Time to ramp up

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing this letter as I am tired and out of breath ... whew! This is a quick reminder – ramps to access buildings is an international mandate.

Public safety is at serious risk when the elevator in the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre remains out of use. So today you are so-called ‘fit and ready’. No, not likely that you will grow old or have a fracture or ‘sport’ injury.

Daily passengers with physical challenges simply cannot get easily to their bus of choice. They may even have to wheel around the centre to catch the required transportation.

It makes no sense to constantly inform the nation of the need for this legal access to buildings. The national parliament continues to defy its own legislation. There is no consequence or even boycott by members of parliament and senators to effect the change. Everybody is so comfortable in their air-conditioned spaces.

This lack of open doors closes effective employment for those supposedly governed by councils to advocate on their behalf. Instead of aiding those with limited walking ability, they ensure that those differently able have to live from hand to mouth. Many of these ‘disabled’ persons have no hands, and are not even able to beg.

The crass cruelty and indifference generously spreads like margarine in the behaviour even of the young. They will not offer, even with verbal coercion and scriptural admonition, to yield a bus seat to the elderly and infirm.

Institutions, stop romping with ramps! Ramp up!

WEAK TO THE FEET