Sydney pub apologises for turning away customer with cerebral palsy
The Marlborough Hotel, in Newtown has apologised "unreservedly" on its Facebook page after its security staff refused entry to a young woman with cerebral palsy, believing she was drunk.
The patron was out celebrating her 21st birthday with friends when she was turned away on Sunday morning.
The issue went public on Facebook when Liane Gorham posted a public message claiming her friend's daughter had been "belittled and laughed at".
"She suffers from cerebral palsy. Disgraceful and discriminating behaviour by your door staff," Ms Gorham wrote. "Shameful!"
Other friends took to the pub’s page and let it know it had done the wrong thing.
Ruth Disher, who said she was a friend of the woman involved, said it was "disgusting”.
Anne Marie questioned how much training had gone into the venue's security.
"Surely your security guards have been taught that there are other ways to tell if a person is intoxicated other than the way someone walks," she said.
The Marlborough investigated and then posted a public apology admitting it had "screwed up" after investigating the incident.
"We apologise to the young lady, her friends and family. Unreservedly," the post on its Facebook page said.
"We apologise for the humiliation and distress that we have caused.
"We are committed to building awareness of this issue with our entire team through intensive anti-discrimination training."
NSW Disability Services Minister Ray Williams criticised the "appalling" behaviour of the staff and "equally abhorrent" comments that were made about the young woman.
He also said the National Disability Insurance Scheme's had fundamental objectives to create a more inclusive society and the incident flew in the face of that.
"I can only hope everyone can take a lesson out of what has happened and make sure they are respectful to all people, especially some of the most vulnerable people in NSW, those people with disability," Mr Williams told the ABC.
"Australia is the land of the supporter of the underdog. I certainly think they always show great respect and great support for people with disability.
Leon Gettler - 22nd August 2018
