed by ‘oh no, I don’t think so in the disabled rooms’. The moment the person gave me reason to doubt, prompted a second phone call the next day for a second opinion. This person also didn’t fill me with confidence.
Staff couldn’t provide a photo of the bathroom which would have cleared up the query once and for all so I had to enlist my brother, who was in that area this week, to visit and take a look himself (and take some photos). Of course, it was good of staff to let him do that but what would have been much easier is to see a picture of the rooms and layout. A cheap and easy solution that would have meant minimum inconvenience for all concerned and increased their standard of customer care.
Just having ‘accessible rooms’ is really not enough because different layouts pose different barriers for different people and a picture could really help resolve a customer’s query.
I believe photographs of accessible rooms, holiday cottages etc should be a minimum part of any disability standard because disabled people don’t always fit the ’accessibility standard’ box.
Equality praise for casual gaming company
My Zoo is a casual game from Eyrewood Studios for the Facebook platform. With 659,924 monthly users and a portion of profits donated to wildlife charities it’s something that is appealing to all age groups across the globe.
The game is based around creating a zoo through buying land, staff, enclosures and of course the animals themselves. Players can choose to breed endangered animals and make improvements to their zoo to keep visitors coming back and increasing profits.
A little while ago I approached Scott Carney from Eyrewood Studios and asked if some disability equality features could be added to improve the ‘visitor’ experience. After some suggestions around the types of features and language, I was delighted to see that equality has become part of the game experience and players now have to build in disability features to progress in the game.
As a way of making equality mainstream, building equality into gaming is a fantastic way to engage with people. I have approached other companies on similar issues but they have so far declined to include disability equality features into their games.
So far, features include:
• Disabled facilities to increase guest satisfaction
(Text reads “Accessible restrooms, surface improvements, easy-to-read signs and wheelchair/scooter ramps yield more visitors and higher satisfaction.")
• Employee Training (which requires the disabled facilities upgrade)
(Text reads “Customer service and equality training improves interactions between employees and with visitors.)
Future plans include stroller and wheelchair rentals and a zoo train to improve getting around the zoo.
Scott said, “I'm really glad that you contacted me and brought this important aspect of building a public facility to my attention. It wouldn't have occurred to me on my own and I think it's a great addition to our simulation. Because of the limited scope of facebook applications, I wasn't able to incorporate all of your suggestions, but I was happy to add as many as I could. Feedback was very positive when the items showed up.”
A none believer
02/March/2009 01:47 PM Filed in: Leisure
I am a none-believer. When you phone up somewhere you
want to go and ask ‘do you have wheelchair access’ a
yes can mean anything from:
a) We have a huge flight of stairs.
b) We have 6 strong men to carry people.
c) You can get in through the door only.
d) Yes - but don’t expect to use the loo or changing rooms.
e) Yes - complete access to everything a none-disabled customer would expect.
For true equality (e) is
the only option.
Yesterday I went out for lunch for my father-in law’s birthday at a local pub.
Yes meant ‘if you can negotiate an inch or so step immediately followed by a 90 degree turn in a space not much wider than the average adult wheelchair and don’t need the loo’. We took of my foot plate to make me as slim as possible and with husband nearly losing his toes we made it. I count this as quite good past experiences considered.
The best one was a search for an accessible cottage. It listed a lighthouse. I though perhaps the ground floor was a holiday cottage with access - but apparently not, it was a very tall lighthouse with hundreds of steps listed as wheelchair accessible.... beat that!
a) We have a huge flight of stairs.
b) We have 6 strong men to carry people.
c) You can get in through the door only.
d) Yes - but don’t expect to use the loo or changing rooms.
e) Yes - complete access to everything a none-disabled customer would expect.
Yesterday I went out for lunch for my father-in law’s birthday at a local pub.
Yes meant ‘if you can negotiate an inch or so step immediately followed by a 90 degree turn in a space not much wider than the average adult wheelchair and don’t need the loo’. We took of my foot plate to make me as slim as possible and with husband nearly losing his toes we made it. I count this as quite good past experiences considered.
The best one was a search for an accessible cottage. It listed a lighthouse. I though perhaps the ground floor was a holiday cottage with access - but apparently not, it was a very tall lighthouse with hundreds of steps listed as wheelchair accessible.... beat that!
Bank guilty of discrimination.
Yesterday, the Royal Bank of Scotland had to pay the
highest compensation payout of its kind to a 17 year
old wheelchair user.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission took on the case when the person had been unable to gain access to the bank in Sheffield.
The bank were ordered to install a lift for wheelchair users and the man was awarded £6,500 for embarrassing treatment.
----
I went to a HSBC bank once (only one that was near to me) and couldn’t get in because of a step. I eventually got a member of staff to do my transaction outside, on the pavement in the pouring rain and freezing cold. My case was virtually identical to this one.
This is our reality.
---
The Equality and Human Rights Commission took on the case when the person had been unable to gain access to the bank in Sheffield.
The bank were ordered to install a lift for wheelchair users and the man was awarded £6,500 for embarrassing treatment.
----
I went to a HSBC bank once (only one that was near to me) and couldn’t get in because of a step. I eventually got a member of staff to do my transaction outside, on the pavement in the pouring rain and freezing cold. My case was virtually identical to this one.
This is our reality.
---
Naidex blooper spotted.
Pop along to Naidex web-site.
I am researching accessible layouts of exhibitions and thought I would see what the NEC has to offer where Naidex is held.
“As the UK’s largest event for homecare, disability and rehabilitation. Naidex is your best opportunity to touch, test and compare all the latest new products and services available.”
So, I clicked on ‘visiting’ and then onto frequently asked questions.
Would this site answer it? No. I found this:
“What are the disabled facilities?”
and the link went to a dead page.
Hmmm... is this a conspiracy to prevent disabled people from finding out about access.
I don’t think exhibition venues actually look at access within the great halls. A maze of stands, flyers sticking to your shoes that have found their way onto the floor and a phobics nightmare if you ‘don’t do the people thing’. Not to mention the buzz of thousands of voices and even scarier - lots of therapists milling around. Aghhh.
It’s a nightmare.... I don’t care how many accessible parking spaces and toilets they have. This does not an accessible venue make, dear Sir.
New accessible web standards
New web standards have been issued by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) with regards to access for disabled people.
This is WCAG 2.0 and applies to all web content (text, images, sound, video etc).
(Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
There is also standard BS 8878 - a British draft standard on process.
What does this mean to my business?
Firstly all businesses (including voluntary organisations) must ensure their web-site is accessible to people with a range of different impairments including people with impairments which effect:
- Movement (alternatives include using a mouse, graphics tablet, switches (singe button, head control etc) and adjustments to keyboards).
- Ability to read e.g. someone with dyslexia, learning difficulty or visual impairments.
- Hearing and vision (alternatives include design changes, subtitles/captions, audio description)
- Concentration or cognitive ability.
“These guidelines also make Web content more usable by older individuals with changing abilities due to aging and often improve usability for users in general.” [W3C:2008]
Any person who experiences difficulties using your website (to the level of functionality that is offered to those without impairments) may fall within the Disability Discrimination Act.
Failing to ensure accessibility is unlawful in the UK under the DDA.
What should I do?
You should ensure that you meet the British Standard on web accessibility:
http://drafts.bsigroup.com/
and international W3C standards on:
http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/
and the DDA.
Discrimination at work - my latest experience
01/December/2008 04:01 PM Filed in: Employment
Earlier this year I applied for part-time work with a large organisation who brand themselves around equality for all.
I met all the qualifying criteria for a flexible job that involved lone working, out and about in the community with disabled people and carers.
They were particularly keen to recruit a disabled person into the post because the nature of the job involved being a role model.
I was invited to an interview - after the first one had to be re-arranged because of an inaccessible venue.
(Not a good start).
The appointment was out of the county with no communication regarding access, parking or similar. I had declared my impairment, PA and access requirements many months in advance. They felt there was nothing particular I needed to know.
It was also early in the morning - difficult for me, but I was keen and I am fortunate in that my PA is flexible with her hours to get me up in time.
I eventually arrived to find one of the interviewers standing at the door waiting.
The door into a cold, echoey hall had a step and was a fire door that didn’t stay open so well - but with my PA and them holding the door - we made it inside.
Around a village hall table sat two members of the interview panel.
We reached the end of the interview and they gave every indication that they were very keen. I had some good answers, excellent qualifications... then the doors to the job slammed shut.
A questions about reaching out to minority groups rang alarm bells. One of the interviewees said that ethnic communities keep to their own and look after each other and wouldn’t want this service that I would be providing - this was not the question but part of some chit chat after I responded. It appeared, alarmingly, the person’s actual mind-set. I questioned this approach and was swiftly moved on to the final part of the interview.
Did I have any questions.
I said I presumed because the job was a mobile worker that I could manage my own time and could work from home for ‘admin’ type duties.
I received a stern ‘NO’ and reminded them that my impairment would make it difficult for me to report into an office every morning before I hit the road. They said they had a strict no home-working policy. I looked puzzled and then the second interviewer butted in with a ‘of course if it is a disability related adjustment we would have to talk that over with personnel’.
I said that I would also have access requirements if I was going to be asked to go into my local office.
The response was ‘you’ll be ok, we already have a wheelchair user in there and they manage alright’. I said, no you don’t understand.....’. I had to go into a very undignified description of the room I need to use the bathroom and have a PA around to help.
I had been into the local office before and the manager had said that you had to take the doors of the hinges to allow people in wider wheelchair corridor access to the WC - I only just made it with a lot of difficulty.
The interviewer apologized and didn’t realise what a PA was or that disabled people had different needs - and thanked me for helping her understand... what cheek!
Next I asked how flexible they wanted me to be - because if I needed to work evenings or weekends I would have to recruit or find a PA. They looked blank and said they didn’t know and that I had to be available at all times to see when the work was needed. I had not applied for a job which said you had to be available 24/7. I said, just to know if it was 2-3 evenings or something would be helpful. They said ‘we don’t know’. I felt this was now becoming a way for them not to offer me the job. I think they did know what the likely hours were because of people doing this job in other counties - or at least they could have found out.
After a few more comments that I felt were racist- I left. I decided if they offered it to me I wouldn’t take it based on their attitude. I have heard similar stories from other disabled people applying to work for them.
The reasons for not offering me the job - I couldn’t guarantee I would be flexible and I wasn’t ready for that type of work (whatever that means).
I became another statistic.
Blogging about disability
02/May/2008 03:35 PM Filed in: Education
Yesterday was the national day for blogging about
disability.
Reading blogs by disabled people is a great way to discover the issues that disabled people are talking about, campaigning about or want you to hear about - they may be things that you can help change.
A little late - a recent story.
I am studying on a Post Graduate course around equality and consultancy in the field of disability and applied for a Disabled Student Grant. Students who require assistance or equipment for example can have a substantial amount of funding to enable them to access their course on an equal basis.
I have had three such grants - without which I would not have entered higher education as I need substantial help.
However, it's good to see that money is being put to good use (I'm being sarcastic here) by:
1) Making it really difficult to access
2) Being half way through your course with no funds or specialist equipment.
3) I know what I needed - but I still had to have an assessment from someone who thought they knew me better. As a result, I got a lot of things I have no use for and they went home with a nice pay packet.
4) The cost of the assessment is deducted from your Grant!
5) The cost of someone opening a box and plugging in my new laptop was £60 - which came out of my grant. Apparently I have an MA and help at home - yet still I am deemed incapable of opening a box and attaching a power supply!
Disabled people have the right to an education yet at the same time vital money is being wasted by government assessment processes. Other people on my course have also experienced similar issues - will this 'we know what's best for you' approach ever stop?
Reading blogs by disabled people is a great way to discover the issues that disabled people are talking about, campaigning about or want you to hear about - they may be things that you can help change.
A little late - a recent story.
I am studying on a Post Graduate course around equality and consultancy in the field of disability and applied for a Disabled Student Grant. Students who require assistance or equipment for example can have a substantial amount of funding to enable them to access their course on an equal basis.
I have had three such grants - without which I would not have entered higher education as I need substantial help.
However, it's good to see that money is being put to good use (I'm being sarcastic here) by:
1) Making it really difficult to access
2) Being half way through your course with no funds or specialist equipment.
3) I know what I needed - but I still had to have an assessment from someone who thought they knew me better. As a result, I got a lot of things I have no use for and they went home with a nice pay packet.
4) The cost of the assessment is deducted from your Grant!
5) The cost of someone opening a box and plugging in my new laptop was £60 - which came out of my grant. Apparently I have an MA and help at home - yet still I am deemed incapable of opening a box and attaching a power supply!
Disabled people have the right to an education yet at the same time vital money is being wasted by government assessment processes. Other people on my course have also experienced similar issues - will this 'we know what's best for you' approach ever stop?
American Express apologize for no alternative format
BBC Radio 4's Money Box was broadcast on Saturday, 5
April 2008 at 1204 BST.
In the programme the lack of alternative formats was addressed. This was in relation to American Express offering bank statements in PDF formats that were not coded for visually impaired people to read via their screen readers. The issue has still not been fixed and is causing difficulties for the many people who use screen readers (Blind and visually impaired people, those with reading impairments who listen to the spoke word and people with learning difficulties who may also find it easier hearing items rather than reading them.
This is unlawful under the DDA and American Express apologized to the BBC stating that they are working to fix the problem that began last December.
In the programme the lack of alternative formats was addressed. This was in relation to American Express offering bank statements in PDF formats that were not coded for visually impaired people to read via their screen readers. The issue has still not been fixed and is causing difficulties for the many people who use screen readers (Blind and visually impaired people, those with reading impairments who listen to the spoke word and people with learning difficulties who may also find it easier hearing items rather than reading them.
This is unlawful under the DDA and American Express apologized to the BBC stating that they are working to fix the problem that began last December.
Alternative formats - again
I am currently about a month into a post graduate course as a disability practitioner/consultant and trainer. Disabled students can apply for a grant/allowance that covers disability related costs which can pose a financial barrier to education.
To get the grant you have to have an assessment and confirmation that you have an impairment e.g. GP letter etc. My consultant once again confirmed that no miracle had occurred since the last two times I had this grant to study and all that remained was the assessment.
I spent quite a few hours with an understanding person trying to make sure I was applying for all the right personal assistance and equipment I would need to complete the course on an equal footing with a none disabled person. Much emphasis was placed on how I use electronic formats e.g. e-mail and web forums for communication, notes from a laptop I also hope to get, I read journals on-line and can't write much more than a few words.
Now, due to difficulties in holding books and papers (and looking down to read the things which effects my neck) I have documents I can read on a computer screen - nothing special, just word or pdf documents sent via e-mail.
My assessor wrote all this down and what happened next.....
he sent a several page report on my access needs - in print copy only.
This is typical - and the fee for this person to write that report is deducted from my grant!!
