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Department small print broke its disability rules
A PARTIALLY blind woman has won a discrimination case after the Department for Work and Pensions sent dozens of letters and legal documents she was unable to read.
Angela Sharrock, aged 40, sued the DWP after it launched an investigation into her benefits - and repeatedly broke its own disability laws.
District judge Paul Mort found its failure to send large print letters or tapes - despite repeated requests - caused Miss Sharrock inconvenience, effort, discomfort, anxiety and loss of dignity.
She was awarded 2,500 at Sheffield County Court under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 - a law which is the DWP's responsibility.
Christopher Cole, chair of Sheffield Law Centre, which backed Angela, said: "It is astonishing the government department responsible for introducing the DDA should fail so comprehensively to apply it. Providing access to people with disabilities takes many different forms and this case shows government departments cannot ignore people's rights and hinder access to justice."
Angela, who can only read very large type with a magnifying glass and is registered blind, had her income support stopped after a bogus tip-off she had someone living with her.
She endured a gruelling investigation which included being followed and interviewed.
But throughout the ordeal the DWP failed to make any allowance for her disability - a clear breach of the Act. With the help of Stella Blizzard, of Manor Advice Service, she took the department to an appeal tribunal and won - her benefit was reinstated and payments backdated.
Then, with the help of Douglas Johnson of Sheffield Law Centre, she sued the DWP and won.
After the hearing, Angela Sharrock, of Harborough Close, Manor Park, said the investigation had left her shattered.
"It's really unnerved me. People must think I'm staring at them but I'm not - I'm trying to see if anyone is following me.
"I have always been as independent as possible and used to go out on my own, but I don't now.
"I feel ashamed when I have to ask for help. Doing something simple like putting my letters in a large print size would have made it much easier for me to keep my independence."
A DWP spokesperson said: "We take our duties under the Disability Discrimination Act very seriously and, although we have procedures to make reasonable adjustments for our customers, unfortunately on this occasion we failed to meet acceptable standards.
"We have already apologised and measures are being taken to ensure our staff are reminded of their responsibilities under the DDA."
Sheffield Law Centre is a charity which provides legal advice in housing, employment, immigration and discrimination. Call 0114 273 1501.
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
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