Advocate assesses access for disabled

FAIR GO: Masterton disability spokesman Peter Knighton is pressing the council for top-quality disability access to Masterton facilities. PHOTO/FILE

Masterton Disability spokesman Peter Knighton is pressing the council to maintain top-quality disability access to town buildings and facilities.

He recently raised his concerns about access to various public buildings and facilities around Masterton, focusing his efforts on bathroom access at the library, and access to equipment at the Genesis Recreation Centre.

He hopes the results of communication with the council will make it easier for the disabled in Masterton to enjoy what the town has to offer.

"My job is to make things easier for disabled people," Mr Knighton said.

"I'm interested in finding about what the needs are in the community, and if there is a need for equipment or anything else, I would like to know.

"What needs to be put in the Genesis Centre recreation centre to accommodate people with disabilities is a chair hoist, bidets in the disabled toilets, and a ramp for the spa pool.

"I'd also like the entry door of the public library made easier to open. It's really hard at both entrances for people with disabilities to open.

"Council told me that library staff are working to make the door lighter because when you open the door to the library toilets you have to unlock and push at the same time which is difficult for people in a wheelchair.

"I'm glad the council are fixing up education and awareness for pool staff around equipment and access." Masterton District Council spokesman Sam Rossiter-Stead said council are looking into improving the town's facilities to make them more consumer-friendly.

"CLM work closely with the disabled clients and care givers who utilise our facilities to make sure things are in place for them, and are always looking at making sure all facility users have access to what they require within the means of the fabric of the building," he said.

"The library has upgraded the locks of their toilets with specialist advice from the local locksmith to make sure the facilities work for their library users as well as the library environment."