BCP residents plead for more inclusive measures for the disabled

Responses range from feeling like 'second-class citizens' to life being 'a constant struggle.'

The issues raised highlight a need for more inclusive measures to be put in place; this is before considering nearly one in five people in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole are living with a disability. 

There are multiple issues facing people with disabilities, and they aren't always what you might expect.

Badly-maintained pavements, active travel schemes and support being difficult to access have all been raised.

'Our concerns are simply swept under the rug'

BCP residents have said when trying to make complaints, 'the council is just not interested in helping' people with disabilities.

In 2022, Christine Chapman, 34, from Parkstone, suffered a random bleed on the brain called a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Before her brain injury, Christine was 'fully capable' and worked full-time as a process optimization specialist.

Christine Chapman (Image: Christine Chapman)

Following her brain bleed, Christine has difficulties with her mobility and has to use a stick to walk; she struggles with communication and her energy levels are reduced.

She said: "It has been a constant struggle for two years.

"I have seen both sides of the coin, and it's heart-breaking to see no efforts made to implement accessibility measures.

"I am still young, and I have the fight in me.

"There is zero effort to assist people with their disabilities- which is quite frankly ridiculous and shocking.

"All I have been doing for the past two years is fighting for my basic human rights."

When Christine became disabled, she looked for support with her recovery; she explained how she has found it difficult to communicate due to the lack of 'accessible features' shown on the council website.

She said: "I have a disability; I am unable to stare at a screen for extended periods.

"I can't sit there for hours on end trying to sit and write out complicated forms. I would rather be sat down and heard by somebody.

"It would be great if there was a representative within the council to talk to directly."

Christine added: "We need to adapt how we would normally work to try and make it a bit easier for people with special requirements."

Geoff Beck is 57 and lives in Broadstone. He is registered disabled after a medical condition left him with mobility issues.

When speaking about communicating his concerns regarding his disability, he said: "It is a constant battle for the disabled community to get our voices heard.

"As local residents, we don't get invited to talk about our worries."

'The active travel strategy is anti-disability'

Several residents have raised the issue of the council's active travel policy, saying the active travel policy is 'narrow-minded thinking. It assumes that everyone can ride bikes and does not take into account the deaf, blind, disabled or elderly.'

Geoff said: "BCP's active strategy is anti-disabilities, but not everyone is able to ride a bike.

"I am not anti-bike; I understand it from an environmental perspective. However, some people absolutely rely on vehicles.

"Disabled people do not fit into this model that the council are trying to build, and they're isolating an entire community."

A BCP Council spokesperson said: "Improved pavement access is a large focus of our active travel investment, with real benefit for people with mobility needs and the elderly.   

"This includes dropped kerbs, tactile paving at crossings, and improvements to walkways and crossings in general that are accessible for manual wheelchairs and powered wheelchairs/mobility scooters."

Residents brought up the trialled closure of Poole Park's entrance at Whitecliff Road and Twemlow Avenue.

"I have mobility issues and can't walk as far as I'd like. Therefore, I have to park quite close to the amenities I would like to enjoy.

"Just driving through Poole Park and watching the swans is something I can't do now."

BCP Council said residents can access any part of Poole Park by entering from the Seldown and East Gate entrances.

Dave Morgan from Broadstone has multiple sclerosis and uses a mobility scooter to get around.

He said: "We are aware we can still enter Poole Park through the other entrances, but why have they taken away the freedom for people driving through?

"With no through traffic, there will be no one to help us if we run into a problem."

A spokesperson for BCP Council said: "We received a higher than average number of responses to the consultation from people who indicated they have a disability. Their views will be taken into account, alongside all responses, during the decision-making process. "

'I have to drive my mobility scooter on the road'

People who use mobility scooters and wheelchairs to travel around BCP have expressed their frustration with the quality of the pavements and the lack of space to pass parked cars.

Dave said: "The situation is absolutely shocking; I have to resort to using my mobility scooter on the road due to uneven surfaces on the pavements.

"Active travel is active travel, regardless. It doesn't matter if you've got two wheels, four wheels or two legs.

"The cycle paths are lovely, but what about normal paths."

One resident who asked to remain anonymous said: "It must be beyond frustrating to have to go into the road on a mobility scooter because people park on the pavements.

"Traffic officers should be slapping tickets on vehicles with wheels on the pavement."

'Disabled parking is an endless struggle'

Dave voiced his frustration regarding blue badge parking in BCP, noting the designated spaces are frequently too far from his intended destination and often inaccessible during event nights in the area.

Dave said: "Disabled parking is often removed during event nights.

"Poole Quay has disabled spaces, which is absolutely brilliant, but those bays are out of action on these event nights.

"It almost feels like disabled people don't matter like we don't come out after dark."

Residents said the introduction of cycle lanes has reduced the number of parking spaces, preventing them from accessing their favourite spots in BCP.

Dave said: "We used to be able to park at the top of Evening Hill and enjoy the view.

"I can't walk very far, and it felt normal to get out of the car and walk at my own pace down to the bench.

"Now there is a cycle lane, so we can no longer do that.

"I was told I could park at the bottom of the hill, which means I have to use my scooter."

Dave added: "If you're disabled in BCP, you don't have a voice."

What the council says

In response, BCP councillor Andy Martin, portfolio holder for customer, communications and culture, said: "Our website has been built following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and we use the Government Digital Service (GDS) guidelines for how we write content.

"We are currently working through each section of the website to reduce the complexity of the content and reading age; this is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. 

"Whilst our current online forms are suitable for most users, there are some accessibility issues with them, which will be resolved once the project is complete.

"For specific web-related difficulties, there is a feedback form on every page of the website where our users can let us know if there is something wrong with the page. These are reviewed daily by our team. 

"We welcome feedback, and residents can contact our customer services by phone, email, or in person at one of our customer hubs."