RENOWNED businesses in York are still failing to provide suitable access for disabled customers, ten years to the day since legislation came into effect.

The Press visited a number of city-centre stores with Laura Branigan, 48, a mobility scooter user to see if companies were complying with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), which states shops must be accessible for all.

Some shops were complying by setting up portable ramps when asked, however, others could not provide access or, when they did, it was too small for the pavement, leaving Laura stranded.

She said: "If they had personal experience of a disability with their friends or family they would make much more of an effort. York is lovely but it's hard as a disabled person because of the cobbled streets. I come in but only go to limited places."

A member of staff at Thomas The Baker in Market Street said they could not put a portable ramp at the front of their building because it was Listed.

York Press:

While some Listed buildings are protected from extensions, there is nothing preventing them from helping disabled customers by putting a removable metal ramp down.

The company was unavailable to comment when contacted by The Press.

At Greggs' Pavement shop, Laura, an auditor and Healthwatch volunteer from Clifton Moor, was again left stranded as there was no ramp available to bypass a step. Staff said they had one until a few years ago but it was removed after complaints from people trying to get past.

York Press:

A company spokesperson said: “We understand our employee offered assistance in compliance with the DDA training we provide. However, our customers’ shopping experience is of paramount importance to Greggs and we will provide our shop teams better guidance on this.”

The Body Shop on Stonegate was visited by The Press nine years ago, when both the Coppergate Walk and Stonegate branches had a step but no ramp.

Yesterday, the step was still in place at Stonegate, however, a ramp is available on request.

Two members of staff set up the ramp for Laura, but the narrow pavement meant she could not ride on to the ramp from an angle.

She added: "They did try but it was humiliating because I knew I was being stared at.

"They had willing staff but it just didn't work.

"The attitudes amongst staff have improved over the years and they are beginning to realise this sort of thing shouldn't be acceptable.

"I still think access is a problem because York is always crowded and has cobbled streets, but it's improving all the time and attitudes are better."

She said she now called ahead before visiting places, and said: "Being disabled is like going out with a new born baby, but it shouldn't be like that."

At Henshelwoods Deli in Newgate, there was a step but the owner put an advertising board at the entrance as a makeshift ramp.

Laura said: "If I was somebody else I might just say 'that's not good enough', but I'm not like that and think it's okay she improvised and it's job done. She had a nice attitude and was willing to help, which is great for me.

"I love York and think it's beautiful but don't go into the city centre because I come across steps all the time.

"Things are improving and if somebody came to stay with me and I wanted to show off York I would come in, but it's rare that I'd could come in."

One of the better shops was Millets in Market Street, which had a portable ramp system ready on request.

The final part of the1995 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) became law on October 1, 2004, and said businesses had to take reasonable measures to make their premises accessible to all.

The DDA also requires public bodies to promote equal opportunities for all disabled people.

The late Lynn Jeffries, a former York councillor and chairman of Independent Living Network had lobbied in recent years for companies to adapt to the DDA.

Marije Davidson, Chairman of York Independent Living Network, said: "Accessibility is an ongoing commitment, not a one-off activity.

She said Cllr Jeffries had cited the example of a shopkeeper who painted the edges of their steps yellow to guide people with visual impairments, but had then let the paint fade until it became virtually invisible.

Ms Davidson said: "Just like disabled people want to choose where to do their business, it makes good sense for businesses to make sure that disabled people and their families shop with them. We don't want to visit shops on the grounds of how accessible they are, we want to have the same choice as other non-disabled people."

Carol Pack, information officer for Healthwatch York, said a report they produced in July about attitudes to disability had also shown many people faced physical barriers. She said: "It seems to be a mixed picture, with praise for some companies and organisations, but room for improvement."