It seems like forever since I last blogged and there is a lot to catch up with too.

Last week I attend the Mayor's "At Home" event where local people who have selflessly given their time to help others in the community were recognised with a Mayor's Community Award.  One recipient, Fran O'Brien, was recognised for her work with disabled young people.  Through her work with YADAPA (Young and Disabled and Positively Artistic) she has been able to provide opportunities many young disabled people to get involved with all forms of visual arts (drawing, painting, sculpture) and drama.  I recently met with her at KCIL to find out more about her work and I have been lucky enough to be invited to attend one of her art and drama sessions in Kingston.  Watch this space for more about YADAPA.

Also last week, the national charity, Guide Dogs, were given the go ahead to challenge a local authorities planned single-space scheme, where drivers and pedestrians share the same space. Since agreeing priority is dependent on pedestrians, cyclists and drivers making eye contact with each other, people who are blind or visually impaired are going to be disadvantaged.  Up until four years ago when I had a corneal transplant I was partially blind in my left eye and my overall vision was severely limited. Although I am now able to see very well, had I not had my operation, I would be facing some of the same challenges that Guide Dogs are trying to highlight with their campaign.  I personally feel that more consideration will need to be given to the needs of blind and partially sighted people and people from other vulnerable groups such as older adults, before any more of these planned street developments are approved.

And, finally, yesterday I discovered the existence of Priority Seat Cards.  Whilst I don't need a priority seat myself, I know many disabled people have said that they don't always feel confident enough to ask someone in a priority seat to give it up to allow a disabled person to sit down.  The problem is how you identify that the person sitting in the priority seat doesn't meet the criteria. Some people need the seat for reasons that are not always immediately obvious and so I can understand why someone might hesitate to ask to be allowed to take the priority seat for themselves. However, if you do need the seat and the other person turns out not to be a priority seat passenger and fails to offer up their seat, then having a Priority Seat Card would certainly help.

I do know that Southern Railway offers a Priority Seat Card which you can apply for online at www.southernrailways.com/priority .  I have since contacted Transport for London (TfL) to see whether they have anything equivalent to this but  was told that they do not. However the person I spoke to in customers services at TfL thought the cards were a very good idea and so she will be passing my suggestion on to someone who may be able to do something about it……..

Well, I think that is about enough for today.  Don't forget to leave your comments if you would like to respond to my blog.