Leisure
Getting
fit - and staying that way - is becoming an increasingly popular way of
life. But it's a fact of life that, for many people with disabilities,
problems start even before they get through the doors of the leisure centre,
swimming pool or golf club.
Peter Hull, the county development officer for disability sport, said
difficulties with access - such as lack of ramps and heavy non-automatic
doors - pose a real obstacle. That is why for this guide, volunteers looked
at access to various leisure sites as well as lighting - which is important
for visually-impaired people - changing rooms, toilets, cafe and washing
facilities. They looked for lifts with buttons at a convenient height,
and for equipment such as hoists for swimming pools or gym equipment which
can be adapted for wheelchair use.
At the Pyramids Centre, on Clarence Esplanade, there is a ramp, lift,
accessible changing facilities, toilets, cafe and shower, and a special
chair to wheel people into the pool until they reach a depth where the
water supports them.
At
the Victoria Swimming Pool, in Anglesea Road, there are staff trained
in sign language while employees at the Portsmouth Indoor Tennis Centre,
in Burnaby Road, already offer a special tennis session on Tuesday mornings.
Staff there said they were willing to undergo training to enable them
to offer better services.
Peter, a former disabled international swimmer who helped compile the
guide, advises people with a disability to get in touch with centres before
visiting - this will help managers, who are often keen to help, to prepare
for your visit. 'Generally we found the attitude of managers good,' he
said. 'Some places are better than others, though. The Pyramids is good.
The Mountbatten Centre has a problem with a steep hill outside but is
good once you get inside. Portsmouth is certainly no worse than other
places.'