Buggies must be folded by law, if a wheelchair user wishes to board

[BerniceBroadside]

I know this can be a hot topic so thought I'd share that stagecoach have new signs on their buses stating that buggies must be folded by law if a wheelchair user wishes to board. Let's hope it's actually enforced.

I think posts that state that those that are disabled shouldn't be treated any differently in case they get "entitled" should be dealt with.

Agree. it is ridiculous to leave those posts standing but then delete responses to such arseholery.

I still say that it should be marked for deletion - as in highlighted with the comment that this post is disablist and is scheduled to be deleted, as will any like replies. And then within 24 hours it's deleted.

This names and shames the person and shows people right away what type of comments will not be tolerated.

I think if they implemented this for a month, then moved on to instant delete, perhaps it would make some people think twice.

There will ALWAYS be numpties that do the wind-up or will simply never evolve into normal compassionate human beings and make nasty comments, but it might slow it down a bit.

As requested by MNHQ, I've reported three posts all saying pretty much "I don't see why WC users should have priority." MN Towers tells me they've been deleted.

They've been deleted. Although sometimes I wonder whether they shouldn't be left just to show how ignorant/thoughtless/unthinking people can be. But if a poster like gobbysadcase who has patiently explained the reality of parenting children with disabilities is threatened with "disciplinary" then I think those who've really overstepped the line need to feel that discipline too!

Iam the messageboard dictator of course

Upthe perhaps thats what we need to start doing, just reporting anything which seems disabalist in the slightest - force MNHQ to take action.

Some of the covertly disablist posts always end up staying though.

Perhaps we need to coin a phrase. You know - much like the "did you mean to be that rude?" but more along the lines of "Did you intend to be disablist?" I'm sure someone can put together a very succinct phrase that we can use. Maybe it will draw attention to it a bit more. Those that didn't intend for it to be interpreted in a bad way then would realise it was misinterpreted. Those that meant it badly? Well, at least it shows others and makes more marking the spreadsheet more easily, eh?

This is what I don't get. Downright nasty posts are allowed to stand as opinion or debate despite lots of complaints yet when I posted something that wasn't a personal attack or trolling I get warned I'm going to be suspended - because of lots of complaints.

Why doesn't this happen to other people?

My 'tone' warrants suspension, yet others' 'tone' is acceptable?

We've still got this gem from Retropear "Of course multiple mothers could be banned thus missing out on much needed transport but hey I don't think that is any better than disabled people being disadvantaged.You've swopped one group for another." As well as this nasty little snippet "As tax payers actually parents have a right to use buses the same as everybody else"

This piece of shit from Laila326 "Whoever is on the bus first gets the space I feel. It's that simple. My previous thread was a bit harsh but things like this annoy me. It's just so unfair on buggy users. They had the space first :-("

It's crap, gobby

And, BTW, to anyone thinking

that they will just look upon this as disabled people still getting some sort of special treatment "Wah, wah, wah, why can't I say what I like?, the disabled people can"

I have no disabilities (apart from moderately severe short-sightedness but that's from too much peering at a computer!).

candy I missed those! I suggest you report them: MNHQ responded extremely quickly -- ie within 15 minutes.

Yes upthe I am not disabled, but I will still help fight against the idiots who think its ok to post such attitudes towards people who are disabled, and I hope those who are disabled, or who have disabled children, don't feel they are alone in their battle

I think some people genuinely don't get that this isn't just words on a page for some posters. They, or their family members, have been abused, humiliated or denied their legal rights for too long. It isn't okay to think that people with disabilities should just disappear from public life to make life easier for the able-bodied, but that is certainly the gist of some of the posts on here.

Unfortunately threads like this reflect real life experiences, although with the caveat that there are generally less supportive people around than there are on this thread.

I know where you are coming from re highlighting disablist posts & otherwise letting them stand....but on balance I think they should be taken down. A post is either disablist or it isn't....if deemed disablist it is illegal so should not be tolerated full stop.

As the parent of a disabled DC it would be nice not to have to read & be upset any more by these ignorant and offensive posts. Anyone who is inclined to agree with them is probably a lost cause anyway so there seems little point in trying to 'educate' them. And I couldn't care less what these people think as long as they are made to obey the law & not victimise people like my DS.

I have reported them and I'm sure my post will go too which is fine.

I do actually wish HQ would allow them to stand with a comment from them underneath, so everyone will always associate that username with that vile post. Although it might not work as well given that people can name change.

Perhaps just a deletion message that says "deleted due to disablist views" that way nobody needs to read the rubbish, but people know why it was deleted.

Re offensive posts still on the thread....yes I am seriously confused. I don't understand why, after closing the thread for a day to have 'a good look' at it, they are still up there while Gobby is reprimanded for hers?? There is just no comparison

I have to say I don't honestly think people have a clue what it's like to be dealing with it 24/7. It's unrelenting and when you add derision from others into the mix, it's just so isolating and frustrating. And the measly amount of carer's allowance which just shows how little the government/country value the carers and by extension the disabled needing carers. And the limits it places on everyday activities.

I've never taken the DCs on a holiday away (even IN the country, much less abroad) and going to tourist attractions is highly difficult as DS1 cannot cope with crowds and noise. Just getting through the grocery store without a meltdown is a major feat. And all those child-oriented activities and group lessons such as karate, swimming, football - no way can DS1 cope with that. So right there his world is reduced to school and home for the most part.

And I know there are others that struggle with many more issues than we have - so I'm not complaining. But many people just have no clue.

I don't think anyone can truly appreciate how difficult it is unless they have lived through something similar, but that doesn't justify people posting comments which are ignorant at best, down right nasty at worst. If you haven't got anything nice to say then don't say anything.

Let me correct/unpick these phrases for you...

^Retropear "Of course multiple mothers could be banned unlikely thus missing out on much needed transport but hey I don't think that is any better than disabled people being disadvantaged.You've swopped one group for another." the law is the law is the law, I have sympathy for parents of multiples but it's a blanket rule As well as this nasty little snippet "As tax payers actually parents have a right to use buses the same as everybody else" shock disabled people pay taxes too, invalid argument

This piece of shit from Laila326 "Whoever is on the bus first gets the space I feel. It's that simple. My previous thread was a bit harsh but things like this annoy me. It's just so unfair on buggy users. They had the space first :-(" ^ you forgot to add - unless a wheelchair user gets on. Then 'fairness' is irrelevent.

It's a complete non-argument, a buggy user may use the space if a wheelchair occupant doesn't need it. If it's needed by a wheelchair occupant, then the buggy owner has no right to it. The concept is reallllllly simple. And quite fair actually, the buggy owner is basically borrowing the space, but if it's needed, they have to give it back.