Concerns for Disabled Spectators

A Government advisory group is calling for more to be done to make the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games more accessible for the disabled.  Lack of wheelchair accessible disabled vehicles on public transport and restricted stadium access are highlighted as potential problem areas.

The Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland claims that around 8,000 visitors a day are likely to face problems when using stairs and escalators.

It is feared that disabled people will be the main group affected, along with parents with young children in prams.

The findings were reported to Holyrood’s transport committee at a meeting held at the end of last year.  Graham Lawson, a member of the Mobility and Access Committee, is worried not enough is being done to cater for spectators.

Speaking to The Herald newspaper, he said: “Over the duration of the Games, about 100,000 spectators will have difficulty in using stairs or escalators.  What provision is being made for that?  The answer seems to be very little.”

Graham continued: “I’ve no doubt that disabled athletes’ needs will be accommodated but we have serious doubts about the provision for spectators.  The Games team has indicated its willingness to engage with us, but the issue is translating that into action.”

Accessible Disabled Vehicles

A spokeswoman for the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee claimed that accessibility issues were an “integral part” of their plans for the Games.

She commented: “From athletes competing in a fully integrated para-sport programme to spectators using different modes of accessible public transport to get to venues, we are working with stakeholders and making good progress to ensure that people with accessibility requirements have a great experience at the Games.”

Glasgow does have a strong reputation for providing a range of disabled vehicles as part of it’s public transport network.  The city’s 1,400-strong hackney taxi fleet, for example, includes a large proportion of Peugeot E7 black cabs, which are among the most wheelchair accessible taxis in the UK.