No two dollars from us

My kids love those "two dollar shops" or Variety shops as they are now called. Not this one in St Ives though.

We can't get in, we won't come and spend our money!

Gordon Post Office

It's raining cats and dogs today. Unfortunately, i had to run a few errants - an Xray, a visit to the supermarket, and the post office.

And there it all fell apart.

You see, the post office is located in the Gordon Village Arcade. And this is what it looks like

There is no street access, neither from the Pacific Highway nor from the Wade Lane entry. There is no ramp. No travellator. There is, of course, a lift. Which is vital.

But today, the lift is out of order. Which means the post office was not accessible to us. As are almost all the other shops in the Village Arcade (level 4 can be accerssed by lift from the Gordon Centre and footbridge over the highway).

For many people, the post office still provides a vital service. Its just not good enough that the only wheelchair access is not independently (electricity independent) accessible :-(

This whole access thing.

I've been trying to put my finger on why this whole access thing bothers me so much. And last week I posted a picture on our Instagram account and it became clear.

This is the photo I posted.

We got a response quickly.

See, that response is fairly typical. It generally goes along those lines of "of course we wouldn't dream of not serving you/not letting you in. Just contact us and we'll bring it over to you". Or, "just swing by at the back entrance".

I'm sick and tired of that response.

It's simply not good enough.

It's disability discrimination.

There is an old trick to work out if something is discrimination or not. It's called "swap the minority".  If it's still ok it's ok. If it's not, it's not.

Would it be ok if Jewish customers are not able to access the shop via the front door but need to place their order and wait outside till staff bring it out?  Was it ok when black people had to use the back entrance to be served?

Now, I concede that some physical adjustment would have to be made for wheelchair users that other minorities would not need. But when shops and cafes and restaurants spend bucketloads on fitting out their  establishments to reflect their ethos or brand or "vibe", can they really not spend a bit more on constructing a ramp? It's handy for people with wheelchairs. And vision impairments. And mothers with prams. And the delivery guy with his trolley stacked full of boxes.

I understand too that many shops and cafes don't own the building they operate from. But talk to your landlord (and council) about access. If all else fails, build an internal ramp. Just stop discriminating.

Having a disability is one of those things, it does makeslife more complicated. But what really makes it difficult is the built environment that keeps people out, and the prevailing negative attitude towards people with disability. 

A wheelchair is just as much an enabling device as a pair of glasses is. 

And locking people out is with a step is just as discriminatory as hanging a "whites only" sign in your front window.

Enough already!

Accessible fish and chips in St Ives

Good on Olympia - some small renovation and hey presto....

Woolworths Gordon Center

Clip on wheelchair trolley at Woollies, Gordon Center.

Join us!

Send your photos and/or review to:

inaccessiblekuringgai@gmail.com

Also, you can find us on Instagram under InAccessibleKuringgai

Let's dance.

On Friday the 17th of April, Discobility comes to Ku-ring-gai again!

"Ku-ring-gai Council Youth Services encourage young people aged 12-24 years with special needs to dress up in a “70’s Disco/Hippy” style. The fun dance party is held at the Fitz Youth Centre, St Ives (Off Memorial Avenue) on Friday April 17 from 7pm-10pm.  

Discobility offers a great opportunity for young people in the community to meet new friends and engage within their community. It allows young people with special needs to enjoy a fun and exciting social event. Entry is $5 which includes food and drink during the evening. Music will be provided by the very famous DJ Andy.

 

Discobility will be supervised by youth workers from Ku-ring-gai Council. There is wheelchair access and a disabled toilet onsite.

 

All attendees must bring a completed declaration and indemnity form. 

These can be  be downloaded from kmc.nsw.gov.au/discobility."