[modeleng] Re: Disability Discrimination Act
- From: cbrumbelow@xxxxxxxxxxx
- To: modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 07 Oct 2004 22:23:21 +0000
"Live Steam" published a two-part article several years about building a
wheelchair car for 7.5" gauge track, and in fact Mid-South Live Steamers (7.5"
gauge, Columbia, TN, USA) has one that I've never seen used. If memory serves,
the one in Live Steam was a drop center design. Charles
-------------- Original message --------------
> 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"
> To:
> 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.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST.
> >>
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> >> line.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
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>
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