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07/04/2012:Disabled adaptations at Reading Medical Assessment Centre are welcome, but the national picture is dire:
Cllr. Pete Ruhemann, Chair of Reading Borough Council’s Access & Disabilities Working Group, has welcomed changes made by the Medical Assessment Centre in Oxford Road, Reading, operated by DWP contractors Atos, to make it more accessible to disabled people, many more of whom are having to go there as a result of the Government’s welfare reforms, but says the position for disabled access to the Centres nationally is “frankly unacceptable”.
Cllr. Ruhemann wrote to the District Manager of Jobcentre Plus after receiving complaints that disabled people could not manage the stiff door at the Reading MAC, and has been reassured (see attached) that “Atos have recently altered the way that disabled customers access their building. A bell has now been installed next to the main entrance in order that customers can summon a member of staff to assist them as required. Clear signage has also been installed to ensure visitors are aware of this facility. We are currently seeking legal advice on the ramp leading to the building. If we establish that it does not comply with the appropriate regulation we will take steps to resolve the matter.”
Cllr. Ruhemann says: “Disabled access to public buildings has long been a statutory requirement but this is now even more important at MACs as many more disabled people are being made to come in for Work Capability Assessments to establish their right to benefits. So it’s good that Reading MAC is now addressing the issue.
“Nationally, however, the situation is a disgrace. I put in a Freedom of Information request to the DWP and, while in their response (attached) they say that they are satisfied that all their premises meet the requirements of the Disability and Equality Act 2010, the information they have supplied about their contractors’ MACs shows that 20% of them do not have wheel-chair access and the great majority do not have associated parking – and don’t even see that as an issue. Atos do have the ability to make home visits for WCAs, but I know from casework how very reluctant they are to do so, so that is no solution.
“I have written to the Equalities & Human Rights Commission to ask them to look at this response and insist on an action plan to bring all the Atos centres up to spec.. There is a real risk that people may lose their benefits because they may physically not be able to attend MACs for Work Capability Assessments, and while that might help the Government’s drive to cut the welfare bill it could spell huge hardship to the people concerned. ”
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