44-47 DISABLED LIFTS:SPN Master pages 19/11/08 01:15 Page 4
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WHAT DOES THE DISABILITY
DISCRIMINATION ACT SAY?
The DDA requires service providers- in this case swimming pool
owners and managers- to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in any
provision for disabled lifts in pools, but as yet there is no specific
law determining exactly what this means in terms of physical
features of buildings. This has led to some confusion within the
pool industry as to what they need to do to meet the
requirements of the act. Different people have different needs and
some pools can afford to do more than others. It would be
unreasonable to expect a small hotel with a pool to offer the same
pool lift options as a larger local authority pool or leisure centre.
What the Disability Discrimination Act, 1995 says is that there
must be no discriminating against disabled people in terms of
facilities provided and that swimming pool owners and
managers by definition have to make reasonable adjustments to
the way they provide a service.
A considerable number of swimming pools have adapted
their changing rooms and provided a hoist mechanism within
the pool area to allow disabled swimmers to shower and change
and to enter the pool with minimal assistance.
One of the most common misconceptions is that the DDA is a
compliance-based act and as such there are no inspectors
checking to see how well standards are being met.It will be
disabled people themselves who will make a complaint if they
SUNTRAP SYSTEMS
believe that a service provider has not met their needs.
158 Gordon Road, Harborne,
Birmingham B17 9EY
Tel: +44(0)121 428 1155
Fax: +44(0)121 428 1166
Email:
sales@suntrap-systems.co.uk
www.suntrap-systems.co.uk CASE STUDY: Ringwood pool
lift test a “huge success”
When Ringwood Health and Leisure Centre purchased a portable
pool lift in a bid to encourage more disabled people to enjoy their
swimming pools they were uncertain of the reaction.
“We were aware that the old-style hoist was not liked as
disabled swimmers had to be strapped in. Some people didn’t like
asking for help as two members of the pool staff had to manage
the equipment,” said a New Forest District Council spokesman.
“We wanted more disabled people to enjoy the benefits of
swimming and invested in a modern, lightweight and easy-to-use
Education
pool lift. It has turned out to be a great success and given us
clear evidence that while many disabled people won’t necessarily
ask for the equipment when it is installed it makes a huge
Training
difference to how often they use the pool and their confidence to
go swimming.
“Swimming gives better health and mobility to disabled people
Information
and therefore it is very important for them to participate in this
activity,” she said.
Now only one staff member is needed to operate the lift and
Membership of over 850
disabled users can be gently lowered into the water where they
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can easily slide off the seat and enjoy a swim.
ISPE Level I Study Course
Joan Cundill, a disabled swimmer, was invited to the Ringwood
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centre to try out the equipment.
Diploma Courses
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Seminars
NEW PRODUCTS Suntrap imports Aqua
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FROM SUNTRAP Creek products from the US
Workshops
Suntrap Systems of and offers the widest range
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Birmingham, who specialise of manual, battery operated
Technical Publications
in supplying swimming pool and fully automatic lifts with
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equipment, launched new 360 degree rotation for
ISPE Magazine
models from the Spectrum commercial pools and spas.
range of disabled pool hoists
The Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers
on its stand at the recent LIW
SUNTRAP SYSTEMS
PO Box 3083, Norwich, Norfolk NR6 7YL Exhibition at the NEC in
telephonesolid 0121 440 0431
Tel/Fax: 01603 499959
pc
www.suntrap-systems.co.uk
Birmingham this year.
www.ispe.co.uk - email:
ross@ispe.co.uk
46swimming pool news DECEMBER 08
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