Unfortunately even in this day of political correctness, there are still some stigmas to get past, for wheelchair users.  One of the most annoying things, for someone in a wheelchair, is when you go shopping and the shops you wish to go to, have no provisions at all for wheelchairs of any type like power wheelchairs, or mobility scooters. 

Having to ask for a ramp to be put at the entrance, is not something people should have to do, then there is the added factor, that no thought is given to the space in the shop, so even a transport wheelchair user cannot get around, let alone a mobility scooter.  All the wheelchair user want is to have nice a shopping experience, just like someone who is able to walk around and browse. 

Not every shop is as thoughtless, but the majority just don’t seem to even think of catering for wheelchair users.  Sometimes it really does seem as though the shop will never be visited by anybody using a wheelchair and it is this attitude that needs to be changed.   

Even the journey to the shops can be a daunting task for a wheelchair user.  If you have to rely on public transport, it is a nightmare.  Not everyone in a wheelchair has the comfort of being driven to the shops, there are some good cab companies, that cater for wheelchairs, but I am yet to find a bus service that is able to get a wheelchair on board.  Some train stations do have wheelchair access routes that can be easy to use, but there is no guarantee that when you get to your destination, you will be able to get off of the station by yourself, let alone the train. 

The independence of wheelchair users is seriously being halted, by local authorities, chains of shops and even our governments, not to mention people’s narrow mindedness.  Wheelchair users around the world are still being treated like second class citizens, more should be taught in schools and to the retail industry.  

So next time you visit a shop and they don’t have a ramp or enough space inside, stay right where you are until something is done about it, maybe they will think a bit more about wheelchair users in the future.