A trip to the local shopping centre ended in turmoil for a wheelchair-bound Werribee man, who is using his experience to campaign for more disabled-friendly shopping.
While approaching Melbourne Pathology from the Werribee Plaza car park, Glenn Clark’s wheelchair tipped over the edge of the narrow footpath. He found himself out of his chair sprawled across the road.
“I have a range of physical challenges, including back and leg injuries, and I’m legally blind, so I’m restricted to my chair,” Mr Clark said. “Going to the plaza is a big social occasion for me, but this time I ended up in hospital.”
Mr Clark spent 40 minutes lying in the car park as paramedics struggled to access him, their ambulance prevented by height restrictions in the multi-level park.
“Going to the plaza is a big social occasion for me,
but this time I ended up in hospital.”
Mr Clark suffered two broken ribs, soft tissue damage, sternum damage, a chest infection, bladder blockage and a pressure ulcer.
He now wants the shopping centre to take responsibility for the incident.
“They need to be held accountable for their total disregard for disabled access in the plaza,” Mr Clark said.
A Pacific Werribee spokesman said the shopping centre took the safety of all patrons very seriously, and every precaution was taken to ensure all centres and car parks were both safe and accessible for people with disabilities.
“A number of consultants and external stakeholders were engaged to … ensure all regulations are adhered to,” he said.
The spokesman said as soon as the plaza was notified of the incident, an immediate review of the area was undertaken, and improvements made, despite it being found to be “compliant”.
Mr Clark says he is contemplating legal action.
