Supermarkets, queues & wheelchair

[SimplySteveRedux]

My only local supermarket is a Sainsbury's, it's very large and I've tried going at various times of day. There is one downhill gradient on one side, and an uphill gradient the other. I use a wheelchair, DW is blind and therefore cannot navigate these queues.

I've made it very clear to the member of staff waving people into store about the issues I face, that both gradients pose their own problem - running out of control on the downhill, very severe pain and massive amount of time needed on the uphill, but they simply don't care.

We don't qualify for food boxes from the LA, and despite repeated trying unable to secure delivery spots.

Am I BU, or are they? Under the Equality Act 1970 they are required to make "reasonable adjustment", which I'm very sure they are not doing.

Any advice?

That sounds very difficult OP.

Are you able to get a delivery slot? There were none for weeks but now I'm seeing lots weekly on Tesco and Asda.

Can you not ask someone in your local mutual aid group to do your shopping for you? I'm sure they'd be happy to.

That's very frustrating OP. Have you tried ringing the store to speak to a manager?

Would you be able to wait near the door for the required amount of time? So not skipping the queue, just waiting in a different spot?

Could you make use of local groups to get your shopping. I appreciate that isn't what you want, however these are unprecedented times so reasonable adjustments aren't going to happen any time soon I'm afraid.

I was in the queue at a Sainsbury's last week and a couple walked to the front of the queue where I was waiting and showed the person on the door an email they'd received off the store manager saying they were allowed to go straight in together as they were visually impaired. A shop assistant took them round at a date distance.

Why don't you email the store manager, explain your situation, and ask if they could send you a reply to show whoevers on the door to let you in without queueing. Outnof interest, do you drive yourself there? If so, can't they see you parking in a disabled bay?

No delivery slots, the next nearest supermarket is around 10 miles away. This store covers a massive area.

Won't allow us to hang around by the entrance "it's the same for everyone".

The Equality Act and reasonable adjustments are needed more now, the context of supermarkets is a useful cross-section. Not a switch that can be switched on/off at will.

I park in one of two disabled bays (the amount of bays in use since lockdown has reduced massively) right by where the store assistant stands and they watch me hobbling to the boot, retrieving wheelchair etc.

I've numerous mental health conditions and wouldn't be comfortable speaking to the manager on the phone, emailing is a good idea, I shall see if I can find an address.

I’ve found the first half of the week (Mon-wed) in the evening to be the best time to go shopping.
Otherwise it’s completely reasonable for you to go to another shop further away if it meets your needs better.

The disabled have been largely forgotten during this crisis, I believe.
.if you can't find an email address or phone number for the store, I'd go right up to the person letting people in and ask them to get the manager so you can speak to him or her directly.

As you drive, would it be easier to go to the other supermarket?

If you can’t get a reply from the store manager, then ask whoever is on the door every time you go.
I now work for Asda and I’m often on the door. If you asked me and explained why I’d definitely let you go straight in or find another solution. I’d argue your case to the supervisors if necessary.
Keep trying, you may get someone willing to fight your cause.

I don’t think Sainsbury’s are accepting emails anymore? Perhaps tweet them and ask for the specific store’s contact information

My local Sainsbury’s closed the main entrance so only the car park entrance is open. This entrance would only be accessible by wheelchair users by car, as there are steps down to access this area. So I had been wondering about the logistics of wheelchair access

Do you have any adult services involved, I am under child services and they have helped organise slots with local stores. The local volunteer service has also arranged slots for vulnerable people.