Anger as Bloxwich Active Living Centre axes disability swimming sessions in Walsall
A leisure centre in Walsall has been accused of discrimination after axing its disability swimming sessions.
Bloxwich Active Living Centre, off High Street, has cut the Wednesday evening session because of poor attendance.
But upset residents have vented their frustration at the leisure centre, describing its decision as discrimination.
They have taken to the leisure centre's Facebook page to make formal complaints of 'indirect discrimination' against the decision.
The complaint originated from Linda Fellows, whose son Jay, who suffers from severe autism, had been attending the weekly sessions.
She explained: "We started attending a pilot disability swimming session about five months ago. Jay enjoyed it immensely and slowly began to learn the basics of swimming.
"After Christmas, the session was added to the official pool program."
After the session was added weekly Mrs Fellows said swimming became part of Jay's routine and more and more people began to show up to the session. Most of the young children who took part in the session have autism and are unable to take part in regular public swims because it would overwhelm them.
Mrs Fellows continued: “I watched how they thrived in this environment. I saw how the parents, who might have been isolated due to their child’s disability, also enjoyed a bit of socialising with others in the same position. Our kids got used to each other’s differences and began to initiate contact and stray outside of their comfort zones.
“Last week a new pool schedule was published. The disability session has been cancelled. When I spoke to the area manager, I was told they felt the session was poorly attended and since there were so many other people who wanted to use the pool at that time they could not justify the session. He told me people with disabilities would be signposted to other sessions that were less busy, that they felt they were being more inclusive by not having a separate session.”
Since her post to the leisure centre, other residents have got involved and contacted the centre with their complaints, all copying the same letter highlighting ‘indirect discrimination’.
The letter added: "You have cancelled the disability swimming session on Wednesdays 5-6pm under the guise of low attendance and that you were turning away too many able-bodied people to justify continuing it. However, you have replaced it with swimming lessons, not a public swim. You have not offered any replacement session."
But Bloxwich Active Living Centre has released a statement refuting the discrimination claims.
It said: “Further to the comments regarding the disability swim sessions, we routinely review our pool programmes to ensure the centre is well used and provides a service to Walsall resident.
“The disability sessions were in place for six months and were not well attended. Bloxwich Active Living Centre has some great facilities for people with disabilities and these are available at all times. We would encourage the people who previously attended the disability sessions to come to our many public sessions. If people do prefer a specific disability session there are sessions at Walsall Gala Swimming and Fitness Centre on Monday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
"Where people with autistic spectrum disorders do need a specific exclusive session, Bloxwich Active Living Centre (a busy centre with a pool capacity in excess of 100), may not be the most appropriate venue. If you or someone for whom you care would like to attend such a session please e-mail: walsallleisure@walsall.gov.uk and we will investigate this option."
The pool at the leisure centre has a capacity for 140. Attendance at the disability sessions varied, according to Walsall Council, but it tended to be around three to five with a disability plus their carers.
