A LOCAL disability organisation is embarking on a project to identify areas in their towns where there are access issues.
The Stewartry Coalition of Disabled People is organising what it is calling its ‘big map’ project and is holding three public meetings around the Stewartry. They hope disabled people with local knowledge of where there are problems will come along to share the information.
The first of three meetings is on Wednesday, February 18, at Castle Douglas Community Centre on Cotton Street from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Douglas Phoenix of the Coalition said: “We’re having Ordnance Survey maps magnified and are asking people to come along and put a coloured marker to identify problem areas.
“These might be uneven pavements, problems at road crossings or flush junctions.”
When the surveys have been completed the maps will be sent to the roads department. Douglas said: “We hope the information we collect will be helpful to them when they are making their plans.
“We’ll also have a flipchart on which people can indicate where they are encountering difficulties accessing shops and goods and services. We also want people to record where there is good access.”
During the mapping afternoons representatives from the benefits maximisation team and the direct payments support service will be available to answer questions and provide advice. Ian Walker, from the Accessible Transport Forum, will also be on hand to hear of access issues on public transport.
Douglas said: “I want to emphasise the afternoon will be quite informal. We hope disabled people will drop in and enjoy a cup of tea and a blether. Personal assistants will be on hand to help anyone who has access or mobility issues.”
The first of the four meetings is at Castle Douglas Community Centre on Wednesday, February 18 from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
The next meetings will be in Dalbeattie on Wednesday, March 4 in the lesser town hall from 10.30am to 12.30pm; Monday, March 16 at Kirkcudbright lesser town hall from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and Monday, March 30 at Gatehouse Community Centre from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
