[Albion] the "assistance" priority train ramp post-match

[Zeberdi]

Is this situation getting worse? I counted over 100 people abusing the system today, one group was about 20 strong! A lot of fellow queuers moaning about this too.

Clearly the stewards are not doing their jobs, but I don't recall this being a particular issue in the past? Some people clearly have zero manners or respect for their fellow fans.

The stewards do do something if they see people obviously needing to get through and struggling - I‘ve used it myself several times recently and stewards have very quickly cleared people off the ramp when they’ve seen me - I was wizzed down the ramp back in the summer with a steward pushing me in a wheelchair - he was shouting at people to get out of the way (which was a little embarrassing tbh because that made everyone stare who wasn’t even using the ramp). I have found the steward support for disabled people exemplary in every part of the stadium and grounds personally. The only people that I have overheard moaning about it are those pissed off because other able bodied people are ‘cheating the queue to the station’ but I’ve never had a problem myself being able to use it.


Btw - many people have hidden disabilities - it is not for able bodied people to judge whether someone deserves to use the ramp - I’m disabled (although not always obviously so depending on flare ups) so I accept that it is only one POV, but the ramp is there for people like me and I’ve never had a problem with it. I understand if a few people get pissed off if it looks like people are jumping the queue to the trains but requiring disabled people to register their disabilities and who is accompanying them is not the answer imo.

 

[South Stand Bonfire]

Why would any disabled supporter need anyone else other than their designated carer to help get them on the train. Am I missing something ? What's with the entourage of hangers-on ??

It shouldn't matter a fig if they're related, etc. If a supporter needs assistance then shirley ONE person is the designated one, and everyone else is in line with the rest of us plebs.

What gives ?

I confess to having used it before when taking my 90 year old mother who genuinely can’t stand for long. The problem is, when I take her, I am with 3/4 others with a car at the other end, so if they have to wait then so does she. I agree though, anything more than a car load is a piss take.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Disagree. Common sense doesn't enter into it. How does a steward with minimal training get to judge who is disabled and who isn't? Disabilities may be hidden etc. Definitely needs registration and a doorman-like "you're not on the list, you're not coming in" approach to filter out the chancers

I agree. This makes me think about our mitigating circumstances committee which will grant a student an extension if they have to attend a funeral, or surgery, or suchlike, but are also petitioned by students to be granted a second chance having failed an exercise, on the grounds that they are upset about it, claiming exam anxiety or somesuch (aftertiming). Seems straightforward but it isn't owing to all the shades of grey in between. We have set extensions for students with learning difficulties (ADHD, dyslexia etc), and we don't need to see them - their situation is registered in our system, which maps to your suggestion - why not require a special photo-card issued by the club, for a small fee, that has to be shown at the station? In fact, unless someone has a disability that means they can't use the AMEX stairs then why should they be granted a chance to queue jump? Do they queue jump at the cinema, or the check out at Asda?

And remember we are talk about using a fast track queue to the train, not protection of a fundamental human right.

 

[South Stand Bonfire]

I agree. This makes me think about our mitigating circumstances committee which will grant a student an extension if they have to attend a funeral, or surgery, or suchlike, but are also petitioned by students to grant a second chance to someone who failed an exercise because they are upset about it, claiming exam anxiety or somesuch (aftertiming). Seems straightforward but it isn't owing to all the shades of grey in between. We have set extensions for students with learning difficulties (ADHD, dyslexia etc), and we don't need to see them - their situation is registered in our system, which maps to your suggestion - why not require a special photo-card issued by the club, for a small fee, that has to be shown at the station? In fact, unless someone has a disability that means they can't use the AMEX stairs then why should they be granted a chance to queue jump? Do they queue jump at the cinema, or the check out at Asda?

And remember we are talk about using a fast track queue to the train, not protection of a fundamental human right.

You can register with the club if you have a disability and they give you a wristband which allows you take your own essential medicines and drinks (with bottle tops!!!!!) into the ground.

 

[HeaviestTed]

There is the ramp with two separate paths, then also the bottom entrance - couldn’t they say “seafod use lane 1” “whatever use lane 2” “people who don’t care use lane 3” and make a separate section at the bottom for lane 3 and disabled people?

I’m not a rocket scientist but seeing trains leave empty is soul destroying.

 

[HeaviestTed]

, but the ramp is there for people like me

The ramp is there because it is there and so has been adopted as a way to help people - if we take a step back and look at how best to help everyone on their way then having a dedicated ramp might not be the best way.

They are quite wide - maybe making multiple lanes or also using the entrance at the bottom of the platform that goes to lewes?

 

[studio150]

Unfortunately the attitude displayed by a few is not restricted to the Amex Falmer queues, you see it at airports, where an ever increasing number of people look to use the assisted route to the plane to skip the queues.

 

[Weststander]

Unfortunately the attitude displayed by a few is not restricted to the Amex Falmer queues, you see it at airports, where an ever increasing number of people look to use the assisted route to the plane to skip the queues.

Society.

Non-Speedy boarders gatecrashing the queue, folk slyly edging in to luggage check-in queues, c@nts parking in disabled bays, illegally owned blue badges.

 

[Zeberdi]

The ramp is there because it is there and so has been adopted as a way to help people - if we take a step back and look at how best to help everyone on their way then having a dedicated ramp might not be the best way.

They are quite wide - maybe making multiple lanes or also using the entrance at the bottom of the platform that goes to lewes?

it has been adopted to help disabled people so that is the priority should that be reviewed (not able bodied people getting pissed off because people are queue jumping (although I am not sure how you can always tell who is disabled by looking at them - some people can walk fine on slopes but not manage steps.

Removing a dedicated disabled access is not the solution, people like myself get easily knocked over by the slightest shove and need a constant arm for support on one side with a crutch or stick in the other - if you’ve ever tried to get through a jostling crowd with someone holding onto your arm (not just your hand) you would appreciate that for disabled people that’s very difficult. It is even harder walking through crowds using crutches or even a walking stilk that constantly gets kicked from under you. Not having a dedicated disabled access would probably contravene Health and Safety/policing regulations - dividing it into lanes might be the solution to get abled bodied people down to the exit quicker but why would that stop abled bodied people using the disabled lane in the way they are now using the whole ramp?

 

[BNthree]

Disagree. Common sense doesn't enter into it. How does a steward with minimal training get to judge who is disabled and who isn't? Disabilities may be hidden etc. Definitely needs registration and a doorman-like "you're not on the list, you're not coming in" approach to filter out the chancers

Whilst I agree with the sentiment that the stewards shouldn’t be making the judgement what about visiting fans? They won’t be registered with the Albion.

 

[mile oak]

Disagree. Common sense doesn't enter into it. How does a steward with minimal training get to judge who is disabled and who isn't? Disabilities may be hidden etc. Definitely needs registration and a doorman-like "you're not on the list, you're not coming in" approach to filter out the chancers

So if someone in a wheelchair or struggling with a stick shows up without more paperwork you what ask them to hobble to the back of the queue? Do the club even 'own' authority here? What if a member of public (not at the match) happens to be wheelchairing it/crutch/walking sticking it at clear out time at the stadium? It might seem a good idea but in practice It wont work and it normally gets 'policed' quite well. I really think today mustve been a one off.

 

[mile oak]

it has been adopted to help disabled people so that is the priority should that be reviewed (not able bodied people getting pissed of because people are queue jumping (although I am not sure how you can always tell who is disabled by looking at them - some people can walk fine on slopes but not manage steps.

Removing a dedicated disabled access is not the solution, people like myself get easily knocked over by the slightest shove and need a constant arm for support on one side with a crutch or stick in the other - if you’ve ever tried to get through a jostling crowd with someone holding onto your arm (not just your hand) you would appreciate that for disabled people that’s very difficult. It is even harder walking through crowds using crutches or even a walking stilk that constantly gets kicked from under you. Not having a dedicated disabled access would probably contravene Health and Safety/policing regulations - dividing it into lanes might be the solution to get abled bodied people down to the exit quicker but why would that stop abled bodied people using the disabled lane in the way they are now using the whole ramp?

Good points made. A stick can easily be accidentally kicked and the person tumbles. Compensation time and the idea removing the ramp lane will soon get reversed. Disabilities are sometimes hidden and that needs to be respected.

 

[mile oak]

Whilst I agree with the sentiment that the stewards shouldn’t be making the judgement what about visiting fans? They won’t be registered with the Albion.

Nor will anyone passing by at the end of the match. Football fans dont own the station and ramp. Stewards generally do a good job just let them get on with it they are their for everyones safety and security. Of course there are always bad apples as with fans taking the mick but you cant legistate for everything. I know a couple of fans that use the ramp and they greatly appreciate not being crushed as not that steady on their feet. Ultimately if we can max out no. carriages and trains then everyone is served better.

 

[mile oak]

I don’t have an issue with any person who genuinely needs assistance being able to receive the assistance with their immediate friends/family. It’s people who don’t need assistance and take the piss which is the issue.

How do you determine whats genuine and not? A wheelchair/crutches/stick may be obvious but some disabilities are hidden. Shaming someone with a protected right for example is not the way forward.If a few others gain advantage its their conscience.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

How do you determine whats genuine and not? A wheelchair/crutches/stick may be obvious but some disabilities are hidden. Shaming someone with a protected right for example is not the way forward.If a few others gain advantage its their conscience.

I was responding to a post about limiting assistance to just one person; I don’t agree with this. How do you determine who’s genuine; I don’t know.….maybe wrist bands?

 

[mile oak]

I think you miss many points here and if tickets can get passed on how easy do you think a few wrist bands passed on will be?

I was responding to a post about limiting assistance to just one person; I don’t agree with this. How do you determine who’s genuine; I don’t know.….maybe wrist bands

 

[Zeberdi]

I was responding to a post about limiting assistance to just one person; I don’t agree with this. How do you determine who’s genuine; I don’t know.….maybe wrist bands?

Wrist band are already available for those that are registered with the club as disabled - but it won’t help away supporters or Brighton fans not registered - If the Club did decide to make the ramp only available for registered fans, how would they stop people applying for a wrist band if they weren’t disabled?

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

Wrist band are already available for those that are registered with the club as disabled - but it won’t help away supporters or Brighton fans not registered - If the Club did decide to make the ramp only available for registered fans, how would they stop people applying for a wrist band if they weren’t disabled?

You have to prove you are disabled when applying for the wrist band. In the case of my son I had to email supporter services proof of his DLA

 

[mile oak]

Wrist band are already available for those that are registered with the club as disabled - but it won’t help away supporters or Brighton fans not registered - If the Club did decide to make the ramp only available for registered fans, how would they stop people applying for a wrist band if they weren’t disabled?

Yep and passing them on and checking them on a dark evening at least for the majority using the ramp a wheelchair/stick/crutch is an obvious clearly visible 'wrist band'

 

[Zeberdi]

You have to prove you are disabled when applying for the wrist band. In the case of my son I had to email supporter services proof of his DLA

Fair enough but not everyone is on benefits or drives a disabled car or is even registered disabled even though they are and how are visiting disabled fans supposed to use any proposed disabled access?

It’s a draconian suggestion that only certain disabled people could use a disabled ramp (ie those that have prior to the match day proven their disability ). I book assisted travel on trains (when I am well enough to travel), I don’t have to prove I am disabled to do so - I don’t have to prove I am disabled to use a disabled seat on public transport and I certainly don’t have to prove that I am disabled to use a disabled access or exit to any public building.

This is all about making life easier for able-bodied people - this whole discussion- so let the burden of making any changes required be imposed on able bodied people - disabled people have enough to cope with just to get themselves to a live match.