SIR: Reading the article Stepping out to help the disabled in your issue of October 2, caused me as a disabled person some annoyance. The list of delegates included planners, engineers, Nynex, gas workers, hospital consultants, police and fire service, but no mention of disabled representation.

The seminar was held in the Georgian House to show the out-door hazards that the aged and disabled have to contend with, which on the face of it seems a good idea. However, to really get the feel of the problem they should have experienced the problems on the ground as it were. ie. got in a wheelchair or put distortion glasses on and walked the pavements of the town, not the nice even surface of a hotel.

I would challenge any of the delegates to accompany me in a wheelchair or even an electric chair for a mile on any major road out of the town. Then they would know something of the problem.

The town centre is reasonably good. However, there is a problem that is caused by the owners of orange badges the very people who should know better. That is that they will park their cars at the point where the kerb has been lowered for chairs and prams.

I look forward with interest to see if anyone has the interest to take up my offer.

Bill Dagnall

Hargreaves House

Bolton

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.