Slowly access in Devizes and environs is changing. I'm helping that change since I have the time and ability to write letters and emails. The latest place to change is a nearby cinema in Swindon.
I used to go to the Palace cinema here in town, but it's completely inaccessible with long staircases. To improve things would cost a lot. I could probably force through alterations with the help of the Disability Discrimination Act, but as it's part of a small chain, I'll probably make the cinema close in the process. So instead, I drive further to the Empire Cinema in Greenbridge, about 40 minutes away. It's a multiplex showing a fantastic range of films. On the whole, it's wonderfully accessible, but as I noted in my email to the manager, there's one problem:
"I'm a permanent wheelchair user and often visit the Empire Cinema in Greenbridge, Swindon. Generally, access is excellent: the parking is wonderfully convenient, it's completely level to get to the cinema, the building itself is easy to navigate and the staff are fantastically helpful.
"I do however have one complaint: the entrance doors. I have very poor balance and the doors are very heavy. I can't open them myself without the risk of falling out of my wheelchair. I must therefore wait for a passer by to help me or try to attract the attention of a member of staff. I encounter the same problems when I leave.
"Under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act, you have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people can use your services. Under the DDA, it is unlawful for service providers to treat disabled people less favourably than other people for a reason related to their disability. Most people do not have to ask for help to enter or leave the cinema. I do. Your failure to provide a door that opens automatically is clear evidence that Empire Cinemas is treating me, and other wheelchair users, less favourably than other people.
"I imagine it would be reasonably easy to resolve this situation. I have been to many cinemas where there is at least one door that can be opened automatically. Unless you offer such a door at the Swindon Empire, so that I can open it without assistance, I will begin a claim against Empire Cinemas under the Disability Discrimination Act. I will seek compensation for your treatment, and a court order to demand adjustments.
"I look forward to hearing from you within ten working days with the action you intend to undertake, and the timescale you will follow. If I have heard nothing by 29 April 2009, I will begin proceedings against Empire Cinemas".
This is the standard email I send, obviously with slight changes to customise. It doesn't take me long to write. Today I get the following update from the cinema manager:
"Hi Andrew
You will be pleased to hear that we have had contractors out to quote on getting an automatic door. I will keep you informed when I get an actual date for that the work is going to be completed.
Regards"
Excellent news. I'm very impressed by the pace Empire Cinemas have moved at. I wrote my original email on 14 April. By the beginning of May, the contractors have been in to quote. I'll use Empire as an example of a model of good practice when others complain that to effect change will take months. I'm pretty sure the cinema won't have the automatic doors in place for tomorrow's visit, but I'm thrilled to know that future trips will mean no more waiting for strong-armed-door-openers. Congratulations, Empire Cinemas!
(Just checking on the provenance of the title for this post. What a great song "A change is gonna come" is)
