Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

Disabled Fans


Recommended Posts

Will BSkyB be offering discounted subscriptions for their SkySports packages that include speedway for the next 5 years to the elderly, disabled, disadvantaged or vulnerable? It seems from reading their web site that their pricing policy is somewhat different to the York Barbican Theatre. Is anyone going to criticise them for the morality of their position on the matter?

 

As for the matter of free travel on buses, that's a matter of Government policy, paid for out of taxation, because they think that getting around is one of life's essentials. Speedway isn't one of life's essentials, it's a choice that the individual makes. It's very sad if the price of admission stops people from going as often as they would like, however it's also very sad for the people who work night shifts that they can't go either. Whilst arguing vociferously over who the compassion king is on here amongst people who can't do much to change the situation, has anyone written to Len Silver, Matt Ford, Jon Cook, Terry Russell, Alex Harkess, Alan Philips, David Gordon, etc etc, asking them to dig deeper into their pockets to subsidise the disadvantaged more...because they can afford it, can't they? Speedway is flush with cash, just waiting to be spent on spectators subsidies, isn't it?

 

On another thread people are arguing that speedway is only worth a tenner, and that's for the able bodied adults. God knows where the clubs that have a 40%-50% aged and infirm supporter base will get their income from if everyone and their carers are supposed to get in on free or discounted admissions below that £10 mark. I'd love to know how some fans think that speedway will ever be made to pay with these ideas.

 

Sad fact of life is that in these harsh times, it's not just the disadvantaged that can't afford everything that they want, but those who are trying to make a business out of speedway can't afford to hand out the subsidies that maybe in an ideal world they would want to. Sad but true.

would sky sports charge extra for a carer to support the disabled person to watch then??
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Will BSkyB be offering discounted subscriptions for their SkySports packages that include speedway for the next 5 years to the elderly, disabled, disadvantaged or vulnerable? It seems from reading their web site that their pricing policy is somewhat different to the York Barbican Theatre. Is anyone going to criticise them for the morality of their position on the matter?

 

As for the matter of free travel on buses, that's a matter of Government policy, paid for out of taxation, because they think that getting around is one of life's essentials. Speedway isn't one of life's essentials, it's a choice that the individual makes. It's very sad if the price of admission stops people from going as often as they would like, however it's also very sad for the people who work night shifts that they can't go either. Whilst arguing vociferously over who the compassion king is on here amongst people who can't do much to change the situation, has anyone written to Len Silver, Matt Ford, Jon Cook, Terry Russell, Alex Harkess, Alan Philips, David Gordon, etc etc, asking them to dig deeper into their pockets to subsidise the disadvantaged more...because they can afford it, can't they? Speedway is flush with cash, just waiting to be spent on spectators subsidies, isn't it?

 

On another thread people are arguing that speedway is only worth a tenner, and that's for the able bodied adults. God knows where the clubs that have a 40%-50% aged and infirm supporter base will get their income from if everyone and their carers are supposed to get in on free or discounted admissions below that £10 mark. I'd love to know how some fans think that speedway will ever be made to pay with these ideas.

 

Sad fact of life is that in these harsh times, it's not just the disadvantaged that can't afford everything that they want, but those who are trying to make a business out of speedway can't afford to hand out the subsidies that maybe in an ideal world they would want to. Sad but true.

You can normally judge a society on how they treat their disadvantaged citizens. Thankfully, the majority do not share your opinion these days..

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Always makes me laugh when somebody insists the majority share their view - how could you possibly know that?

Have you never heard of Disability allowance, Mobility schemes, Disabled parking, Disabled access etc etc. Is this not written in law by Parliament with the consensus of the people. That would suggest it has the backing of the majority, would it not...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Always makes me laugh when somebody insists the majority share their view - how could you possibly know that?

 

Because - if they don't - it is a VERY sad indictment of our Country. :angry: :angry:

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have you never heard of Disability allowance, Mobility schemes, Disabled parking, Disabled access etc etc. Is this not written in law by Parliament with the consensus of the people. That would suggest it has the backing of the majority, would it not...

 

All but access are currently being ripped up by the nasty party and their monkey and the majority haven't got a clue! Those that have just swallow the propoganda.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have you never heard of Disability allowance, Mobility schemes, Disabled parking, Disabled access etc etc. Is this not written in law by Parliament with the consensus of the people. That would suggest it has the backing of the majority, would it not...

I have heard of all those things but that's not what his argument was in the post you quoted, in fact he made the point that taxation should cover essentials and therefore nobody is disputing any of the things you list.

 

I would even argue that there absolutely should be a discount for disabled badge holders and a carer if they need one.

 

You attributed something that wasn't there to two posts in short order yet profess to know the opinion of the majority with whom you have no contact, that's why it makes me laugh.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Come to Berwick! If notified in advance, stadium gates will be opened for wheelchair users who obviously cannot negotiate turnstiles.

 

Once inside Shielfield, there is a special wheelchair area, on the first turn terracing, fully covered and raised to allow full view of track. No-one can stand in front of it to block sightlines.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have you never heard of Disability allowance, Mobility schemes, Disabled parking, Disabled access etc etc. Is this not written in law by Parliament with the consensus of the people. That would suggest it has the backing of the majority, would it not...

when has any written law been passed with the consensus of the people? I certainly have never been asked if I want that law being passed or not.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interestingly I am going Horse Racing next week when I would expect the crowd to be of a similar level to that of a average Elite League meeting and they afford a Disabled person to bring a Carer/Enabler for nothing as long as adequate proof is provided.

 

I thought All sporting places allow a carer free under some disabled rights ruling?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Did you see the post? I wasn't irritated I was disgusted. Thankfully it was removed quite quickly.

 

I have the idiot on ignore but sometimes his inane ramblings are quoted, which is why I saw it in this case. it was offensive on several levels. What I cannot understand is other FMs get bans/exclusions but this serial rule breaker just seems to be allowed free rein to break the rules. Wouldn't be so bad if he/she/it added anything to discussions.

 

However I digress. Apologies for hijacking what is an important thread.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was totally bewidered by the response I got from the Leicester managment this week. I went on Saturday night. The disabled veiwing is by the start line. The stadium is quite wheelchair friendly. If like me with week arms and can only move on flat ground. I can't get the view from the bens as that area has quite a slop at both ends.

It was when I tried to get to the toilets that the trouble started. The stadium has paths of slabs as you come in and around the stands, to get to the toilet block, in my case the quick route, straight from the start line to the toilets is a no go as it is very large road stone and get get across it in my chair. I tried one way and it was by the food outlets and could not get people to make way I went the other way and this was as bad with people in the way, they just don't see you in a wheelchir, it is like you are invisible.

Sad to say I failed to get to the toilets in time.

I asked the management if it was possible to link the 2 path together from the start line to the toilets, as it could be easily done in a day and would only take around 15 maybe even less than that.

The reply came back that they couldn't do this and had no plans in the future to do so.

I was not the only one to ask for the same thing to be done and they had been given the same answer.

All they said was that there are enough trained helper at hand and should ask one of those to push me to the toilets.

Have they no repect of people who want to keep that last bit of independace they have left.

It is a shame that a stadium as new as the Lions is never thought this out in the first place. It is also a shame they can't fork out a few pounds on a simple job to put in a few slabs to remidy the problem.

I give tham the Golden idots gong of the week, for helping out disabled people.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

This is the root of the problem isn't it. For example Spin Kings son needs a carer no question, but quite possibly by merely looking at him he would not appear to do so. Someone in a wheelchair on the other hand would probably be deemed to need a carer but I've observed several wheelchair users who quite happily attend speedway alone. Not all disabilities are visible.

If the promoter, or their staff, question anyone as to their need for a carer I can just imagine the uproar - headlines in the papers discrimination against the disabled. This is one area where promoters have my sympathy, they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

All I will say is well done to those promoters who do care and try to do their utmost to address the issue, whether it by concessions or providing facilites for the disabled.

 

On a footnote and its merely an observation of mine, Lynn has pretty good facilites for the disabled fan and their carers. On looking around tho it seems the majority of wheelchair users do not use the parts of the stadium that have been adapted (when I've been there were 4-5 W/C users on the 3/4 bends where there is no ramp). the reason perhaps is because the section that is ramped (2nd bend) is populated by able bodied people who have a tendency (nah they always :mad: ) manage to move in front of the wheelchairs and block the view, despite being asked politely not to. So maybe it takes a bit of effort and thought from ALL of us to make life a bit more comfortable for all fans.

 

It would be the same with us, youngest son (complex autistic and a myriad of other disabilities) would not look like he needs a carer but he cannot go anywhere on his own and receives disability benefits which match those needs. On the other hand, I have to use a wheelchair for anything longer than the shortest of walks and a crutch at all other times, so would appear to need a carer pretty all the time whereas, I only need one when I have the wheelchair as I cannot self propell.

 

I have yet to go to Foxhall in my wheelchair, I struggle along with my crutch to my spot and then don't move for the rest of the night! Like Spin King's son, youngest is also not a lover of going to speedway (he liked the idea as wheels are involved but couldn't cope with the people/noise etc), I did try to take him for quite a while but the only place he felt 'safe' was at Peterborough with the big open space behind the back straight and in the end, I gave up as it was reaching nightmare proportions trying to watch and keep him calm.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy