Menu
14/03/2007
Law student wins 'lift' disability case
A law student, who is paralysed from the chest down has won a case against the refusal of a nursing and care company to lift her from her wheelchair when providing care services.
Laura Lee Jenkins, 21, from Saintfield, who has been paralysed by a spinal tumour which was diagnosed when she was two years old, was contracted to receive personal care services from the firm Nursing and Caring Direct Limited.
However, the company refused to assist in lifting Ms Jenkins, so that she could attend university.
Nursing and Caring Direct, in settling the case, admitted that its refusal to perform lifting procedures was a breach of the Disability Discrimination Act and paid Ms. Jenkins £3,000.
They apologised for the distress, upset and injury to her feelings, and agreed that, where exceptional circumstances require lifting procedures, they will instruct all their staff assigned to Ms. Jenkins to perform these and will train them appropriately.
The company further agreed to meet with the Equality Commission to review its policies practices and procedures and to implement any reasonable recommendations the Commission may make.
Settlements were also obtained in four other cases where discrimination on grounds of disability was alleged in the provision of access to services.
A Belfast restaurant that refused admittance to a woman and a companion, both with sight difficulties, paid £1,000 and offered an unreserved apology after refusing to admit her guide dog.
A Londonderry woman with limited hearing who uses a hearing assistance dog, alleged that she was asked to leave the dining room due to her dog. The hotel paid £1,000 to the Coleraine Branch of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.
A Bangor woman has received £2,000 compensation after she encountered difficulties because a pub had no appropriate disabled toilet facility for female wheelchair users.
Coleraine Borough Council has improved the design of a gateway across a pathway in the town after a wheelchair user from Coleraine found his access to the path obstructed. He received £1,000 without admission of liability.
(SP/KMcA)
Laura Lee Jenkins, 21, from Saintfield, who has been paralysed by a spinal tumour which was diagnosed when she was two years old, was contracted to receive personal care services from the firm Nursing and Caring Direct Limited.
However, the company refused to assist in lifting Ms Jenkins, so that she could attend university.
Nursing and Caring Direct, in settling the case, admitted that its refusal to perform lifting procedures was a breach of the Disability Discrimination Act and paid Ms. Jenkins £3,000.
They apologised for the distress, upset and injury to her feelings, and agreed that, where exceptional circumstances require lifting procedures, they will instruct all their staff assigned to Ms. Jenkins to perform these and will train them appropriately.
The company further agreed to meet with the Equality Commission to review its policies practices and procedures and to implement any reasonable recommendations the Commission may make.
Settlements were also obtained in four other cases where discrimination on grounds of disability was alleged in the provision of access to services.
A Belfast restaurant that refused admittance to a woman and a companion, both with sight difficulties, paid £1,000 and offered an unreserved apology after refusing to admit her guide dog.
A Londonderry woman with limited hearing who uses a hearing assistance dog, alleged that she was asked to leave the dining room due to her dog. The hotel paid £1,000 to the Coleraine Branch of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.
A Bangor woman has received £2,000 compensation after she encountered difficulties because a pub had no appropriate disabled toilet facility for female wheelchair users.
Coleraine Borough Council has improved the design of a gateway across a pathway in the town after a wheelchair user from Coleraine found his access to the path obstructed. He received £1,000 without admission of liability.
(SP/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 March 2022
£5m Announced For NI's Care Home Sector
A £5 million support package has been announced to help Northern Ireland's care home sector with rising energy costs. Care homes, like the rest of society, have been dealing with sharply rising energy prices. The £5m funding will be allocated by HSC Trusts on the basis of bed numbers per home.
£5m Announced For NI's Care Home Sector
A £5 million support package has been announced to help Northern Ireland's care home sector with rising energy costs. Care homes, like the rest of society, have been dealing with sharply rising energy prices. The £5m funding will be allocated by HSC Trusts on the basis of bed numbers per home.
29 July 2019
Job Prospects For Unemployed With Care Home Training Scheme
A care home group is offering job opportunities for the unemployed in Belfast following completion of a four-week training programme. Macklin Care Homes, which operates six homes in Northern Ireland, has developed a scheme to equip unemployed members of society with recognised qualifications in health and social care skills.
Job Prospects For Unemployed With Care Home Training Scheme
A care home group is offering job opportunities for the unemployed in Belfast following completion of a four-week training programme. Macklin Care Homes, which operates six homes in Northern Ireland, has developed a scheme to equip unemployed members of society with recognised qualifications in health and social care skills.
11 March 2003
Primary care must be strengthened says Browne
The role of primary care has to be strengthened and expanded, NIO Health Minister Des Browne has told delegates at the ‘Primary Care-Moving Forward’ conference in Armagh today.
Primary care must be strengthened says Browne
The role of primary care has to be strengthened and expanded, NIO Health Minister Des Browne has told delegates at the ‘Primary Care-Moving Forward’ conference in Armagh today.
13 December 2024
New Strategy Aims To Boost Social Care Workforce
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has unveiled a new strategy to develop a sustainable social care workforce in Northern Ireland. The Social Care Workforce Strategy 2025-2035 aims to attract, grow, retain, and develop the more than 40,500 social care practitioners.
New Strategy Aims To Boost Social Care Workforce
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has unveiled a new strategy to develop a sustainable social care workforce in Northern Ireland. The Social Care Workforce Strategy 2025-2035 aims to attract, grow, retain, and develop the more than 40,500 social care practitioners.
23 November 2023
Adult Social Care Hampered By 'Stop-Start Ransom Politics'
The Alliance Party has said that much needed essential reforms of NI's adult social care system have been hampered by "stop-start ransom politics".
Adult Social Care Hampered By 'Stop-Start Ransom Politics'
The Alliance Party has said that much needed essential reforms of NI's adult social care system have been hampered by "stop-start ransom politics".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:This morning will be dry and rather cloudy, a little brightness here and there. Remaining dry this afternoon but still often cloudy. Fresh to strong westerly winds. Mild. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:This evening will be dry. Then the rest of the night will be mainly dry and mostly cloudy, although rain may reach the north coast later. Windy. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
