Hannah (28) has been disabled since an injury at the age of
14, which left her with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and a range of secondary
illnesses and complications. She’s a disability and lifestyle blogger and
started her blog Hannah’s Hope (hannahdeakin.blogspot.com) in 2018. She’s passionate about
making a difference, changing perceptions and promoting equality.
Shopping can be a stressful event, especially with a
disability. What more can be done to make it a more pleasurable
experience?
In my experience shopping centres are the best, preferable
to towns and villages. They are very accessible, on flat and smooth surfaces,
with lifts to other floors, as well as having better facilities of disabled car
parking spaces, accessible toilets and sometimes changing places and shop
mobility centres. Towns and villages are not very accessible; there are so many
shops that have steps. Some have portable ramps, but not many. I believe
more needs to be done by the government to enforce the Equalities Act 2010, so
that disabled people are given equal opportunities and access to able-bodied
people. Currently, they still are at a huge disadvantage in shopping
alone.
Last year, I attempted to go into a branch of a multi-million
pound coffee shop chain with a friend, only there was a step. My friend went in
to enquire whether they had a ramp. They said that they didn't have one but
could help lift me in! Although, this was very kind of the staff to offer and
not their fault they didn't have access, there is no way they could lift me and
my extremely heavy powerchair. Which together weigh over 200kg! My friend said
that she wanted to say 'yes' to watch them try!
Once you have got past the hurdle of getting into a shop,
the next issue can be if you find something you like and actually want to try
it on! Do they have an accessible changing room? Often the answer is no, or yes
but it is used for storage! This has left me feeling exposed as I am having to
try something on, in a public area, or not being able to and so having to leave
it. Sometimes, I end up buying the item or items in several sizes, to then try
them on at home and then returning the sizes that don't fit. However, this is
not always possible.
With some places it is a lack of knowledge or training. I
have had situations with shop assistants where I have paid, then they give my mum/
PA the receipt, or I type in my PIN and request cash back and then they give my
mum/ PA the cash back! If I’m capable of getting my card out, putting it in the
machine and typing my PIN in, then I think I am capable of taking the cash or
receipt! Moreover, if people are not sure they just need to ask!
More needs to be done in staff training so that places are
more accommodating. Purple Tuesday (12th November this year!) is a new campaign, calling for organisations
to do more to make shopping more accessible and improving the customer
experience for disabled people. Hopefully, as more shops come on board it will
help educate more people, changing things for the better. Not just one day a
year, but in general.
Things are progressing in the right direction, with the
introduction of quiet hours in some supermarkets, for people with Autism and
other disabilities.
For some, the Internet and developments in technology has
been a lifeline. Internet shopping enables people to order groceries and have
them delivered to their door. If people can't get out or can't carry heavy
items, this can be paramount. Furthermore, on top of food it allows individuals
to shop and choose their own clothes, as well as presents etc. When I was bed-bound
it enabled me to choose my own clothes and items that I liked, allowing me to
be an individual and develop my own personality, rather than having to have
them chosen for me, by my mum. This was important to me.
Christmas is the worst time, and sales are not great — the
crowds of people (who have even less time for others than usual) and aisles that
are narrower than the rest of the year and are brimming with stock and bursting
with people. I hate it. People knock into me, push and shove and I just can't
move. I go down one aisle, then have to reverse up as I can't get out, I make a
second attempt on another aisle and by the third time and driving four times
the distance, I get out at the place I want to. People lean over me and on me,
so focused on the rush and getting what they need for the festive season they
forget the true meaning of Christmas and the values of Christianity.
What would improve your shopping experience? How do
you do your shopping? Do you brave sales and what would make the experience
more manageable if you don’t?
