Pubs must call time on poor access for disabled people - Liz Lynne

3.07.37pm GMT Wed 22nd Feb 2006

West Midlands pubs are failing many of their disabled customers, Liz Lynne, Lib Dem MEP for the region and Vice President of the European Parliament's Disability Intergroup, warned today.

A report published this week by the disability charity Leonard Cheshire found that disabled people find it difficult or impossible to use almost half of pubs across the country. More than half (58%) of venues do not have dedicated disabled parking, two out of five venues (40%) do not have an accessible toilet, and only one in three (31%) have a bar at a height that is accessible for wheelchair users.

Pubs and bars have been legally required to provide an accessible service since duties under the Disability Discrimination Act came into force in October 2004.

Speaking in Brussels today, Liz Lynne said:

"Today's report shows just how far we have to go to ensure disabled people have the same access and opportunities to socialise as everyone else. Many drinking establishments, even without meaning to, are barring potential disabled customers from popping in for a pint."

"Attitudes are changing - the survey found that four out of five members were helpful and two thirds showed particular disability awareness. But much more must be done. The law to ensure disabled people have equal access is already in place: now it's up to landlords to comply with it."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Liz Lynne MEP is Rapporteur for the 2006-7 Disability Action Plan and President of the Liberal Democrat Disability Association.

2. Leonard Cheshire audited just under 100 pubs and bards across the UK. For more information on the research, go to www.leonard-cheshire.org.

· 16% of venues were inaccessible to the extent that the audit team were unable to gain access to the premises they were attempting to audit.

· 58% of venues offered level access into and around the venue.

· 45% of venues did not offer menus in a large, easily readable format.

3. Leonard Cheshire is calling for:

· Trade industry bodies to produce a clear code of practice on accessibility for all pubs and bars.

· Chains of licensed premises to set out a clear disability access policy.

· All pubs and bars to conduct an internal audit, involving disabled people, to assess their level of accessibility.

· All staff working in the industry to have access to disability equality training.

4. Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act requires anyone providing goods or services to make reasonable adjustments to improve accessibility for disabled people. Further information can be found at:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations/.