Security v disabled access

[glallotments]

Just wondered if anyone could advise on a catch 22 situation that we find ourselves in.

Due to its location, our allotments site suffers from much vandalism and theft – especially during the late spring and summer months. As a result we fund raised to provide a secure entrance gate and adjoining fencing. The entrance area was our weakest link and we felt that if we improved security there it would be a start. We decided that the best option was to keep gates locked at all times as often we have undesirable visitors strolling on site whilst gardeners are busy working. Due to the shape and location of the site it is impossible to ‘keep an eye out’ whilst working on site. We also have a number of children who use the 'roadway’ inside the site to ride bikes and play. Parents feel that when gates are left open that the children are at risk from straying out of the site and are worried that it would be easy for someone to come onto site and access the children un-noticed. We also have people using the site to walk dogs and this poses a health problem.

The problem arises in that we has a wheelchair bound tenant who says that if the gates are locked he cannot enter the site. He feels that the gates should not only be left unlocked but open at all times so that he can gain access whenever he wishes to. He says by law he must have access at all times and the fact that we do not have the money to facilitate this is no excuse – that we have to find the money. Once on site there is no problem with access for him. We have tried to ensure that the entrance is as accessible to him as possible but we had limited funding and certainly couldn’t afford electrically operated gates or even any maintenance costs if we were to somehow be able to have these provided. Leaving gates open at all times really leaves us as sitting targets for thieves and vandals and means that our year of campaigning and fund raising for a more secure site was a total waste of time.

This issue is causing much discord among our tenants especially as the ‘disabled’ tenant once on site locks himself inside a totally fenced off allotment plot which protects his property. He also has no sight out of his plot once in there and so could not phone for help if some undesirables were actually on site when he was present.

I just don’t really know what the answer is to our problem and would really appreciate advice from anyone who has solved this type opf problem

[Tigger]

Why don't you move the lock down to a height he can reach from his chair and give him a key? If you need to, you could always have a second lock higher up for overnight security.

As for funding, if he gets DLA perhaps he could contribute to the cost of the alterations, or he could ask for an OT assessment from Social Services and see if he can get a Direct Payment and use that to help make the site more accessible, or apply for a grant from one of the charities that support disabled people.

[glallotments]

Thanks for this response. The padlock is actually very low but he says that he gets out of the car and crawls to the gate. So it has to be at kneeling height. Not sure why he isn't using his wheelchair it is something to check on. Even if the padlock is lower it is the sliding bat that shuts the gate that is at a set height. I am not absolutely sure whether or not he could push the gates open even if he unlocked it.

Interestingly when he comes to the site accompanied he doesn't have the gates locked behind him either but the contribution angle is interesting

[Di]

What form does the lock on his own plot take, if he can manage that it might be possible to imitate it on the main gate.

I also think he is overstating the legal requirements, think of all the small shops who have signs asking the disabled to knock on the door for assistance. The law recognises that some premises cannot be adapted.

As 'knocking' may be impossible, can he be given a pay as you go mobile phone with numbers for as many other allotmenteers as possible. He could then send a text to the whole address list, usually an option, when he wants to get in.(The chances are there will always be someone else around). I'm sure most people would be happy to help if it means an increase in security.

[glallotments]

The door into his plot is a single door whereas the one onto the plot is a double steel pallisade gate for vehicle access. It has a sliding bar to shut it in place and a padlock and chain to secure it. The padlock is quite low - So the idea can't be replicated.

The phone idea is interesting but as we are a small site there are often times when the site is empty which is really why to leave the gates open isn't really feasible. I did suggest to him that he could pull up at the gates and sound his horn to attract attention buthe didn't like that idea at all so I don't think he will go for the texting. It is an idea to sound him out with though - thanks for that.

[Tigger]

If he's a driver, he will be used to summoning someone to assist at the petrol stations.

If it's any help in reachig a copromise, your committee could conduct a risk assessment, including the gentleman, and then take a view on which is the greater risk - thefts and vandalism or limited access. Then your action plan can identify the options which could be evaluated in time.

At least that would be fair to all.

[richard p]

if hes that dissabled that he cant open the gate , how does he manage the allotment? some form of doorbell, (how about one of them aerosol fog horns?) on the gate to get assistance sounds like the most practical solution to me,

[lizzie]

Hi glallotments

You don't say if your site is council run or not. If it is council run, then the DDA will cover the site and, as far as i'm aware, it will be up to them to sort the problem out and the DDA and other disabilty protcols covers all council operated sites, including allotments.

[glallotments]

The site is council run but the allotments officer has only a budget of about £6000 to cover all the allotment sites in our area about 60! So finance is a problem there too.

The person in question doesn't really garden his site as such - he just has a small area where he grows veg. He has made raised beds but they are quite low and he crawls around them on his knees as he says he prefers that way. He keeps hens and other livestock. He does a lot of carpentry work though so does have strong arms as he has constructed pens for his stock. This is contrary to council policy as is copmpletely fencing off his plot but he has been allowed to do this due to his disability.

He also propels his wheelchair using his legs - the disability is caused by a problem with his back. I am grateful for all the constructive comments as it gives me some points for discussion with the council allotments officer.

[Gilly C]

I have worked with disabled school children and adults and there are 2 types ones who fight for independence and ones who want everything doing for them ! I was employed to help a wheelchair user access an art class at a college, because of using a goods lift and equipment in the classroom I was employed to help, this adult clearly resented me being there, anyway after going on some free holiday in the sun one christmas the said individual came back and was not only walking but climbed 4 flights of stairs to the art class much to everyones amazement though somehow still got free classes and taxi to and from ! try to get their OT to advise, and Good luck !!!