I have had the interesting experience of limited mobility recently after a foot fracture. Coupled with the snow that has got me thinking about access, and how hard we make life for people who have limited mobility. So many places have steps and it can be painful and difficult for people to access public buildings. Although it is gradually changing, the fact that people in London can't use every station is incredible in 2018 when disabled access has been expected since 1970.
If we also think about accessibility in terms of the spoken word and hearing and seeing, the challenges are even greater. There are so many people who deny their hearing loss and then bluff, often missing quite a bit of what is being said. As trainers, we are very aware of sight and hearing loss issues but are not always prepared in advance for these which can create some challenges.
Services and public buildings are less prepared and disadvantage many people. There is unlikely to be progress on any of these issues while austerity cuts bite even harder up until 2020. New legislation that is not Brexit appears clogged up by Brexit so although the Government have accepted the Liberty Protection Safeguards in principle, we are stuck with DOLS and no new legislation for the foreseeable future at least.