Lack of disabled services...

I’ve read your recent article (‘All For Nature and Nature For All’ November Bird Watching) about disabled people and access or lack of it at various wildlife/bird reserves. It does seem that the USA and Canada have disability access covered, but their poor cousins over the pond are up the proverbial river without a paddle, crutch, or, indeed, a mobility scooter. As a relatively recently disabled person, over the last one to two years, I’ve really noticed the lack of services more and more. However, when I was younger and healthier I never gave access to reserves a second thought. I was able to gallop around a whole reserve not needing the use of a bench to rest on, a hide to sit in, or a mobility aid for support. Now, though, I realise how important those things are for people of all ages that have mobility issues. The importance of something as simple as seating at regular intervals can make a massive difference to the walkers with breathing or joint issues. This leaves those reserves that are lucky enough to own a mobility scooter, available to let that go to people who can’t walk at all. Hopefully not at £25 a go, which works out expensive and is not financially viable for many disabled people. They can then enjoy the diversity of the reserve along with the rest of us birders, photographers and wildlife watchers. Resources like reserves, country parks and woodlands should be available and accessible to all, not just the select few. I’m not sure who would fund these much needed benches, mobility aids etc, whether through external funding or fund raising at events, but it definitely needs to be done. None of us are getting any younger and most of us will need some help in the future, even if it is something simple like regular seating. Linda Matthews