Passenger Lift Facilities Ordered to be Installed
In a ground breaking decision a court has ordered a company to install a passenger lift to accommodate wheelchair users and also awarded a record compensation pay out for the person who bought the action in the first place.
Noting the embarrassing situation that originally caused the case the judge has awarded 17 year old David Allen a record £6,500 in compensation. David was unable to enter the bank where he was a customer and there was no indication or warning that access was in any way restricted, in fact the contrary was posted outside the bank and on their business website. Due to this David was forced to conduct business with a bank official in the street outside the bank which not only completely breached David's right to confidentiality it also caused severe embarrassment.
Since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in 1995 it has been illegal for public amenities and businesses to, in any way treat a disabled person less favourably than any other person, able bodied or otherwise. Despite this it taken some 14 years before a court of law in the UK has utilised powers to enforce a business to install passenger lifting equipment to accommodate the disabled.
This ground breaking decision might spark a number of similar claims and demands for businesses to install platform lifts or other suitable passenger lift facilities in their places of business.