“I have a London bucket list before I move- but so much of it is inaccessible”, actor, presenter and disability rights campaigner Samantha Renke wrote in her article for online website ‘Metro’. While she is a travel junkie, her biggest roadblock is the inability to navigate busy, cluttered and inaccessible places that she badly wants to pay a visit to. Mainly because they are not disability-friendly. Her realisation that most of London is still largely inaccessible infuriated and disappointed her because that meant she was confined to a ‘disabled world’ by ableist public spaces. Renke’s story is just one of many. And it is disheartening to know that in a country that categorises 22% of its population as disabled, most venues have not prioritised accessibility in their architectural plans.
An inspection of inaccessible landscapes
Spaces are socially produced. A stretch of land that initially bore no value, had no life and was barren, is imbued with life once it is named, streets are constructed and socio-economic relations determine what the space will be used for. A space becomes a place when it develops its functionality and humanity interacts with it for specific reasons. A park is not a park unless you see a child on a seesaw, a dog chasing a frisbee and an old couple out on a picnic. A space is an amalgamation of the physical space (the actual space/land), representational space (discourse on the space) and lived space (human experience that shapes the space). And it is fascinating how depending on how humans perceive space, the elements and the purpose of it can shift and sway. However, in present society, every space that is built needs to be subjected to the question of, ‘is it accessible and inclusive?’, if it is not, there is a fundamental problem in the infrastructure of it that is marginalising persons with disabilities. And spaces in the U.K.seem to be grappling with this as a chronic issue.
As it is, numerous individuals with disabilities are experiencing the unfortunate circumstances of unemployment due to the obstacles they encounter (though this has improved considerably). On top of that, a concerning number of public areas remain highly inaccessible. This lack of accessibility pertains to a wide range of disabilities, whether they are physical, related to mental health, or even ‘invisible’ conditions. As a result, these individuals face significant challenges in accomplishing their everyday tasks and activities.
For instance, individuals with physical disabilities encounter various obstacles, such as blocked wheelchair ramps, buildings lacking elevators, inaccessible restrooms, and shops without step-free entrances. On the other hand, individuals with learning disabilities or those on the autism spectrum find the busy and chaotic urban setting to be overwhelming due to sensory sensitivities.
The U.K. is a place with a vast number of historical places that have stood the test of times. It is celebrated for its architecture: the archaic monuments that stand as a representation of their history. Therefore, most organisations that are advisory bodies who provide access to historic buildings are reluctant to restructure buildings as they see it as tampering with artefacts. For instance, individuals using wheelchairs who went to the Abingdon County Hall Museum were surprised to discover that the historical edifice, which features over 100 steps, lacks an elevator or lift for accessibility.
The sole means of disabled access to the County Hall involves an outdoor lift leading to the basement. This compact street-level elevator was inaugurated in July 2012 but has remained inoperative for the most part of 2023. However, if one wishes to explore the upper main gallery, they are left with no alternative but to ascend over 90 steps. If they want to reach the rooftop, that will require tackling another 16 steps.
In a blog article that discusses about how “Abingdon County Hall Museum looks at options for New Lift as Old Lift is repaired”, under the open forum section, an individual named Freddie Prately voices his opinions about this matter, where he says:
“In 2010, English Heritage (EH) viewed installing a chairlift as causing significant harm to the internal staircase. EH had originally favoured the exterior lift – there was support from the EH south east regional office but the proposal was referred to the EH advisory committee because the building is of national significance and that group registered their objection. This meant there was next to no prospect of planning permission being granted and ATC withdrew their application to the Vale. This was a shame as the lift could have been built with HLF (The National Lottery Heritage) funds, which are harder to secure now”.
While this may only be a viewpoint of a single person, there are quite a few things in this statement that can be reflected upon.
This matter exacerbates when inaccessibility spreads across public spaces that everyone needs access to. Like cities. Dorothy Dunn writing for The Guardian reveals how according to projections from the UN, by the year 2050, approximately two-thirds of the global population will reside in urban areas. However, it is evident that these cities are not universally accommodating. Numerous aspects of urban design and planning actually contribute to exclusion of persons with disabilities.
For instance, in London, a mere one-third of the underground stations are equipped for wheelchair accessibility. The impending closure of ticket stations worsens matters, disproportionately affecting disabled individuals who rely on assistance to safely access public transportation. It is no surprise then that many individuals with disabilities perceive navigating urban landscapes as anxiety-inducing and physically-draining.
The problem of not making space(s) for disabled persons
Spaces that are not inclusive deny persons with disability access to the societal relationships on which the place is built on. The minute that they don’t have an in, they will be ostracised, intentionally or unintentionally. Public spaces serve as vital centres for movement, economic transactions, and interaction. Therefore it should be open to everyone, irrespective of their disabilities. When we deny access to transportation hubs like stations, airports, bus stops, as well as micro-mobility options such as shared bikes and scooters, we inadvertently hinder our own societal and economic progress.
The presence of accessibility obstacles transform streets, sidewalks, and bike lanes into realms of exclusion and congestion, aligning with the perspective of social theorist Marion Iris Young, who asserts that such limitations transform public spaces into realms of ‘oppression’. And issues as such need to be addressed immediately.
(Sandunlekha Ekanayake)