I’m a Ruddington resident who’s (hopefully) working towards better accessibility and inclusion around our village. I aim to work with local businesses, the Parish and Borough Councils, local market organisations and residents, if possible, to achieve a more accessible village, local area and events.
Currently, many places, events and businesses in and around our village are inaccessible or present barriers to some customers or service users. This could mean some people cannot use a business or service, or attend an event.
Not only is this very upsetting and frustrating for potential customers, but local businesses could also be losing customers by not being accessible, not to mention the potential for complaints or further action.
These issues aren’t restricted to wheelchair users or customers who use mobility aids; it could be pushchair users, customers with sight or neurological needs, or who wear a green sunflower lanyard as a silent signal yet are under-recognised, to name just a few.
Solutions could be something simple, like not parking on a dropped curb, or not using a disabled space without a Blue Badge on display. Just taking a moment to stop and think that, whilst parking in the wrong place may be a few steps closer for you it could mean a pushchair has to use the road, could make a big difference.
A small success story of changes being implemented is the local Evans Pharmacy. Whilst it does have a ramp for mobility access, when you get to the heavy glass door, you have to rely on either staff or a kind passer-by seeing you, or maybe being seen by a customer in the store, to get in. Or, the option of waving your arms around outside to draw attention to your plea for assistance with opening the door if you’re unable to do so yourself.
On contacting the manager and the company to draw attention to this issue, a doorbell and clear signage have now been installed for customers to use to gain assistance with having the door opened. This is a temporary measure whilst the pharmacy looks into an automatic door opening system as a permanent solution.
Another issue raised was the need to disclose your name and address publicly when collecting prescription medication. Whilst chemists and staff understandably have to make sure the correct medication goes to the right person, anyone could be listening and then use the information if overheard.
The pharmacist has now confirmed that anyone not wanting to disclose their information verbally in public can simply provide photographic identification with their address on instead, to collect their prescriptions if preferred.
If you’d like to know more, please visit my Facebook page, Accessibility in Ruddington. I can also be found on TikTok and Instagram under @accessibilityinrudd.
You’re welcome to share any feedback on positive accessibility experiences, or make suggestions on how any adjustments could be made in Ruddington to help you and your circumstances.
Accessibility in Ruddington