Hi
This is my first mailing to the list, so treat me gently etc...
An American student who is a wheel chair user is starting at Lancaster
in October, but shall be in London for a week or so on an orientation
programme with other American students.
She is aiming to use her manual wheelchair when she is in London and
take her electric wheelchair with her when she travels up to Lancaster.
However, after some investigating, my colleague in our North American
Office sent me the following message indicating that this is going to be
more difficult than we first imagined. Has anyone any experience of
dealing with this sort of thing, before I commence being stroppy with
Red Star and Virgin West Coast?
Thanks
Tim Farron
Special Needs Administrative Officer
Lancaster University
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"Tim,
I've been in touch with Virgin West Coast to see about [student's name]
wheelchair and I've been told (by a person on their disabilities
telephone line 0345 697275) that it can only be conveyed by train if it
is less than 67cms. In any case it has to go via Red Star (phone 01228
880158), which costs ?30 for something like 12 kilos, considerably less
than an electric chair. We think that's outrageous not to mention
insulting. An able-bodied man or woman can convey any number of
suitaces on the train free but a disabled person's method of propulsion
is charged!!! Can you shed any light on this?"
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