I WELCOME your coverage about international Disabled Access Day with York shops displaying ‘Happy to Help’ stickers. It would be useful to extend this initiative beyond shops.

At Rowntree Wharf, where I am a leaseholder, there is no safe means of access to flats for wheelchair users. Of the two lifts in the entrance, one suffered a ‘catastrophic failure’ last March and has been out of use since. The other had the fire service called out at least twice over the past six months to rescue people trapped in it.

Engineers have been out numerous times when it sticks between floors. I will not use this lift and I will not let family members use it.

One of my visitors is a child wheelchair user and she cannot access my flat without risking being stuck in the lift. We have to go into town for toilet facilities for her and to eat. This marred family Christmas festivities.

I hope the JRF pay some attention to international Disabled Access Day and start to recognise the needs of wheelchair users.

Dr Diane Lister, Rowntree Wharf, York.