Hereford Access for All has now closed after 20 years of success
Here are their achievements for recent years
1. PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Hereford Town Hall:-
- Secured better means of communication from rear entrance level to alert staff that wheelchair user needs assistance.
- Provision of suitable toilet for disabled people with alarm call.
- Access to Council Chambers: stair lift installed after our protest about inaccessibility.
Hereford Shire Hall:-
- Wheelchair lift to Assembly Hall.
- Provision of suitable toilet for wheelchair users.
- Wheelchair Lift to main entrance level.
City Library and Museum:-
- Automatic entrance door.
- Chairs available in Large Print library area.
- Improvement in lift area.
Garrick House:-
- Automatic door.
- Improved interview facilities.
- Blue Badge Scheme. Hereford Access leaflet on disabled parking now issued to applicants.
- Information on disability issues to Tourist Office.
County Records Office:-
- Disabled parking
- Lift location. Automatic entrance doors
- Suitable toilet provision
- Various improvements to enable disabled users to access equipment
- Need for evacuation procedure - suggested consultation with Fire service.
Butter Market:-
- Campaigned successfully over the years for installation of automatic doors at High Town entrance.
Leisure Centre & Leisure Pool:-
Campaigned for:
- Disabled parking
- Automatic doors
- Recently improved access and facilities at the pool
BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester:-
(Very difficult but still being pursued)
Campaigned for disabled access. The nature of the existing building and expensive studio arrangements make this a no-go area for wheelchair users and difficult for ambulant disabled. Request for better reception area being considered.
County Court/Barclays Bank:-
Dual purpose building. Access for disabled people has been improved but still needs care. Exit to pavement edge slopes.
HSBC:-
Campaigned for improved access to this listed building in a very difficult location. Delighted with refurbishment which shows what can be achieved.
2. SHOPS
- Successful campaign for provision of automatic doors and improved maneuvering space inside Marks & Spencer’s; Boots, Primark, Jessop’s; Waterstone’s. Other stores following this example. Still difficulty at W.H.Smith’s.
- Suggested that disability issues (customers’ needs) be incorporated into shop staff training
3. ENTERTAINMENT
The Courtyard Theatre
- Consulted at planning stage re provision for wheelchair users; lift, toilet provision etc
- Request (accepted) for improvement at Fire Exit
- Request for marking of entrance doors to help partially sighted people – Agreed
- Request for better access to Studio
Cinema
Several attempts, including involvement of Central Television, to secure adequate entrance and evacuation for wheelchair users, especially children. The nature of the building makes this almost impossible due to security risks. Management not helpful.
Herefordshire United F.C.
Secured improvement for wheelchair using spectators and provision of suitable disabled access toilet.
4. INFORMATION
Surveyed and published material on:
- Parking for disabled people;
- Doctors, dentists and opticians’ provision for disabled users;
- Estate Agents’ provision for disabled users;
- Riverside Walk (1st Festival of Walking);
- Guides 2002 & 2006 to cafes and restaurants in the City;
- Tourism - designed questionnaire to B&B and other accommodation;
- May Fair - survey of difficulties presented by cables and ramps covering them for disabled and/or elderly people wanting to cross High Town
5. PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Railways
- Highlighted fact that of the four stations in Herefordshire, only Colwall is accessible.
- Secured promises of staff assistance at Hereford, also provision of suitable toilet.
- Recognised difficulties at Leominster - station unmanned.
Buses
Ongoing campaign about unsatisfactory condition for passengers at Fryzers Court (back of Tesco).
Taxis
Request for more disabled accessible taxis and staff training for drivers.
6. ROAD CROSSING
- Many dropped kerb crossings installed, particularly in City Central area, following request to Highways Department;
- Cover over rainwater channels in pavements recently installed following request: St Owen’s Street; Widemarsh Street; Coningsby Street. Ongoing survey.
- Demonstrated need for longer phase in pedestrian crossing traffic lights at Commercial Square, to allow badly disabled people time to cross. Extra time allocated.
7. EDUCATION
- Involved with Hereford College of Technology for many years regarding access for those with physical difficulties;
- Recently co-opted to serve on College Equal Opportunities (now Diversity) Committee. Special interest in provision for students with learning difficulties.
- Campaigning for improved facilities and equipment for disabled children in play areas
8. HEALTH FACILITIES
- Represented on Committee discussing signage etc for new County Hospital;
- Consulted by Herefordshire Primary Care Trust and Involving People Team;
- Campaigned on behalf of women who are in wheelchairs or otherwise unable to access the breast screening mobile centre;
- Consulted by Primary Care Trust re Disability Equality Scheme;
- Recent representative on Wheelchair Users Group
9. HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
- Scrutinise planning applications from people proposing holiday lets;
- Questionnaire for B and B providers – in conjunction with the Herefordshire council tourism department
10. CAR PARKING
- Ongoing survey of on street and main car parks for disabled people in the city. Our leaflet used by the council
- Highlighted difficulties for disabled drivers \ passengers attempting to use parking arrangements at County Hospital
11. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
- Survey of various venues e.g. Small Breeds Farm; Waterworks Museum; Cider Museum; Old House; to gain accurate information re disabled access facilities.
- Advised management at shobdon Airfield re needs of disabled spectators, especially at air show days.
12. FOOTPATHS
- Served on Herefordshire Local Access Forum on rights of way
- Requested that, where possible, stiles on county footpaths be replaced by gates for accessible barriers capable of use by disabled people
- Clear signposts would help all users
13. LOCAL ISSUES
- Commented at meetings and to questionnaires re E.S.G.; Development\refurbishment in High Town and Widemarsh Street
- Participated in the Baywatch Scheme emphasising need to leave marked parking spaces for Blue Badge holders
- Consulted by and working with Council Diversity Team and P.C.T.
14. POLLING STATIONS
Indicated problems encountered by disabled people especially wheelchair users who wanted to vote properly inside the Polling Stations e.g. at Pentwyn Drive. These people did NOT agree to Postal Votes, but wanted to vote like able-bodied people with help from staff.
15. SHOPMOBILITY
Hereford Access For All helped establish the Hereford Scheme in partnership with Hereford City Council initially and then with Herefordshire Council. Hereford Access for All (HAA) provides, maintains and insures ALL the vehicles in use in the Centre. Over the years we have raised thousands of pounds to ensure the fleet of vehicles is reliable and modern. In effect, all vehicles are H.A.A. property. Increasing popularity has made this service an added tourist attraction as well as meeting local needs. Shopmobility recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary.
Hereford Access For All.
The Guides
Guide to accessibility to banks and building societies in Hereford
Guide to accessibility to Doctors, Dentists, Opticians and other healthcare surgeries in Hereford
Guide to accessibility to Restaurants in Hereford
Hereford Access For All.
Contact Details
President: Jim Lawes
43 Park Street
Hereford
HR1 2RD
Telephone: 01432 350765
Please note: Herefordshire Disability United can not accept liability of information supplied by other parties but do endeavour to check accuracy