Cornwall’s biggest event discriminates against hidden disabilities – claim
What were the organisers of the Royal Cornwall Show thinking? “If it’s good enough for the government…”?
That must be the thought going through the heads of people with disabilities – and campaigners for them like This Writer – after hearing that the biggest show in Cornwall would only give a free carer ticket on the day to people in wheelchairs:
Marie Louisa Ralph, whose two sons are autistic and whose elder son Malachy also has Tourette’s Syndrome, accused the Royal Cornwall Show (RCS) of being in breach of equality laws and ignoring the needs of disabled people whose disability may not be as obvious as being in a wheelchair.
Marie said: “Wheelchairs are no proof of disability but RCS are effectively putting their own interpretation on what disability is. They haven’t got a clue. I’m a big believer in independence for disabled people, many of whom can work and are just as entitled as anyone else to access public event. They might just need a carer with them even if they’re not in a wheelchair.”
The show’s organisers seem to have claimed that Ms Ralph was mistaken and there was a concession for carers – if they pre-booked online. The deadline for that had passed and so the only concession available was if a disabled person arrived in a manual wheelchair.
They provided no rationale for this restriction.
Organisers also insisted that their scheme works well – and that it is a voluntary provision that they are not duty-bound to offer.
So disability discrimination is still considered to be perfectly acceptable at major public events, then?
Source: Royal Cornwall Show accused of hidden disability discrimination – Cornwall Live
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Here are four ways to be sure you’re among the first to know what’s going on.
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (in the left margin). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
The Livingstone Presumption is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
“So disability discrimination is still considered to be perfectly acceptable at major public events, then?”
Good comment Mike.
I didn’t realise that paying events were exempt from the DDA. Is it because it’s ‘Royal’ I know that many laws can’t be enforced on the Royals including, IIRC, the Race Relations Act..