When holidaymaker Alexis Donnelly arrived on the Island two weeks ago, he had no idea the impact his visit could have on Bermuda for years to come.

For the 39-year-old Multiple Sclerosis sufferer, an advocate of the disabled, took it upon himself to visit planning and tourism bosses to point out problems he had encountered during his stay.

Despite claims that some bars and restaurants were "wheelchair friendly'', he said he found some without accessible toilet facilities, some without ample room for chairs and others that even had steps at the entrance.

His overall impression of Hamilton was that it had greatly improved since his last visit five years ago, but it still had a way to go.

The university lecturer, who was on the Island visiting his Bermudian wife's family, said he did not want to be seen as somebody complaining for the sake of it.

But he felt the people who encountered the problems should be the ones to highlight them, and last night Secretary of the Corporation of Hamilton, Roger Sherratt, said he could not agree more.

All of Mr. Donnelly's suggestions are now being looked at and could be incorporated into future plans for the city.

Bermuda must become more disabled friendly Mr. Donnelly and his wife Gemma Donnelly-Cox, flew back home to Dublin, Ireland, last night after having a tremendous holiday.

But he said he hoped some of the points he had made had been taken on board.

He added: "I know it's sometimes difficult for able-bodied people to see the problems the disabled face, which is why I have spoken out.

"If a bar or restaurant claims to be wheelchair friendly, as some of them do in tourism booklets, then people in wheelchairs, or with any disability, should be able to use all of the facilities and take part in all of the activities independently,'' he said.

"Accessibility is about far more than just being able to get into a building.

If it's a hotel it's about being able to get in and out of bed and being able to use all of the facilities in the bathroom.

"People here have been incredibly helpful and whenever we pointed a problem out, they did everything they immediately could to solve it. The people cannot be faulted, at all. What I am saying, though, is that it would be better if those barriers weren't there in the first place.'' Mr. Donnelly was quick to highlight the parts of Bermuda that are disabled friendly, such as the pedestrian crossings, which are flush with the pavements, and the ATM cash machines, which are low enough for people in wheelchairs to reach.

However, some of the parks, public toilets and stores, bars and restaurants, were not properly equipped to cater for his needs.

He said he went to one restaurant in town, which was advertised in a brochure as being wheelchair accessible, to find it had a seven-inch step at the entrance.

He added: "We had to get three hefty waiters who managed to lift me and the wheelchair into the restaurant, which was very good of them. I did not really mind, but it could degrade the whole experience of going out for dinner.'' He said standards should be introduced on the Island so that if premises advertise themselves as being wheelchair friendly, they meet the criteria in every aspect. Mr. Sherratt said last night that he was very grateful for Mr.

Donnelly's input and said his suggestions were being taken seriously.

"We already have regular contact with the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association (BPHA) and have been looking at improving access for the disabled for some time,'' said Mr. Sherratt.

"We asked them what their priorities were two years ago, and have been working towards that, but we know there is more work to be done.

"What we are trying to do each year is put in more of the ramps and make more of our buildings as wheelchair accessible as possible.'' He said the City Hall had been fitted with an elevator and the Corporation was in the process of putting in another one to the top floor gallery and was also installing new toilets.

The Corporation was also looking at the possibility of developing tactile surfaces, which change in colour and texture to help the visually impaired get about.

Mr. Sherratt added: "We could also have a look at the standards we have in place for businesses. Perhaps the Department of Tourism or the Corporation could have somebody produce a leaflet on which shops and premises really are wheelchair friendly. We will certainly be looking at how we can do that.'' Willard Fox, chairman of BPHA, said Bermuda was way behind other countries when it came to disabled access.

"On a scale of one to ten, I would say Bermuda scored one, maybe two,'' he said.

"What bothers me is that visitors come from other countries, such as America, where access is good, they get off cruise ships, where access is good, and they come here, where access is not good.

"We are working with the Corporation to improve things, but a lot more needs to be done.'' People with disabilities can write to Mr. Sherratt with suggestions at the Corporation at City Hall in Church Street, Hamilton.