RUGBY DISABILITY FORUM

Chair: David Foster – Tel: 01788 544991                       Secretary: John Burrell – Tel 01788 533796

Website: www.rugbydisabilityforum.org

Minutes of meeting held at Hamilton House on Tuesday 28th August 2007

Presentation by Tim Astley (Coventry Law Centre) on Disability Discrimination Act.

Tim advised that he is involved with taking cases, giving advice and helping people with the Act which is long winded, difficult/complicated legislation.  He gave an overview of what the Act applies too, what reasonable adjustments mean and advised that it is much wider than people think.

Individuals could be awarded compensation or the Courts could serve an injunction requiring the service provider to do work.  Compensation could be from £1500 or the average employment services award is £7000, however could be very expensive if a case is lost.  The DRC acts as a conciliatory service for such cases.  Transport is now covered in a limited way although until 2016 does not cover physical changes to buses.  Standards are improving all the time.

 

 

Q -   Strength of the Act – less powerful that we were led to believe it would be.  Enforcement relies on the individual suing – would be better if enforced by Local Authority.  How far does your brief go – does it cover just Coventry?

A -   Different views as to how far you can enforce this.  Duty is quite broad.  Decision was made in 1995 and it was felt that it was important to give people rights rather than L.A. enforcement.  Coventry Law Centre is restricted to Coventry however he does get involved with DDA cases within the West Midlands of which Rugby is part.

Q -   Is it legal for Coventry Hospital to charge for disabled parking?

A -   If there are specific disabled spaces then they cannot charge for parking in them.  It could be unreasonable for disabled parking not being provided near to the main entrance!  Likely that a case can be made to allow free disabled parking – Agreed to wait and see what the Hospital intends doing before considering action.

Q -   Rugby Railway Station – Two footways are obstructed.  Is it a transport issue?

A -   It would be if the footway was part of the overall Railway Station development.

Q -   Are the Court’s required to help people with special needs to present their case in Court.

A -   Court’s are covered by the DDA – if they do not come up to standard then there could be grounds to bring a case against them.

David thanked Tim for his interesting and informative presentation.

2.       Present – D. Hillman, A. Cowan, P. Clarke, J. Woffenden, M. Robinson, F. Bennington, N. Tampkin, S. Palmer, Martin Eversfield, George Farthing, Jill Atkinson, Ricky Somal, Lionel Broughton, Ialu Johnson, Patsy Newson, Aseia Rafique, Marion Hersey, George Wilde, Jack Lawton, John Hicks, Peter Elliott, Mala Solanki, Ame Cooper, Paul Cooper, Brian Edwards.

3.       Apologies – Sue, Enid, Pam Jones, Cassim, Iclin, Clem, Sheena, Joyce George.

4.       Matters Arising – Martin advised that Mr. Lynn was from the Crown Criminal Prosecution Service.

         Railway Station – Martin to write to Mr. Moss if no response to the request re-condition of the footpath.

         Rugby Theatre – Jack advised that he had been informed that the Theatre are not aware who owns the access road.  JB to investigate further.

        European One Million Disability Forum - Fiona having looked at the website advised that nearly 400,000 people had registered.  In order to reach 1 million we need members to register.  You can access the register by going  into the Forum’s website under News.  If you do not have access to a computer pop into the library and you will be shown what to do.

         It was agreed that it would be worthwhile for the Forum to register and Fiona agreed to do this.

         Information in Alternative formats:-

         Tape – Tony confirmed that this was very beneficial and a great help to him.  Was a little fast at the beginning though.

         CD’s – Derek & David advised that the diction was difficult to follow and was too fast.  David confirmed that he has spoken to Paul who is looking into improving them.

Reports – Taxis – Jack advised that the Borough Council’s report was withdrawn from Cabinet and has been re-written.  David and Jack had a meeting with Council members later today and it is hoped the report will go through as before.

         Committee – JB advised that the Committee met on 14th August and discussed Drop Kerbs, Worker for RDF, Compact, items for Forum agenda, Committee members liability, parking, Network Rail, members protocol, Marla (Treasurer) to attend Finance course, spare computer if anyone needs/wants one disability car parking charges at Hospital.

         Discrimination Law Review – David advised that this document was out for consultation.  The intention being to have one law for all equalities with people complaining to a commission rather than a tribunal.  Tim commented on the fact that this was only a “green paper” and his understanding was that eventually it will be a proper tribunal system.  The point could be made that it doesn’t meet Article 6 of the Human Rights Act.  Tim agreed to help David with the wording to complete this part of the consultation.

         Website – Andrew asked for information from members to be put onto the website.

6.       Constitutional Change

          David advised that this was a very important issue as the constitution is very rarely changed.  Members of the Committee were very concerned that should a member take legal action against a service provider and inadvertently mentioned the Forum so that it could be perceived that the action was being taken on behalf of the Forum.  Committee members may become financially liable should the case fail.  JB had asked Jack to advise on suitable wording to make this clear.  JB read out the following wording :-

         “no officer nor member has authority to act on behalf of the Forum without a formal decision of the Forum or the Committee to do so in any legal proceedings or to incur any contractual or other legal liabilities on behalf of the Forum or its members”.

         David advised that if members agreed the above would be put to members at our AGM to vote on the wording and inclusion in the constitution.  This was agreed unanimously.

          NOTE: -  The Constitution can be found on the Forum website.

7.       Courses for People with Disabilities

          Adult & Community Learning (WCC) – funding to educate adults over 19 years.  Could set up a course that meets peoples needs – how to write a letter of complaint, computer course etc. WCC are interested in finding out what people need – representatives will be attending future Forum meeting to hear your views.  Charge for courses however if you are on benefits they are free and half price if over 65.

Compact – unanimously agreed that the Forum should be a part of this.

9.       Any Other Business

Caldecott Park – next meeting 6th September at Town Hall to agree to spend money on new statue – should be accessible.

Everyone invited to learn about culture of black people (particularly from the Caribbean) at Black History & Celebration event on 20th October at West Indian Community Centre, St. Peters Road. start 2.00 p.m. workshops, poetry etc. music from a steel band and Caribbean food – all free for a fun day out.

Race & Disability Forum have a programme of meetings arranged to discuss why Afro Caribbean people seem to be more prone to mental problems than other members of the community – everyone welcome to attend – details from David.

Adult Mental Health Services – public consultation meetings to be held at Benn Hall on 30th August and 12th September between 5.30 p.m. – 8.00 p.m. also at St. Marks Church, Bilton on 17th September at 6.30 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.  Everyone welcome to attend and give your views.