OT:What would you do if you couldn't buy fashion any more? - YouLookFab Forum

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OT:What would you do if you couldn't buy fashion any more?

Bluebell

I'm not sure if I'm ok posting this on the forum? If I'm not please remove this post Angie I'm just trying to spread some awareness of how many fashion houses are breaking the law refusing to adapt their stores for disabled people...

I wrote to all the brands that were guilty and so far the letters I've received have been rude and dismissed me and they have refused to comply with the current law.

If anyone is interested in the article it is here http://www.makinglifemorebeautiful.co.uk (this blog is never usually about fashion but because of my recent image overhaul I have come up against problems so this has really highlighted the problems to me in the UK).

I hope you find it an eye opener. I will be doing a follow up of all the responses I get and the companies view point on disabilities. If you have any comments I'd really appreciate them on the actual blog as I will be sending the link to the companies who dismissed me to show them that even able bodied people believe in equal rights. Thanks girls xxx

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15 replies

Latest reply was from Bluebell

rae

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I'm so very sorry to hear about this! I've never thought about it before, but I definitely will now. Seems like a salesperson should at least help you shop if it is difficult for you to navigate the store -- and the rude responses are unacceptable!

Bluebell

Thanks Rae... one store in the UK - Republic told me they fully comply with the law - yet I sent them photo's of their store blocking their entrance with a mannequin and they have positioned it's leg across the whole aisle?!! Able bodied people would have to step over it to get in... I have no chance. All they have to do is move the mannequin a little, or change it's position... but nope...

Lynne

Veteran

Gosh, BB, I had no idea - I see lifts and think that stores are wheel chair friendly. Kudos to you for writing to the stores involved and raising the subject here. your blog looks lovely, btw.

Bluebell

Aw thank you... it's usually craft stuff - not a fashion rant

Anyone that wants to comment on the blog itself pls do (you don't need to have an account) as I've been directing companies who were rude to it to show them that the general public stand together not behind them xx

bella

(website)

Veteran

I think you should pitch this story to a newspaper reporter or contact a newspaper ombudsman. (Do they have that in the UK?) It is a very important subject that I admit I wasn't aware of before but I am sure there are many people out there like me who would be more conscious of not giving their businesses to shops that don't comply with the provisions of the equality act.

MsMary

Veteran

Good grief, that's just scandalous! I second Bella's idea to get the mainstream media involved!

And I LOVE your blog!!

Elly

Veteran

Bluebell, while I don't have the mobility issues that many people with disabilities suffer with, I have a hard time standing for more than a short time. I find shopping in regular retail stores to be exhausting. I often end up hitting myself on the racks because they are so close together (I have balance and perception issues, so going shopping in department stores can be like the ultimate dungeon/corn maze). Finding a place to sit when I need to is nearly impossible. Heaven forbid retailers provide seats, most of the time you can't even find a free floor space to sit down in that wouldn't block every other shopper. In the last few years many of our local retailers have remodeled, making their quarters even tighter and removing the chairs and benches that used to be sprinkled throughout some of our larger retailers.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Commented on your blog -- good luck with your quest!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Coming from an able bodied MOTG perspective this is also infuriating when pushing a pram or buggy around a shop, particularly a children's wear shop. I would say this is an issue of respect and I back your fight 100%. I can choose to leave the buggy at home but you do not have the luxury of leaving a wheelchair behind.

Steph

Veteran

Bluebell, have you asked the salespeople in the stores to help you with access? That's what a reasonable accommodation really is--it doesn't necessarily mean that you will be able to get around exactly as someone who isn't in a chair would, but the salespeople would be required to assist you in getting what you need. If the salespeople won't assist you, then I think you would have an even better argument to make when you send letters to these stores, being able to point to dates and times when you asked a specific salesperson with assistance because the store wasn't accessible, and you were refused help.

If that were to happen, you might want to consider consulting with an attorney or with the local governmental office that handles disability issues (I'm not in the UK, so I'm not sure what office that would be, but I'm guessing you would know). Having someone else on your side might make it easier to get some results.

Patty

Veteran

Let them know they are affecting their sales with their packed and poorly planned stores then turn them into the fire department for blocking fire escape routes >=o( Go get'em Bluebell!

I hated things like this when I was pushing a baby stroller around--there's no way I'm leaving a baby in the hall to go into a store.
Wheel chair bound people have the same buying power as leg powered people and the stores need to know they are blocking money from coming in their doors.

Now--about you dog--as seen on your cool blog-- She looks like a small Bichon Frise--very cute. We had a Bichon and would have another one in a heartbeat. Keep in mind these dogs take a while to house break---be patient and I promise she will be like a rock when she figures it out--they are smart dogs and hypo-allergenic.

AJ

Veteran

On a smaller scale, I had similar frustrations when my kids were still in strollers.

I do hope that at the very least, these stores train their sales staff to go out of their way to serve their customers with disabilities.

Ditto the suggestions to get this out on the mainstream media.

taylor

Veteran

I ditto Steph. I am sure that the sales people would be happy to assist you.
There are many items I cannot get to as they are far out of reach and sales associates are always willing to help.

Also being a sales assoc. myself I have helped a number of disabled people as well as vision impaired, wheelchair and those on crutches and with strollers..Each have their own challenges and can easily be helped.

It is literally impossible to accommodate everyone, all the time, everywhere, under every circumstance...I think most stores are compliant with the law and do the best they can.

Isabel

Veteran

I just don't get this....it is really infuriating on so many levels. Haven't we fought these civil rights' issues already ? This is not even, in my opinion, about fashion, it is about the right to be CLOTHED, to be warm and decent and appropriate !!!

This is the kind of stuff that makes me boycott stores. Hear that H&M ?

Bluebell

Thanks so much girls. Would I be able to use your comments on my blog under anonymous nicknames possibly? Please let me know if I can. I would greatly appreciate it.

One shop that has got back to me has a mannequins leg across the entrance. They told me this comply's to the law (it doesn't) and if I feel the 'need' to come in (:-o) then I can send someone to the back of the shop and they will move the display. Wow, well I hope I go shopping with boy friday then When I mentioned how are mums with prams also going to get past THEN she was bothered and THEN said she would raise it as an issue - she wasn't bothered about what a disabled woman thought but WAS bothered about what mums thought??

I avoid all small towns as I know I have no chance getting around and know they can't do anything about that either but this is the biggest or 2nd biggest complex in the UK and equipped for disabled ppl and my wheelchair is half the size of their shopping centre ones they hire out so if I can't get around in mine then no one has a chance. These stores are HUGE.

Through this I have met a blind girl who has been refused entry to 2 supermarkets because she is blind and they told her she was a H&S risk. Some of the things I've been told that have also happened to others are so sad. I hate discrimination and ignorance My son was once refused entry to a shop because he is autistic and I was told sorry they don't want "his sort" in there!! I've boycotted the shop since.

Elly really sorry to hear about your problems hun and you aren't the first person to mention lack of seats either. It must be so hard for you Write to them Campaign for change. Shopping should be fun

Steph - staff in the UK usually gawp if you can't fit through... customer service isn't our strong point. Only one shop - Fossil... was excellent and offered to actually help me. I mentioned the lack of help in each letter And also wrote to fossil to thank them and the awesome member of staff.

Aw thanks Patty, she's a bolognese, a bichons cousin. She's now house broken and eating lol! We adore her SOOO much She's like a toy dog she's so soft and loving Wish we'd done it sooner!

Any girls in the UK have you been watching beauty and the beast? It showed last night how employers told an abled bodied man that they had jobs and turned away a man with facial disabilities just an hour later. It was quite shocking

Isabel hehe exactly! xxx