Mobility problems may be due to a variety of causes and may include:
- Diminished movement.
- Use of wheelchair, crutches, walking aid.
- Inability to reach venues.
- Inability to leave home.
Making open meetings accessible
- Review all venues in terms of steps, ramps, handrails, accessible toilets, lifts, easy opening of doors.
- Ask members what help they require.
- Provide suitable space for wheelchairs at meetings and offer practical assistance.
- Encourage carers to accompany a member.
- Look at accessibility implications for parking at venues.
- Make it clear what to do in an emergency.
- Suggest car sharing.
Making interest groups accessible
- Be flexible about meeting in members’ homes, are they accessible?
- Could the member with the mobility issue host the group?
- Consider meeting in retirement and/or care homes.
- Look for venues with easy access for those with mobility problems (libraries, cafes, pubs, local care homes, even some supermarkets). Ask around – one u3a uses a fire station!
For access to support from other organisations please click here