Disabled season ticket holders

[Seagull Steve]

This has come about from the discussions we(BODS) had with the club last year. We were told that the concessionary rate for adult wheelchair users was being withdrawn as it was no longer appropriate as there was more choice in the new stadium. The problem was that 50% of the wheelchair spaces needed to be at a raised level. This did not include any premium seating(i.e 1901 club). Phase one did not meet this requirement so last April the club agreed to reinstate the concessionary rate until the completion of phase 2. We have had to chase them up but they have now given the refunds. We would obviously rather of had a cash refund but after nine months, we got something. We will obviously be talking to the club reguarding next season. Once phase 2 is completed the concessionary rate will be withdrawn. We have seen the plans for phase 2 & they will be far & above what is required by law. Around 75% of general seating for wheelchair users will be at a raised level & we are happy with what we have seen. Obviously there will still be issues reguarding travel/ parking but we will continue to work with the club to try & find solutions.

Thank you Tiny Tears, I am so grateful that you are looking after us like you do. If I can be any assistance to BODS in anyway, please PM me.

 

[Triggaaar]

"5.5 Disabled Supporters
Disabled supporters will be charged the appropriate concessionary season ticket price equivalent to the pricing structure in the area in which they purchase their seat."

The ' appropriate concessionary ' is referring to senior citizen or child price

That's still anything but clear to me. So, should a disabled adult be charged normal adult prices, or a % off those, or should they be given a discount equivalent to a senior citizen or what? And is that law (I assume not, due to the following point)?

This has come about from the discussions we(BODS) had with the club last year. We were told that the concessionary rate for adult wheelchair users was being withdrawn as it was no longer appropriate as there was more choice in the new stadium.

So legally the club don't have to provide a concessionary rate, they are just doing so as a gesture of goodwill while they improve the seating?

We have seen the plans for phase 2 & they will be far & above what is required by law. Around 75% of general seating for wheelchair users will be at a raised level & we are happy with what we have seen.

Excellent, sounds good.

In my experience clubs don't give refunds to anyone out of the kindness of their hearts, even BHA!

It sounds to me like they have.

 

[Mellotron]

Anyway - this looks a good move on balance. Well done to those who highlighted the issue and well done to the club for finding a solution.

To be fair, the club practically don't lose out at all. Bit cheeky I think. It's like when a company gets something wrong, you ask for your money back, and instead they give you vouchers to the amount they should give you in cash, only to be used at their store.

 

[tinytears]

That's still anything but clear to me. So, should a disabled adult be charged normal adult prices, or a % off those, or should they be given a discount equivalent to a senior citizen or what? And is that law (I assume not, due to the following point)?
So legally the club don't have to provide a concessionary rate, they are just doing so as a gesture of goodwill while they improve the seating?

Excellent, sounds good.

It sounds to me like they have.

To clarify the first point. Where I sit in the S/West disabled area, we are charged the same price as able bodied supporters in the Lower West eg. I pay the adult price, a disabled child pays the child price & senior citizens pay that price. We are given a free ticket for our helper. The concession given to disabled adults at Withdean was to reduce the price to the senior citizen rate.

The club do not legally give a concession. The club withdrew the concession when we moved to the AMEX. BODS & the national association of disabled supporters argued that there was not enough choice for wheelchair users & so felt it was unfair to withdraw the concession given at the Withdean. The club acknowledged the shortfall & agreed to reinstate the concession until phase 2 is complete. This was agreed last April.

We have met with the architect & are happy that phase 2 will put right the short commings of phase 1. We will have no problem with the concession being withdrawn at this stage.

As I said before we would of prefered to have the refund in cash, but after 9 months of chasing them I am just glad they have given us something

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Is this a refund that applies to ALL disabled season ticket holders or just wheelchair users?

 

[tinytears]

Is this a refund that applies to ALL disabled season ticket holders or just wheelchair users?

Just wheelchair users as the provision for ambulant disabled seating was fine. It was the fact that the number of wheelchair spaces at a raised level fell below the required amount.

 

[Triggaaar]

Thanks for all the info.

We are given a free ticket for our helper.

That is quite handy.

The club do not legally give a concession.
...
As I said before we would of prefered to have the refund in cash, but after 9 months of chasing them I am just glad they have given us something

Indeed cash would be better, but if they didn't have to do it, it's a gift, so better than nothing. And if phase 2 isn't ready this summer, you'll get cheaper STs next year I assume.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I would rather have had the refund in money or at least have the option to knock it off the price of next years season ticket but as it stands I've either got to spend the money in the club shop on things I don't want or pig myself silly on beer and pies.

Certainly daft if they have decided that they were incorrect to charge full prices. I guess we need to accept that the club is now a business with lots of cash to pay back into the club. I can't imagine there are that many disabled season tickets sold. We must be taling about 150 or less, surely?

An edgy one nil win against a minnow, not a thumping of a rival.

 

[British Bulldog]

To be fair, the club practically don't lose out at all. Bit cheeky I think. It's like when a company gets something wrong, you ask for your money back, and instead they give you vouchers to the amount they should give you in cash, only to be used at their store.

It is a bit of a strange situation but at the end of the day at least we got something back and I've got nothing but praise and gratitude for BODS who give up a lot of they're own time to fight our cause.

 

[British Bulldog]

And if phase 2 isn't ready this summer, you'll get cheaper STs next year I assume.

I'm not sure where we stand on that as the letter is a bit confusing ( then again it could just be me ) The letter reads....

" This concession has been granted whilst the stadium has been in phase one of it's development, However should phase two be completed during the close season and the choice of wheelchair areas increased, The pricing structure will be reviewed again. Ticket renewal prices for season 2012/13 will be announced shortly."

The way it reads to me is I could renew my season ticket at one price, But if they complete phase two during the close season then the cost could go up before the season starts. Maybe I've just got my dopey head on and it will make more sense to somebody else?

 

[tinytears]

I'm not sure where we stand on that as the letter is a bit confusing ( then again it could just be me ) The letter reads....

" This concession has been granted whilst the stadium has been in phase one of it's development, However should phase two be completed during the close season and the choice of wheelchair areas increased, The pricing structure will be reviewed again. Ticket renewal prices for season 2012/13 will be announced shortly."

The way it reads to me is I could renew my season ticket at one price, But if they complete phase two during the close season then the cost could go up before the season starts. Maybe I've just got my dopey head on and it will make more sense to somebody else?

It will depend on weather they get planning permission in time to put the seats in before next season. The renewals will be due soon so I assume it will be the same situation as this season in that we will pay the full amount & get a refund if not.

Thanks for your nice words about BODS. It is important to us to make sure disabled footy fans have a good time.