What is Arthritis Care in Central England doing?

Arthritis Care in Central England is calling for full accessibility to the built environment. We have recently surveyed the accessibility of MPs’ surgeries.

A local success

Disability groups in Walsall have managed to get the local council to think again about its plans for accessible parking in the city centre.

• The council's plans to ‘gentrify’ Walsall city centre by making the civic quarter a more pleasant environment and attraction for tourists and residents alike fell foul of disabled people.
  
• Sheila Withers, an Arthritis Care campaigns network volunteer, led a multi-agency campaign to get the City Council to rethink its plans for reducing Blue Badge parking spaces. Originally the council said it had consulted disabled people, only to have this challenged.
  
• The campaign forced the Labour group leader on the council to say that, in future, the council must learn to consult with groups before it instigated plans. Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council has re-introduced extra parking spaces for disabled people.

What can I do?

• You can let us know what you think by email, phone or post
• Lobby your local MP or councillor
• Join a local Arthritis Care branch for support
• Join the Arthritis Care Campaigners Network for guidance and useful online tools
• Write a letter to Arthritis News (Editor@Arthritiscare.org.uk)