Members from many organisations in the area accepted an invitation from Marlena O'Donnell the Community care officer for Wokingham Borough Council.  
 
The forum was well attended,and included the Access officer, The WAP Chairman, head of the Transport Dept, members of the volunteer service, Chairman of WAAG, the Reading blind group and the Reading deaf group.  
 
The idea of the Forum is to look at Access issues concerning  
1) Trains that not accessible for wheel chair users or sensory needs users.  
2) People who can not get on to public transport because of steps or use a collator to walk with.  
3) Electric Scooters getting on public transport, with out which some can not get to hospital appointments  
4) Readibus not picking up passengers at the hospital  
5) Taxis and the problems relating to their access. Some of the new cabs are too high making it difficult for disabled people to get in to them and on to the seats.  
6) Stations having no assistance after 6 pm, and ramps are locked up after this time restricting disabled people movement.  
7) Bus stops not having information for the blind and deaf, making it difficult for these groups to know where to get on or of buses  
8) A request for all transport drivers to have disability, and sensitivity training.  
 
All information taken or given at the forum will be used by Wokingham Borough Council to hopefully improve transport for the disabled in the area. Another meeting of the forum is expected in 6 months time.

written by David Gaskin, WAAG Chair, 15/10/2007

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