Disabled Friend takes legal action
Esther Leighton is taking legal action against several businesses in Cambridge
Esther Leighton, a disabled Friend living in Cambridge, has taken legal action against several businesses in the Mill Road area of the city after they repeatedly ignored requests to install ramps or other facilities to allow her to access them.
The Cambridge Friend has been raising her concerns informally with shops and cafes in the area since 2010.
The Equality Act requires them to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled people.
She says that for most businesses the cost of an adjustment is minimal.
However, seven businesses have failed to respond to at least two letters from Esther, with another one responding unhelpfully. She has now initiated court proceedings against them.
‘Like many wheelchair users, I have spent years being denied access to shops, restaurants and cafes. I’ve been raising these concerns with businesses on Mill Road for years,’ she explained.
‘The most important thing to me is an apology, not getting money. The point is to be able to access the shops.
‘Thanks to the changes made by those businesses that responded positively, I’m delighted to say that I’m now able to get in to the majority of the shops.
She added: ‘I’ve been encouraged and comforted by the support I’ve received from other disabled people who are fed up that the Equality Act is being ignored.’
Comments
I support and applaud the actions being taken by Esther Leighton. As a wheelchair user myself, I know how frustrating it can be to be denied lawful access to shops, buses, restaurants etc. F course it is not just wheelchair users who experience difficulty, people find their guide dogs are refused admittance, people with learning difficulties may be shunned, other mobility impairments are not catered for. It is shortsighted on the part of many businesses to refuse disabled people access, after all the disabled pound is just as valuable as the non-disabled pound!
Friends commitment to equality is longstanding and we may all support the actions of those who seek to improve equality of access to services for all people.
By Ericafrances on 10th March 2017 - 11:05
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