Ask the Experts

Who pays to adapt buildings?

Q Someone who uses a wheelchair has joined a local theatre group that I run. I’m trying to find out if funding is available and if there’s any advice on how I can have the stage and dressing room areas adapt­ed for her. Any help would be great as I don’t seem to be able to find any­thing to even get me started! Many thanks.
Sarah Wheeler, stage manager

Agnes Fletcher replies: In the case of employees, disability-related costs can sometimes be paid for by the Government’s Access to Work scheme. But when it comes to adapting premises for people who use a particular organisation's services, things are more difficult.

The owner of the building, or the company that manages it, probably has the legal responsibility for making adaptations to the premises. If that’s so, it’s they who have to make “reasonable adjustments” to the premises, so you might start by raising the issue with them. For advice on the legal situation, there are codes of practice on the Disability Discrimination Act as it applies to service providers, in relation to adapting buildings.

In relation to funding, if your theatre group shares responsibility for making physical changes, talk to the Arts Council and Shape Arts, which promotes equal access to and participation in the arts for disabled people, for potential funding sources.

As for expert advice,whoever’s responsible for the premises should engage an access consultant about greater accessibility. You need to consider the needs not just of wheelchair users but other disabled people, such as those with visual or hearing impairments. This is why expert advice is important: you can’t just make changes to suit the disabled person who may have first triggered your thinking. To find an access consultant, contact the Centre for Accessible Environments.

See also:
• Equality and Human Rights Commission: “Rights of Access” www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/code_of_practice_
rights_of_access.pdf

• The Arts Council: 0845 300 6200 www.artscouncil.org.uk

• Shape Arts: 0845 521 3457 www.shapearts.org.uk

• Centre for Accessible Environments: 020 7840 0125 www.cae.org.uk

Can airline systems be more flexible?

Q We booked five tickets for a flight with Thomson Airlines and wanted in-flight meals for only four of our party. The fifth member – our daughter –has severe medical needs and is fed entirely by gastrostomy, but Thomson’s policy is that all members of a booking have to purchase meals. Do we really have to buy an extra meal that won’t be eaten? Is this policy allowable under the Disability Discrimination Act or other legislation?
Shirley Mowberry

Andy Wright says: I quite agree: it’s a disgrace. Sadly, however, all airlines do this. Airline computer systems are programmed to treat all people within a party in the same way: all with meals or all not; all seated together or all not. I think it’s unacceptable but until there are more challenges to these practices in the courts or DDA rules and regulations are tightened up (currently airlines do not have to comply with the DDA), this type of behaviour will continue.

Are texters cheating my daughter?

Q My 30-year-old special needs daughter has been signed up to a premium-rate texting service that has been ripping her off (£400+ monthly mobile phone bill) by engaging her in text conversations. I’ve managed to get T-Mobile to bar the service but I’d like to know if there’s a safe alternative that she can chat with, as she is mainly housebound and doesn’t have much contact with people. Also, shouldn’t unscrupulous activity by texting services be banned?
Ian Colpitts

Léonie Watson writes:
Phone Pay Plus, which regulates premium services in the UK, says that most premium services are run properly and don’t cause concern. Despite this, the cost of a premium service can be anywhere from 10p and £1.50/minute/call/text. Some premium services may also charge you for receiving texts as well as sending them and your mobile phone provider may add a further charge (see www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/default.aspx)
Phone Pay Plus provides information and services designed to help people understand premium phone services, and can also be approached about complaints. Its guidance states that if you get a text from a number you don’t recognise, don’t delete it. Call your mobile phone provider and ask if it can provide any information on the sender and whether it costs you money to receive the text.

Also, if you get a text from a number you think might be a premium service, use the online phone checker on the Phone Pay Plus website to track down the sender.

Reputable premium text services will let you know if you are signing up for a subscription service, how much each incoming text will cost, how many texts you’re likely to receive, and how to unsubscribe.

You can stop any premium service that charges you for receiving texts by sending the word “stop” to the SMS number.

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