[modeleng] Re: Disability Discrimination Act
- From: "Ron Head" <ron.head@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 22:31:24 +0100
Hi Peter
I'm not saying it's impossible, but I would have serious misgivings about
the stability of a 7.1/4" gauge vehicle carrying a wheelchair plus occupant.
I just think the centre of gravity would be too high. At my club we've had
occasional problems with passenger trucks overturning when the (often adult)
passengers insist on leaning out for a better view, or to talk to one
another! And this is with quite heavy bogie trucks that can carry 6 adults
or 8 kids. Fortunately we've never had any major injuries as a result, but
a wheelchair-bound passenger would be ill-disposed to save himself from
injury in an overturning incident. As for the 5" raised track, wheelchairs
are clearly out of the question altogether.
I think the view of my club will be that "we looked at it and found it
wasn't practicable to carry wheelchairs". I do agree however, that
wheelchair users should be free to use the club facilities, and generally
enjoy the atmosphere of just being there.
Perhaps you would keep us posted on how your project develops?
Regards
Ron Head
----- Original Message -----
From: "The Sheppard Residence" <peter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2004 10:23 PM
Subject: [modeleng] Re: Disability Discrimination Act
> If I understand it correctly (and this is more to do with odd bits I
> seen on the news/newspapers etc.) it is as much to do with the ability
> of the shop/office/miniature railway to provide access at reasonable
> cost, as it is to meet the law.
>
> In other words, there is some common sense (unusually for the UK) in
> that if it's going to bankrupt you to do it, then you don't have to.
>
> Saying that, I've been commissioned to build a "wheelchair wagon" for a
> 7.25" private railway over the winter. It should be an interesting
> project. I plan to keep a record of what I do and take photos as I
> build it. If it works OK, I may even get it published, although it
> won't be in a UK mag as I gave up on model engineer 3 years ago and I
> stopped taking standard tank rivet counting monthly a couple of months
> ago!
>
> Cheers
>
> Peter
>
> alanjstepney wrote:
>
>> On 1st October, the Disability Discrimination Act came into force.
>>
>> I understand that this applies to all clubs and organisations that allow
>> entry by the public.
>> Are clubs aware of this?
>> Are any doing anything to comply with this Act?
>>
>> I suspect that many Model Engineering Societies may not be aware of it,
>> and
>> perhaps it would be a good idea to bring it to the attention of the
>> committee at YOUR club.
>>
>>
>> Disability does not just mean wheelchair, it means anybody with a
>> disability, be it hearing, visual, physical, mental, {as well as
>> wheelchair.}
>> Clubs / company / whatever, need to have assessed and documented that
>> they
>> have assessed their property railway and buildings for disabled access
>> facilities. You need to be able to demonstrate that the due diligence and
>> reasonable assessment has been made.
>>
>> if the club / organisation has identified an area where it could comply,
>> subject to spending £X, and has applied for a grant for that amount, (I
>> gather such grants are available), that is reasonable evidencs that
>> action
>> is being taken.
>>
>> The act provides a let out that facilities do not have to be provided
>> if
>> it is
>> unreasonable or impractical to do so. The guidance advice says quite
>> clearly that not being able to afford to comply it cannot be seen to be
>> the
>> case unless all reasonable avenues of funding have been
>> investigated. Quite reasonably the law say you cannot know that it
>> cannot
>> be afforded if you have not asked anyone else if they will help you pay
>> for
>> it.
>>
>> It is a legal requirement that all employers (including of unpaid
>> volunteers) provide staff training
>> regarding the treatment of people with disability and importantly to
>> understand what counts as disability. Specific training is appropriate
>> for
>> all operations including kitchen/clubhouse shop ticket office
>> etc.
>>
>> I must add that this is only MY view of this Act, and someone who knows
>> the
>> Law may have a different opinion.
>> In any case, it is probably safest to find out exactly what is required,
>> rather than fall foul of the law.
>>
>> alan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> www.alanstepney.info
>> Model Engineering, Steam Engine, and Railway technical pages.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>
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