Kissing gates at Coventry park are discriminatory, says disabled woman...

[dutchman]

“I want to be able to enjoy the park like everyone else," said Ava



A disabled park user has issued a plea to Coventry council to replace sets of “discriminatory” gates which leaves large parts inaccessible.

Ava Clarke said she enjoys visiting Coundon Hall Park as it gives her a chance to be independent and helps with her mental health.

The 46-year-old has cerebellar ataxia, which affects her balance and coordination, but struggles to use the park on her own as her mobility scooter cannot navigate the various kissing gates installed through the park and woods.

Kissing gates are a v-shaped gate which allow one person to pass through at a time, and three exits/entrances to the park woods use this mechanism. However Ava said it’s impossible for her to pass through alone.

Even with help from others it is a struggle, with activities such as her weekly trip to the park with the Coventry Dog Walkers group proving problematic, as members have to take alternative routes so Ava is not left behind.

She said: “It makes you feel not very good really as I cannot go where other people go.

“I want to be able to enjoy the park like everyone else.

“Coming to the park gives me independence and I have really enjoyed it.

“But it is very awkward for me to get through. I have to hold on to something or I fall over. I do not feel very comfortable at all.”

Ava and her partner Simon Shaw have been asking Coventry City Council to replace the gates since the start of the pandemic last March.

Mr Shaw said the authority has made some progress in replacing two sets of kissing gates to access the park with new ‘a-frame’ and ‘k-barrier’ mechanisms, while is also thankful of new paving put down.

However the woods still remain inaccessible via the remaining kissing gates, with Ava having to trawl through a hazardous man-made path between gaps in the trees if she is to get through.

The pair believe the remaining gates discriminate against disabled park users who use mobility scooters, manual and electric wheelchairs and want them replaced.

The pair believe the remaining gates discriminate against disabled park users who use mobility scooters, manual and electric wheelchairs and want them replaced.