2018-07-08
The complainant’s ten-year-old granddaughter has a disability and uses a wheelchair and walker for mobility. The complainant, her granddaughter and other members of the family travelled on a cruise operated by the respondent cruising company. The complainant claimed there were no accessible toilet facilities on the top or pool decks. She also claimed her granddaughter was not permitted to go ashore because she was unable to walk without assistance and staff told the family she was ‘too handicapped’ and that it would present ‘too much of a liability’ to allow her ashore.
The cruise company claimed it was not informed that a passenger would be using a wheelchair as required by the terms and conditions of booking. The company advised accessible toilet facilities were available on the top and pool decks. The company confirmed the complainant’s granddaughter was unable to go ashore because it was deemed unsafe for her to board the tender boats required for shore access.
The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the cruise company pay the complainant $3,000.
Year
Discrimination type
Disability Discrimination Act
Grounds
Associate
Disability aid
Disability
Victimisation
Areas
Goods, services and facilities
Compensation
Amount
$3,000