IT seems Royal Ascot Ltd has missed the point about their duty under the Disability Discrimination Act of making parking accessible to the disabled (April 7).

The Act is not just about providing accessible parking bays, but ensuring the disabled can benefit from them.

Ascot appears to have done little on either count.

It is unlawful for those who provide goods, facilities or services to the public to discriminate against disabled people.

From last year service providers are required to have completed infrastructure changes to remove any barrier to accessibility.

Any barrier which inhibits a disabled person's access to suitably configured parking bays, and in so doing inhibits their access to the service, would be deemed discriminatory.

Occupation of accessible bays by non-disabled drivers would be regarded as a reasonably foreseeable barrier to access.

In deciding to offer disabled people's parking bays at double the price, Ascot was discriminating.

The recent ploy of opening up that same double-price offer to abled as well as disabled people means they have simply constructed another disabling barrier.

To offer disabled people parking at the regular price, but in unmarked bays and a great distance from the track entrance, is an unreasonable alternative.

Yes, they've made an offer to provide "buggies" which help some people, but will certainly not be inclusive to all. Many will be unable, because of the nature of their condition, to make use of such a service.

Will Ascot be providing lessons on how to use the buggies?

Is there a booking system or will it be first come first served? Will these unmarked car parking spaces be monitored?

Have they considered Health and Safety regulations and other related legislation as well as the Disability Discrimination Act?

Lynn Jeffries,

Ashley Park Crescent,

Stockton Lane, York.

Updated: 09:39 Wednesday, April 13, 2005