Objections over new Stirling Street Hubs
Concerns raised over accessibility for the disabled
Disability advocates in Stirling say new communication hubs being planned for the city centre are not disabled friendly.
Stirling Area Access Panel has objected to several planning applications lodged by BT for the hubs it is rolling out across the country, with locations including Pitt Terrace and Port Street.
Chair of the local watchdog Robert Dick said that, although calls from the hubs will be free, they have not been designed with people who have disabilities in mind and “fall very short” of user accessibility.
He added: “They are definitely not friendly to anyone with any physical or sensory disability or disabilities, this is why we objected.”
The panel said their objection was based on drawings and details supplied in the planning application provided by BT to Stirling Council planners.
In their objection, Mr Dick said: “We do understand that BT have a national rollout of Street Hubs, but given the information provided we don’t have the confidence to say that these devices will be able to be used by all of society.
“We live in an increasingly adverse weather pattern, yet the exposed Street Hub has no weather protection for potential users. At least the humble phone box did this.
“There is no privacy if one is using the microphone and speaker system on the Hub.
“It is concerning that the controls are at one end of the Hub. A wheelchair user cannot approach the controls from a frontal position as there is no knee recess.
“Approaching from the side, means that a wheelchair user has to twist and can only look at the buttons and display panel from an angle.
“This is not an inclusive design and it is disappointing that BT think it is.
“It is also a concern that the control panel has no contrast between the brushed stainless steel and the buttons.
“We recommend vertical fluted plastic grab rails at either side of the control panel as it will allow the elderly and physically unstable people to hold themselves steady whilst operating the buttons and viewing the info panel.
“Will it be simple enough for people with mild neurodivergent conditions to use it?
“This is an opportunity to apply speech recognition to the features within, as it will be particularly useful for people with a visual impairment to communicate with the Hub.
“It is desirable that the two large HD advertising screens are of a matt non-reflective surface whilst the sun is shining on them as this will be detrimental for people with visual impairments.
“We also would not advise the scrolling of advertising images (they change every 10 seconds) as it could disorient people particularly in dull or dark conditions with dementia, ADHD, autism, dyspraxia, etc.”
The panel has also suggested dementia-friendly signage, and sought clarification on whether braille or raised buttons will feature.
“Do people really need more street clutter which is more about ‘the latest in advertising platforms’ rather than contributing to the benefit of communities and visitors,” said the panel, “particularly when the design of this device is so lacking for inclusive operation?
“Overall, does Stirling City need or want these Hubs when their telecoms contribution is questionable to society and are an inferior replacement to the humble BT Kiosk.”
A BT spokesperson, said however: “Street Hub units has been carefully designed as fully inclusive products to meet the needs and requirements of a wide variety of people.
“We have collaborated with partners from the outset to ensure that these units provide inclusive and practical design features, while working within the constraints and safety requirements that exist on any public footpath.
“Street Hub units, we believe offer greater accessibility for wheelchair users as they are at a lower height than a payphone.
“All functional devices and interactive touch screens have been positioned to be fully accessible for wheelchairs and for mobility impaired people allowing the unit to be operated with comfort and ease.
“The units are also fitted with PIN pads that makes use of braille to aid the blind or visually impaired and help them identify other keys.
“Users, who would like more privacy on calls also have the opportunity to use headphones while using the unit.
“We currently have 767 live Street Hub units across the UK including nine in Aberdeen and 28 in Glasgow.”