The View from Where I Sit

Tag: the view from where i sit versus the view from where you sit

  • Access Granted or Access Denied?

    Access Granted or Access Denied?

    There is a very big difference wheelchair accessible and wheelchair welcome. People with disabilities are often more disabled by societal aspects like inaccessibility and ableism than we are by our own conditions.

    In 2026, navigating the world as a wheelchair user continues to feel like a constant struggle, despite the fact that there are approximately 80 million of us globally. And what’s even more frustrating is that all of the barriers we face are entirely avoidable/preventable.

    People may not want to hear it, but inaccessibility is just another form of segregation, and we cannot continue to sit and watch idly as 80 million people (approximately 1% of the global population) are still completely unable to access so many things. From shops, to medical facilities, to restaurants, holidays and leisure activities, wheelchair users are continuing to face unnecessary barriers everywhere. It needs to stop.

    Are there any other access barriers you can think of that we may not have included here?

    Web Accessibility
    When websites aren’t designed with screen readers, color contrast, keyboard navigation or font size & style in mind, millions for users, including those of us who are blind, we are excluded from accessing vital information.
    • Resource: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
    • Learn More: Accessibility features such as alt text for images, proper heading structures, and accessible forms can make all the difference. Capitalizing the first letter of every word after a # allows our screen readers the ability to read the hashtag #MakingADifference instead of #makingadifference.

    Physical Accessibility

    When we can’t access your building, you create a barrier for us. Buildings without ramps, automatic doors, tactile paving, or proper signage prevent people with disabilities from accessing public spaces. Physical barriers can prevent participation in social, professional, or personal activities.
    • Resource: Rick Hansen Foundation. Standards for Accessible Design
    • Learn More: Simple design changes like adding ramps, elevators, or accessible restrooms can foster inclusion.

    Accessible Recruitment Processes

    When your recruitment process isn’t accessible, you create a barrier for us. When job applications and interviews aren’t accessible, companies lose out on valuable talent. Recruitment should accommodate everyone, including candidates living with disabilities, by offering alternatives like online interviews, accessible application forms, and inclusive onboarding processes. One way does not work for everyone, being welcoming and open to working with individuals to find solutions leads to productivity.
    • Resource: Job Accommodation Network (JAN) – Recruitment and Hiring

    Inclusive Company Culture

    When your company culture isn’t accessible, you create a barrier for us. It’s not just about getting people through the door; it’s about creating a work environment where everyone can succeed. This includes providing assistive technologies, offering flexible work hours, and fostering a culture of inclusivity. This is not an expensive process. In fact there are Grants available to make spaces more inclusive and accessible.
    • Resource: Disability:IN – Inclusive Culture Guide

    Accessible Content
    Content, whether it’s a video, a document, or social media, needs to be accessible to everyone. Captioned videos, transcriptions for audio content, and using accessible fonts and color contrasts are key to reaching a broader audience.
    • Resource: W3C Accessibility Resources

    Together, we can break through barriers. Accessibility is about equity and inclusion. By making conscious efforts to improve accessibility in all areas, we create barrier free spaces.

    Let’s challenge the status quo and make a commitment to creating a world where everyone can fully participate. Being mindful we will all be 80 years old one day and everyone of us will need some accommodation or assistance. Lets all age knowing life will be easier for us when we need the accessibility for ourself or loved ones.

    This is the View from Where I Sit!

  • International Wheelchair Day


    International Wheelchair Day reminds us that mobility isn’t one-size-fits-all — and that wheels deserve far more appreciation than they get. For many people, a wheelchair isn’t a symbol of limitation but freedom, independence, and the ability to move through the world on their own terms (and occasionally overtake slow walkers without meaning to).

    The day celebrates wheelchair users worldwide while recognising the innovation and advocacy that continue to improve accessibility. It’s about real visibility — everyday disabled lives, not inspirational clichés.

    Wheelchairs also have a fascinating history. Here are ten facts you might not know:

    1. The first recorded wheelchair dates to the 1500s and was built for a Spanish king — accessibility started when royalty demanded convenience.
    2. Many modern chairs use aerospace-grade metals like aluminium or titanium. Yes, some wheelchairs are basically engineering show-offs.
    3. Wheelchair sports helped drive better everyday chair design through demands for performance and durability.
    4. Chairs are customised down to millimetres because fit directly affects health and comfort.
    5. Manual wheelchair use can burn energy similar to light cycling — wheeling absolutely counts as cardio.
    6. Power chairs can cost as much as a small car yet rarely include cup holders, which feels like a missed opportunity.
    7. Many users personalise their chairs with colours and accessories, turning mobility aids into self-expression.
    8. Front wheels, called casters, mysteriously detect every bump in existence.
    9. Ramps and curb cuts benefit everyone, from parents with prams to travellers with luggage.
    10. Mobility isn’t fixed — many users switch aids depending on fatigue, pain, or environment.

    International Wheelchair Day ultimately celebrates autonomy and the reality that mobility looks different for everyone. A wheelchair doesn’t restrict life; it helps people live it fully — ideally on smoother pavements everywhere.

    Happy Wheeling!

  • Black Disability History Matters

    It is vital to acknowledge and honor Black Disability History since Black disabled people have made such a paramount impact in leading our community and passing legislation for disability rights. This is where intersectionality plays a big role in the community because the Disability Rights Movement was crossed over and modeled from the Civil Rights Movement.

    Not only were many of these historical disabled Black activists fighting for their civil rights and to just exist peacefully, they were also facing discrimination for their disabilities and facing challenges with access & medical needs. Many of these activists also brought over their wisdom from protesting for the Civil Rights Movement and even being members of the Black Panthers.

    Also, it’s even more important that we honor them because non-disabled people already leave disabled people out of history, much less Black disability history. We know more than anyone we are the marginalized group that is always forgotten about. So do not forget to acknowledge our disabled Black brothers and sisters.

  • Storage Limitation vs Purpose Limitation in GDPR

    Under GDPR, the storage limitation principle mandates that personal data should only be retained as long as necessary for its intended purpose, while the purpose limitation principle requires that data be collected for specific, legitimate purposes and not further processed in a way that is incompatible with those purposes.


    Storage Limitation Principle
    The storage limitation principle is outlined in Article 5(1)(e) of the GDPR. It states that personal data must be kept in a form that allows identification of data subjects for no longer than necessary for the purposes for which the data is processed. Here are the key points:


    Retention Periods: Organizations must define and document how long they will retain personal data based on its intended purpose. Once the purpose is fulfilled, the data should be deleted or anonymized.


    Regular Reviews: It is essential to conduct periodic reviews of stored data to ensure compliance with retention policies and to delete any data that is no longer necessary.


    Legal Obligations: In some cases, data may need to be retained for longer periods due to legal obligations, such as tax or accounting laws.


    Purpose Limitation Principle
    The purpose limitation principle, also found in Article 5(1)(b) of the GDPR, requires that personal data be collected for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes. Key aspects include:


    Specified Purposes: Organizations must clearly define the purposes for which personal data is collected at the time of collection. This helps ensure transparency and accountability.


    Incompatibility of Further Processing: Data collected for one purpose cannot be used for another purpose that is incompatible with the original intent. For example, if data is collected for marketing, it cannot be used for recruitment without a valid legal basis.


    Function Creep Prevention: Organizations should regularly review their data processing activities to prevent “function creep,” where data is used for purposes beyond those originally specified.

    Best Practices for Compliance
    Develop Retention Policies: Organizations should create clear data retention policies that specify how long different types of data will be kept and the conditions for deletion.


    Conduct Data Audits:     Regular audits of data holdings can help identify unnecessary data and ensure compliance with both storage and purpose limitation principles.


    Educate Staff: Training staff on GDPR compliance and the importance of these principles can help mitigate risks associated with data retention and processing.

    By adhering to these principles, organizations can protect individuals’ privacy and ensure compliance with GDPR regulations.

  • The 7 Principles of GDPR

    1. Lawfulness, Fairness, and Transparency- Personal data must, be processed lawfully, fairly, and in a transparent manner.
    2. Purpose Limitation- Collected for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes.
    3. Data Minimization- Adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary.
    4. Accuracy– Kept accurate and up to date
    5. Storage Limitation- Personal data kept in an identifiable form for no longer than necessary.
    6. Integrity and Confidentiality- Ensuring security of personal data against unauthorised processing and loss.
    7. Accountability– Demonstrate compliance with the other principles.

  • Access Consultancy Proposals

    For access consultancy proposals, you can explore the following resources:


    Real Proposals: Download real consulting proposals from firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain to get inspiration and structure ideas for your own proposals.

    Government Requests for Proposals (RFPs): Check for RFPs related to access consultancy, such as the one for a UK City of Culture, which invites proposals for capital and building projects.


    Access Consultant Services: Look for services that provide access consultancy, including design reviews and access audits, to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.

    These resources can help you understand the requirements and structure for consultancy proposals in the access consultancy field.

  • Access consultancy services under the Equality Act


    Access consultancy services under the Equality Act 2010 are essential for organizations to ensure they are not unlawfully discriminating against people with disabilities. These services include:


    Access Audits:     Assessing a building or environment against best-practice standards to benchmark its accessibility to disabled people.

    Access Strategies: Developing a plan to improve accessibility and meet legal obligations under the Equality Act.

    Access Training: Providing training to help organizations understand their legal duties and implement necessary adjustments.

    Access Appraisals: Evaluating the accessibility of a building or service to identify barriers and recommend reasonable adjustments.

    These services are crucial for organizations to demonstrate compliance with the Equality Act and to create inclusive environments that benefit all users, including disabled people.

  • Access Audits and Access Appraisals

    Access audits and appraisals are both essential processes in ensuring the accessibility of environments and services. However, they serve different purposes and are conducted in different contexts.


    Access Audits: These are typically conducted for existing buildings or environments to identify and improve accessibility. They are not a checklist but a detailed appraisal of the accessibility of an environment, its facilities, and any services delivered from it. Access audits are carried out by specialists such as architects, occupational therapists, access consultants, and people with disabilities.

    Access Appraisals: These are usually part of the design process for new buildings or environments. They are more detailed and focus on the design and planning stages, ensuring that the principles of inclusive design are embedded within the project from the outset. Access appraisals are tailored to the unique context and requirements of the client, providing a detailed analysis of access improvements that can be fully integrated into a project.

    In summary, access audits are focused on existing environments to improve accessibility, while access appraisals are part of the design process for new environments to ensure inclusive design principles are met. Both processes are crucial for creating environments that are welcoming and accessible to all users.

    https://aboutaccess.co.uk/services/access-consultancy/

  • The Eisenhower Matrix

    The Eisenhower Matrix is a powerful time management tool that helps you prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.


    What is the Eisenhower Matrix?
    The matrix is named after Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, who emphasized the importance of prioritizing tasks effectively.

    The Four Quadrants
    Urgent and Important (Do First): Tasks that require immediate action and are critical to your goals. These should be your top priority.
    Important but Not Urgent (Schedule): Tasks that are important for your long-term success but do not require immediate action. Schedule these tasks for later.
    Urgent but Not Important (Delegate): Tasks that require immediate attention but do not significantly contribute to your long-term goals. Delegate these tasks if possible.
    Not Urgent and Not Important (Eliminate): Tasks that are neither urgent nor important. These should be minimized or eliminated from your to-do list.

    How to Use the Eisenhower Matrix
    Draw the Matrix: Create a four-box grid with the x-axis labeled “Urgent” and “Not Urgent,” and the y-axis labeled “Important” and “Not Important.”
    Categorize Tasks: List your tasks and place them in the appropriate quadrant based on their urgency and importance.
    Take Action: Focus on completing tasks in the “Urgent and Important” quadrant first, then schedule time for “Important but Not Urgent” tasks, delegate “Urgent but Not Important” tasks, and eliminate “Not Urgent and Not Important” tasks.

    Benefits of the Eisenhower Matrix
    Improved Focus: Helps you concentrate on tasks that align with your long-term goals.
    Reduced Stress: By prioritizing effectively, you can manage your workload better and avoid last-minute rushes.
    Enhanced Productivity: Encourages you to work smarter, not harder, by focusing on what truly matters.

    Conclusion
    The Eisenhower Matrix is a valuable tool for anyone looking to enhance their productivity and time management skills. By categorizing tasks based on urgency and importance, you can make informed decisions about where to focus your efforts, ultimately leading to greater efficiency and effectiveness in both personal and professional settings.

  • Wheelchair Access at the London 2012 Paralympic Games


    Travelling in London for the Paralympic Games was quite an adventure. My sole purpose at the Games was to report about the Bermudian Paralympian Jessica Lewis, who competed in the Wheelchair Track Events there. However, aside from that I also observed other issues like accessibility on transport, especially during this special sporting event.


    Overall, it was a quite pleasant and positive experience. I didn’t have any experiences where I had to complain about inaccessibility or poor services. This subject is important to me as I am a wheelchair user and mobility is always an on going problem for people who have little or no use of their lower extremities. Another reason why I’ve chosen to report on this is to make comparisons between accessibility in Bermuda’s Public Transport System and accessibility in London’s Public Transport system.


    From my point of view, I think that London’s Public Transport System is better organised than Bermuda’s because the staff members seem to be more experienced and therefore know what to do, especially if something was to go wrong.

    For example, one afternoon while I was travelling to the Olympic Stadium, I had to get on the bus but the ramp on it was malfunctioning. So when the staff saw this, they reported it, called for a new one and before you knew it, it arrived in no time. This proved to me that their services are fast and efficient.


    Unfortunately, in Bermuda, that has not been my experience. In the UK, it is apparently mandatory for all public transport to be fully equipped to serve the physically challenged community. However, in Bermuda we don’t have any laws in place to hold the Public Transport System accountable for how they give their services to people who have mobility problems.


    A few years ago, our former Premier did try to improve the wheelchair accessibility of the public buses by bringing in new ones with ramps. However, a problem occurred where the size of the gap between the buses and the sidewalks were not measured properly so this plan unfortunately did not work.


    While being in London for the past two weeks, I generally enjoyed travelling on the buses and the shuttle. All of the public places that I visited were wheelchair friendly and were implemented with both ramps and elevators to make getting around easier for me and other physically challenged people.


    However, on my way back, returning from London, I did experience a problem getting to the coach station. As I travelled on the buses in London, I noticed that there were short messages on the windows that said, “This area is designated for wheelchair users and baby buggies,” or it would say, “Please give preference to wheelchair users.”


    However, when there is a baby buggy on the bus, wheelchair users are not allowed. So while I travelled back from London, this created a problem. I ended up watching six buses go by as the wheelchair spaces were occupied with baby buggies which prevented me from getting on. The full buses were due to the athlete’s parade that was going on to officially end the London 2012 Paralympic Games. As time went by, I ended up changing my plans and turned to the train service for help. Two gentlemen kindly lifted me down the stairs in my wheelchair and onto the train.


    This train then took me to the coach station and from there I waited for my coach to arrive. When it arrived, the driver operated the lift which brought my wheelchair on the coach and then I transferred to a regular seat and went on my way back home.