Disabled through the back door

[jammypuddingmonkey]

How unreasonable is it for me to be cross about someone saying that a disabled person is only allowed to use the back door for access, that they shouldn't want to use the front door? It feels a bit like disability discrimination...

This is in the house they live in, not a commercial building, nothing to do with anything regarding making the house accessible either. It's not that a ramp is only to one door, or anything like that.

The front door is nearest to the road. The back door isn't usable alone for the person, because of construction faults with it. The front door is usable independently.

The front door is accessible, but apparently is only to be used in an emergency, not day to day life.

So... The disabled person shouldn't answer the front door, or use it at all, they should only use the back door. It's not access within the house, it's literally that- you shouldn't use the front door, only the back, because you're disabled. Said almost like that, too... Previously said that the person should spend most of their time in the back of the house, too.

I'll add that there's ramps to both doors, both are widened. You have to pass the front door to get to the back door anyway.

Anyone an OT? Is this honestly the official opinion? Disabled only allowed to use the back door? Should stay out the main rooms? Hide away? There were worse comments made... I won't go into it all, too long!

Or is this expecting too much- wanting to use the front door...

This has been said several times to us. But yesterday was said directly- why do you want to use the front door? why?!

When so many other things are taken away by disability, so much independence lost and having to accept that, something small like deciding to use the front door because its easier surely shouldn't be a decision made by anyone other than the person who lives there?

[ArendelleQueen]

MrsDeVere I can't see that this current OT did anything that was substandard though. I just don't see the issue, the OP is being obtuse. Services ensured that the husband - rightly - has access to his property from the front and back.

[SoupDragon]

Assuming there is no good reason to use only the back door, the of course it's not unreasonable to use the front one.

If there is a solid reason why it's easier to use the back and/or there is a reason they can only provide access to that door then I'm not sure.

However, it's not clear from your posts.

[LilacWine7]

I'm still confused re what the actual problem is. I very much doubt the OT meant to be offensive, but I can see why he was confused. If both doors are now accessible, what more did you want him to do? If both doors share a ramp (now repaired) it's up to you and your husband which door you use.

Am I right in thinking your husband prefers to use the front door, but part of the ramp at the front needed repairs, which were carried out? But you are not happy because the repaired bit at the front feels slippery when wet?
If this is the case, I suggest you either use the back door in wet weather (thereby avoiding the slippery part of the ramp) or pay privately to have the ramp repaired in a different way. Or buy a special rubber mat for the ramp. A wet 'slippery' ramp is not necessarily dangerous, the wheelchair wheels should be able to grip on the metal part or that type of repair would not have been approved. The back door still provides access so you can avoid the repaired part. The ramp may not be ideal but it sounds adequate to me.

You seem ungrateful for the services you've received, but actually you were lucky to get BOTH doors widened, adapted and fitted with ramp-access. Having 2 adapted doors was not essential in order for your husband to get out and about independently; he could manage with one door, as many many people do.

OT resources are limited, OTs have to be cost-effective with adaptations; if they gave everyone exactly what they wanted, there would not be enough resources to go round and people without a ramp would be on long waiting lists just to get one ramp. The NHS is overstretched and underfunded. OTs work within strict policies and budgets, they have to justify why adaptations and repairs are essential. Preferring to use one door over another perfectly good safe door is not 'essential'. Fitting ramps and adapting doors is expensive and many OTs will only adapt ONE entrance. This is policy not personal preference. In many areas there is a long waiting list for ramps and very strict criteria, you would have to pay privately if you wanted ramp-access at both doors.

You come across as quite aggressive and very negative about OT services in general. If you were rude to the OT and demanded a different sort of ramp repair so you had the choice of both doors, I'm not surprised he got frustrated with you.

[LunchpackOfNotreDame]

If the ramp is dangerous (and tbh most ot's avoid ramps for this reason) I'm surprised they haven't recommended a platform lift (if it's a significant drop) or split level ramp

[LunchpackOfNotreDame]

Op your clipped sentances and deliberate missing out of information is what's getting people's backs up.

When I had an OT out I was told it's one entrance only unless there is good cause to adapt two.

You and Dawn seem to be being obtuse for the sake of it.

[PausingFlatly]

And there is a long history of having to battle (and involve ombudsman) to get the OT service to fulfil their basic legal obligations, so now every time they say something dismissive or evasive, it feels like more of the same?

[PausingFlatly]

Plus the front door is easier and safer for the wheelchair user to operate than the back door, because of the approach and how it opens.

Have we summed that up correctly, OP?

[SoupDragon]

The ramp is the same one for both front and back door though. It's dangerous in the wet whichever door is used.

[honeysucklejasmine]

when wet

[honeysucklejasmine]

It sounds like this to me....

A ramp repair made the front door too dangerous to use when we, as it would cause the chair to slide.
You asked for it to be sorted.
OT suggested you use the back door instead and not bother with repair, expressing that they thought everyone used the back door anyway.
You feel that the botched repair effects both doors equally so needs doing, and you want to use the front door.

Is that right?

FWIW I hate using back doors but that's due to the style of houses I live in. The majority of houses in my town are accessed round the back, and the front doorways are used as a sort of junk space come boot room, and would cause a right kerfuffle if someone tried to enter that way.

[youareallbonkers]

If this is work they paid for then of course they should be annoyed. If this has been done for them then I don't really see they can complain

[SoupDragon]

Is your Dh able to use the front door?

If yes, then I fail to see what the problem is. They can't make you only use a particular door.

[ArendelleQueen]

Well, some of is have no idea what you're on about. You're not being very clear about what the OT actually said, so how on earth can we know if you're BU?! From what you've said, I suspect you didn't listen and got the wrong end of the stick.

[jammypuddingmonkey]

Are lovely and helpful! (posted too soon). And I feel theyre frustrated by not being able to help more...

Next time I might offer them the back door to come through.

It's just an odd comment and I don't know why someone would say it, and its been going round my head.

[jammypuddingmonkey]

this isn't what we went to the ombudsman about! Really don't think they take on off-hand comments... The fact we had to take it that far means they labelled us as troublemakers (even though it was upheld, and they were told to sort themselves out, to abide by their own rules etc...).

I have no idea what the OT was on about.

Some ots are awful. The majority I presume

[Littlecaf]

OP, I appreciate you are annoyed, however your posts are really confusing.

There doesn't seem to be a reason why your husband can't use the front door, so just use it. If it's because it's unsafe when wet then ask them to change it. The OT has to weigh up accessibility, function, cost and safety.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I feel like there are chunks missing.

Is the OP saying everyone should use the back door? This is how my DPs and I still use their house. You go through your front door three times and carried every time . The front door is births, deaths, marriages and posh guests. The back door is friends, family and normal use.

My childhood friend, who I haven't seen in decades came round to visit last time I was home. She looked embarrassed and said, "I didn't feel right using the front door".

[Floggingmolly]

They haven't forbidden your dh to use the front door . Just suggested it may not be necessary, for reasons you don't seem clear on and you didn't bother to ask for enlightenment.
Why are you still seething about this?? Just use whatever bloody door you want!

[RachelWatts]

Sounds to me like the OT could be one of those people who think family and friends use the back door, while people not known to the household use the front.

My in-laws have this system - anyone knocking unexpectedly at the front door causes a flurry of activity as keys are found and vacuum cleaners moved out of the way.

Being asked to use the back door is a sign you've been accepted into the fold, and wanting to use the front door instead would cause confusion and hurt feelings.

[mommy2ash]

To be honest this reads like you have misunderstood what was said I would love to hear the other side of the conversation.even your op reads very differently to the actual situation

[ArendelleQueen]

This is bizarre. It sounds like you seem to think that the OT was implying that disabled people should use back doors only?! Am I barking up the wrong tree?

[maz210]

OP, you do sound unnecessarily annoyed about this from what you've posted. Under these circumstances, if the OT asked why your husband needed to use the front door surely you would just reply that it's irrelevant why he wants to use the front door as the ramp will need to be repaired regardless in order for him to use either door.

You seem to have taken the OT's question as being indicative of a disablist (is that even a word?!) attitude. Would someone with this kind of attitude train as an OT? I think this is a misunderstanding fueled by your frustrations about having to fight for your husband to retain his independence. It's understandable that you feel anger about the the situation in general but I think you may have misdirected that anger at the OT.

I'm disabled and I don't think that this question would have annoyed me to this extent. I'd have just replied factually, maybe in a WTF? tone if I felt the question was a bit condescending or unnecessary.

[mollie123]

you went to the ombudsman !