*HOW YOU CAN HELP* This link has all the petitions, and information you need. wheelsnoheels.co.uk/accessibility/ Would you like a part two video? Keep sending me your shocking photos…. My interview with BBC radio 5 live was cancelled today, but they are hoping to reschedule, and I’ll let you know as soon as I can.
Imagine the uproar if the parent and child spaces were blocked off/removed? When disabled people complain we’re annoying, making a fuss, causing a scene. I find non disabled people offer solutions that only work for them not me🤬🤬🤬
Our local spotted page was full of comments of 'get a life' when someone asked spotted to post about the disabled bays being blocked off. Able bodied people really dislike us for no real reason
Auty Trish I was able bodied until four years ago when I had a stroke. I know I would never treat anyone the way I have been. People don’t understand that in the blink of an eye it could be them in the wheelchair!
Don't these businesses realize that when they block off disabled parking, they are not only gonna lose money from the disabled customers, they will also lose money from any able bodied friends and family that would accompany that disabled people. That's another reason why you don't see alot of disabled spots blocked off in the USA. You guys need to have a rolling protest when you hear about stuff like this.
@@SuperNovaJinckUFO well, so the fuck what? What are they then doing to make their space accessible? If they can't accommodate *all* customers--including those who use wheelchairs--they shouldn't be open.
It's sad that we feel that way have to justify our anger by saying 'there's no queue'. It doesn't matter if there are 5 people in the queue or 500, we have a right to have our access needs met. Good on you for starting the petition ♿
“Come up the stairs and notify us.....” The able bodied disconnect is real. 😱🙄 Actually, those wheelchair users who are able, might want to conduct a “capital crawl” sort of thing here. It might not be a good look for their business to have a bunch of wheelchair users having to crawl up their steps.
It's the same at my school with the geography block I was told that I had to go upstairs to get the key so I could get the lift to work like uhhh I can't exactly do that 😅
USA- Texas here.. Disabled parking has been disappearing rapidly. Mostly being replaced by Curbside Pick-Up spaces..🥴 It's extremely frustrating because there wasn't enough disabled parking to begin with...
This is crazy! Surprisingly, the IKEA in my city in the US doesn't have the bays blocked off, but it's still really sad seeing it elsewhere. This is so frustrating to see.
I live in Ohio and there was a Target that got rid of their ramp while parking lot construction was going on. They didn't put any temporary ramp access. The Walmart near me has closed their left entrance making all of those disabled parking spots unusable... so now there is half the amount of parking spaces for disabled people at a very busy, large store! It's been frustrating. Not to mention the people parking illegally in the striped lines next to the spots constantly.
Same here. I live in Brisbane Australia. Large shopping centres here have great disabled toilets. They have them for use for men, women and disabled. This is great for me as I have a hidden disability, which includes irritable bowel syndrome, and joint braces. Though due to aging I now also use a cane. It avoids me being harassed by wheelchair users who seemed to think the toilets were only for them and I didn't have a disability. In my area at least, disabled parking was never cordoned off for use as queues.
Thank goodness for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the USA. Having this happen here is illegal and would result in steep fines for the businesses.
Rebecca Williams Americans are also much more prone to sue though. I’m from the US not England so I may be wrong but I feel like these businesses are fine doing this stuff because they don’t feel threatened. If a business were to do the same here they’d likely be reported by the first or second disabled person to notice and penalized by the government, or maybe even directly sued if you pissed off the wrong person, so they wouldn’t do it. I’ve only seen 1 business block off disabled parking in my town and a week later it wasn’t blocked off anymore
I hate to break it to you, but it still happens here. Some businesses in my area have been doing similar things since the pandemic started with no repercussions. Keep in mind disabled people are a lot more likely to have financial issues and be unable to do anything about the issue. Or at least not know how or what to do about it. You say they would "report it"... report it to who?
Annie maybe it’s just my state then. I’ve personally reported multiple disability parking space violations to my local city hall and they’ve taken care of it
Omg I moved some cones for a disabled Parker then went nuts with one store as I mentioned my own father was unable to walk more than 100 meters and it’s bloody impossible and just down right cruel. They said it was for storage
Hi Gem thanks for all you do to advocate. I am in a powerchair myself and have had many issues such as these. I can say that in USA it is ok that if there is no handicapped spot available to park in we are allowed to park in multiple non handicap spots as long as your car is clearly marked by either licensed plate or placards. That last picture was hysterical but also sad. Ok let me just hop on up the stairs so I can notify you to turn it on, oh wait I can’t!!🤦♀️
Oh my gosh, this is so ridiculous 🤦🏻♀️ I'm so glad in the us this is highly Illegal. We have access issues sometimes we need to fight, However for the most part it's highly Illegal & not commen. Even now, they are putting their lines around the Disabled spots like in front of them or in a different spot. I haven't seen any blocked off due to Covid-19. This is so ridiculous 🤦🏻♀️ Even as a disabled person myself, I can understand the sink one tho. They genuinely probably didn't think of a wheel chair needing to go under it, and I understand that unless you know a disabled person or are disabled yourself, you genuinely probably just didn't think of it. We all learn things from experience, so I think those ones the best thing to do is to Educate, and hope they charge it. But the parking is ridiculous, since it's clearly disabled parking and there for a reason. I'm glad that's so Illegal in the us. 😬
This is wild. I’ve seen exactly one spot blocked off in the US, but there were plenty of other disabled spots left unblocked. I don’t understand why they’re putting the queues in the disabled spots - aren’t there sidewalks??? On that hand washing station, I think it’s also foot-pedal powered. 🤯
I wish that England would adopt laws similar to California. Section 22511.5 of the California Vehicle Code says a disabled placard allows you to park “for unlimited periods” in any space “that is restricted as to the length of time parking is permitted.” It also allows you “to park in any metered parking space without being required to pay parking meter fees.” Not a perfect solution I agree, but one that does its part to bring accessibility closer to those in need. Thank you for your content as I find them quite enlightening.
California law sounds like a step in the right direction. I have several invisible disabilities like fibromyalgia,ms, anxiety,ptsd,neck and back degenerative disk disease, ect. Needless to say I have really bad days . Because my disabilities are invisible I get dirty looks sometimes when using disabled seating on bus routes or even sometimes get asked for help by other disabled people for things like reaching something on higher shelve at grocery store or lifting something too heavy for them. When I have to decline helping them because of my own invisible disabilities I get a confused look from them often times . I decline politely and explain that I too am disabled with invisible disabilities. I suggest politely that they seek help from store employee.
What blows my mind is that is some of the cases there's a perfectly good footpath they can use for social distancing with out having to block any parking at all. Also in the Cafe picture they are not doing social distancing there are people sitting back to back so if they did it to help with social distancing they're failing miserably.
I'm the type of person to get a crappy car so i can move the cones with it and say "sorry" later rather than asking permission to park in a spot that's MADE FOR ME.
Im honestly so surprised by (in normal circumstances) how accommodating parking is in the UK. Even in a progressive area like here in the pacific northwest I'm always happy when I see like... 3 disabled parking spaces together let alone ENTIRE DISABLED BAYS. i guess here we only think of the percentage of wheelchair users and not about the other disabilities that might need disabled parking.
The cats flappy paw is the best thing to be distracted by! We are a last thought aren’t we. Some of the things businesses and councils are doing to comply with COVID regs are focused on making money, even if that means using illegal methods, going against the equality act. I’m signing the petitions now.
I love the way you started this video. You pretty much spoke my mind in terms of the cynicism and annoyance I’m feeling right. No we’re not in this together at all. Thank you for hard your work for bringing awareness of this issue to the forefront.
I was shopping the other day and have an invisible disability and also cannot wear a face covering, I was approached by an employee and told to put on a face covering. I was with people who were wearing face coverings and it was obvious, if the employee had taken a second to think, that there was a reason I wasn't wearing one. I find it disturbing that I need to advertise my personal life in order to not be harassed. Safe to say, it didn't help my anxiety.
I agree. There are several medical and mental conditions that prohibit wearing a mask. We are exempt. Basically if they don’t like it too bad. We have rights as well
Last year, the Trafford Centre blocked off a number of disabled and parent and child spaces near the food court and put their Santa grotto there. When people (including myself) complained, they very grudgingly marked off regular parking spaces to replace them. I had to point out to someone who told me "it's not like they took all the disabled spaces" that the ones they had taken were the nearest ones to the food court, in the busiest car park and, at the busiest time of year when, often, the only spaces to be found are in the overspill car parks.
I have shared this video on both twitter & Facebook. I signed the petition. I think some of these the disabled bays were blocked for queues at first- however that was probably for a few days at most. I am not excusing the shops they should dang well have removed the cones/tape blocking off bays when the queues were no longer happening instead of being lazy. It is a 5 min job at most. No excuse for turning disabled spots into eating areas. That’s unforgivable.
Hi gem great video such a terrible situation right now , petition and open letter signed!! On another note we visited our local Asda today & im pleased to say loads of disabled bays available, they have replaced most of the parent & baby bays with disabled ones. Not great for parents and babies but I’m pleased they have thought of the disabled people who clearly need the spaces more.
The best buy near my house did the exact same thing. They blocked off all the disabled parking for a car queue. The queue NEVER EVEN HAS ANY CARS IN IT.
This wasn’t necissarily because of COVID but I was at a church in the middle of the week teaching at a homeschool co-op. I have an invisible disability with a service dog to help me live a normal life. I can use a regular toilet stall but I don’t like leaving my service dog outside the stall, and sometimes I need the bar next to the toilet to help me stand up on bad days. So I usually look for the disabled stall or bathroom. I see a sign that says ADA bathroom and I was like, sweet! So I walk over there, and it was locked! And no one was around to unlock it. So thank you for that.
I’m not disabled but it still gets me so mad seeing people do stupid things, like non disabled parking in a handicapped spot or saying a disabled person is overreacting. Like if your not in there position you have NO IDEA what there going through.
I’ve had a bit of fun bowling with some of the standees put in stores to explain social distancing that block the entrance/exit for wheelchairs. I also know a place that has a similar lift situation and I was left downstairs for ages because I was meeting people there but no one would answer their phones to get a member of staff with the key.
Chester Zoo have shut off the lift up to the Orang Utan exhibit. Impossible for wheelchair users to queue on the steep, sloppy wooden ramps that lead up to the enclosure!
My mum is in a wheelchair. And I love you your amazing. I'm so thankful your campaigning for people like my mum. I really think the would should see you and my mum and such like others as differently able. Because it's like everyone had amazing skills in lots of different ways like my mum is an amazing crafts woman and your an amazing spokeswoman. And it so sad for others that because of This they are to this that miss out on amazing quality s in people. And I feel for them as that have lost the opportunity to see these diffent skills in people I feel sorry for them. I'm So sad that we are still having to fight as hard today for rights of differences in people as that did in Victorian times . We are all unique. And should be celebrated. And. Even in a 135 whole years people still continue to miss out. This is across the bored for any differences. Don't let this effect your mental health sweetheart. Just feel for them that that will miss out on your amazing quality s as a person and feel sorry for them. Much love sweetheart xx
At my school they have a broken automatic door. The building has the elevator access to the stairs beside it and disabled students can swipe their id to get in after the building is closed and use the elevator. Because it’s broken they chain it shut after operating hours. They didn’t fix it for a year
Unrelated to COVID-19 but outrageous all the same... I have Multiple Sclerosis and see an expert at the Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center (he's actually the Director). The center is in the Jefferson Hospital for Neurosciences Building. ATTACHED TO THE BUILDING is a privately owned parking garage for the exclusively use of people going to the JHN. For almost 2 years all the disabled parking spots have been blocked off because of construction. Did they convert ANY of the close to the elevator spots for into disabled parking? No. Did they convert ANY spots at all? NO. Do you think this should be a priority for a garage which serves a building who have a large number of wheelchair and other adaptive device users??? We have complained repeatedly (patients, the staff of JHN, etc) and it's unchanged. Unfortunately the JHN is in a center city location where parking is tricky at best, and garages are expensive, so parking elsewhere really isn't practical.
Come upstairs to turn on the wheelchair lift??!! I don't have a wheelchair (I have an uncle who has a wheelchair), but I am disabled. I don't use wheelchair lifts because I don't have a wheelchair (I have an invisible disability, which used to impair my walking more when I was a child; I had the option of getting a wheelchair but I refused because I was a child and didn't want to get pitying looks from everyday passersby; instead I was carried by my family and had a wagon I would ride it), but why do these people think the lifts are there? Wheelchair users can't just walk up the stairs you have. You should at least have a phone line nearby, where someone can just be notified to turn it on. Honestly, is it really that hard?
I have issues here to in the United States. My apartment will not even put in a legal true to size disabled parking spot. They also will not place ramps so I can get in and out of my apartment. I have asked. And they give excuses. I am not asking them to change the doorway that is absolutely almost impossible to get in or out ; I am asking them for a parking spot and ramps…but to sue them unfortunately would lead to me most likely being asked to leave when my lease is done and a hard time until then. So basically I am stuck in my home most of the time.
Absolutely right about Council’s making money. All local authorities are the same. Sadly councils are run as a business when they should be run as a service for all people.
Walmart here in Canada also has the foot operated hand sanitizer station. I totally get how it's not handicap friendly but its meant to minimize people touching the pump with their dirty hands. So I'm glad the pump still works for those who can't use their feet.
I went past the place in Brighton you show at 10:53 and I was pleased to see that the made 2 new disabled spots right next to the ones they have removed.
In my local city centre the council have blocked off 6 disabled parking spaces with contractors equipment and machinery belonging to Eurovia, Shame on you Coventry City Council.
They are adding insult to injury with the color of the table at that be the disabled bleu. I got banned from my nearest Tesco because I complained about the doable bays being blocked off
Yes & no. I live in California and recently suffered an injury because I was forced to wait outside of my clinic in line, without any seat or bathrooms provided, in 90 degree heat and direct sun due to covid protocol. I’m heat intolerant and have chronic pain conditions, so I ended up collapsing and missing my medical appointment altogether. I was refused a seat & not given any alternative. Not to mention I’m not allowed to bring my caregiver to appointments with me anymore!! While this kind of treatment is technically illegal, there isn’t any governing body managing ADA violations. I would need to have the time, ability, and money to take a civil lawsuit upon myself (which I can’t afford).
I saw disabled parking blocked off before I got a wheelchair & it soiled my good day. Like, why? Why do they "have to" block off disabled parking, it's so dumb.
there is a local shop current doing renovations, to do this they made a temporary entrance where the disabled parking bays were, and the new entrance is four steps
I always go to both the Saughall Starbucks (whose put in a one way system that means I’d have to drop down an insanely huge step in my power chair . The Upton Asda has closed off every blue badge spaces (it was bad enough before) also Maghull is still a nightmare for any chair user (one of my Guides has the exact same chair) it seems to have got worse. Furthermore I always use scan as you shop to shop with my husband and it’s nigh on impossible for me to use the machines and with the screens it only makes me feel more vulnerable. I left Tesco’s the other day with my husband and he didn’t realise I hadn’t crossed the road with him and a bunch of people basically overtook me and caused further panic. I’ve got warnings about my autism and to not separate me from my carer (my husband) but I was so panicked I nearly got run over. Able bodied people need to realise that we may need extra support and to not rush past everyone who feels terrified as it is (my husband does most of the shopping but everytime I’ve left the house everyone is there for themselves and doesn’t care I’m having a panic attack because they’ve basically stunted my husband into electronics while I’m panicking in stationary. It just makes me want to stay in my flat and never leave
Yesterday, I saw a place that did things well and I thought of you. There is this bank that is renovating the building. All the parking sports are blocked... except the disabled one ! They purposefully made the barriers go around it so that disabled people can get out of their car and into the bank without having to 1. Cross the road, 2. Be too far. People who can walk have another parking lot 50m away.
I live in the US. Since the pandemic started a lot of the local stores that have two entrances close off one side so that they can limit traffic... or something (there are never lines so...why?) The problem is that the disabled spots are divided between the two entrances, so by closing one entrance that cuts the number of spots near the entrance in half. And usually only half of the spots are wheelchair accessible. For example, 8 disabled spots for an entire busy Walmart, only 4 of which are wheelchair accessible. But of course the "law enforcement partner" spot right up front is always empty. 😒
I totally feel for you and every other disabled person, that has to put up with this in the UK. If that can happen to you, then who’s to say, that it can’t happen to any disabled person in the US! Can you please send me your petition link? I am the vice president of the longest running disabled advocacy group in NYC ( the Bronx). I’m going to show this to my group moderator and the rest of the self advocates on our team and see if we can all sign the petition. Keep fighting, this is an only a UK issue it’ a Global issue
I live in California and I can’t even comprehend how people think it’s reasonable to block off disabled parking. Any time there’s a need to queue here, the sidewalk or front area of the store is used. For dining, streets and sidewalks are blocked off. A couple restaurants have blocked off their parking lots entirely, but they have cones and signs marking the street parking directly outside as disabled parking. It has barely impacted traffic or been in anyway detrimental to the city. I know we have ADA here, but I don’t know why less discriminatory options weren’t decided on in England, considering how easy it is.
The worst thing is that all they would have had to do is alter some other parking to make it wider and accessible - but nope they just didn’t even consider that someone with a disabled blue badge might come out
Where i live we have a down town with tons of small stores. The city had this great idea to block off all parking so stores could us it. The only parking was the 2 accessible bays per block. The people went into uproar!! My dad and i had to walk 3 blocks to get lunch. We had to park at the library. We are able to do the walk but so many wouldn’t be able to.. They have changed it back for the most part
I have a total abomination on picture from a few years ago, where shopping trolleys were blocking off one of the already very (too) few disabled parking bays outside that particular, rather large shopping center. On top of it, said shopping center that is relatively newly constructed (opened in 2005 or so I think) only has ONE lift between the main floors of the center and to the rooftop parking (where the trolleys were) That whole shopping center is a complete abomination as far as accessibility goes, then add all the people who abuse the one lift without actually needing it as they could just use the escalators (the flat kind) between floors and the trolleys in the shopping center are made to stay put on the escalators as well, and it wouldn’t be too difficult to just stand and hold a pram safely, and if you only have a small bag of shopping that isn’t even heavy, you definitely don’t have an excuse to use the lift unless you have a disability that warrants the use of the lift. For wheelchairs on the other hand, using the escalators is both dangerous and very tiring as they’re very long and lean all the way so you either have to try to break all the way down and hope you don’t lose your grip, or you have to hold onto the handrail for dear life and hope you don’t lose your grip or lose your balance and fall backwards. It’s quite honestly easier to go up a regular escalator with steps in a wheelchair, as long as the escalator is working properly and isn’t too steep, than going up or down the step less type of escalators where there’s nothing other than yourself stopping you from rolling uncontrollably... Also, trolleys on the handicap bay is something I’ve seen several times on that particular bay, sometimes when possible I park there anyways in protest...
Did it ever get figured out WHY in the world they would block those off? Was it strictly for the outdoor seating? I'm hoping they aren't still blocked off!
I live in the USA, and as far as federal handicap/disabled parking goes it is ILLEGAL to double park. There may be some state specific laws that allow to double park with a placard or plate, but generally it is a parking violation and you will get a ticket or worse.
That is so evil being a person with a disability i know how frustrating i get when people do crazy stuff or even when the area we need to park are blocked off if it was me i would defantly make a big fuss about it or i would get help from someone to move it or i would get out and move it myself. i would defantly want to help sign the patition to help you out although ive never been out of the USA i would maybe one day like to visit England sounds like a wonderful vaction spot.
It's no good me writing to my mp, she doesn't want to know, and neither does her party, the tories. If I ever try writing to her no matter how politely and no matter what the subject all I get is totally IGNORED! And it's the same no matter WHO I complain to, even disability groups don't want to know, even THEY discriminate against anyone like me with severe hidden disorders. There's far too much of an attitude that "If it's not visible then it doesn't exist and doesn't matter", and that applies to far too many disability "rights" groups too, SHAME on them! ALL disabled lives MATTER!
This makes sense to me assuming these photos were taken during pandemic. The assumption would be we are all shielding. In normal times this would be outrageously wrong.
UBT pixielox - because they are closest to the entrance to the store. If a store needs more room for people to queue, or needs a place to put tables and chairs outside (due to the need to keep more distance between people), then the disabled parking bays are a convenient place to do that. Of course, they give zero cares about the fact that this means that many disabled people now have no way to safely access their store. 😒
Why, why, why did this happen? What on earth was the rationale? I understand (but do not agree) with the taking out of benches to enforce social distancing. It lead to my having to sit on floors in public places with security guards telling me I can't sit there, and then the usual "you don't look disabled" if I was using my Nordic Walking Poles and not my cane (now canes). I'll keep reading through the comments, but I'm gobsmacked and puzzled on how removing disability parking was supposed to help with covid. EDIT: Oh, so it was for queuing/lining up and street cafés. Still there's better ways to set up areas for long queues. At the very least, maybe, maybe go though one disabled spot (if there's more than one.) and bring the blocked off queue into the rest of the parking lot over the far more plentiful "regular" spots.
I lived in England for 4 years and this is hard to see. For all those saying this couldn’t happen in the USA, it feels like the ADA doesn’t exist in the town I live in near the New Mexico/Texas border. Most sidewalks aren’t usable for wheelchairs, very few curb ramps (cuts) at the intersections, some places have steps to go inside, only a few businesses have wheelchair accessible bathrooms and very few if any van accessible parking spots at stores (some don’t even have normal accessible parking spots). Shopping cart returns in the access isle next to the accessible parking spots making it very difficult to get out of a normal car with a mobility aid, let alone with my wheelchair ramp van. I’ve met with the mayor and city leaders, but they don’t seem concerned. I’ve even offered to go to businesses and let them know what needs to be changed or to let an owner/manager barrow my backup wheelchair so they can see for themselves, but no takers yet. So, if nobody is going to enforce the law nobody is going to abide by the law (kind of like speed limits with nobody issuing speeding tickets). This seems to be the same problem Gem is having where she’s at.
Dan Eilenstine Able bodied folk pretty much ignore the ADA whenever they feel like it, so it does happen in the U.S., but just in a different but still just as harmful way.
Lisa TheCatDude I’ve had several dealings with very rude. Once was a couple of motorcycle riders that pulled into the access isle beside my van just after I parked, but before I could get out and even after seeing the sticker on the side of my van and my ramp insisting they didn’t have to move because the stripped area was motorcycle parking. Only after I told them that my ramp would push their motorcycles over did they finally move from the access isle beside my van to the access isle one row over. The most recent was having a large vehicle, like a suburban, pulled into the access isle while I was parked and after showing the driver the sign on the side of my van I got the hand sign for give me a minute. Then no sooner after he left someone put a shopping cart blocking my door. I’ve had many other incidence, so I’m very familiar with rude people. But, the mayor and city leaders in my town don’t seem concerned about their failing to meet the ADA laws. According to their own Americans with Disabilities Act Preliminary Transition Plan of the 1420 intersections in my town only 42 of them are compliant. However, of the 42 if one of the four pedestrian corners is compliant they have marked the whole intersection as compliant when it isn’t. Not to mention their plan is more of a list of discrepancies. It has no budget, way to fix the issues or a timeline when the city will be compliant. I asked them to establish an ADA committee, but they felt our town was doing ok and didn’t needed one. I just wonder how many people would obey they speed limit if we didn’t have anyone issuing speeding tickets.
12:28 I can't help but wonder how much it cost to remove the disabled parking spaces. 15:08 I have an answer from someone from a friend in the USA: In most open lots like a grocery store, the parking isn't regulated. No one will give you a ticket for parking in two spots. You could parallel park in three spots and you will definitely irritate people but it won't be illegal since it's on private property. I'm not sure what happens if you park on two spots in a parking garage where you have to pay. You might have to tell the attendant that there are no handicapped spot available to do it without having to pay extra. 17:43 I wonder how many people noticed that there's an s missing in "disabled." Anyway, I'd love to be able to do as this sign suggests, but I do have one problem: I'm a permanent wheelchair user. :(
Why do they do it it makes me feel like non disabled people don’t understand what we need rely on they don’t think about the. Consequences we have no other alternative I am a part time wheelchair user
What is wrong with people it's OK for parent and children bays too b open but not disabled spaces it really winds me up 😖😖😖 feels like we're 3rd class citizens, BTW I love your dog twitching and dreaming in the background 😂 😂
someone posted a picture on reddit of a car park with the elevator closed off and as a person that has alot of problems going up stair I will always use the elevator This was in the US somewhere.
Well, as I have written before, seems that britain not only considers the disabled not worth the bother but are not humans. What's even sadder is that the disabled in britain are not fighting back. Just the few. Here in the states that would get a lot of lawsuits. So though I cannot sign, I'm still amazed that the government has basically no interest in this issue. Good luck with fight. For me, if I was there I would be getting very involved in fighting back. Physically.
We are fighting back. It is just that we are largely ignored. We're also less likely to be employed than non-disabled people so we don't have the money to afford lawyers.
@@ChrisPage68 that is exactly how it was here in the states and how it continues to be. As to lawyers, many will do the work pro bono or just for free. Here it is a civil right. Not sure you have that there due to our constitution. Also read up on the unrah act. But for sure, you must get others, non disabled folks to participate. We do have the ada but even it is still a piece of continuing work. Again I have no idea what rights are given to the people of britain. This may be a stumbling block.
Omg these are awful the worst ive seen round here is disabled bays blocked off. But there is other tempory spaces provided and for the layout of the park im not sure theres another option
It so frustrating. It bad enough before covid and even during...today there were 3 disabled bays outside one shop & one take away and I witnessed TWO differen't cars use one of them without evidence of a blue badge and was only there like 10 minutes. 🙄 Got called a slag for calling one of em out on it. Think he a few slices short if thinks word slag is correct insult for being called out parking in a bay for disabled people. 🤣 The foot ones are where I live too but these ones are not available to use with hands!
I've been told if I'm disabled I shouldn't be out. I've seen alot of people say to others same for not wearing masks etc, its sick. Feel like saying I'd like to see u lot cope in a wheelchair
Gem you should get a lot of wheelchair 🦽 people together to protest at one of the shopping centre’s that have blocked the wheelchair parking and double park and take up all the parking so they know how it feels to try to find parking close to the shops we have a hard time finding parking when they aren’t blocked as it is I would like to see two different types of disability parking in the future one for wheelchair people and one for all the rest of the disability people in Australia some of the disability parking is not suitable for wheelchairs 🦽 I have so much trouble getting out of the car in to my wheelchair because I can’t get the car door open wider enough
I did, Gem! That is worse to be done every day until that is over! We are a part of community and every second one who feels fine can have something that happens to her or him and …zack: she or he is one of us! I love how you fight for rights, for abilities, for being not disabled but different abled! We can do some things the others often can't. Every day we must get solutions for things others haven't to think of a single second! We are every - day - heroes! I love to be part of, cause life is wonderful! Often it hurts, often it's so hard, but it's worth doing all to make it the best can be and to fight for, to live hapipy and as a normal part of human community! With love, dear Gem, Conny L. P.S.: Tomorrow l finally can start to get a (cusomed l hope) active/aadaptive wheelchair! Yeah! After 5 styears begging to my orthopedist, who always sais l'm too young. I must use crutches, a roling frame (l begged for), a lightweight foldable wheelchair…my 11 vertebrals who aren't where they have to be, my 25 other disases show and tell (by pain) every day different ! Now l'm on my way to make a difference - first in my chair, then to others l will encourage to fight for themselves and others to stand by their side! Thank you, Gem, without you l neäer ever would have had the courage to fight till thi end! Thank you! Be blessed!e(Sorry for edriting it here! I'm so thrilled!)
This is outrageous and completely unnecessary, why block them off serves no purposeother than to prevent certain customers from having access? Also, is this just a thing in England? I'm up in Scotland and so far I have yet to see any disabled bays blocked off in favour of a queue whenever I have had to go to the shops. I could be wrong, but most queues I saw/or were in usually went up the side. One asda had the qeues spilling on to the car park, but they didn't use the disabled bays (or if they did there were still a good number in other areas near the entrance) instead used the normal bays in a part that is less used coz it's so far from the entrance to both shop and carpark.
Also in Scotland (Glasgow) and I thankfully haven’t seen shops doing this either. But then again I haven’t been to many shops so I maybe just haven’t seen the ones who have! Our “Spaces for People” initiative - which basically involves blocking off parking spaces to ‘widen’ the pavements has been much worse for me. The council has removed ALL the spaces near my GP and most of the spaces near my dentist. They’ve also allowed cafes etc to block the pavements with tables/chairs - and they’re already uneven and covered in pot holes! Sigh. They seem to think if they write for “walking, cycling and wheeling” and shove some wheelchair emojis on the diagrams then they’re magically accessible 🙄
*HOW YOU CAN HELP* This link has all the petitions, and information you need.
wheelsnoheels.co.uk/accessibility/
Would you like a part two video? Keep sending me your shocking photos….
My interview with BBC radio 5 live was cancelled today, but they are hoping to reschedule, and I’ll let you know as soon as I can.
Signed❤️
Imagine the uproar if the parent and child spaces were blocked off/removed? When disabled people complain we’re annoying, making a fuss, causing a scene. I find non disabled people offer solutions that only work for them not me🤬🤬🤬
Our local spotted page was full of comments of 'get a life' when someone asked spotted to post about the disabled bays being blocked off. Able bodied people really dislike us for no real reason
Auty Trish I was able bodied until four years ago when I had a stroke. I know I would never treat anyone the way I have been. People don’t understand that in the blink of an eye it could be them in the wheelchair!
Auty Trish We can’t get a life, because there’s nowhere to park. 🙄🤯
People will treat you badly for any reason they can think of. It's the way of the world.
@Jamie Nevill yeah. Your kid can walk.
Don't these businesses realize that when they block off disabled parking, they are not only gonna lose money from the disabled customers, they will also lose money from any able bodied friends and family that would accompany that disabled people. That's another reason why you don't see alot of disabled spots blocked off in the USA. You guys need to have a rolling protest when you hear about stuff like this.
I don't imagine they'd block off the parking unless there's a reason. It could probably have been a code violation or fresh maintenance or something
The only reason they do it in the US is like construction but they make temporary ones tho.
@@SuperNovaJinckUFO well, so the fuck what? What are they then doing to make their space accessible? If they can't accommodate *all* customers--including those who use wheelchairs--they shouldn't be open.
It's sad that we feel that way have to justify our anger by saying 'there's no queue'. It doesn't matter if there are 5 people in the queue or 500, we have a right to have our access needs met. Good on you for starting the petition ♿
“Come up the stairs and notify us.....” The able bodied disconnect is real. 😱🙄 Actually, those wheelchair users who are able, might want to conduct a “capital crawl” sort of thing here. It might not be a good look for their business to have a bunch of wheelchair users having to crawl up their steps.
It's the same at my school with the geography block I was told that I had to go upstairs to get the key so I could get the lift to work like uhhh I can't exactly do that 😅
USA- Texas here.. Disabled parking has been disappearing rapidly. Mostly being replaced by Curbside Pick-Up spaces..🥴 It's extremely frustrating because there wasn't enough disabled parking to begin with...
This is crazy! Surprisingly, the IKEA in my city in the US doesn't have the bays blocked off, but it's still really sad seeing it elsewhere. This is so frustrating to see.
It would be illegal here in the USA.
I live in Ohio and there was a Target that got rid of their ramp while parking lot construction was going on. They didn't put any temporary ramp access. The Walmart near me has closed their left entrance making all of those disabled parking spots unusable... so now there is half the amount of parking spaces for disabled people at a very busy, large store! It's been frustrating. Not to mention the people parking illegally in the striped lines next to the spots constantly.
I’m neither disabled nor a resident of the UK, and I can assure you this is beyond outrageous. 😡😡😡
Same here. I live in Brisbane Australia. Large shopping centres here have great disabled toilets. They have them for use for men, women and disabled. This is great for me as I have a hidden disability, which includes irritable bowel syndrome, and joint braces. Though due to aging I now also use a cane. It avoids me being harassed by wheelchair users who seemed to think the toilets were only for them and I didn't have a disability. In my area at least, disabled parking was never cordoned off for use as queues.
Thank goodness for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the USA. Having this happen here is illegal and would result in steep fines for the businesses.
It’s potentially illegal under the equality act and the disability discrimination act.
Rebecca Williams Americans are also much more prone to sue though. I’m from the US not England so I may be wrong but I feel like these businesses are fine doing this stuff because they don’t feel threatened. If a business were to do the same here they’d likely be reported by the first or second disabled person to notice and penalized by the government, or maybe even directly sued if you pissed off the wrong person, so they wouldn’t do it. I’ve only seen 1 business block off disabled parking in my town and a week later it wasn’t blocked off anymore
I hate to break it to you, but it still happens here. Some businesses in my area have been doing similar things since the pandemic started with no repercussions. Keep in mind disabled people are a lot more likely to have financial issues and be unable to do anything about the issue. Or at least not know how or what to do about it. You say they would "report it"... report it to who?
Annie maybe it’s just my state then. I’ve personally reported multiple disability parking space violations to my local city hall and they’ve taken care of it
We have to pay to sue hence why we rarely do as many disabled people are living below poverty line.
Feel very forgotten as a blind person too :(
Omg I moved some cones for a disabled Parker then went nuts with one store as I mentioned my own father was unable to walk more than 100 meters and it’s bloody impossible and just down right cruel. They said it was for storage
Hi Gem thanks for all you do to advocate. I am in a powerchair myself and have had many issues such as these. I can say that in USA it is ok that if there is no handicapped spot available to park in we are allowed to park in multiple non handicap spots as long as your car is clearly marked by either licensed plate or placards. That last picture was hysterical but also sad. Ok let me just hop on up the stairs so I can notify you to turn it on, oh wait I can’t!!🤦♀️
Oh my gosh, this is so ridiculous 🤦🏻♀️ I'm so glad in the us this is highly Illegal. We have access issues sometimes we need to fight, However for the most part it's highly Illegal & not commen. Even now, they are putting their lines around the Disabled spots like in front of them or in a different spot. I haven't seen any blocked off due to Covid-19. This is so ridiculous 🤦🏻♀️ Even as a disabled person myself, I can understand the sink one tho. They genuinely probably didn't think of a wheel chair needing to go under it, and I understand that unless you know a disabled person or are disabled yourself, you genuinely probably just didn't think of it. We all learn things from experience, so I think those ones the best thing to do is to Educate, and hope they charge it. But the parking is ridiculous, since it's clearly disabled parking and there for a reason. I'm glad that's so Illegal in the us. 😬
It's terrible how in 2020 there s still discrimination against people with disabilities love you gem I would sign awesome and important video
Thank you, I hope you have signed.
What the hell is wrong with people? That's pretty much the most abelist thing businesses could do
This is wild. I’ve seen exactly one spot blocked off in the US, but there were plenty of other disabled spots left unblocked. I don’t understand why they’re putting the queues in the disabled spots - aren’t there sidewalks???
On that hand washing station, I think it’s also foot-pedal powered. 🤯
I wish that England would adopt laws similar to California.
Section 22511.5 of the California Vehicle Code says a disabled placard allows you to park “for unlimited periods” in any space “that is restricted as to the length of time parking is permitted.” It also allows you “to park in any metered parking space without being required to pay parking meter fees.”
Not a perfect solution I agree, but one that does its part to bring accessibility closer to those in need.
Thank you for your content as I find them quite enlightening.
California law sounds like a step in the right direction. I have several invisible disabilities like fibromyalgia,ms, anxiety,ptsd,neck and back degenerative disk disease, ect. Needless to say I have really bad days . Because my disabilities are invisible I get dirty looks sometimes when using disabled seating on bus routes or even sometimes get asked for help by other disabled people for things like reaching something on higher shelve at grocery store or lifting something too heavy for them. When I have to decline helping them because of my own invisible disabilities I get a confused look from them often times . I decline politely and explain that I too am disabled with invisible disabilities. I suggest politely that they seek help from store employee.
What blows my mind is that is some of the cases there's a perfectly good footpath they can use for social distancing with out having to block any parking at all. Also in the Cafe picture they are not doing social distancing there are people sitting back to back so if they did it to help with social distancing they're failing miserably.
Post lockdown, accessibility has declined across the board. It's awful!
I'm the type of person to get a crappy car so i can move the cones with it and say "sorry" later rather than asking permission to park in a spot that's MADE FOR ME.
Im honestly so surprised by (in normal circumstances) how accommodating parking is in the UK. Even in a progressive area like here in the pacific northwest I'm always happy when I see like... 3 disabled parking spaces together let alone ENTIRE DISABLED BAYS. i guess here we only think of the percentage of wheelchair users and not about the other disabilities that might need disabled parking.
The cats flappy paw is the best thing to be distracted by! We are a last thought aren’t we. Some of the things businesses and councils are doing to comply with COVID regs are focused on making money, even if that means using illegal methods, going against the equality act. I’m signing the petitions now.
I love the way you started this video. You pretty much spoke my mind in terms of the cynicism and annoyance I’m feeling right. No we’re not in this together at all. Thank you for hard your work for bringing awareness of this issue to the forefront.
I was shopping the other day and have an invisible disability and also cannot wear a face covering, I was approached by an employee and told to put on a face covering. I was with people who were wearing face coverings and it was obvious, if the employee had taken a second to think, that there was a reason I wasn't wearing one. I find it disturbing that I need to advertise my personal life in order to not be harassed. Safe to say, it didn't help my anxiety.
I agree. There are several medical and mental conditions that prohibit wearing a mask. We are exempt. Basically if they don’t like it too bad. We have rights as well
Blocking off disabled spots requires them to provide alternate parking. If not, that is a lawsuit.
Last year, the Trafford Centre blocked off a number of disabled and parent and child spaces near the food court and put their Santa grotto there. When people (including myself) complained, they very grudgingly marked off regular parking spaces to replace them. I had to point out to someone who told me "it's not like they took all the disabled spaces" that the ones they had taken were the nearest ones to the food court, in the busiest car park and, at the busiest time of year when, often, the only spaces to be found are in the overspill car parks.
I have shared this video on both twitter & Facebook. I signed the petition.
I think some of these the disabled bays were blocked for queues at first- however that was probably for a few days at most. I am not excusing the shops they should dang well have removed the cones/tape blocking off bays when the queues were no longer happening instead of being lazy. It is a 5 min job at most.
No excuse for turning disabled spots into eating areas. That’s unforgivable.
Hi gem great video such a terrible situation right now , petition and open letter signed!! On another note we visited our local Asda today & im pleased to say loads of disabled bays available, they have replaced most of the parent & baby bays with disabled ones. Not great for parents and babies but I’m pleased they have thought of the disabled people who clearly need the spaces more.
The best buy near my house did the exact same thing. They blocked off all the disabled parking for a car queue. The queue NEVER EVEN HAS ANY CARS IN IT.
Only part way through the video, but these are honestly shocking.
I'd like to think it's shocking, but I'm more shocked when they *don't* discriminate.
I'm lucky enough to live with my family and they help but still sucks and this pisses me off for people who don't have help most of the time!
This wasn’t necissarily because of COVID but I was at a church in the middle of the week teaching at a homeschool co-op. I have an invisible disability with a service dog to help me live a normal life. I can use a regular toilet stall but I don’t like leaving my service dog outside the stall, and sometimes I need the bar next to the toilet to help me stand up on bad days. So I usually look for the disabled stall or bathroom. I see a sign that says ADA bathroom and I was like, sweet! So I walk over there, and it was locked! And no one was around to unlock it. So thank you for that.
I’m not disabled but it still gets me so mad seeing people do stupid things, like non disabled parking in a handicapped spot or saying a disabled person is overreacting. Like if your not in there position you have NO IDEA what there going through.
I’ve had a bit of fun bowling with some of the standees put in stores to explain social distancing that block the entrance/exit for wheelchairs.
I also know a place that has a similar lift situation and I was left downstairs for ages because I was meeting people there but no one would answer their phones to get a member of staff with the key.
Chester Zoo have shut off the lift up to the Orang Utan exhibit. Impossible for wheelchair users to queue on the steep, sloppy wooden ramps that lead up to the enclosure!
Way to go. Makes the point with the standee signs.
My mum is in a wheelchair. And I love you your amazing. I'm so thankful your campaigning for people like my mum. I really think the would should see you and my mum and such like others as differently able. Because it's like everyone had amazing skills in lots of different ways like my mum is an amazing crafts woman and your an amazing spokeswoman. And it so sad for others that because of
This they are to this that miss out on amazing quality s in people. And I feel for them as that have lost the opportunity to see these diffent skills in people I feel sorry for them. I'm So sad that we are still having to fight as hard today for rights of differences in people as that did in Victorian times . We are all unique. And should be celebrated. And. Even in a 135 whole years people still continue to miss out. This is across the bored for any differences. Don't let this effect your mental health sweetheart. Just feel for them that that will miss out on your amazing quality s as a person and feel sorry for them. Much love sweetheart xx
At my school they have a broken automatic door. The building has the elevator access to the stairs beside it and disabled students can swipe their id to get in after the building is closed and use the elevator. Because it’s broken they chain it shut after operating hours. They didn’t fix it for a year
Unrelated to COVID-19 but outrageous all the same...
I have Multiple Sclerosis and see an expert at the Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center (he's actually the Director). The center is in the Jefferson Hospital for Neurosciences Building. ATTACHED TO THE BUILDING is a privately owned parking garage for the exclusively use of people going to the JHN. For almost 2 years all the disabled parking spots have been blocked off because of construction. Did they convert ANY of the close to the elevator spots for into disabled parking? No. Did they convert ANY spots at all? NO. Do you think this should be a priority for a garage which serves a building who have a large number of wheelchair and other adaptive device users??? We have complained repeatedly (patients, the staff of JHN, etc) and it's unchanged. Unfortunately the JHN is in a center city location where parking is tricky at best, and garages are expensive, so parking elsewhere really isn't practical.
I’ve been to places where they’ve blocked off spaces and I nearly got ran over by trying to cope in regular spaces out of my WAV
Come upstairs to turn on the wheelchair lift??!! I don't have a wheelchair (I have an uncle who has a wheelchair), but I am disabled. I don't use wheelchair lifts because I don't have a wheelchair (I have an invisible disability, which used to impair my walking more when I was a child; I had the option of getting a wheelchair but I refused because I was a child and didn't want to get pitying looks from everyday passersby; instead I was carried by my family and had a wagon I would ride it), but why do these people think the lifts are there? Wheelchair users can't just walk up the stairs you have. You should at least have a phone line nearby, where someone can just be notified to turn it on. Honestly, is it really that hard?
I have issues here to in the United States. My apartment will not even put in a legal true to size disabled parking spot. They also will not place ramps so I can get in and out of my apartment. I have asked. And they give excuses. I am not asking them to change the doorway that is absolutely almost impossible to get in or out ; I am asking them for a parking spot and ramps…but to sue them unfortunately would lead to me most likely being asked to leave when my lease is done and a hard time until then. So basically I am stuck in my home most of the time.
Absolutely right about Council’s making money. All local authorities are the same. Sadly councils are run as a business when they should be run as a service for all people.
Walmart here in Canada also has the foot operated hand sanitizer station. I totally get how it's not handicap friendly but its meant to minimize people touching the pump with their dirty hands. So I'm glad the pump still works for those who can't use their feet.
I went past the place in Brighton you show at 10:53 and I was pleased to see that the made 2 new disabled spots right next to the ones they have removed.
this happens all the time everywhere in British Columbia Canada :( I've been writing letters and trying to do what you are doing for ages now. :(
In my local city centre the council have blocked off 6 disabled parking spaces with contractors equipment and machinery belonging to Eurovia, Shame on you Coventry City Council.
They are adding insult to injury with the color of the table at that be the disabled bleu. I got banned from my nearest Tesco because I complained about the doable bays being blocked off
I think it’s the same for the Canadians, here in the US, that would be totally illegal.
Yes & no. I live in California and recently suffered an injury because I was forced to wait outside of my clinic in line, without any seat or bathrooms provided, in 90 degree heat and direct sun due to covid protocol. I’m heat intolerant and have chronic pain conditions, so I ended up collapsing and missing my medical appointment altogether. I was refused a seat & not given any alternative. Not to mention I’m not allowed to bring my caregiver to appointments with me anymore!! While this kind of treatment is technically illegal, there isn’t any governing body managing ADA violations. I would need to have the time, ability, and money to take a civil lawsuit upon myself (which I can’t afford).
It technically illegal here under Equality Act but it not worth paper it written on. lol
Being illegal never stopped it happening.
I saw disabled parking blocked off before I got a wheelchair & it soiled my good day. Like, why? Why do they "have to" block off disabled parking, it's so dumb.
there is a local shop current doing renovations, to do this they made a temporary entrance where the disabled parking bays were, and the new entrance is four steps
I always go to both the Saughall Starbucks (whose put in a one way system that means I’d have to drop down an insanely huge step in my power chair . The Upton Asda has closed off every blue badge spaces (it was bad enough before) also Maghull is still a nightmare for any chair user (one of my Guides has the exact same chair) it seems to have got worse. Furthermore I always use scan as you shop to shop with my husband and it’s nigh on impossible for me to use the machines and with the screens it only makes me feel more vulnerable. I left Tesco’s the other day with my husband and he didn’t realise I hadn’t crossed the road with him and a bunch of people basically overtook me and caused further panic. I’ve got warnings about my autism and to not separate me from my carer (my husband) but I was so panicked I nearly got run over. Able bodied people need to realise that we may need extra support and to not rush past everyone who feels terrified as it is (my husband does most of the shopping but everytime I’ve left the house everyone is there for themselves and doesn’t care I’m having a panic attack because they’ve basically stunted my husband into electronics while I’m panicking in stationary. It just makes me want to stay in my flat and never leave
Yesterday, I saw a place that did things well and I thought of you. There is this bank that is renovating the building. All the parking sports are blocked... except the disabled one ! They purposefully made the barriers go around it so that disabled people can get out of their car and into the bank without having to 1. Cross the road, 2. Be too far. People who can walk have another parking lot 50m away.
I live in the US. Since the pandemic started a lot of the local stores that have two entrances close off one side so that they can limit traffic... or something (there are never lines so...why?) The problem is that the disabled spots are divided between the two entrances, so by closing one entrance that cuts the number of spots near the entrance in half. And usually only half of the spots are wheelchair accessible.
For example, 8 disabled spots for an entire busy Walmart, only 4 of which are wheelchair accessible. But of course the "law enforcement partner" spot right up front is always empty. 😒
Dude I hated that. Thank God we’re not in lockdown anymore or strict about anything anymore.
I totally feel for you and every other disabled person, that has to put up with this in the UK. If that can happen to you, then who’s to say, that it can’t happen to any disabled person in the US! Can you please send me your petition link? I am the vice president of the longest running disabled advocacy group in NYC ( the Bronx). I’m going to show this to my group moderator and the rest of the self advocates on our team and see if we can all sign the petition. Keep fighting, this is an only a UK issue it’ a Global issue
Do you want me to send it to you on another social media or here because I copied the URL for you!
Miranda Stephens I personally signed it already. But if you post the link here, I can copy and paste it to show our group moderator.
In my local town, I am able to park in any parking bay with my badge for free as long as I display it.
Some people need the extra space to get out or to get their mobility aids out the vehicle.
If you can find a space free.
I live in California and I can’t even comprehend how people think it’s reasonable to block off disabled parking. Any time there’s a need to queue here, the sidewalk or front area of the store is used. For dining, streets and sidewalks are blocked off. A couple restaurants have blocked off their parking lots entirely, but they have cones and signs marking the street parking directly outside as disabled parking.
It has barely impacted traffic or been in anyway detrimental to the city. I know we have ADA here, but I don’t know why less discriminatory options weren’t decided on in England, considering how easy it is.
The worst thing is that all they would have had to do is alter some other parking to make it wider and accessible - but nope they just didn’t even consider that someone with a disabled blue badge might come out
Where i live we have a down town with tons of small stores. The city had this great idea to block off all parking so stores could us it. The only parking was the 2 accessible bays per block. The people went into uproar!! My dad and i had to walk 3 blocks to get lunch. We had to park at the library. We are able to do the walk but so many wouldn’t be able to.. They have changed it back for the most part
Does Brighton council need to be reminded that disabled people use the same money as able bodied people and pay council tax !
Here here!!! Plus the spending power of disabled is something like £270 million a year
I stand corrected...£240 BILLION
And two You Tube content creators who have disabilities live in Brighton: Gem and Jessica Kellgren-Fozard!
I have a total abomination on picture from a few years ago, where shopping trolleys were blocking off one of the already very (too) few disabled parking bays outside that particular, rather large shopping center. On top of it, said shopping center that is relatively newly constructed (opened in 2005 or so I think) only has ONE lift between the main floors of the center and to the rooftop parking (where the trolleys were) That whole shopping center is a complete abomination as far as accessibility goes, then add all the people who abuse the one lift without actually needing it as they could just use the escalators (the flat kind) between floors and the trolleys in the shopping center are made to stay put on the escalators as well, and it wouldn’t be too difficult to just stand and hold a pram safely, and if you only have a small bag of shopping that isn’t even heavy, you definitely don’t have an excuse to use the lift unless you have a disability that warrants the use of the lift. For wheelchairs on the other hand, using the escalators is both dangerous and very tiring as they’re very long and lean all the way so you either have to try to break all the way down and hope you don’t lose your grip, or you have to hold onto the handrail for dear life and hope you don’t lose your grip or lose your balance and fall backwards. It’s quite honestly easier to go up a regular escalator with steps in a wheelchair, as long as the escalator is working properly and isn’t too steep, than going up or down the step less type of escalators where there’s nothing other than yourself stopping you from rolling uncontrollably... Also, trolleys on the handicap bay is something I’ve seen several times on that particular bay, sometimes when possible I park there anyways in protest...
Did it ever get figured out WHY in the world they would block those off? Was it strictly for the outdoor seating? I'm hoping they aren't still blocked off!
I live in the USA, and as far as federal handicap/disabled parking goes it is ILLEGAL to double park. There may be some state specific laws that allow to double park with a placard or plate, but generally it is a parking violation and you will get a ticket or worse.
If I see cones blocking that off I’m stopping in the middle of the lane, getting out, and moving all of them
That is so evil being a person with a disability i know how frustrating i get when people do crazy stuff or even when the area we need to park are blocked off if it was me i would defantly make a big fuss about it or i would get help from someone to move it or i would get out and move it myself. i would defantly want to help sign the patition to help you out although ive never been out of the USA i would maybe one day like to visit England sounds like a wonderful vaction spot.
It's no good me writing to my mp, she doesn't want to know, and neither does her party, the tories. If I ever try writing to her no matter how politely and no matter what the subject all I get is totally IGNORED! And it's the same no matter WHO I complain to, even disability groups don't want to know, even THEY discriminate against anyone like me with severe hidden disorders. There's far too much of an attitude that "If it's not visible then it doesn't exist and doesn't matter", and that applies to far too many disability "rights" groups too, SHAME on them! ALL disabled lives MATTER!
With the hand sanitizer stations, would a disabled person actually be able to reach the hand pump option?
That’s always my problem !! Can barely ever reach them !
This makes sense to me assuming these photos were taken during pandemic. The assumption would be we are all shielding. In normal times this would be outrageously wrong.
I've signed your petition on Facebook, its something that can affect me as well, so I feel strongly about it.
Can someone explain to me why it seems to be specifically all/just the disabled parking spots getting blocked off?
UBT pixielox - because they are closest to the entrance to the store. If a store needs more room for people to queue, or needs a place to put tables and chairs outside (due to the need to keep more distance between people), then the disabled parking bays are a convenient place to do that.
Of course, they give zero cares about the fact that this means that many disabled people now have no way to safely access their store. 😒
Why, why, why did this happen? What on earth was the rationale? I understand (but do not agree) with the taking out of benches to enforce social distancing. It lead to my having to sit on floors in public places with security guards telling me I can't sit there, and then the usual "you don't look disabled" if I was using my Nordic Walking Poles and not my cane (now canes). I'll keep reading through the comments, but I'm gobsmacked and puzzled on how removing disability parking was supposed to help with covid.
EDIT: Oh, so it was for queuing/lining up and street cafés. Still there's better ways to set up areas for long queues. At the very least, maybe, maybe go though one disabled spot (if there's more than one.) and bring the blocked off queue into the rest of the parking lot over the far more plentiful "regular" spots.
yes my local Asda blocked off some of their spaces as well (Huddersfield Bradford Road)
Crazy! The link to SCOPE’s letter to the PM isn’t working. But I shared the petition.
I think we were lucky in my area, as during lock down, none of the disabled bays around where I live were blocked off
I lived in England for 4 years and this is hard to see. For all those saying this couldn’t happen in the USA, it feels like the ADA doesn’t exist in the town I live in near the New Mexico/Texas border. Most sidewalks aren’t usable for wheelchairs, very few curb ramps (cuts) at the intersections, some places have steps to go inside, only a few businesses have wheelchair accessible bathrooms and very few if any van accessible parking spots at stores (some don’t even have normal accessible parking spots). Shopping cart returns in the access isle next to the accessible parking spots making it very difficult to get out of a normal car with a mobility aid, let alone with my wheelchair ramp van. I’ve met with the mayor and city leaders, but they don’t seem concerned. I’ve even offered to go to businesses and let them know what needs to be changed or to let an owner/manager barrow my backup wheelchair so they can see for themselves, but no takers yet. So, if nobody is going to enforce the law nobody is going to abide by the law (kind of like speed limits with nobody issuing speeding tickets). This seems to be the same problem Gem is having where she’s at.
Dan Eilenstine Able bodied folk pretty much ignore the ADA whenever they feel like it, so it does happen in the U.S., but just in a different but still just as harmful way.
Lisa TheCatDude I’ve had several dealings with very rude. Once was a couple of motorcycle riders that pulled into the access isle beside my van just after I parked, but before I could get out and even after seeing the sticker on the side of my van and my ramp insisting they didn’t have to move because the stripped area was motorcycle parking. Only after I told them that my ramp would push their motorcycles over did they finally move from the access isle beside my van to the access isle one row over. The most recent was having a large vehicle, like a suburban, pulled into the access isle while I was parked and after showing the driver the sign on the side of my van I got the hand sign for give me a minute. Then no sooner after he left someone put a shopping cart blocking my door. I’ve had many other incidence, so I’m very familiar with rude people. But, the mayor and city leaders in my town don’t seem concerned about their failing to meet the ADA laws. According to their own Americans with Disabilities Act Preliminary Transition Plan of the 1420 intersections in my town only 42 of them are compliant. However, of the 42 if one of the four pedestrian corners is compliant they have marked the whole intersection as compliant when it isn’t. Not to mention their plan is more of a list of discrepancies. It has no budget, way to fix the issues or a timeline when the city will be compliant. I asked them to establish an ADA committee, but they felt our town was doing ok and didn’t needed one. I just wonder how many people would obey they speed limit if we didn’t have anyone issuing speeding tickets.
As I was told 'well it doesn't matter, disabled people are meant to be staying home and safe' - yeah...
Got my wheelchair basketball team to sign it
12:28 I can't help but wonder how much it cost to remove the disabled parking spaces.
15:08 I have an answer from someone from a friend in the USA:
In most open lots like a grocery store, the parking isn't regulated. No one will give you a ticket for parking in two spots. You could parallel park in three spots and you will definitely irritate people but it won't be illegal since it's on private property. I'm not sure what happens if you park on two spots in a parking garage where you have to pay. You might have to tell the attendant that there are no handicapped spot available to do it without having to pay extra.
17:43 I wonder how many people noticed that there's an s missing in "disabled." Anyway, I'd love to be able to do as this sign suggests, but I do have one problem: I'm a permanent wheelchair user. :(
Why do they do it it makes me feel like non disabled people don’t understand what we need rely on they don’t think about the. Consequences we have no other alternative I am a part time wheelchair user
What is wrong with people it's OK for parent and children bays too b open but not disabled spaces it really winds me up 😖😖😖 feels like we're 3rd class citizens, BTW I love your dog twitching and dreaming in the background 😂 😂
someone posted a picture on reddit of a car park with the elevator closed off and as a person that has alot of problems going up stair I will always use the elevator This was in the US somewhere.
It makes me sick, it’s happening in the USA too.
I am going to post and ask five friends able bodied ana disabled to share and sign and keep sharing xxx great video
Ah thank you so much. Yes challenge them ;)
Do you have different push rim covers? I will definitely be checking out your website!
Well, as I have written before, seems that britain not only considers the disabled not worth the bother but are not humans. What's even sadder is that the disabled in britain are not fighting back. Just the few. Here in the states that would get a lot of lawsuits. So though I cannot sign, I'm still amazed that the government has basically no interest in this issue. Good luck with fight. For me, if I was there I would be getting very involved in fighting back. Physically.
We are fighting back. It is just that we are largely ignored. We're also less likely to be employed than non-disabled people so we don't have the money to afford lawyers.
@@ChrisPage68 that is exactly how it was here in the states and how it continues to be. As to lawyers, many will do the work pro bono or just for free. Here it is a civil right. Not sure you have that there due to our constitution. Also read up on the unrah act. But for sure, you must get others, non disabled folks to participate. We do have the ada but even it is still a piece of continuing work. Again I have no idea what rights are given to the people of britain. This may be a stumbling block.
For the one with picknic bench one a would just pull up park right up to them. Then be like well luv ur the one sat in the disabled bay
Omg these are awful the worst ive seen round here is disabled bays blocked off. But there is other tempory spaces provided and for the layout of the park im not sure theres another option
I don't understand the reason why these foot pump designs can't just make the foot trigger longer so we can roll over the foot pump to activate it?
*Wheelsnoheels - Gem Hubbard* Who all are waiting. Give a like must these parent's live 100 year !!!
It so frustrating. It bad enough before covid and even during...today there were 3 disabled bays outside one shop & one take away and I witnessed TWO differen't cars use one of them without evidence of a blue badge and was only there like 10 minutes. 🙄 Got called a slag for calling one of em out on it. Think he a few slices short if thinks word slag is correct insult for being called out parking in a bay for disabled people. 🤣
The foot ones are where I live too but these ones are not available to use with hands!
I've been told if I'm disabled I shouldn't be out. I've seen alot of people say to others same for not wearing masks etc, its sick. Feel like saying I'd like to see u lot cope in a wheelchair
Gem you should get a lot of wheelchair 🦽 people together to protest at one of the shopping centre’s that have blocked the wheelchair parking and double park and take up all the parking so they know how it feels to try to find parking close to the shops we have a hard time finding parking when they aren’t blocked as it is I would like to see two different types of disability parking in the future one for wheelchair people and one for all the rest of the disability people in Australia some of the disability parking is not suitable for wheelchairs 🦽 I have so much trouble getting out of the car in to my wheelchair because I can’t get the car door open wider enough
👍👍👍
is my signature valid even if I'm living in Italy?
All of the bays in my town were blocked there were only two in each store
I’ve not seen this one time in Australia and in my city we are in stage 4 lockdown. That just goes to show that this is completely unnecessary.
The Thorpe Park one isn't as far as I am aware. I go there a lot and they have great low hand sanitizers everywhere
Not gonna lie if I could drive I’d park in the blocked off bay anyway and wouldn’t care if the business got mad
You can't blame the customers for that, but you can blame the business
I did, Gem! That is worse to be done every day until that is over! We are a part of community and every second one who feels fine can have something that happens to her or him and …zack: she or he is one of us!
I love how you fight for rights, for abilities, for being not disabled but different abled! We can do some things the others often can't. Every day we must get solutions for things others haven't to think of a single second! We are every - day - heroes! I love to be part of, cause life is wonderful! Often it hurts, often it's so hard, but it's worth doing all to make it the best can be and to fight for, to live hapipy and as a normal part of human community! With love, dear Gem, Conny L.
P.S.: Tomorrow l finally can start to get a (cusomed l hope) active/aadaptive wheelchair! Yeah! After 5 styears begging to my orthopedist, who always sais l'm too young. I must use crutches, a roling frame (l begged for), a lightweight foldable wheelchair…my 11 vertebrals who aren't where they have to be, my 25 other disases show and tell (by pain) every day different ! Now l'm on my way to make a difference - first in my chair, then to others l will encourage to fight for themselves and others to stand by their side! Thank you, Gem, without you l neäer ever would have had the courage to fight till thi end! Thank you! Be blessed!e(Sorry for edriting it here! I'm so thrilled!)
This is outrageous and completely unnecessary, why block them off serves no purposeother than to prevent certain customers from having access?
Also, is this just a thing in England? I'm up in Scotland and so far I have yet to see any disabled bays blocked off in favour of a queue whenever I have had to go to the shops. I could be wrong, but most queues I saw/or were in usually went up the side. One asda had the qeues spilling on to the car park, but they didn't use the disabled bays (or if they did there were still a good number in other areas near the entrance) instead used the normal bays in a part that is less used coz it's so far from the entrance to both shop and carpark.
Also in Scotland (Glasgow) and I thankfully haven’t seen shops doing this either. But then again I haven’t been to many shops so I maybe just haven’t seen the ones who have!
Our “Spaces for People” initiative - which basically involves blocking off parking spaces to ‘widen’ the pavements has been much worse for me. The council has removed ALL the spaces near my GP and most of the spaces near my dentist. They’ve also allowed cafes etc to block the pavements with tables/chairs - and they’re already uneven and covered in pot holes! Sigh. They seem to think if they write for “walking, cycling and wheeling” and shove some wheelchair emojis on the diagrams then they’re magically accessible 🙄