"I would expect better use of space by a health based organisation"

I am a wheelchair user due to neurological problems in back and legs. Somedays can walk a few steps, some days need chair fully. 

When I heard Inclusion had opened in Gosport ( a year or so ago) I went to venue intending  to register myself for support. I was in chair and met by step of some 4" at entrance door. That put me off, and, although someone came to street to give me a leaflet I was not feeling good to return.

A few months ago, in greater need as my alcohol use had increased, I managed to park outside, walk in and register. Even so, I found the entry door very heavy to push open and step up through with a walking stick. I have had to have assessments with keyworker at other venues to make it accessible, but I really need to attend the group workshops held at Inclusion venue. This is an important part of my recover. But I feel restricted in accessibility due to

 - lack of ramped access from street

 - no toilet facilities on ground floor

an example of how this impedes me and does not offer me equality is yesterday :- 

-I was due to attend a 10am group, but as I prepared to leave home realised that I might need the toilet (I have neurological damage re bladder and need to visit loo often -also issue with bowel (complicated at present by a necessary medication which causes quite explosive diarrhoea with little or no warning) so I went back inside to my home loo and was extremely thankful that I had no result would have been very undignified if at Inclusion venue. But I missed that group workshop as a result! REALLY NOT GOOD. I continued down there for another workshop and meeting with keyworker but had to park aways and then leave my wheelchair outside in torrential rain. Although I tried to cover it and took towel to dry the seat, I still had problem as before I reached my care the chair stopped working, doubtless due to damp. I then had to try and freewheel push chair to car and, even with help from a couple of passerbys. managed to cause strain to my back with left me in extreme pain yesterday and also still today.

As a client I also found that printed sheets given to me to study (inc agreement) were so badly copied as to be illegible. I do not hav a visual impairment (+2.5) reading glasses) but print was so small and/or blurred that I had to really strain to see it and often just gave up. (cont.) This is a good sized and modern building so I would expect better use of space by a health based organisation.

I recently was invited on a 4 day course run by Inclusion but was unable to attend due to lack of access to facilities.

KEY POINTS.

-No easy access for wheelchair users as no ramp

-Heavy door and step access is very difficult for anyone with upper body impairments and stroke or for those with cognitive impairments inc such as brain injury or some forms of autism who may not be able to concentrate on 2 actions at time..

-No toilet facility of any type at ground level, let alone an accessible toilet.

-Handouts not always legible - should not good practice in print be used? Are leaflets/forms available in other formats.

-Not previously mentioned but, at Drop In times the reception can be busy, loud and personal. I was SHOCKED to encounter this and it made me extremely edgy.

Happy to be contacted for follow up