How it all started
I am helping a wheelchair-user friend find a flat in the Private Rented Sector but for every single property I'm interested in, I first have to ring or email to ask how many steps there are and the width of the entrances. It means I have missed out on flats because an answer could not come quick enough and the property was gone. I've also ended up spending more money by having to phone.
What I did to try to overcome it
I have started a petition calling on the market leader advertiser to require that advertisers include basic wheelchair-access-facts such as number of steps to the door and doorway widths.
How it made me feel
I am hopeful that the large number of people signing will bring about a change in industry practice.
The outcome
So far, I am still collecting signatures and making wheelchair support groups aware...
Final thoughts
If information about steps and entrance-widths was included, wheelchair users would have the information they need to decide if the property is worth a call or a viewing the same way everyone else would. This small fix would make a big difference. Finding the right property can be tough - even for an able-bodied person. But it is even more tough for wheelchair users. The Equalities and Human Rights Commission said 93% of 8.5 million rental properties in the UK were not accessible to wheelchair users. 360,000 disabled people are living in homes unsuitable for their needs.
If you've been discriminated against, read how you can positively assert your rights in our Take Action section
Comments
Have any feedback regarding a comment? Get in touch