Access issue (From Barry And District News)

Access issue

I WOULD like to thank the shops, stores and business in Barry who have made access to their shops etc better for parents with pushchairs and wheelchair users.

Well done - only a few shops haven't made access to their stores yet in Barry.

However, the Vale of Glamorgan council expects shops and business to make access to their buildings and if they don't, you can take them to court for discrimination.

So, why can't the Vale council be taken to court for discrimination for not supplying council houses or flats for disabled tenants to live in with access to their homes?

Nearly all the properties in the vale do not have reasonable access. I've waited for well over a year to be housed and I'm still waiting.

If you take a property, the council won't put in ramps or any adaptions - you have to wait for a grant which can take up to a year.

It's about time the council wake up and live in this century!

The excuse the council has given me are that the houses were built during post-war years, but hello - there were disabled people in those days.

I've written to the leader of the council and I am still waiting for a reply after three attempts.

It would be nice if the council went halfway to make their properties easier for disabled people.

Lisa Madigan

Hannah Street

Barry