high streets front cover

10 November 2015 Mocking disabled people is no joke

A Trailblazer - who wishes to remain anonymous - recently found herself being insulted by a member of staff at a well known supermarket. In this blog, she writes about what happened next.

A few weeks ago I was doing work experience with Muscular Dystrophy UK and went to grab some lunch at a nearby supermarket. As I went in (in my wheelchair) I heard one member of staff say to another “she’s rolling” when I wheeled past; I just rolled my eyes (excuse the pun) at the poor attempt of a joke. The other member of staff just shrugged it off and commented that it was a bad joke.

I then got out of my wheelchair and walked a couple of steps to reach something off a high shelf that I couldn’t access sitting down and didn’t want to trouble them to get for me. The same member of staff said to his colleague “look it’s a miracle” about me getting out of the wheelchair and walking a few steps.

I then asked him if the comment was aimed at me, to which he replied no (there is no question that it was). I said that it was none of his business whether I could get out and walk a few steps and that my disability was none of his concern. He did not reply to this and I suggested that he should be careful what he says to colleagues at work about customers, particularly in their earshot and then attempting to deny it, especially when the issue is such a personal and sensitive one.

If he had simply apologised to me and admitted that it was unacceptable I would have been fine with it; the fact that he denied it annoyed me more. I then went to the checkout and asked to speak to the store manager to make a complaint; I told her what had happened and she apologised for his behaviour (obviously it was not her fault) and ensured me that is not how their staff should behave and that she would take it seriously and speak to him.

I already have to deal with unacceptable comments from members of the public (such as “she’s faking being disabled”); I didn’t expect it from a member of staff at a shop. I especially did not appreciate him trying to find humour at the expense of me and my disability.

I then complained online (via http://www.resolver.co.uk) and the supermarket apologised to me and reassured me that the complaint had been dealt with in the store.

They also told me about their corporate values and about the equality, diversity and inclusion training staff members receive. They said some staff members go through the “Managing Disability with Confidence” workshop, which makes staff aware of the partnerships the supermarket has with charities and organisations who support disabled colleagues, and the role of both staff in supporting disabled colleagues at work.

They also gave me a £20.00 voucher as an apology!

I was happy with how they dealt with it and was glad I complained. It’s not acceptable for anyone to make snide remarks about someone’s disability, (regardless of whether it’s a member of the public or a staff member), and it’s definitely not ok for them to try and use it to get a laugh out of it!

If a member of staff of any shop makes you feel uncomfortable or offended then I think it is important you speak to a manager about it if you feel confident enough. It may not have been their intention to make you feel uncomfortable or offended, but if they don’t know they’ve made you feel that way they won’t learn.

If they’re obviously trying to use you and your disability to get a laugh from their colleagues, they need to know that’s definitely not ok. I’m pretty certain he didn’t think I could hear him… and I’m even more certain he didn’t expect me to call him out on it – I guess he picked the wrong wheelchair user! And she’s now got £20.00 to spend in their store!

Have you had a similar experience?  Take part in our discussion in the Facebook group and share your story.

You can also download a copy of our high streets report Short-changed (pictured above), which investigated young disabled people's experiences of the high street.

Posted by: Victoria Wright
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