Not disabled friendly...
Today I called Bob Jane because I needed to order a spare wheel for a trailer.
I was told they could order it in, but only if I came into the store and paid in person. I asked if I could place the order over the phone and make payment that way, but I was told that was not possible.
I explained that I use a wheelchair, and travelling in just to place an order is an unnecessary hassle when I could easily provide my card details over the phone. The answer was still no.
So I made the effort to go in.
When I arrived, I discovered there is a step at the entrance to the office, with no ramp and no level access. I asked why there was no ramp, and the franchisee owner told me they could not justify the cost of installing one. I was also told a ramp would be a trip hazard and that it would cost around sixty thousand dollars, which frankly sounds like a figure pulled out of thin air.
People with disabilities drive cars. We own vehicles. We tow trailers. We need tyres and servicing like everyone else.
This is not about convenience or preference. These are essential services. Unlike cafes or restaurants, where you can simply choose another option, vehicle servicing is not something you can always avoid or easily shop around for.
Accessibility should not be optional when it comes to essential services.
