5
How good are your driving skills?
I agree with another reviewer that the doors are very heavy, luckily for me, the doors are open all the time to improve ventilation as a result of the pandemic which is great for easy access. I have found the staff to be lovely and will go out of their way to accommodate me as a wheelchair user. The reception area is positioned in such a way that they would be able to spot someone struggling with the door. Before the pandemic when the doors were closed, I would wave from the door to get help. Perhaps a doorbell would be a helpful improvement?
When I go for an eye test I normally phone and let them know that I'm in a wheelchair so that they know I'll need extra room. But I recently used the online booking system for the first time but have been told that wheelchair users should only book through the phone – which is disappointing. I had to rearrange my appointment due to accessibility issues despite there being no indication on the website that the room linked with the chosen date was inaccessible. Hopefully, this is something which can be improved for the future. The eye test chair is removed for my test so that I can back my wheelchair into the space, and this negates the need for transferring (which I can no longer do). If you have an eye test booked upstairs, then it can be accessed by the back door which is easy to get to by going through the alleyway – although it is quite narrow. The shop is quite difficult to navigate with a wheelchair due to the limited space. I've got to be very careful when maneuvering past all of the equipment which is quite difficult especially when I need a new pair of glasses lol.
It would be helpful if Specsavers Elgin highlighted the procedures, they have in place to help people with disabilities to avoid confusion and aid in a smoother visit. I believe that the staff do the best they can with the resources they have.
I agree with another reviewer that the doors are very heavy, luckily for me, the doors are open all the time to improve ventilation as a result of the pandemic which is great for easy access. I have found the staff to be lovely and will go out of their way to accommodate me as a wheelchair user. The reception area is positioned in such a way that they would be able to spot someone struggling with the door. Before the pandemic when the doors were closed, I would wave from the door to get help. Perhaps a doorbell would be a helpful improvement?
When I go for an eye test I normally phone and let them know that I'm in a wheelchair so that they know I'll need extra room. But I recently used the online booking system for the first time but have been told that wheelchair users should only book through the phone – which is disappointing. I had to rearrange my appointment due to accessibility issues despite there being no indication on the website that the room linked with the chosen date was inaccessible. Hopefully, this is something which can be improved for the future. The eye test chair is removed for my test so that I can back my wheelchair into the space, and this negates the need for transferring (which I can no longer do). If you have an eye test booked upstairs, then it can be accessed by the back door which is easy to get to by going through the alleyway – although it is quite narrow. The shop is quite difficult to navigate with a wheelchair due to the limited space. I've got to be very careful when maneuvering past all of the equipment which is quite difficult especially when I need a new pair of glasses lol.
It would be helpful if Specsavers Elgin highlighted the procedures, they have in place to help people with disabilities to avoid confusion and aid in a smoother visit. I believe that the staff do the best they can with the resources they have.
For additional detailed accessibility information, please contact: IV301BJ@euansguide.com
