16/04/2008

Bus Driver Berates Blind Man

A blind man has been awarded €3,000 for suffering discrimination at the hands of a Dublin bus driver

Neill King said the driver told him "your wife is no use to you now" as his chair began to tip while ascending the wheelchair ramp.

His wife had got on the bus to ask people with a buggy if they would mind folding it up to make room for him after the driver refused the couple to travel because he had a buggy on board.

The Equality Tribunal found that Dublin Bus was liable for the behaviour of the driver as its measures to train him in dealing with disabled customers were not enough "to prevent him from acting in a discriminatory manner".

Mr King told the tribunal he had gone to the local bus stop to catch a bus to the city centre with his wife.

Mr King admitted he swore at the driver when they got into an argument after the incident. He later submitted a written complaint to Dublin Bus about the incident, which took place on March 29, 2003.

However, less than two months later on May 17, Mr King and his wife were approaching the same bus stop when he said the same driver pulled up and shouted: "Do you remember me? I hope you have learned your lesson after your behaviour the last time."

(DW/JM)

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