IT is often said the problem with common sense is, it’s not that common.
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This particularly appears to be true in the case of Lavington man Craig Robbins being forced to leave the Commercial Club for not wearing any shoes.
In most instances this would seem a reasonable stance for the club to take but for Mr Robbins, a multiple sclerosis sufferer in a mobility scooter, simply wearing shoes on a warm day feels like “walking on hot coals”.
It was an especially cruel blow for Mr Robbins given he had already been allowed into the club and eaten a meal before being forced to leave in front of shocked family and friends.
“I was quite embarrassed, as you could imagine,” he said.
Most people understand workplaces have to abide by OH&S regulations but as Mr Robbins said “when you’re in a scooter, your feet don't go on the ground”.
In today’s day and age, where clubs are crying out for members and patrons, it is surely in their best interests to accommodate anyone who wants to dine there, let alone a retired serviceman who suffers from multiple sclerosis.
Mr Robbins has visited the Commercial Club in the past without any issue and one would hope, with hot weather forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, he is free to do so again if he chooses.
Disability Advocacy and Information Service chief executive Martin Butcher pointed out Mr Robbins could go to the Australia Human Rights Commission and lodge a complaint against the Commercial Club.
“It does come down to education and awareness for staff, they need to know their obligations under the (Disability Discrimination) Act,” he said.
All Mr Robbins wants, for now, is an apology from the club and an increased awareness of MS.
The Commercial Club has evolved a lot since it was founded in 1903 as a businessmen's club.
It now has 30,000 members and caters to people from all walks of life.
The club has proved it can change with the times and the public messages of support for Mr Robbins from complete strangers following the incident shows the community expects that to happen again.
The Commercial Club staff member, in question, was just trying to do their job, but before forcing Mr Robbins to leave perhaps they should have walked a mile in his shoes.
Or, in this case, a lack thereof.
