Getting to meetings

A Disability Perspective

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IntroductionThanks for asking me to your

meeting today. I was really keen to come along because I believe everyone should get involved in things in their local area. It’s

no good us complaining about politicians if we never take them

to task about the decisions they make on our behalf

I have 2 children and am very concerned about their education and would also like to get involved in some of the regeneration projects where I live. I have just received information about joining Stockton Council’s Home Safety Association and am hoping to attend their next meeting to find out more

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• About 5 years ago I began to have health problems due to a long standing condition. I have my good days and bad days- like anyone- but it is often difficult to do things that most people take for granted. This is because our world isn’t always geared up to make sure that everyone can take part in everyday activities.

• To make my point and help you think about how accessible the places are that you book for meetings, I would like to share the things I needed to consider before coming here today.

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Getting Here

Can I find the name of the person who I need

to ring to find out about access?

Can I read and understand the papers? – the blooming type is always so

small and squiggly

Have I got enough time to book Community

Transport to help me get there?

Have I had details of the meeting in a

way that I can understand?

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Getting In

Are the doors wide enough to get through, do they open automatically and if they are glass are the edges marked so I can see when they are

opening and closing?

Is there a ramp with a handrail

into the building?

Is there somewhere safe to park my

mobility scooter if I take it?

Are there dropped kerbs between the car park and the meeting venue?

Is the disabled parking or bus stop nearby?

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Inside the Building

Do the staff have a positive attitude to making

things easy or do they emphasise how difficult it is to accommodate the

things I need?Will the signs be well lit, at the right height and with big enough text for me

to read?

If the meeting isn’t on the

ground floor is there a lift?

Will there be a hearing loop so I

can hear what the receptionist

says?

Where is the accessible

toilet if I need it?

Am I able to open the internal doors which are

often very heavy?

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In the meeting room

Is there room for me to manoeuvre my way in to get a

seat?

Will I be able to see everyone

who will be speaking?

Is there a hearing loop in

the meeting room?

Oh no! A Powerpoint presentation where I

can’t see what is on the screen or those fiddly

little notes

Will I be able to read the papers distributed at the

meeting?

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Time For A BreakWhat a lovely cup of coffee,

shame there is no sweetener to put in it and eating those biscuits won’t

do me any good so best not have one.

Is there a cup I can use and

straws if I need them?

Is the accessible toilet I saw downstairs the

only one- it might be a while before I get

back!

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What If I Need to Get Out in a Hurry?

How will I know the fire alarm

has gone off if I can’t hear it?

Who will be responsible for evacuating the

meeting in an emergency?

Will the lift still work if there is

a fire?