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Whizz-Kidz consult on accessibility in Exhibition Road project

Four Whizz-Kidz ambassadors – Fatima, Alec, Henrique and Arunima – star in a new short-film, produced by The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), highlighting the challenges and dangers experienced by wheelchair users visiting London’s Exhibition Road.

The Council invited four Whizz-Kidz ambassadors to spend a day auditing and assessing the current design of Exhibition Road – home to institutions including the V&A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum. The film sees the young people, led by Arunima Misra, visiting the area before meeting with Councillors to contribute ideas on how its planned transformation ahead of the 2012 Olympics can best meet the needs of the many young disabled people who visit the street each year.

Whizz-Kidz young ambassadors consult on Exhibition Road in London from Whizz-Kidz on Vimeo.

Amongst Whizz-Kidz’s key findings were:

  • The Cromwell Road ‘pen’ crossings aren’t safe for wheelchair users.
  • Exhibition Road’s pavements are too narrow making wheelchair use challenging, especially for children.
  • The street’s curbs are too high for wheelchair users to control their chairs safely.

Whizz-Kidz Ambassador, and star of the film, Arunima Misra, 24, said:

“Whizz-Kidz young ambassadors are really pleased to be involved in auditing the current accessibility of Exhibition Road, and suggesting how the transformation project can improve access for wheelchair-users.

“As young people, we want to be able to enjoy the museums and restaurants in the area with the same ease as non-disabled visitors. It is vital that street furniture is minimised, and road crossings and surfaces are friendly to those using mobility equipment. We look forward to watching the development, and remaining close to advising and testing access along the way.”

With London visitor numbers set to soar in 2012, millions will visit the street to take advantage of the free cultural activities available, however the road is currently an accident blackspot served by narrow pavements and unsuitable crossings. The final stage of the Exhibition Road project launched in February and will reduce traffic speed and congestion and provide visitors and residents with more pedestrian space and better access to enjoy the museums.

Cllr Nicholas Paget-Brown, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea said:

“We’re all excited about the work which is under way to transform Exhibition Road into a streetscape which is both fitting for the world-class institutions it is home to and accessible to all. In just one day we learnt a lot from Whizz-Kidz and will continue to work with them to ensure the street is safe for all wheelchair users.”

Written March 11th, 2010. Posted in Campaign News, News