Come on Hastings, Ramp it Up!
PENNY PEPPER
I’ve lived in Hastings for 15-and-a-half years. I love my town, I love the diversity and the quirky, creative people, not to mention the incomparable sense of community.
But I cannot lie. It often lets disabled people down. There’s a vein of unintentional hypocrisy when it comes to access that shocks me every time I confront it. We are so community-minded, after all – what’s gone wrong when it comes to disabled people? After 15 years, I’ve heard all the arguments alongside joining initiatives and just meeting people – from those in the disabled community who struggle, to local politicians who seem unable to unravel this conundrum. Yes, we live with a hilly landscape, in properties built on multiple levels that would sometimes be comical if they were not so frustrating: but there are solutions.
Let me introduce you to the concept of A RAMP. I have my own, and a few years ago, a group of us formed a loosely defined collective, HAVE (Hastings Access to Venues and Events), to attempt a collaborative process to improve access. We have several ramps, now gathering dust in a friend’s office space. We also had a newsletter for a while, but, as is the way of these things, run entirely on a voluntary basis by those of us already facing barriers, the project has largely stalled.
A ramp is not one simple thing that resolves obstacles faced by some homogenised notion of a wheelchair user. There are many types, big and small. They remove barriers not only for wheelchair users, but also for those who have mobility impairments that may not be obvious; and they help visually impaired people to avoid trip hazards. Elderly citizens benefit by avoiding painful stairs, and parents don’t need the hazard of dragging up baby buggies. As always, this is about inclusion, rather than solving issues at an individual ‘special needs’ level.
I recently encountered a situation where confusion over use of a ramp went horribly wrong. The ramp was in place for some time, and I was really pleased, as were many friends. Recently, returning to the venue, I entered the building unaware that the ramp had disappeared. Instead, there was a significant, and unexpected, drop down that almost led to me falling from my wheelchair and painfully shocking my bones. I was lucky, but truly believe others would have fallen.
I’m staggered – again – that very few people realise there are guidelines about such things, and legalities. While the Equality Act 2010 is weak on disability, it’s still covered and, intrinsically, it’s illegal to not offer disabled people an equal service. Technically, I can sue you if you don’t deliver that – another column, perhaps, on why that’s not straightforward.
I will end on a happy note that backs up my love of my hometown. Some small indie businesses have taken it upon themselves to simply buy a basic ramp, particularly after informal discussions with myself or HAVE. Naturally, the more stairs there are, the less likely this will work, and I also know venues can face uncooperative planning outcomes even when they’ve tried to find their own solutions.
I’d like to encourage readers to think about how you access our town. Small adaptations can result in big changes, please consider that – but also, do talk to us!
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