Ample space is important

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“HOPPERS on wheelchairs need better accessibility to shopping centres and supermarkets,” says Nafi Bai

Mr Bai is a board member of the Spinal Injury Association and is bound to a wheelchair.

“For me, accessibility is paramount. As a wheelchair user I first need to find out whether the shop I am going to has easy access and is safe for persons with disabilities. “So, questions I ask are:

Does it have car park for disabled people?;

Are the entrances wide enough?;

Are signages big enough? and

Is there enough space in between aisles for my wheelchair.”

Mr Bai says one of the things he checks before shopping is the availability of supermarket staff to help him when he needs assistance.

“Especially when I need items from the top shelves.”

His usual shopping list will include essentials such as flour, sugar, milk, and toiletries while having a budget of $140 a week.

He usually shops at Extra Supermarket in Laucala Beach as it is conveniently located near his home in Caubati, Nasinu.

Mr Bai is an affiliate of the Fiji Facility Support Program as the national inclusion coordinator, a position he has held since December last year.

For transportation to and from the supermarket, he usually calls the Veiwekani Taxi base in Nasinu. The base operator and taxi drivers know him well and are always helpful.

After shopping Mr Bai said he prefers a ride with his usual drivers at Veiwekani even if it means waiting outside the supermarket for a while.

He usually shops during lunch time or after work and on the weekends.

Mr Bai said shoppers should keep an eye out for specials while following various healthy living tips.

As a person with disabilities, he says his shopping experience can sometimes be difficult when other shoppers park carelessly.

Other issues include vehicles blocking the ramp and the lack of staff training to help people with disabilities.

“Church friends from the Potters House are some of those who help me when I need assistance.”

One of those friends is Anthony Johai, he says. They have known each other for more than 20 years.

Mr Bai commended the level of accessibility at Extra Supermarket, Laucala Beach as it has now become his usual spot for shopping.

He also applauded the supermarket security personnels who take time to assist him.