When is a doorway not a doorway?

Sometimes a doorway isn’t a doorway when it is inaccessible to people who are using wheelchairs or motorised scooters to get around. Accessibility for all is an important issue for all of us whether they are business premises and public buildings in the real world or websites in the virtual world.

Why is accessibility important

In an ‘equal’ society it seems crazy that people who already have mobility challenges should be faced with even more challenges when simply trying to enter a building. We all need to go to work and we all have public and personal responsibilities, most of which need to be met by entering buildings of one kind or another. Independence should be matter of simple choice for all of us, and should be a basic human right in our society.

Legislation also serves to highlight the importance of these issues. The UK Disability Discrimination Act or DDA means that any providers of services have to take steps to make sure that it’s not unreasonably difficult for disabled users to use that service. This should at least cover making it easier for people of all abilities to enter the premises e.g. by providing a ramp where there is a step.

What precautions can disabled users take anyway?

Portable wheelchair ramps and scooter ramps are a great place to start. Not only do they address the challenge of getting into a vehicle to travel to town in the first place, but they allow users to exit the vehicle and enter premises which may not be ideally accessible. Modern portable wheelchair ramps and scooter ramps are lightweight, relatively easy to transport in themselves, and needn’t be expensive. It’s probably best to be prepared for any eventuality in order to preserve independence.

wheelchair ramps, portable wheelchair ramps.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/disabilities-articles/when-is-a-doorway-not-a-doorway-993148.html

Written by Anissa Wardell - Contact your local Congressman to make a difference!

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