UK making London more accessible
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Play VideoThe countdown to the 2012 London Paralympic Games has begun. Tourism officials in the city say preparations are well underway to make the historic city accessible to those with physical disabilities.
Ceremony, history and grandeur - London has it all.
But the city's old world charm conceals a mass of obstacles for those with disabilities.
Iconic modern structures, like the London Eye are not the problem, according to Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, winner of 11 Paralympic gold medals.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, UK Paralympian, said, "Accessibility to the London Eye is absolutely brilliant. So, there's ramps and the staff are really well trained. And actually they hold the pod as well, so if you're in a wheelchair you have that little bit of extra time to get on."
It's the narrow winding streets, the centuries old buildings, and London's semi-Victorian underground network which pose the greatest challenges.
London's roads still trace a medieval street pattern, laid out following the 'Great Fire' of 1666. Many buildings that line these roads, are listed as historically significant - meaning roads can't be widened, and structural changes are limited.
But RADAR Chairman Philip Friend says that, despite the limitations, progress has been made.
He said, "But it has to be said that over the last twenty years there's been a real shift in seeing what can be done to these buildings without detracting from their beauty and character and so on. None of us want to see yellow grab rails all over the Tower of London, but what we do want to see is routes by which disabled people c! an get i n."
London's subway network can also be a difficult place for those on two wheels.
But Baroness Thompson says she's happy with recent improvements.
He said, "Every black cab is wheelchair accessible, every bus is wheelchair accessible and there are huge amounts of the Underground you can get wheelchair users on and off so there's so many places you can go."
National institutions like the British Museum, the Tate Gallery, and even Buckingham Palace all have easy wheelchair access.
And London's famous Southbank is to receive a 6.4 million dollar makeover in the run-up to next year's games.
Officials are certain that when visitors arrive in their thousands next summer, they will have done all they can to make the city as friendly and accessible as possible.
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