Public Transport & Trips To Places of Interest...

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is being implemented over 25 years. In December 1998, the first phase of public transport rights was introduced and stated that all new trains and trams had to comply with accessibility regulations. This resulted in the implementation of audio & visual information systems, wheelchair accommodation and accessible toilets.

The second phase was implemented in December 2000 and stated that all new public transport buses and coaches must be accessible to disabled people. By 2017, every single public transport bus will be equipped to cater for disabled people and by 2020 all public coaches will be fully accessible as well. Although 2020 seems a long way off, progress is constant.

Dine with the best - How restaurants are doing more to help wheelchair users...

A good restaurant will offer its customers great food, service and atmosphere. Judged on the experience that the customer takes away with them, restaurants have a duty to provide each person with an enjoyable time when dining.

Di Maggio's is one of Scotland's leading restaurant chains and has an excellent reputation due to the care and attention it provides its many customers. So, when it came to needing a platform lift in the Glasgow city centre restaurant they, of course, turned to movemanSKG for the ideal solution!

Exercise For All - Is your local gym equipped for all users?

The Star leisure centre in Splott, Cardiff, closed in August 2005 to allow enough time for its most dramatic refurbishment in 25 years.

Officially reopened in the summer of 2006, the centre now incorporates Splott library, a new gym with full disabled facilities and a disabled lift supplied and installed by movemanSKG.

Going on holiday? Know your rights at airports...

Air travel is not covered by the DDA, but is governed by a voluntary code of practice, published by the Department for Transport. This code sets out the minimum standards of service that disabled passengers can expect, for instance, assistance with boarding the plane, getting to the toilet, fetching items, reading menus, opening food packages etc.

Whilst air travel is not covered by the DDA, airports, as a transport infrastructure are. This means that airports in the UK should be physically accessible to disabled people and reasonable adjustments should be made to allow you to access the services provided.

Did you Know..?

It is an offence to park a vehicle that is not displaying a badge in a Blue Badge parking bay. Police officers, traffic wardens and local authority parking attendants have the right to inspect Blue Badges. Failing to produce a badge for inspection, without reasonable excuse, carries a maximum fine of £1,000.