Discrimination against shoppers who cant read

geordie_joe

clairehi wrote: »

Hello everyone!

Going back to the OPs original point I think he is absolutely right and he makes a very good point.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, it is the law that shops must make reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people have access to services - which in this case I believe would include clear (non-text) labelling on supermarket food packaging.
I quote from directgov.uk.
"Under the DDA, it is against the law for service providers to treat disabled people less favourably than other people for a reason related to their disability. Service providers have to make 'reasonable adjustments' to the way they deliver their services so that disabled people can use them.
Examples of reasonable adjustments include:

• installing an induction loop for people who are hearing impaired
• giving the option to book tickets by email as well as by phone
• providing disability awareness training for staff who have contact with the public
• providing larger, well-defined signage for people with impaired vision
• putting in a ramp at the entrance to a building as well as steps

What is considered a 'reasonable adjustment' for a large organisation like a bank may be different to a reasonable adjustment for a small local shop. It is about what is practical in the service provider's individual situation and what resources the business may have. They will not be required to make changes which are impractical or beyond their means.
Failure or refusal to provide a service that is offered to other people to a disabled person is discrimination unless it can be justified."


This is not about people who are *too lazy* to learn to read, as certain ignorant posters seem to think. I have, in a very limited way, worked with vulnerable adults who struggle to manage to live independently. Often the true extent of their difficulties are not known until the death of their parents leaves them to cope alone. I am so glad the OHs brothers have him around to look out for them. Best of luck to him.

Good point, except the disabled people are not shopping at the shop. Under the above a shop should make arrangements for disabled people to be able to purchase their products just the same as able bodied people. All supermarkets will do this by way of having a member of staff help anyone who needs help with their shopping.

Once the goods have left the shop, the shop has no responsibility to anyone the goods might be given too. Their only responsibility is to the person in their shop trying to buy them.

jack_of_all

Hi, as the OP I would like to add that if I accidently walk under a bus today it is quite feasible that my brother,s may have to do some grocery shopping for themselves. I don't like to think about it but I have no confidence that they would recieve the support they need from local authorities or any one else. I am certain that their are many in this position. I try to teach them about value for money and choosing cheaper things to get more for your money, don't feel I'm having much luck their, They go to the local coop regularly with left over days spending money (not a lot) but often buy things that are the worst value. They have been ripped off by the local newsagents, loads of times I've had to go and sort them out, and I mean diliberately ripped off. I'de rather they didn't go at all but I feel I should let them to at least make sure they have some experience if anything happens to me.

Strapped

JemmaBe wrote: »

I have complete sympathy for those who are blind or partially sighted having problems in shopping in supermarkets, although this is not the issue being brought up here.

But for people who can't read, my sympathy dwindles slightly. When I go abroad (including countries without the same alphabet - russia for one) I can perfectly adequately navigate a supermarket. I can see what is in the packet, or if I can't I look around and see what kind of isle I'm in. Value crisps in england, are clearly in an isle full of crisps. Although they don't have pictures explicitly stating they are crisps, it is fairly obvious they are crisps and not nuts, which come in a small packet, and are heavier.

Even things such as peas and sweetcorn which feel the same, are obviously yellow or green, even in the value products you can see through the packaging.

We should encourage people to become literate, which as far as I'm aware is NOT a recognised disability, and where dyslexia or otherwise is the reason the discrimination is in the barrier to them learning to read.

It's not just as simple as dyslexia etc though - people who have had a stroke or other brain injury may find it difficult to read.

snugglepet20

OP have you considered shopping in ALDI? Price-wise it is similar to smartprice but all the products have full colour labels with pictures and they are 99% own brand so they do not change. Also the stores are smaller so perhaps your brothers could shop with you and learn their way around and pick products. Only downside could be that they are not open 24 hours (til 8pm) if you can only go very late.

raphanius

if a button falls off a shirt and you can't sew do you take it back to the shop for a replacement shirt?

Krissy306

never thought about this before its a good idea maybe shops dont do it caz of the money it would cost? not sure? good thing to post thou

jenniewb

raphanius wrote: »

if a button falls off a shirt and you can't sew do you take it back to the shop for a replacement shirt?

This depends entirly on how long ago I bought the shirt. Regardless of my sewing skills (B.A Hons if you must know) a faulty item is a faulty item.:D

Owain_Moneysaver

On an unscientific sampling of Tesco Value tinned products, they all seem to have pictures on the wrapper, including: baked beans, baked beans +sausages, peas, swetcorn, chopped tomatoes, tuna, meatballs. Maybe it's a new packaging design that is being rolled out regionally depending on which warehouse/supplier your local store gets its value stuff from.

meg72

funkymonkey849 wrote: »

I'm confused as nearly all the tesco value range have pictures of the product on???

Unless it's the likes of asda/sainsburys etc but I don't shop there so I don't know

Most of Asdas smartprice cans have a picture, although i have just had a quick check and find that rice pudding and Tuna do not,

Interesting thread though many thanks to the OP for posting. its certainly something I had not considered before.

LilacPixie

What about tesco Market value?? I find alot of that cheaper than the actual value stuff or shopping in lidl/aldi which i personally find to be the same s a typical store smart value basics rnge but better quality