Dear Sir,

My husband, who is a wheelchair user, and I recently returned to the island to visit family and friends, and to attend a number of appointments in Hamilton.

We have been aware for many years that, unlike similarly developed communities, the island has neglected to keep pace with the needs of the disabled traveller, but even we were shocked to learn that there were only two wheelchair-accessible taxis available for hire during our stay.

Two accessible taxis serving the needs of the local wheelchair-dependent population, plus wheelchair-dependent visitors.

Apparently, there is a third accessible vehicle, but this was undergoing repair at the time of our visit.

Our thanks go to Aubrey Eve and Beldwyn Smith, the wonderful gentlemen who were able to provide some of our transport needs.

The ferry to Dockyard is accessible, but not the ferry to St George. Why not?

Why aren’t the buses accessible? Why so few accessible cabs? Why is there such limited provision for wheelchair users?

Our visit to the island was hampered by lack of transport. Heaven knows how the local wheelchair-dependent population manage their access needs.

How do the cruise visitors cope? Are they stuck in Dockyard throughout their stay?

Bermuda is behind the times by many years when it comes to provision of accessibility for the most vulnerable in its community. That Bermuda has failed to accommodate the basic needs of its mobility-challenged population is obviously down to neglect by successive governments over many years.

The question is, whether the Progressive Labour Party government, given that one of its Cabinet members is a registered occupational therapist, has the wit to remedy this problem?

ANGELA OUTERBRIDGE

Stoke Mandeville, England