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EHRC stands for EQUALITY as well as human rights and it would be well worth challenging this

From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ruth Malkin
Sent: 06 August 2009 09:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Disabled Parking

The EHRC wouldn’t necessarily do anything about this (do they do anything about anything?) because they are into ‘fairness’ rather than ‘equality’. Many people consider it ‘unfair’ that blue badge holders do not have to pay for parking.

In Manchester (Chorlton, for your records) there is a private car park, with an inaccessible ticket machine, which now has a camera system which takes a photograph of your car number plate, and if you haven’t paid, or if you have overstayed by 5 minutes, you get an automatic £60 through the post. No advance notification, nothing – just a letter saying ‘you are being fined.’. A pensioner in his 70s with a blue badge parking in this car park twice (without realizing that he had to pay) for 20 minutes each time once to get his pension, once to get a prescription. He has been informed he now owes £120. He has appealed but to no avail. And yet disabled people have pointed out they can’t access the ticket machine (you have to type in your entire number plate to get a ticket; the machine is on a plinth, the payment slot is too high and the machine is away from the line of walk so doubling the distance a blue badge holder has to walk).

There seems to be nothing anyone can do about this, because people generally do not understand why blue badge holders should get free parking in the first place – there is wide spread ignorance about the level of difficulty with walking that people have to experience, and the impact of this level of difficulty, before they qualify for a blue badge. That is what we need to campaign about.

Sorry to go on but I was talking to the man in question only yesterday and I know there is nothing I can do to help him (apart from pay his fine myself!) and it really makes me angry.

Ruth

MDPAG

From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Taylor Joe
Sent: 06 August 2009 08:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Disabled Parking

Hi Liz agree with Vin EHRC helpline number is 0845 604 6610 and would strongly suggest someone informs this ill advised council to rethink this situation

Regards

Joe

From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Vin
Sent: 05 August 2009 20:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Disabled Parking

Hi Liz,

As you describe it the scheme is illegal and in fact would put the local authority in breach of its Disability Equality Duty under the 2005 DDA so I hope someone is brave enough to refuse to pay for Blue Badge parking and let the council take them to court!

I would also suggest phoning the EHRC helpline (while it still exists) and asking them to issue a compliance notice.

Regards,

Vin

Vin West
Secretary, Arfon Access Group
Glyn Dwr
Llandwrog Uchaf
Caernarfon
LL54 7RA
Tel: 01286 880761
Mob: 0777 153 6760

----- Original Message -----

From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Liz East

To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]

Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 8:01 PM

Subject: Disabled Parking

Hi Everyone

From April 1 2009, Lincoln County Council's Policy on the above parking was as follows -

Regardless of whether the owner was/has a disability and can provide a Blue Badge, EVERYBODY has to pay for parking in the City.This can be achieved in the normal way or using your mopbile/credit card. Complains were: 'I cannot reach the machine slot for my money with being in a wheelchair'. 'My Credit Card company will not accept small amounts (under £5.00)'. So in answer to the criticism, the Council issued 'booklets of scratch cards' @ £40 a book for use within 7 days of purchase!!!

Has anybody heard of this amazing Scheme and if so, what feedback has there been?

Many thanks to everybody.

Liz East

'Accessability Lincoln'

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