Some of you may have seen pieces in the local media and television recently highlighting the preceived problem of using electric disability scooters or mart carts.
The issue was brought to my attention when Rhondda resident Keiron Shepherd of Ton Pentre, was asked by staff to leave Asda’s Tonypandy store while shopping with his mother. The 13 year old schoolboy, who suffers with cerebral palsy, says he was left bewildered and embarrassed as he was escorted to the front of the store.
I have finally succeeded in securing a meeting with Asda management in an attempt to resolve the store’s ban.
I’m pleased that Adsa have finally responded to my repeated attempts to contact them. I’m hoping that an amicable agreement can be made, so that young people under the age of 16 are able to use their scooters in store.
I don’t understand Asda’s stance on this, as there’s no legal age limit to drive these scooters. It would seem that this policy was introduced ‘off the cuff’ by the Tonypandy store, as I understand that Keiron has used these scooters in several other Asda stores around south Wales with no problem.
I will be asking that Tonypandy Asda change their policy, but the least Keiron deserves is an apology for the way he was treated.
I sincerely hope that this issue can be resolved, as I find it unacceptable that some of our young people are discriminated against. I’ve been in contact with the Equality and Human Rights Commission and if I don’t get a satisfactory answer then I’m prepared to take this further.
March 1, 2008 at 2:37 am |
Funny how this story was censored by the Rhondda Leader or, as it’s known in that valley, the Rhondda Liar.
May 20, 2009 at 8:49 am |
I attempted to enter the Tonypandy ASDA store about a month ago now and I was refused entry because I looked under 16. I am in fact 16, but I did not have ID with me. So I was asked to leave. I was with my friends and they were allowed to enter as they had ID with them.
I think this is disgusting discrimination. Maybe they think under 16’s are more likely to steal? So if one young person steals an item, they should ban all under 16 year olds? If one black person steals, they should ban all black people? If one gay person steals they should ban all gay people?
It was really embarassing for me having to leave and I think something needs to be done about this discrimination.
May 21, 2009 at 10:06 am |
Yeah, Electric Disability Scooters are very useful, it’s green also.
August 2, 2009 at 9:59 pm |
I live in Bristol and my local ASDA store in Longwell Green ban under 18 year olds from entering their store after 6.30pm. This is at a time when three 18 year olds were killed in Afghanistan during the month of July. These teenagers gave their lives so that we are able to visit places like ASDA in safety. There are about 6,600 under 18s in the armed forces and those in the Army and Navy can go to war at 17 but for some reason cannot go into ASDA after 6.30pm unless accompanied by an adult. I accept that some young people do misbehave but to have a blanket policy which bans all persons under the age of 18 years is wrong and must be brought to an end.