able bodied access

[chassyp]

My local authority has erected a "work of art" in an area of the countryside where I live. They have provided a car park that is only for use by disabled persons. Are they committing an offence???

[Fay Mousse]

Doubtful. They are not obliged to provide a car park and I assume what is provided is extremely limited space - how many cars can park there?

Is it accessible on foot by able bodied people?

[chassyp]

Thanks for the interest.
There are 6 disabled spaces. The area is approx 1 mile from a b road, and also up a very steep hill. The area does not have any other places to perk for able bodied. I feel able bodied people have been discriminated against in this instance.

[Fay Mousse]

It sounds as if it would be impossible for disabled people to get there without the car parking space, but a mile is a 20 minute walk for an able bodied person.

I can't see that they are committing any offence - just trying to make the area accessible for all.

[daffy654]

If you are able bodied you are capable of walking 1 mile to see the work of art,disabled people would find it difficult,even in a motorised wheelchair to travel that far,especially up a very steep hill.

[squarebear]

I don't see why you would object to this? Surely disabled people have a right to see this "work of art" too?

[squarebear]

It's not very often I agree with Mamjet but I think they have got it spot on this time. No-one in their right mind would complain about this.

[chassyp]

Sorry!! Did I say disabled people didn�t have a right?? I wondered how long it would be before someone started shouting, poor disabled! Let me just say for a start, I myself have a disability but refuse to be classed as disabled. Also, I actually work with people with disabilities so don�t bother talking to me about disabled rights, that isn�t the issue I am raising. Please refer yourself to the original question before getting all flustered and bothered please. Able bodied rights, is the issue here.

[Lakitu]

I know what you're saying chassyp. Just because someone doesn't have a disabled badge on their car doesn't mean they're cabable of walking the conditions described. Not all able bodied people are fit and healthy.

[chassyp]

Thanks for that Lakitu. Shame others that are able bodied enough to �break my legs� are not as open minded. This isn`t about disability, its about the Councils lagal Liabilty.

[squarebear]

I think the fact that you work with disabled people yet feel the need to complain about a car park built specifically for them is pretty strange to be honest.

What offence do you believe the Council has committed? They could have simply said sod it, we won't build a car park but have done so in order that everyone can enjoy the artwork.

[Lakitu]

I know it is. Unfortuantely, I don't know the answer to your question, but if it was, I'd be giving the local council a call to find out exactly why they haven't provided anything for everyone else. Even a small bus running only at weekends, or 3 times per week during school holidays etc. would be better than nothing.

That's another thought, never mind the less able, able bodied people, what about those with small children, pushchairs etc.

[chassyp]

Squarebare�I have worked with people with disabilities for some27 years. I have also studied Social Care Practice at University. During my training I found the main problem that people with disabilities come across is marginalisation. The council in there infinite wisdom has brought attention to disabilities by the marginalisation of able bodied people. This in itself brings a negative reaction to people with disabilities. To be honest I don�t know what offence the council has committed, but isn�t that the question asked at the beginning??? Also yes Lakitu it isn`t exactly accessible to other able bodied people as there is no footpath to the monument, so anyone walking is at risk of having to walk in the road. It was built with public money however marginalising many of the said public. Discuss!!!!!!

[EmEd1984]

i think this question has been misinterpreted a smidge!

I read it as you were just asking if disabled parking is provided, should 'regular' parking be available too.

My nanna's not disabled but it'd take her bloomin ages to walk a mile - does that put the question in a bit more perspective?

[Lakitu]

Agreed EmEd. That's what I meant about sometimes the able bodied being not so able bodied.

[squarebear]

But in that case, they could simply say, "Right, we'll treat everyone the same and not build ANY carparking space, able-bodied or otherwise".

It seems "cutting the nose off to spite the face" to me. Surely, it's better that at least some people who would have the most difficulty walking the hill are helped?

I could fully understand if it was a white's only car park or women only but unless it's me, I can't get my head round it.

[chassyp]

EmEd1984. Yep thats the question I guess I`m asking. However some people get really defensive don`t they??

[Lakitu]

Squarebear, I'm not understanding why you think it's a daft question. Supermarkets have spaces for both abled and disabled. Infact, I can't think of one car park that doesn't. My local council have half a dozen large car parks in the City centre for shoppers, which provide both, yet the able bodied are perfectly capable of getting on a council run bus service.

If ths question was asked the other way about "I want to go and see a local work of art, but there is no access for my car, which has a disabled badge, but there are 50 able bodied spaces", would you not think that the human rights would have been encroached then?

[chassyp]

Does no one know the answer then??

[squarebear]

Yes I certainly would Lakitu, as able bodied people are generally much more capable of visiting somewhere than disabled people. This isn't a large carpark with 6 spaces.

The answer to the original question is no they are not committing an offence. They are in fact helping the less able among us to help visit the monument.