The difficulty of talking about this issue is that there is a rather
insufficient information about this case in the DRC's web site. From its
excerpts one has to conclude that the issue was not strictly about
reasonable adjustments but about 'inclusivity'. This is a rather subjective
route of the principle. The code of practice gives some clues about
reasonableness which are a bit more 'objective': the size of the
institutions, its budget, etc, etc.
my guess is that 'inclusivity' may depend on how the viewer (audience) would
perceive the event, and the effect of the efforts the institution took to
ameliorate or eliminate (DDA 2005) perceptions of exclusivity. Ergo, if the
audience (not necessary the student's relatives: the defendant failed to
argue that it was reasonable bcse his family was in the front row) quite
simply did not notice the 'gesture' and the 'adjustment' was a rather
'cheap' solution to the 'discomfort these people make', the overall effect
is exclusivity.
The issue is complex. What may be clear is that it is not enough to make a
gesture to the student, but to integrate the student into the overall
event.I.e a ramp would might have been better?, A different venue? a big
screen to personalise the event?
Ta, Andy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jason Hussain" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 12:37 PM
Subject: Re: Access to graduation ceremonies: DDA case
Hi,
I read the comment about access to grad ceremonies with interest. I
certainly agree that the wider question should definitely focus on how we
interpret 'reasonable adjustment'.
In this specific case, could not 'reasonable adjustment' be covered by the
act of the Chair of Governors going to the student to shake hands, rather
than the student going up onto the stage? On the other hand, it does seem
remarkable that so many Universities have poor access to their main stage
for disabled students, (i have had personal experience of this), when all
it would take would be the addition of a moveable ramp.
Any other views on this?
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