Access for the disabled has been getting worse

Published: 5 August, 2010

• I AM a full-time wheelchair user, and have lived in Camden for five years and visiting since the early 1980s.

In the last few years I have seen the provision of access for disabled people here change for the worse, while in the rest of the city it has improved.

The Stables Market has been redeveloped but has been made less accessible.

I am working with the developers to remedy this but a lot of the mistakes were made under the advice of the planning department.

Many bars and restaurants have had their access taken out.

One venue used to have nearly level access when it was a bar and had a disabled toilet, but after a refit now has steps up to the door.

One café was fitted with a disabled toilet when it was a bar but that is now a staff cupboard.

This is happening all over the town. I have just been turned away from Mornington Crescent Sports Centre, as a temporary ramp was stored in a room that had a class being run in it.

My wife and I ended up not going in.

Many of my disabled friends no longer come to Camden as it is difficult to get around.

So many shops are inaccessible and the whole experience is one of exclusion.

For more details visit www.mikscarlet.blogspot.com

MIK SCARLET
Address supplied