Wheelchair users 'have to climb stairs'

Although there are lifts in the disability benefits assessment centre, anyone in a wheelchair or who cannot climb stairs is banned from using them due to health and safety regulations.

Anyone who cannot tackle the 42-step staircase is instead forced to make a further seven mile trip from the centre in Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, to Balham or eight mile trip to Wimbledon, because the centre is not disabled-friendly.

Atos Healthcare’s assessment centre is on the first floor of Stephenson House, and is a centre disabled Sutton residents are asked to go to to undertake a compulsory workplace capability assessment (WCA) to determine if those suffering illness or incapacity are claiming legitimately.

Croydon Disability Forum (CDF) were stunned by the lack of accessibility, including no disabled parking nearby and the taxi stopping area closed off by bollards, labelling the situation "ludicrous."

Allan Prince, who walks with sticks but sometimes uses a wheelchair, said: “I was shocked when I pulled up in the taxi and I had to walk 50 yards to the door [as there was no parking].

“There are no facilities downstairs on the ground floor.”

His wife Sharon, who uses a motorised wheelchair, said: “The fact you can’t go upstairs in the lift is really stupid."

The test is provided by Atos, which runs 141 centres across the UK, 29 of which are not wheelchair accessible.

An Atos spokesman said: “There is good wheelchair access at Atos Healthcare’s assessment centre in Croydon. However, due to regulations regarding emergency evacuation procedures, this venue is not suitable for some customers.

“We have recently enhanced evacuation procedures at Croydon, which has reduced further the number of customers required to attend at an alternative centre.

“If this is required, we book the customer an appointment at the closest suitable location and costs for public transport or travel by private car are reimbursed.”