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Dateline: 27th February, 2005
Disabled Case Will Set Precedent A court case, which is expected to be heard in June, will set a precedent for theatres' obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act. The Orchard Theatre, Dartford, is being sued under the Act after it refused a free ticket to a carer accompanying a disabled patron to the theatre. The theatre's policy - which is common to most other theatres - is to offer free seats to carers accompanying people in wheelchairs. The case was started when it refused a free ticket to a carer for a person with another disability who needs the services of a carer. If the theatre loses the case, Dartford Borough Council, which owns and runs the theatre, could be fined up to £50,000. The Disability Rights Commissions argues that, under the Act, theatres are required to make "reasonable adjustments" so that disabled people can attend performances. If the disabled person requires a carer to be with them, the DRC argues, then the theatre should either offer a free ticket for the carer or provide the same service as provided by the carer from a member of their staff. Theatre organisations are treating this as a test case. Please note that all three Archive indices are very long and will therefore take some time to download.
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