DD college and her wheelchair

[Jetcatblackcat]

DD (20) attends college and has one to one support due to a variety of needs. Although she doesn't have a physical disability, she does have a wheelchair which she tends to use if she has a busy day with lots of walking etc as the side effects from her meds means that she tires very easily, which then creates more issues. So it's a purely preventive thing, not a 24/7 thing.

I have just found out that the college are 'lending' DD's wheelchair to a fellow student who has broke his leg and who doesn't like using his crutches. My concerns are a/ if the wheelchair gets broke while someone else is using it I'm not sure where we'd stand re getting it repaired, and b/ DD has communication difficulties and it would be very difficult for her to ask for it back - even if she needed it.

AIBU to contact the college to ask that it's not freely given out, or would I be being an unsympathetic bitch to the poor lad who has a broken leg?

I can't believe no one at that college- not Head Teacher, the Deputy, the Special needs lead ... - realise that it's not ok to use her personal w/chair for other people.

I would use the words "her medically prescribed wheelchair fitted specifically to her body & disability" in your email. It is sent in with her, for her sole use, to be available for when she needs it, not as a community resource and it breaches terms if its use for them to do so. I would also say they are never to let this happen again.

It is outrageous that they single out the disabled person to make (ask) her (to be) responsible for loaning out her personal medical mobility equipment to other students for others' convenience?. She is not a resource, she has individual rights & needs that are protected characteristics as a disabled person (under the Equality Act)

How is she supposed to say no , even without communication difficulties, to a loaded request from an institution that she is reliant on for her education and grades? It's called institutional discrimination .

I was being proportionate when i said adult services would open a safeguarding enquiry on this. Neglect (potential for harm) and emotional abuse (discrimination). It would however be resolved very promptly (quick phone call to Head Teacher by social worker asking them elaborate and explain firmly why it's not okay/ to stop immediately). Generally manager of that agency (head teacher) is asked to write section 42 enquiry report for adult services, it's a good way to get an organisation to take it seriously and consolidate how it occurred & their learning. And to identify who needs training and to check their policies (on disability accessibility and storage of precribed medicines and medical equipment).

And don't worry -as if she's not been harmed through their neglect- police won't get involved (no criminal offence) but it's genuinely helpful to let organisations know the possible repercussions. Ang get them to think more about DD's needs. The social worker would give a big boost to your DD by just talking to & supporting her and the college would apologise.

Well done for recognising your daughter's rights & needs were being sidelined. YANBU

On a practical note, could your DD not put a padlock on one of the rear wheels to prevent it being used ? It wouldn't stop the chair being moved without an occupant (just lift the rear). But it would stop it being used by anyone else - tampering with the padlock would be criminal damage.

I was wondering about some sort of lock too, @LurkingHusband.

OP - I hope you have had a suitable response from the college - which should have included an apology, imo.

They are in shady ground here ie disability rights. Complain and insist on a risk/health assessment