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By Ross Findon
Sunday, October 7, 2012
DISABLED passengers, who rely on the lift to reach the passenger deck on Wightlink sailings, have been told they will have to wait for a later ferry if the lift is broken.
As previously reported, the company introduced a new policy last month that means passengers must leave their vehicles and the car deck during sailings.
Wightlink said the policy was introduced to comply with Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) rules, despite the company making the case that some passengers preferred to stay in their vehicle. A similar policy was already in place on Red Funnel services.
Ambulance patients and prisoners being transported in vans, along with those responsible for them, will be exempt from the Wightlink policy.
Reporter: ross.findon@iwcp.co.uk
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by Alex Kelly
9th October 2012, at 09:13:10
Wightlink! My name is Alex Kelly and I promise you now that if I have to use your so called “disabled friendly service” I will be staying in my car and you can whistle Dixie for all I care. It is as simple as that. As I have stated before my disabilities don't allow me to vacate my car and get up to the lounge deck, so please be warned you will have a situation on your hands or maybe I should get a criminal record then you could place me under the “exemption” of being a prisoner?I'm sick of England being 20 years behind the Americans when it comes to disability friendliness and accessibility its time this multi million pound business had some common sense got out from behind its office desk and actually listened and asked its paying customers what could be made easier or better. Profit
by Mrs James
8th October 2012, at 17:25:26
*Should say 1999 *
8th October 2012, at 17:24:13
This is Discrimination against Disabled People no question...I shall pass the link to this article on to the National Disability Action Group and I suggest anyone who can take this up as a complaint should do so as this is a total disgrace check out the DDA legislation and use Red Funnell every time they are more accessible anyway.DDA = Disability Discrimination Act came into force in 1099 became enforceably in Jan 2004. shame its not be persued on the Island yet the whole Island is not Fully Accessible to All yet.
by Terry Groves
8th October 2012, at 16:10:20
Although not quite disabled - yet, Wightlink can in no way be described as customer-friendly. As a 71 year-old foot passenger I recently boarded the ferry at Lymington with two heavy suitcases. No help, of course from the staff. On asking if I could leave the luggage near to the entrance/exit I was informed that I would have to cross the car deck and take the lift to the passenger deck; then undertake this process in reverse on arriving at Yarmouth. Why the lift is on the "wrong" side of the vessel is beyond me.
by kevin froment
8th October 2012, at 10:20:39
after giving this more thought ive come to the conclusion that disabled people are being discriminated against, no other group of people have to wait for a later ferry for any reason so why the disabled
by Mike Crowe
8th October 2012, at 10:04:14
I have always travelled Wightlink for the convenience and the quicker journey, but I had reason to 'think about Red Funnel'. It was a wake up call!!Wightlink £58.00 returnRed Funnel £36.00Same car. Same passengers. Same, to within 30 minutes, time there and back.Think Red Funnel from now on.
by ROBERT SMITH
8th October 2012, at 08:32:23
FINE wightlink wait for the NEXT crossing, with the winter times for the crossing late at night that could mean UP to 2 HOURS. SO what happens if the lift brakes DOWN during a crossing. Does that mean they will have to stay on the ferry TILL the lift is FIXED? WELL done Wightlink OVER priced and brain DEAD.
by Marie Bevan
7th October 2012, at 21:07:56
How ridiculous that disabled passengers will have to wait if the lift is not working. Wight link should make sure that it is ALWAYS working after all the cost of the journey is expensive enough.How would wight link staff like to wait especially in the winter.I would have to think long and hard now before I travel with wight link.So come on wight link get your priorities right.
7th October 2012, at 19:48:25
looks like im stranded on the island now then, im disabled, cant climb stairs because of lung probs, also clostrophobic, no way i can get into a lift, i cant even get in a small car, what am i supposed to do wightlink, i dont use red funnel because of their policy so now im stuffed
by Lee wild
7th October 2012, at 18:08:45
"Blow for disabled people" what a title. Its not like they are having their benefits stopped or being told to swim or row themselves over. Just wait. Simple.
Any views or opinions presented in the comments above are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the Isle of Wight County Press.
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