AN 81-year-old suffering from a progressive disease has founded a charity to tackle the need for better facilities for the disabled in the UK.

Ruth Adorian, who suffers from Motor Neurone Disease, set up The Association for the Independence of Disabled People (AID) which aims to improve access to buildings and transport.

Speaking through a voice-enabling computer, Mrs Adorian said: “I found easy access to be a major problem, which is dreadful when, according to the Department of Work and Pensions, there are more than 11 million people in this country living with physical disability.”

Mrs Adorian, from Windermere, was diagnosed six years ago with the disease which attacks the nerves of the brain and spinal cord.

MORE TOP STORIES:

It has left the former business director unable to walk or speak and she now requires round-the-clock care.

Mrs Adorian claims to have experienced first-hand the lack of facilities available to the disabled in hotels, restaurants and on transport.

“The problem persists all too often across all grades of hotels and there needs to be enforcement of proper standards for disabled bathrooms and toilets in hotels and public buildings,” she said.

And as well as improving the life of disabled people, there are also plans to launch an annual Disabled Day to raise national awareness.

Mrs Adorian added: “I woke up one day and wondered why I was still here, having long outlasted the initial three year life expectancy given to me by neurologists – and then this idea came to me.”

Membership of AID will be offered to individuals and businesses for a fee which help towards funding the awareness and education of those providing public facilities.

For more information, visit www.disabledday.org