Transport for child in wheelchair
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Transport for child in wheelchair
My son (from Chelmsford) has a place at a Southend Grammar School. He is in a wheelchair and the Council have offered him a place on a bus with 4 steps onto it. Having explained that he can't get onto the bus they have told me they can't help any further!
Having sought advice from a Solicitor I am told the Council have an obligation to provide him 'suitable' transport but they won't budge.
Does anyone know of anyone else in a similar situation now or previously?
I would appreciate your experiences as it is causing us great upset.
Having sought advice from a Solicitor I am told the Council have an obligation to provide him 'suitable' transport but they won't budge.
Does anyone know of anyone else in a similar situation now or previously?
I would appreciate your experiences as it is causing us great upset.
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T.i.p.s.y
Hi Pezzo
Suggests you check advice on the Equality & Human Rights web site -
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com
The old Disability Rights Commission was merged into this department last year - they have lots of good information on what to do. I suspect that the LEA may have an obligation to provide a free taxi service until such time as they comply with the law.
Hope this helps
Suggests you check advice on the Equality & Human Rights web site -
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com
The old Disability Rights Commission was merged into this department last year - they have lots of good information on what to do. I suspect that the LEA may have an obligation to provide a free taxi service until such time as they comply with the law.
Hope this helps
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Bexley Mum 2
- Posts: 851
- Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:55 pm
- Location: Bexley
Pezzo - how dreadful for you. Have you tried local councillors? In my experience they're usually quick to respond - you should find a list of who they are and email addresses on your council's website. I'd also speak to the school when they start gearing up for the new term (end of next week?) to see if they have any experience of this problem. Local newspaper? I'm sure they'd love a story about how the council is effectively excluding your son from a school they've allocated him.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
As KenR has said, the best people to contact in the first instance would be the Equality and Human Rights Commission. They will be able to advise you.
Their contact details are as follows:
Equality and Human Rights Commission Helpline
Freepost RRLL-GHUX-CTRX
Arndale House
Arndale Centre
Manchester
M4 3EQ
0845 604 6610 - England main number
0845 604 6620 - England textphone
0845 604 6630 - England fax
Telephone lines are open on Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Wed 9:00 am-8:00 pm (last call taken at 7:45pm)
(Calls to 0845 numbers are charged at Local call rate tariff if you are using a BT landline. Call charges from other telephone operators and mobile networks will vary. To find out exactly how much you are paying for 0845 calls you should consult your telephone provider or their latest published tariffs.)
Their contact details are as follows:
Equality and Human Rights Commission Helpline
Freepost RRLL-GHUX-CTRX
Arndale House
Arndale Centre
Manchester
M4 3EQ
0845 604 6610 - England main number
0845 604 6620 - England textphone
0845 604 6630 - England fax
Telephone lines are open on Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Wed 9:00 am-8:00 pm (last call taken at 7:45pm)
(Calls to 0845 numbers are charged at Local call rate tariff if you are using a BT landline. Call charges from other telephone operators and mobile networks will vary. To find out exactly how much you are paying for 0845 calls you should consult your telephone provider or their latest published tariffs.)
Wheelchair Transport
IThankyo very much for the supportive comments posted on here in response to my query.
One person asks if I have the energy for a fight with the Council? The answer is 'not really' as it is soul destroying, BUT I will fight all the way as I don't think it is right.
I will seek advice from the Equality people and have sought advice from a Solicitor. He believes the Council are acting unlawfully and wants to challenge them.
I will do this, but it seems so unecessary and avoidable. The thing is, I cannot let this drop as it is my son's future on the line.
It seems so unfair that I worked him hard for 2 years studying for the exam and no whe faces the prospect of not being able to get to the school.
If anyone has any examples of other transport issues that may be similar I would really appreciate it.
One person asks if I have the energy for a fight with the Council? The answer is 'not really' as it is soul destroying, BUT I will fight all the way as I don't think it is right.
I will seek advice from the Equality people and have sought advice from a Solicitor. He believes the Council are acting unlawfully and wants to challenge them.
I will do this, but it seems so unecessary and avoidable. The thing is, I cannot let this drop as it is my son's future on the line.
It seems so unfair that I worked him hard for 2 years studying for the exam and no whe faces the prospect of not being able to get to the school.
If anyone has any examples of other transport issues that may be similar I would really appreciate it.
