As I have previous reported, one of the downsides of using an electric wheelchair has been my relationship with taxis. After extensive discussions with Coventry City Council’s Taxi Licensing Office, I have been that while the regulations state drivers can not refuse to take passengers who use wheelchairs, in reality since most wheelchairs can only use a taxi sideways, it is no longer deemed safe after 1 incident in Birmingham.


So Coventry has scrapped its regulations and allows any driver who refuse to take a wheelchair. I am further told that I can only use Ring and Ride or off peak council transport which means going via the bingo hall and dealing with a service designed for older people, not a leading independent consultant.


I am also told by implication that I am no longer allowed outside my home at night or early morning, like when I need to catch a train to London. So basically ordering me to stop working and sit on my beanbag like a good spastic. 


The council propose to solve MY IMMEDIATE problem by consulting with ‘groups’ that represent disabled people, so spending months to bend the groups, who don’t always represent disabled people who sit on national committees and travel the country, that it will be okay to keep disabled people household and dependent on ring and ride, with the permission of their social worker!


And this year, the city is hosting events for the Olympics and Paralympics but how, when wheelchair using athletics are no longer welcomed in this city!


My wheelchair can go in taxis and it has gone in taxis and it must go in taxis, the Coventry just need to  realise banning disabled people from its Taxis is not helpful for your image, unless they wish to be known for systematic hate crime!