Access For Disabled

A mother of three suffering from Motor Neurone Disease, a progressive disease which attacks the nerves of the brain and spinal cord, has founded a brand new charity to tackle the ever growing need for better facilities for the physically disabled in the UK.  The Association for the Independence of Disabled People (AID) aims to improve the life of the disabled with better access in public buildings and on transport and there are plans to launch an annual ‘Disabled Day’ to raise national awareness.

 

Founder and Chairman Mrs Ruth Adorian from Windermere, Cumbria has led an incredibly active and varied life, travelling the world as an Army officer’s wife and working tirelessly as a successful business director, up until six years ago when she was diagnosed with this tragic disease, leaving her unable to walk or speak.

Now requiring round the clock care, Ruth fought to retain as much independence as possible, but experienced first-hand the lack of facilities available to the disabled in hotels, restaurants and on transport. Speaking through a voice-enabling computer, she said: “There needs to be enforcement of proper standards for disabled bathrooms and toilets in hotels and public buildings. A few misplaced handles or an emergency pull cord shouldn’t constitute a disabled bathroom”.

Membership of AID will be offered to individuals and businesses for a fee which will help towards funding the awareness and education of those providing public facilities; press Government and Local Authorities for stricter controls; and work directly with hotel and restaurant proprietors. An ‘Inspectorate of Disabled Facilities’ and a recognisable symbol scheme are also being proposed to make it clear which establishments’ really do meet the needs of the disabled.