Become a local access champion!
When we ran our Listening Project: Getting around with MS, you told us that your MS can make it hard to get around in your local area. We heard that relatively minor issues, such as broken pavements, overhanging hedges or a lack of drop kerbs stop people with mobility problems from accessing local shops and services. And when you don't feel safe or able to get out independently, you rely on others for help, or may just avoid leaving the house at all.
We also heard that you vote with your feet (or wheels) and look out for the things that make life easier for you when you travel. Whether you're travelling for leisure, shopping or social activities, you look for clean, accessible toilets, clear signposting, accessible ramps and street design that makes it easy to get around with mobility aids. The places that have them get your business, and you avoid the places where you can't trust that your needs will be met.
Your comments showed us that these so-called minor inconveniences can be major problems, and that they're driving inequalities in access to our public spaces and services.
But there's no single authority that can put them right. Local councils, town centre managers, places of interest, shops and transport companies, they all share the responsibility for making public spaces accessible.
What can we do to improve access?
The first step towards achieving change is to speak out about what you see around you. Alert the right people to the problems that need solving, and get your priorities to the top of their to-do list!
And remember, this isn't being selfish. By taking a moment to fix something that affects you, you'll be making life better for other people in your area, including other people with disabilities, parents pushing prams, schoolchildren and delivery drivers. This is the kind of action that lifts us all.
We've put together a toolkit to help you reach the right people and make improvements happen.
For most problems with streets, cycleways, paths and pavements, local highway authorities are responsible for maintenance. In England, Wales and Scotland, this will likely be your local Council. For cities like London and Manchester, it may be part of the Mayor's responsibilities. In Northern Ireland, maintenance of all roads and streets is done by the Department for Infrastructure.
Road and street maintenance also includes problems like broken street lighting, potholes, flooding and overhanging vegetation. Each council will have a place on their website or a phone number where you can report a problem.
Find my council : This government website helps you to find contact details for local councils. Enter your postcode to find the councils that operate in your area. Where there are two or more listed, look for the authority that has responsibility for transport.
Report a problem: This NI government website explains how to report problems with pavements, roads, overhanging trees or other obstructions in Northern Ireland.
Fix my street : An independent website built by charity mySociety, where you can easily make a report which will be passed to your local council. Also available as an app for iOS and Android phones.
For urgent problems that might put people in immediate danger, such as a fallen tree or gas leak, you should contact the council or emergency services directly.
Buses, coaches, trains and stations
Trains and stations are often operated by different companies, so it's important to be clear who is responsible for the problem you have spotted. Use these links to find the right organisation to get in touch with to get help with travel or raise a concern.
Find a Train Company: Contact details for all UK train service providers.
Find a Station: Contact details for all UK train stations, detailing who runs the station, accessibility and facilities offered, and how to raise a concern.
National Rail Complaints: Explains how to raise a concern, and includes links to the Rail Ombudsman if your complaint is not satisfactorily addressed.
Many bus services in the UK are run by a company that is part of one of these five larger transport groups. You will need to go directly to the relevant company to let them know if there are accessibility issues that could be resolved. All these transport groups have accessibility areas on their websites, where you can request assistance or find out about station or bus facilities.
Transport Focus: An independent watchdog for transport users, conducting research and offering advice to transport users across the UK. This includes users of buses, coaches, road and rail, and the organisation provides insight on everything from bus stop design that helps people with sight loss to helping people claim refunds following rail delays. They provide a regular newsletter.
Public toilets may be maintained by a local council. In recent years, some council toilet facilities have been handed to community groups to manage. To report a problem at a local toilet facility, you may need to look around the facility for the right contact details.
In shopping centres and malls, public toilet facilities will be maintained by the facilities team. If you find problems or have suggestions to improve them, get in touch with the Facilities Manager.
Let us know how you get on!
Send us a before and after photo, and let us know what you've achieved in your area to help people get around more easily. You can send your story to us at comms@mstrust.org.uk
We look forward to hearing from you and sharing some empowering results.
