A disabled access improvement group on Skye has expressed disappointment after it had to postpone a Wheelchair Awareness Day organised for local councillors because some could not attend.
The Skye and Lochalsh Access Panel is calling on residents to let councillors know how important it is that they experience the event.
The four ward members were due to carry out a number of tasks, each using four different types of wheelchair, at the event to take place in Portree and Broadford on Friday.
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It was to give them an insight into the lives of wheelchair users on Skye.
However, the event has been postponed after it emerged that not all councillors will be available on the day, and some only available for part of the day.
The councillors yesterday insisted that they are keen to take part in the event, and that it had been a case of miscommunication.
James Greer, chairman of Skye and Lochalsh Access Panel, said: “Skye and Lochalsh Access Panel have put a huge amount of thought, planning, research and hard work into preparing for this Wheelchair Awareness Day.
“It has taken time to obtain four different types of wheelchair for the day in order that all four councillors experience each of them in turn. Many wheelchair users, their families and carers have contributed to ensure that all four councillors experience the reality of what it is like for wheelchair users in Skye on a daily basis. Others have given of their time freely for the day in order to support the event.
“People with disabilities, and wheelchair users in particular, were excited at the prospect that all of our councillors in Skye would be able to better understand the typical barriers to access they experience on a daily basis and looked forward to hearing of the councillors’ own experiences of wheelchair use at the end of the day.”
The panel and the councillors are not looking to arrange a new date for the event.
Councillor John Finlayson said: “This is an unfortunate situation which is down to miscommunication and members not appreciating the expectations of the access panel in advance which will be discussed with them fully the next time.
“All Skye members are appreciative of the work done by the Access Panel and give them their full support. We all look forward to meeting with their chairman in the near future and to organising an awareness day that is jointly planned and of mutual benefit.”
