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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

in thinking this 'reasonable adjustment' is unreasonable?

130 replies

hedgehogsdontbite · 12/10/2015 11:28

I've recently started a course at my local college. My class is on the second floor and all facilities are on the ground floor. There is a lift which is not normally available to students and requires a key to operate. Keys are only issued to staff members, so I can't use the lift on my own.

I'm finding this more disabling than enabling. I have to wait by the lift in the hope that a member of staff wanders by and that I can identify them as staff. Or send a text to my teacher so she can come down and get me. I can't even go to the toilet on my own. I feel really uncomfortable with the attention this adjustment brings about and just want to be able to come and go like everyone else.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Lucked · 12/10/2015 11:51

Complain, complain and complain again. I am so sorry you are being put through this.

In the last place I worked the key was actually a magnet and I could call the lift with my bag clasp but I imagine technology has moved on!

kslatts · 12/10/2015 11:52

YANBU, you should be given a key. I would ask to speak to the person in charge of disability issues.

SisterMoonshine · 12/10/2015 11:52

i can't see how they're meeting legal accessibility requirements without a lift for public use.

unweavedrainbow · 12/10/2015 11:53

The person responsible for the building (so probably the Principal) is legally responsible for making sure that everyone can evacuate the building in an emergency-and this includes people who are disabled-without the use of the fire service. If you are non-ambulatory, you should have a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) created for you and be aware of it. Anything else is really dangerous-and illegal.

BathtimeFunkster · 12/10/2015 11:58

That's not an unreasonable adjustment, that's no adjustment.

Allowing you to use a lift only if you can find someone to unlock it is outrageous, even more so when that means you have to be accompanied to the lift if you want to use the bathroom.

Angry on your behalf.

How could anyone think that was acceptable?

BathtimeFunkster · 12/10/2015 12:02

I wish I could set the accessibility officer from the college I used to teach at (more than 10 years ago!!!) on them.

They wouldn't know what hit them.

And they'd be grateful for it.

I'm dumbfounded that they think this is an acceptable way to treat a student.

Mrsjayy · 12/10/2015 12:06

Even when i wasin school a million years ago i was given a key to the lift that is ridiculous and more than likely illegal

itsmine · 12/10/2015 12:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CestTout · 12/10/2015 12:08

Definitely see someone, maybe the head of facilities, if not take it further. I work at an FE college and anyone with a disability gets issued with a lift key as standard. You have to have one on you for emergencies as others have stated.

CrapBag · 12/10/2015 12:08

There was 1 lift at my school and the disabled boy in my year had a key to it. It was never an issue and he was a child.

This is ridiculous and I would be complaining as high up as I could. What on earth do they think you are going to do with the precious key!

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 12/10/2015 12:09

That's totally rubbish OP. Does your college have a students' union - they will support you in challenging this nonsense.

trulybadlydeeply · 12/10/2015 12:10

This is discrimination. You are an adult and should be able to access toilet facilities.

You could contact this organisation for advice:

www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/

Brioche201 · 12/10/2015 12:21

I agree you should have a key for reasons of dignity and convenience, although I don't think you should be using the lift in the event of a fire.Usually 30 minute fire doors are fitted which would keep you safe until the emergency services got there to rescue you.

AyeAmarok · 12/10/2015 12:48

Yes you should have a key.

This is completely unacceptable.

TotalConfucius · 12/10/2015 13:04

Completely unacceptable.
DS is in his second college setting and each time has been issued his own key for elevators. This latest setting is absolutely the most inclusive place we've ever experienced.
Really take this up with ALS/disabled students officer/equality people, even NUS rep.
They are creating barriers to your learning.

TotalConfucius · 12/10/2015 13:08

And no, you shouldn't use the lift in the event of a fire. The college should have clear plans on how best to enable you to evacuate the building, with named people responsible. These are already in place for Ds and he has received a walk-through of arrangements.

LoveAnchor · 12/10/2015 13:17

Infuriating! Please file a formal complaint if nothing else works, that's just awful!

catfordbetty · 12/10/2015 13:25

Ask for a copy of your college's complaints policy. Follow it. Keep a record of all correspondence. Be persistent.

Good luck!

purplepandas · 12/10/2015 13:52

I am gobsmacked at this. I agree that this is discriminatory. I would talk to the relevant person as this is not okay at all. Sorry op, I am, shocked on your behalf.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 12/10/2015 13:56

In the first instance contact the principal ... I would ring and speak to their Secretary.

If you mention disability, reasonable adjustment, affront to your dignity.. They should immediately understand and give you a key... Accept nothing else... If they do say anything re abuse... Point out that doesn't apply to you, and it's in your best interests that the lift works.. So you won't be giving your key to passing lift vandals.

If they don't immediately acquiesce, contact the Enablement /disability office, SU... Etc

If they don't do anything - invoke your uni's complaint process....!

Some able bodied people can be surprisingly thick about Reasonable adjustments!

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 12/10/2015 14:00

PS please don't be fobbed of... Oh yeah and say this needs to be expedited as this is impacting on you on a daily basis..

Also Grin to uckyouGove!

regenerationfez · 12/10/2015 14:01

What reasonable adjustment have they made? That they are allowing you in the lift with supervision? They need to move the class to the ground floor or give you access to the lift. If they are a public building, they should have disabled facilities for all users of the building, not just the staff. they are breaking the law.

Welshmaenad · 12/10/2015 14:02

This is completely out of order.

My small uni campus has lifts available to all, interestingly the able bodied students never ever use them. I'm still awaiting a diagnosis and am not 'officially' disabled yet the uni has bent over backwards to make my life easier, including issuing me a pass to use disabled parking and encouraging me to use the lifts. If I had to be taken to the toilet by a lecturer I would be raging.

This is discriminatory and unfair, please please complain.

Original poster
hedgehogsdontbite · 12/10/2015 14:03

I think I'll get my support worker on the case now I know I'm not being unreasonable. I think my teacher must have got the wrong end of the stick.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 12/10/2015 14:04

I would have thought that the minimum reasonable adjustment would be you being given a key when you arrive and for you to hand it back when you leave.

YANBU.