Hi readers, it’s Emily, Kerry and William here this week talking about disabled lifts in Dorchester. In fact, there was so much we wanted to write, it’s had to go over two columns, so there will be more next week!
We wanted to write about them as so many of them seem to be disabled themselves…they certainly seem to have a mind of their own. Already this year we’ve had fun and games trying to use some of them.
The other day I, Kerry, was passing by a new burger restaurant in Brewery Square in Dorchester, in my power chair, and someone was trying to use the lift with their pushchairs but couldn’t get it to open. It was turned off! The reason was because kids have been messing with the lifts, so the restaurant had to turn them off, to stop them getting broken.
The thing is, if a lift is off and I wanted to use it, am on my own, how does anyone know I’m sitting there waiting? There’s no bell to call for assistance. If it was raining it would be no fun. You’d have to get your phone out, find their number, and then call them, or rely on a stranger passing by and offering to go in and tell them. Has anyone thought this through?
Another is the Kings Arms. We got caught in there on the way down, and Laura hopscotched out for help. It took two burly men to push and lift it to open. They are working hard on getting it fixed, but apparently there is a dispute as to who repairs it, the lift company who put it in, or the hotel. In the meantime, it’s rubbish for anyone needing to use it!
The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by People First Dorset - a charity led and run by people with learning disabilities with support from staff.
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