Motor neurone disease victim Gordon Aikman.
A TERMINALLY ill charity campaigner who missed introducing Ed Miliband at the Labour conference after he had to call three taxis to pick him up has called for better treatment for disabled passengers.
Former Labour strategist Gordon Aikman – who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) last May – has made a formal complaint to Central Taxis as the first taxi he called to take him on the ten-minute journey to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre drove away as he was too slow to get to the door.
“ I’m still getting used to being in a wheelchair and I didn’t realise that getting transport like taxis can be such a problem. It’s shocking.”
Gordon Aikman
The second taxi did not have a working wheelchair ramp.
Central Taxis boss Tony Kenmuir said he was concerned for Mr Aikman but his staff had done everything they could to address the problem.
Mr Aikman, of Meadowbank, met with council leader Andrew Burns yesterday to discuss the problems he has faced since he became wheelchair-bound a few weeks ago.
The 29-year-old said: “I’m still getting used to being in a wheelchair and I didn’t realise that getting transport like taxis can be such a problem. It’s shocking.
“Some drivers have driven past me and even when they do stop you can’t be sure that the ramps will work. We can and should do better than this.
“I had a positive meeting with Andrew Burns and we’ve agreed to work together to find a way to sort this out.”
Following their meeting, Councillor Burns said Mr Aikman’s experience was “unacceptable” and the council would work towards improving the situation for anyone with a disability.
Cllr Burns said: “What happened to Gordon is, of course, completely unacceptable.
“The purpose of today’s meeting was to discuss what we can do to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
“And we did discuss, and agree, various actions that we can take as the licensing authority to help towards that end.
“We want to make sure that wheelchair users in Edinburgh have a positive experience when using taxis and I would like to thank Gordon for highlighting this very important issue.”
Mr Aikman has also set up a meeting with Transport Minister Derek Mackay to discuss the issue.
Charity Capability Scotland warned that the problem is widespread and many disabled people face poor access to public transport as well as taxis.
A spokesman for the Edinburgh-based charity said: “Many disabled people will identify with the issues around access to taxis.
“We know that some taxi drivers will do everything they can to assist disabled passengers. However, we still hear of too many instances of disabled people having a poor passenger experience.
“Poor access to public transport, including taxis, is not only annoying and frustrating, it can also limit employment opportunities and educational choices, [and] cause disabled people to miss healthcare appointments and social engagements.
“It is therefore important that taxi companies, local authorities and other relevant agencies listen to what disabled passengers are telling them and work together to ensure disabled people aren’t left stranded in the future.”
Since his diagnosis, Mr Aikman has raised more than £221,000 for MND Scotland.
His campaign has also been credited with influencing First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s decision in January to fund specialist MND nurses, who are currently paid for by charitable donations.
source: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/
Disabled campaigner who missed appointment with Ed Miliband wins taxi action pledge
An action plan to improve the accessibility of taxis in Scotland’s capital has been agreed, after a Fife man missed his chance to introduce Ed Miliband at the Labour conference.
Kirkcaldy campaigner Gordon Aikman — who has motor neurone disease — struggled to find a taxi able to accommodate his wheelchair.
He was due to introduce the Labour Party leader on stage but missed out because two taxis he called were unable to pick him up — one because the electric ramp was not working and the other because he “took too long to come down” and get in the taxi.
Mr Aikman’s plight saw City of Edinburgh Council leader Andrew Burns and regulatory convener Gavin Barrie meet him to discuss his concerns.
Calling the situation “completely unacceptable” Mr Burns said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss what could be done to make sure it does not happen again.
“We have identified steps that we can take, as the licensing authority for taxis in the city, to ensure these vehicles are accessible to wheelchair users.
“For example, we will be cracking down on drivers who fail to stop for disabled customers and increasing the number of spot checks to check that the taxis’ ramps are operational.
“We will also be calling for taxi companies to review their allocated waiting time for collections, with a view to extending this for people with mobility issues.
“We want to make sure that wheelchair users in Edinburgh have a positive experience when using taxis and I would like to thank Gordon for highlighting this very important issue.”
Other actions agreed include a review of current driver training arrangements to improve accessibility training and looking at introducing refresher courses.
Taxi drivers who are exempt from manually loading wheelchairs for health reasons may also be asked to display a prominent sign on their vehicle showing they are not accessible.
The agreed measures will now be taken forward by the council.
Mr Aikman said: “This crackdown is very welcome. Wheelchair or not, each and every one of us should be able to get into a cab and get from A to B without any hassle.
“I’ve only been in a wheelchair for a couple of weeks but have been shocked by the treatment disabled folk have to put up with.
“I hope other councils follow Edinburgh’s lead. This is not about special treatment. It is about equal access. No disabled person should have to put up with second-rate service.”
source: http://www.thecourier.co.uk/
