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It could be considered a reasonable adjustment in the workplace
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Smith, Tony
Sent: 20 October 2004 09:33
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Parking query

It is something of a side issue but, a person does not need to be permanently disabled in order to obtain a blue badge. However, if you provide a library service to other users then, under the DDA, you must make all reasonable adjustments to allow the student to use it. There has, so far, been any case-law (as far as I know) about whether a parking space is a reasonable adjustment.
 
Tony
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Bryan Jones
Sent: 19 October 2004 17:01
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Parking query

In order to qualify for a blue badge one has to have a permanent disabilty.  The DDA covers long term disabilites, with long term defined as being 12 months or more, so there is a difference.  As to your responsibility to a student on a validated course you may need to speak to your office that deals with these to look at what was agreed in the contract.  But at the end of the day, you will probably have to make a judgement call yourself after meeting with the student to suss them out.
 

Bryan Jones,
Manager, Disability Support Services
& North London Regional Access Centre,
Middlesex University

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Anna Malone
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 11:32 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Parking query

I have been contacted by someone who experiences mobility difficulties and has asked us to provide him with an occasional, regular parking space on campus.  He is using the library as he is a student on a course at a college where we validate their courses.  He is not a student of the university.   

 

At the moment we provide free, accessible parking for all students or visitors who have a blue badge.  This person does not have a blue badge – he did apply for one but his application was turned down.  We are an inner-city campus with very limited parking – there is very little parking on campus for students, with the exception of blue badge holders. 

 

We obviously want to do the best we can for this person but we do not have enough parking spaces to provide accessible parking for people who do not have a blue badge.  This person has suggested that under the DDA there is no distinction between a disabled person and a disabled person who has a blue badge – reasonable adjustments must be made and this includes accessible car parking in his case.  Although we appreciate his point, we know, for example, that if a person without a blue badge was parking on a public highway or car park in a space reserved for a blue badge holder, then that person would be liable to a fine or clamping and so this suggests that there is a difference.  Also, if there is no difference, then why have the blue badge scheme at all?

 

I am unsure where to go from here.  Has anybody else encountered this situation?

 

Many thanks for your help,

 

Anna

 

Anna Malone

Trainee Disability Adviser

Disability Support Office

University of Manchester

LG27 John Owens Building

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9PL

 

Tel - 0161-275-8523

Fax - 0161-275-7018

Minicom - 0161-275-2794

Text - 07899 663512 / 07899 658790