Shortlisted for RADAR Award

I have been shortlisted for a Radar People of the Year Award. I set up my business in 2001 with a view to increasing the inclusion of disabled people in mainstream society through consultancy and training. As Director and Senior Disability Equality Consultant, I have worked tirelessly to this end over the last seven years, and have now seen my efforts recognized by the organization Radar, which has shortlisted me for the prestigious Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The winner of this Award will be announced at an awards ceremony on the night of Monday, December 1st at the Battersea Evolution in Battersea Park, London.

As you can imagine I am feeling extremely pleased with myself and, of course, have all fingers and toes crossed!

Hotel Reply

The on-going saga of the Radisson Hotel continues........

I have received a response from the Radisson, Birmingham over the weekend. They have duly acknowledged their mistakes and shortcomings and have offered various gestures to apologise for this situation. However, I am concerned as to their understanding of the DDA as they comment that "The Radisson SAS Hotel Birmingham takes the Disability Discrimination Act extremely
seriously and the hotel fully complies with the Act" - The DDA is not compliant based legislation but is an evolving piece of legislation whereby the boundaries may change on a daily basis.

Even though the gestures and the apology were made, the response did state that they accept no liability but surely the admission itself implies this?

hotel refusal continued

I was incredibly disgusted with the hotel’s mistake on Saturday 4th October 2008.

I had previously booked a twin accessible room and a twin connecting room staying at the Radisson, Birmingham. On Saturday, my Personal Assistant arrived at the hotel at approximately 12.00 noon to leave our bags there and I was horrified that there was no mention of the Hotel’s mistake then.

We went out for the day and returned at approximately 9.00pm in order to check-in. We were told that the Hotel had been double-booked and as it was the Radisson’s mistake. they had arranged for us to stay in similar rooms with similar facilities and same star category at the City Inn, Birmingham. We were told that a taxi had been ordered on account and would arrive to take us to the City Inn.

The taxi did arrive and we were taken to the City Inn, at which point, the driver insisted on payment and would not accept that this had been paid on account. This issue was resolved when I checked out as the taxi fare was deducted from my hotel bill.

The rooms were not twin bedded nor connecting which I found particularly disturbing as I had to share a bed with my Personal Assistant (and his snoring).

Secondly, this contravenes the DDA, which I did point out to the Radisson in my original booking – therefore, surely under the DDA the second room should have been free of charge. This matter has made me incredibly angry indeed and this is the reason why the DDA exists in order to preserve the rights of the disabled person as people like the Radisson take advantage.

I was equally disturbed by the fact that the Radisson reception staff looked me directly in the face and misled me about the taxi and about the same standard of room. I am not only seeking compensation but I am also seriously considering taking legal action against the Radisson.

In any case, I will not be staying at a Radisson ever again, but should this be mistaken as a complaint from one individual please be aware that all family, friends and colleagues will learn about this treatment and I am sure that they will also decide not to use the Radisson in the future.

Therefore, i asked them to consider the issues raised above and get back to me their comments.

I am stIll waiting........

When I thought my day couldn't get any worse

After I thought my day couldn’t get any worse, a bunch of rude and obnoxious people stormed onto the train and pushed past me even though the train was terminating there and the rule is, to let people off before you get on the train.

No boarding for wheelchair users

On the return I was going to use the DLR at Tower Gateway; however I was informed that this had shut so it was suggested that I use Tower Hill tube - useless really as this is inaccessible to wheelchair users. So I proceeded to walk back arriving back at 14.05pm - miserable and very wet. I walked through the ticket gate and staff shouted out to the platform staff that a ramp was needed. I proceeded to the platform where the staff were still letting people onto the train and I politely asked him for a ramp for me to board. Totally ignoring me, he blew his whistle for the doors to shut and the train to go. Rather perplexed I asked "Why did you let the train go? you let everyone else on". And his answer was, "because you use a wheelchair and it would take a lot more time".

Do black cabs get lost?

At about 10.40 we caught a taxi to the Tower of London and told the driver to enter via St Katherine’s Way, through the East Gate of the Tower. Did the driver do this? No, don’t be silly. He dropped us off outside an office block which was at the other end of St Katherine Way and we were therefore unable to locate the tower. After speaking to many of passers-by, we finally got directions and started walking. By the time I arrived into the conference it was 11.30 and it was due to end around noon. I decided, after this ordeal, that I would go and look at the Crown Jewels while I was there and I have to say that the Queen has some serious bling!

Broken down train

This morning, I was on my way to a conference which was being held at the Tower of London. This was due to start at 9.30am, so I caught the 8.05am train from Sutton, which would get me into London Bridge at 8.42am. The train broke down just after Norwood Junction. After about half an hour the driver announces that he is trying to fix the control, so we must be patient. After another hour he comes back on the announcement and tells us he can't fix it so he is waiting for a repair team. Yet another hour later, and one of the repair team tells us the train is now fixed and it would be fast to London bridge. In this situation I was thinking about what other barriers to access does this cause and I came up with two clear things: firstly, the lack of announcements or re-assurance that something is actually being done to the train and regular progress reports thereafter; and secondly, the ramp at London Bridge was not ready as the staff are unable to deal with delays or disruptions!