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Network Journal 2007 Issue 3 May/June |
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ADM 2007: Disability debate
Delegates speak up.
Companies should do more to accommodate disabled members and customers said Angela Thomas (Swansea General) as she opened the disability debate.
"The Government should step up its enforcement of the Disability Discrimination Act and compel companies to make adjustments to their premises," she said. "Loopholes in the law are being used. My daughter, a wheelchair user, was treated very badly by a manager in a local shop and all because I moved some boxes, which were blocking our way. I can't repeat my reply to him."
Ronnie Thompson (NW Somerfield Distribution) backed her call and cited an example of a child unable to access a party because it was upstairs with no lift and no disabled access. "That child suffered a loss of dignity and although the legislation came in during 1994 there is no time scale. Perhaps it's time we considered a national campaign."
Kevin Masterton (East of Scotland General) made the case for all registered blind people to have access to the Talking Books For The Blind. "A number of local authorities already meet the subscriptions of their registered blind residents. But this should be available for all blind people with the costs being paid for by the local council."
Meanwhile David McFarlane (Bournemouth & South Dorset) asked the union to look at pressing companies to issue vibrating alarms and/or flashing red lights for deaf or hard of hearing staff so they are not at a disadvantage when a fire alarm sounds.
Visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/equality
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