Disabilities

DISABLED MEMBERS

The range and extent of disabilities are infinitely variable, and the nature and form of activities & events is very diverse. Accordingly, the committee recognises that it is impossible to give general guidance to leaders about facilitating the participation of disabled members in such activities & events.

Nevertheless, when organising an activity or event, leaders are requested to consider whether any measures can reasonably be taken which will facilitate the participation of any disabled member who expresses a wish to participate. However, such measures should not detract from the principal objectives and purposes of the proposed activity or event for able bodied members.

It is recommended that the leader confers with the disabled member in question about his/her needs & how they might or cannot be met. The leader should make it known to him/her that he/she may be accompanied by a companion or carer (even if not a member) if that would facilitate the disabled member’s participation but on condition that the companion or carer remains present with the disabled member at all times.

Such companion or carer will be covered by the liability insurance provided by The Third Age Trust unless such companion or carer is professionally employed as such in which case such person would have to be covered by an individual liability policy.

While it is important to reassure disabled members that everything will be done as is reasonable to support them and make their attendance as easy & stress-free as possible, it is equally important to stress that:-

1: members must take full responsibility for their own participation in activities and events as the U3A is not a social care organisation,

2: while leaders and other members will use reasonable endeavours to support members with disabilities, they must avoid playing the role of a carer,

3: leaders and other members cannot get involved in providing assistance which they are not insured to do.