Zachary Kyra-Derksen on Unsplash
Although we love indie shops, obviously sometimes the ancient buildings means they are not accessible for people who can’t manage steps or use wheelchairs. Just inventive and offer home delivery (often walkable) to local residents, who often can’t get to out-of-town supermarkets.
The big supermarkets often boast of offering 2-hour free parking to support local shops. But in fact, by the time someone pushing a wheelchair (or pram) has done the weekly shop, there’s no time to go for a cup of tea in an indie cafe, before getting fined for arriving back late. . Also read innovative ideas to help our carers.
If you do arrive late back, it’s sometimes worth appealing if you get a parking fine. The law is that there is a 10-minute grace period due to unforeseen circumstances. You’re usually asked to pay the fine immediately to halve it, but if you can afford to risk it and think you’ve got a case, it may be worth it. As the parking fine letter won’t let you know how to appeal!
Changing Places is the organisation that campaigns for public toilets to be better accessible. Many people with disabilities simply don’t go out (or drink less water) as there is a dearth of public toilets anyway, let alone ones for people with disabilities. For £5, get yourself a Radar key that lets you into accessible toilets nationwide.
Apparently, the most accessible city in England is also the smallest. Wells (Somerset) was only pipped by Chichester (West Sussex) due to being a bigger size, so not quite by ratio the best.
We love the blog Simply Emma, by a fab young woman who travels the world with her disability, has fun and then writes posts on everything from accessible places to travel. The site is beautifully designed by her sister over at Wildflowers & Pixels (whose husband is this brilliant pet photographer). What a talented bunch!