BBC News – Firms’ disability access ‘unlawful’

[Legal Beagles]

The government is writing to a string of high street chains urging them to improve after a BBC London investigation revealed a “depressing” failure to accommodate disabled people. Two researchers, one blind, one a wheelchair-user, documented their daily travails with pinhole cameras. Some of the UK’s top chains failed to provide ramps – while five […]

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[righty]

Re: BBC News – Firms’ disability access ‘unlawful’

Being a wheelchair user I get sick & tired of these firms who pay lip service to the disabled's requirements. As the story says its UNLAWFUL to not provide access. I sometimes embarrass the Misses if when we visit an establishment there is no or very little sign of anything to aid the disabled and if its an hotel we've booked explaining our requirements. If they fall short I go off on one demanding to see the manager, I'm gonna sue etc etc Trouble is I'm so annoyed that I don't do it quietly I'm loud and everyone can hear me complaining whilst my poor wife is wishing the ground would open up.

[enaid]

Re: BBC News – Firms’ disability access ‘unlawful’

I think railway stations are bad also, our 2 local ones have 34 steps going down to the platform no lift, does state staff help available but I have yet to see any staff on the stations. How the ramp for train access would be applied I have no idea.

[righty]

Re: BBC News – Firms’ disability access ‘unlawful’

I think railway stations are bad also, our 2 local ones have 34 steps going down to the platform no lift, does state staff help available but I have yet to see any staff on the stations. How the ramp for train access would be applied I have no idea.

Very true The problems is that many stations would need a complete redesign to be able to meet the requirements and this is recognized in the legislation in that the term 'reasonable steps' is used meaning that many (including historic) building's are exempt from the regulation

[enaid]

Re: BBC News – Firms’ disability access ‘unlawful’

Very true The problems is that many stations would need a complete redesign to be able to meet the requirements and this is recognized in the legislation in that the term 'reasonable steps' is used meaning that many (including historic) building's are exempt from the regulation

Thanks I didn't know that, makes sense but when you think they don't even have a service lift of any kind, how they managed years ago with freight etc.

[righty]

Re: BBC News – Firms’ disability access ‘unlawful’

Thanks I didn't know that, makes sense but when you think they don't even have a service lift of any kind, how they managed years ago with freight etc.

They used pulley's and ropes outside of the buildings. You can still see the outside jib/hoist extruding from the top floor of some old buildings