A Talk With Ableize's Robin Kettle
British Tetraplegic Sees Improvement in Wheelchair Accessibility
Nov 20, 2008
Robin was 16 years of age and riding a motorcycle underage when chased by police and crashed at 95 miles an hour and broke his neck. He spent 11 1/2 months in hospital, enduring 12-hour days of physical therapy, determined to walk again.
He discharged himself, able to walk on crutches, though his injuries necessitate using a wheelchair for longer distances. It’s been 38 years since his accident during which he’s journeyed through many stages to re-establish himself in society.
Kettle promotes disability rights in two ways: he’s an Access Auditor for the Great Britain’s Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), and the founder of ableize, a web-based directory of disability services that, since its 2001 launch, has reached beyond the United Kingdom
Kettle Recalls Major Mobility Restrictions in 1977
Well, I could not cross most roads: dropped curbs were a rarity. Entering a pub (yes, even at 16) was nearly impossible; I was frowned upon for even trying. I was denied access to cinemas, regarded as a health and safety risk if a fire broke out. Hotel rooms were nearly impossible to book. As for planes, I’d have had more luck trying to grow my own wings. We didn’t drive standard cars, instead had bright blue ‘invalid carriages’ that shouted, "Look, I’m disabled!"
What support did you receive after leaving hospital?
I lived at home with my parents. My mum helped me to dress. She died of cancer six years later. About three years later, I bought a house with my then girlfriend, who also helped me.
Did you find it difficult to return to work?
Yes. Following my injury, I didn't work outside of home for nearly 20 years. Re-educating myself to return to the workforce was difficult. Meeting my wife gave me confidence and spurred me on. I went to college, completed my education, and went on to work 16 hours a day as a Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) accessibility auditor.
Lack of Online Mobility Resources Inspires Kettle to Launch Albeize
What inspired Ableize?
It started when I was searching for disability resources on Google and got very poor results. I decided to build a directory that would put a great deal of information in one place so people could find what they are looking for, now Ableize is the biggest and busiest disability resource in the UK. I'd like Ableize to become the one place to go for disability information in the UK, and then expand to include resources around the world.
How have things changed for people with disabilities since the 70's?
Peoples' attitudes have also changed a great deal. We now have a place in society; we're welcomed and even expected in the outside world. The Internet has opened up many job opportunities for people of all abilities. There are still places we can't access and there always will be, but on the whole, we've evolved: we can no longer be denied access to cinemas and hotels; ‘invalid carriages’ have been scrapped and the word "invalid" along with it.
Do you think most wheelchair users share your view?
Disabled people moan about access issues and we all have horror stories to tell, but as a wheelchair user of more than 35 years, I have a long memory, I can positively say that things are on the up.
