A woman from Neath has called for better accessibility for those with disabilities after falling out of her wheelchair in Bridgend. After her wheels got caught on a kerbside last month, Zi Armstrong was tipped out of her chair with no one around to help - and it's left her questioning if more needs to be done to improve accessibility for people like her.
Zi Armstrong is affected by multiple conditions including fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, Ménière’s disease, chronic pelvic pain and neuropathic bladder and bowel. This means she has to use a wheelchair whenever she goes out.
When she fell out of her chair, Zi was leaving the Samaritan's in the town where she volunteers as an office listener, supporting people over the phone at the mental health charity. As she was going down Meadow Street on Wednesday, February 15, her chair jolted her out as it got caught on a kerb.
Read more: The shocking barriers that disabled people face every day in our towns and cities
Luckily, she did not suffer from any serious injuries. But she says that she was left both "battered and bruised" by the situation.
"It is shocking when these things happen", she told WalesOnline. "I was just ejected from my chair and so was very shaken up. There was nobody around, 8pm at night so I had to climb back onto the chair myself. We did check up on some local CCTV but it doesn’t cover as far as that area."
Zi has experienced mobility issues since 2012 and knows first hand what it is really like to have to consider the finer details of life when going out, and whether or not it will be safe for her and her wheelchair. Discussing the realities of what life is like as a disabled person living in south Wales, she said: "There's dodgy paving all around Bridgend like there is in different areas.
"When you see other people in wheelchairs out and about and you're having issues like this, or any problem with access you just sort of give each other a look, being like - it's happened again. I only go out into town with my parents a couple of times a week.
"That's the only easy way of doing it. And even then it can be hard to get into some places. We were out trying to get brunch the other day in Neath and wanted to go to this place that I know is accessible and I can get into easily because it has a ramp. But it was closed so we couldn't go into that one.
"This one woman was nice enough to stop for us and chat about where we could go. She mentioned a few different cafes we could go to, one after the other and each one had steps but eventually she helped us find one that we could visit.
"If she hadn't taken the time to help us find somewhere it would have been such a shame. And it's much harder than you think for people in wheelchairs to just do things like that."
Zi has found that when people stop and take the time to see how they can help her in cases like this, it can make a big difference. But some people are still not understanding of the different considerations those with disabilities require.
She said: "I feel like I'm living in an invisibility bubble at times. Still not everyone gets it.
"There's still a lack of awareness. Not everyone knows exactly what it's like. I’ve even got to catch a bus where I live because I’ve got to go down a really steep hill so it can be quite dangerous. Where the bus pulls up there are some railings on the pavement.
"But for me to get on the bus they have to pull a ramp down so I can get on and sometimes these railings get in the way so much they have to reverse the bus back and forth to make space for the ramp otherwise I can't get on. People around me then will be like 'I can't believe what's happening' but that is my norm."
Zi has also got into the habit of avoiding certain parts of Neath and Bridgend where she spends most of her time. She said: "I do kind of like get to know in my head which parts of town I can't get into but I shouldn’t have to.
"You've got issues as a wheelchair user sometimes, no matter what you do. You’ve got the issue of if you don't catch a bus, you’ve had to get a taxi and there’s been plenty of times I haven’t even been able to get into that taxi.
"There’s a lot more access in Swansea and Cardiff. I don’t tend to have too many issues when I go to these cities but that could also be because there are more options."
A Bridgend County Borough Council Spokesperson, said: “All town centre businesses comply with building control regulations at the time of any works to ensure that their units meet the expected standards in relation to inclusivity at that point in time. Factors such as the age of the building and whether the shop front has been changed ultimately determine what versions of the regulations need to be followed for each specific premises.
“As many town centre units have been in place for several decades, in many cases there are no requirements for businesses to meet the latest regulations- providing they comply with the 1992 and 1999 specifications. In respect to the damaged kerb, all council adopted highways are subject to scheduled inspections and action will be taken where necessary.
"In this instance the concern will be forwarded to our highways team for an assessment as soon as possible. We would like to remind residents that they can report any highway issues through the council’s website.”
Read next:
Hancock ‘discussed withholding learning disability hub if MP opposed lockdown’
Disabled man's mouldy flat leaves him 'struggling to breathe' and showering at leisure centre
Parents jailed after their disabled daughter died weighing 23 stone and lying in her own filth
'Humiliated' disabled Ryanair passenger forced to drag himself onto coach
