Disability
Access to everyday services
The Disability Discrimination Acts (DDA) give disabled people important rights of access to everyday services.
Everyday services include services provided by:
local councils,
doctors' surgeries,
shops,
hotels,
banks,
pubs,
post offices,
theatres,
hairdressers,
places of worship,
courts,
voluntary groups such as play groups,
non-educational services provided by schools.
Access to services is not just about installing ramps and widening doorways for wheelchair users - it is about making services easier to use for all disabled people, including people who are blind, deaf or have a learning disability.
DisabledGo (www.disabledgo.info) is an online directory with detailed access information about venues across the UK. You can search the database and filter results to check whether a venue is suitable for your own individual needs.
Going to the cinema - access and concessions
Most cinemas, especially modern multi-screen types, provide good facilities for disabled people. Details of facilities at cinemas are normally found on their websites under "access" or "disabled customers" or a similar heading.
The Cinema Exhibitors Association (CEA) Card is a national card for disabled people, which entitles the holder to one free ticket for a person accompanying them to the cinema. To be eligible, the holder must receive Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or be registered blind.
The card costs £5.50 and is valid for one year. You can get an application form at any participating cinema, or download one from the CEA website (www.ceacard.co.uk).
Even if a cinema is not participating in the scheme, it is worth asking whether it offers reduced or free admission to your carer or assistant.
Visiting places of interest
The Directgov website gives information on services available (www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Everydaylifeandaccess/VisitingPlacesOfInterest/index.htm).
Communication support for deaf people
Deaf and hearing people communicate with each other in many areas of everyday life. Often they need support to communicate effectively with each other. Access to communication support services is available in different ways.
Communication support includes British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, deafblind interpreters, lipspeakers, notetakers and speech-to-text reporters (palantypists). The people who are employed to provide this service are called language service professionals.
Communication support may be provided in a variety of situations by service providers and employers such as:
at a job interview,
on a training course,
at work,
when visiting a doctor, optician or hospital,
when attending court,
at a public meeting;
How communication support is arranged
In most situations, communication support has to be booked in advance. Booking may be required up to six weeks in advance.
Service providers need to know what communication support you need in order to use their services. You should give as much information as possible so that they can book the correct support.
This is especially important when medical or legal information is involved - such as in hospital, at a police station or in a courtroom. Some language service professionals have extra experience in certain situations.
Information required could include:
the length of the session;
helpful information about the session such as:
medical diagnosis,
presentation slides,
the agenda for the meeting.
Service providers, local authorities and government offices - for example Jobcentre Plus or social services departments - can access communication support by:
employing in-house language service professionals;
contacting agencies or individuals that offer communication support.
Hospitals, doctors, and legal agencies (such as the police and courts) should have a standard procedure and booking system for arranging interpreting services.