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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To think this is abilist?

27 replies

Sparhawk · 17/05/2013 21:38

A while back I was discussing sensory groups in my area with people at my local mother and baby group, one person mentioned that a local group actually charged more money to bring a child if they have a disability. I was pretty Angry when I heard this. Surely this is discriminatory?

I work for a well known charity that campaigns for equal rights for those with learning disabilities and I'm wondering whether this is something I should bring to their attention.

AIBU?

OP posts:
TheEndOfMyLastWit · 17/05/2013 21:41

Huh?

Do you mean disablist?

Original poster
Sparhawk · 17/05/2013 21:42

My mistake, I mean; ableist my spell check let me down.

OP posts:
itsnothingoriginal · 17/05/2013 21:47

Definitely check it out. Sounds pretty Shock to me if that is the practice of this group to charge MORE for disabled children normally it's the other way around..

AgentZigzag · 17/05/2013 21:49

I would probably find out a bit more about exactly why (if in fact they do) they charge more for a child with a disability before going anywhere with it.

Can't think why they'd do that though, and I can't imagine it going down very well with any of the users of the playgroup regardless of whether their child has a disability or not.

I didn't know ableism meant the same as disabilsm, didn't even know it was a word tbh. You live and learn.

Original poster
Sparhawk · 17/05/2013 21:49

I'm assuming they're working on the assumption that disabled children are more likely to cause damage/more trouble, but that's just a guess. I'm temped to go and ask myself in case the person who told me wasn't being truthful, but I really doubt that's the case.

OP posts:
PollyPlummer · 17/05/2013 21:50

Really ? Wow.
Its worth checking out but I really don't see how a group would get away with it or why they would even do it in the first place.
How well do you know the woman who told you ?

ChippingInLovesSunshine · 17/05/2013 21:51

Maybe the person who told you misunderstood?

Original poster
Sparhawk · 17/05/2013 21:51

I've only met her a few times but she's employed by the organisation that runs the group.

OP posts:
anastaisia · 17/05/2013 21:54

Depends? If it's because (just examples) they provide longer or exclusive sessions for disabled children, or put additional staff on duty so parents can get a short period of respite then it wouldn't be discriminatory IMO, just that they'd be offering a different service.

If they offer the exact same sessions but for a different price that's not okay.

PollyPlummer · 17/05/2013 21:54

I would be very surprised and sad if she is right.
I used to work with adults with LD. I never encountered community groups charging more for us to join in. Not to say there is not discrimination out there - sadly there is, it just seems a bit Hmm

AgentZigzag · 17/05/2013 21:54

'I'm assuming they're working on the assumption that disabled children are more likely to cause damage/more trouble,'

Surely nobody would think that (apart from you? (sorry)), let alone carry it through into a pricing structure for playgroup??

Original poster
Sparhawk · 17/05/2013 21:56

You'd be surprised ZigZag, through the charity I've heard of plenty of occasions when disabled people have been charged more to access services and experienced it myself when supporting the people I work with.

OP posts:
DoubleLifeIsALifeHalved · 17/05/2013 21:56

Shocking if actually true - defo find out more and complain loudly if it's the case.

OutragedFromLeeds · 17/05/2013 22:00

I know playgroups that charge less, but never more?! Do you think she/you got the wrong end of the stick?

Original poster
Sparhawk · 17/05/2013 22:00

anastasia that's a very good point, this is why I'm wondering whether to mention it. I guess it means I'm going on an outing to see what the deal is. Smile

OP posts:
PeneloPeePitstop · 17/05/2013 22:01

Welcome to the world of SN.
If you put SN before anything - pushchair, stabilisers whatever you can at least treble the price.

It's truly shit. I could do with some large stabilisers to help DS1 learn to ride a bike (he's nearly 5ft at 9 and can't do it without) but at £110 I just can't do it....

All too common, sadly.

PeneloPeePitstop · 17/05/2013 22:02

Oh, and childminders locally charge double for SN kids as they have to drop their ratios for a SN child so you have to compensate the loss of earnings.

Factor in additional laundry costs/damaged clothes/furniture replacement, increased utility bills in general and that's what the DLA goes on...

Original poster
Sparhawk · 17/05/2013 22:05

I've never worked with anyone with physical disabilities, so I've never encountered that. Sad I did once try to take a person I supported on a short boat trip at a park, they clearly had a learning disability and the boat driver tried to charge us more to get on. I challenged him and eventually his boss got involved and told me the driver must have been confused about the prices. I was very Hmm about it.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 17/05/2013 22:06

I just can't imagine a conversation between two people, where one person mentioned that a local group actually charged more money to bring a child if they have a disability...and the other doesn't ask "Why?"

Were you not particularly interested in the conversation?

Original poster
Sparhawk · 17/05/2013 22:13

At the time I wasn't really thinking that much about it, Worra. I have to admit the conversation happened several months ago too, I only remembered it after my DM suggested I take DD to a sensory room.

My brain has been completely fuddled since I've had her. Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
Sparhawk · 17/05/2013 22:16

Ugh, I realize I'm not making much sense now either. I was angry when I heard about it but at the time it didn't occur to me that I should do something about it.

Anyway, I'm going report my thread. I realize that I have't explained myself very well and I don't want people to think I'm trolling. If it turns out it's true I'll post another thread about it.

OP posts:
AgentZigzag · 17/05/2013 22:35

Aww, don't report it, it's just AIBU posters ferreting about for things in an OP.

Which I did as well.

You're not trolling in the slightest.

It'd be completely unreasonable if they were charging more, and if Pens experiences are telling her not to be surprised maybe it's more widespread than people think?

PeneloPeePitstop · 17/05/2013 22:40

Oh yes, my points weren't made out of any anger with the OP at all, it's more the situation I am angry at, which isn't of the OP's making!

flanbase · 17/05/2013 22:46

Saprhawk - can't see what's wrong with what you've posted. You should bring the higher fees to the attention of the charity so it can explain and help sort the situation out.

MNHQ
OliviaMMumsnet · 17/05/2013 22:50

Hello there OP
Would you like us to move this thread out of AIBU?

Swipe left for the next trending thread