This is an adage that I have heard many times and it still gets repeated. In particular, I have recently had this argument used in relation to accessibility issues for disabled people. It is always used defend the lack of foresight on the subject, as exhibited by people like architects for example. I have impaired mobility and I find using steps rather awkward. If there is not a handrail then it becomes very difficult, even with a walking stick. This is not seen as a problem by people who do not have impaired mobility, however. It is of no consideration to them, obviously. If I, as one of the 14 million disabled people who live in the UK, encounter problems, getting into a building for example, then I should ask for a reasonable adjustment.
Why should a disabled person expect any prior consideration?
I would have thought that the obvious answer would be that they are also human beings! After all, do able-bodied people ask for a usable door to be put on their house or is it just expected?
Peter C Whitaker 
I have a few disabled friends, each with very different disabilities and I sometimes see them having to struggle where others would not. When it comes to accessibility, I can see problems, BUT, how long ago was, for example, the building or facility built? Awareness and inclusivity has improved a lot recently, probably still not way near enough, but it is better than it was years ago. Many older buildings dont even have wheelchair ramps. Stairs as you mention, dont always have suitable hand rails, useful for the elderly as well as those with a physical disability. Having to ask for consideration may feel a bit annoying, because you were not considered in the first place, accepted, however, asking will point out the failure of the design and help to improve awareness for the future or highlight a problem. So my thought is…shit that you have to ask to be considered, but maybe some good can come from asking.
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Hello Sue, thanks for responding.
What you are describing is the ‘small steps’ approach, which has been advocated for a long time now. I turned 61 this year and to be honest, I have not seen any significant improvement in that time as far as accessibility for the disabled is concerned. The building I work in has 3 points of access, not one of which is suitable for disabled people. The management know that I work there, they even gave me a blue badge parking bay, but they have never stopped to think about how I get in and out of the building, using steps that do not have a handrail. Everyone knows that I have impaired mobility, but it seems that they are all waiting for me to ask and that is my point; why do the disabled always have to ask to get that which comes to the able without question?
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