'If they don't move, I can't social distance'


What are some of the barriers you've faced when shopping under social distancing? Do you endure negative attitudes from other shoppers? What changes would you make?Disabled people are being "judged" and forced to explain their situation when trying to safely buy food at supermarkets during the coronavirus pandemic, a leading disability charity has warned.
From risking their health because they can’t get delivery slots, to facing negativity from other shoppers, buying food and essentials continues to be a source of enormous worry for many disabled people who are left feeling vulnerable by the experience, new research by Scope suggests. More than one in three (36 per cent) disabled shoppers surveyed by Scope said long queues were aggravating their conditions or impairments, with 26 per cent saying they have faced negative attitudes from other shoppers. Supermarkets have introduced priority delivery slots and dedicated shopping hours for vulnerable customers, with some offering assisted shopping for those in need, but many disabled people are still finding food shopping a difficult experience.
Scope has called on supermarkets to develop a "consistent and co-ordinated approach" for disabled customers, and to expand their lists of vulnerable people who are eligible for help.
Source: I News
Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
Replies
This was also during the non vulnerable hours as I’ve never managed to get up early enough for that 😀
But it’s changing people’s perceptions dramatically
Best
I have to say I find the one-way system difficult to process and it completely alters the way I approach shopping, but then I suppose nothing about this situation is normal.
Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
phil x
On top of it, people assume everyone there is able to do everything 100%. And if you need help you are out of order. Or do things differently. If you say anything it's like you are committing a crime. Not all disabled people have family and friends to help.
I know supermarkets want to help...… is it yet again a time for us to educate folk? I'm tired of having to explain and ask all the time - I am not being awkward...… I am doing the best I can. I'm human.
But once a week I go down the GP Surgery, and used to like going to our local Tesco Express.
Went in there a week after lockdown, it had a one way system, and boxes put in the way to make sure you only went the one way, but you couldn’t easily get the wheelchair around.
Some supermarkets only allow elderly disabled people and carers in on first hour of trading each day, but it’s not understood that bus passes don’t work till after 9.30am. I have care visits so it’s not possible to get there and carers have most visits in the morning. I told my supermarket this and no deliveries available
Solution, So the community matters team shop and deliver for me in her own car, been life saving.
1. The thing I have difficult with is that there’s no help to bring in anything left at your door to put it away. My Canine Partners helped but it took us almost and hour. if it wasn’t for him, it’s stays there till next carer visit.