Leisure and retail not doing enough for disabled
3 Oct 05
Complaints to disabled helpline reveal leisure and retail access as biggest problem
Most complaints from disabled people in Scotland concern access to leisure and retail businesses, according to the Disability Rights Commission.
The Commission has revealed that nearly two out of three complaints (63%) from Scottish callers to its helpline concern access to pubs, shops, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, gyms, sports facilities and hotels – and their facilities.
The Scottish director of the Disability Rights Commission, Adam Gaines, said that laws to make places more accessible for disabled people had been in place for 10 years and there was no excuse for businesses. He added that the Commission would be vigorously pursuing offenders through the courts.
The biggest problem faced by disabled people was the lack of accessible toilet facilities in pubs, clubs and restaurants.
However, the DRC said it had investigated more than 40 cases across business sectors where disabled people received inadequate service in the past year. Eighty per cent of these had a positive outcome, with ramps installed, accessible toilets built, entrances widened, disabled parking bays introduced, and in some cases financial compensation paid.