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Slovenian Railways found to have discriminated against passenger with disability
🇸🇮 Slovenia /Energy & Infrastructure

Slovenian Railways found to have discriminated against passenger with disability

From Delo · () Slovenian

Translated from Slovenian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The Advocate of the Principle of Equality found Slovenian Railways discriminated against a woman using an electric wheelchair.
  • The woman was denied train transport despite prior assurances and a pre-arranged adaptation.
  • Slovenian Railways regretted the incident, citing an incorrect assessment of platform height, and stated they have reviewed internal protocols.

Slovenian Railways has been found to have discriminated against a woman using an electric wheelchair, according to the Advocate of the Principle of Equality. The woman was denied train transport despite assurances that her journey would be accommodated.

The trains, railway stations, and platforms are not yet fully accessible to people with disabilities and mobility impairments.

— Advocate of the Principle of EqualityExplaining the general accessibility issues faced by passengers with disabilities.

The Advocate stated that trains, stations, and platforms are not yet fully accessible for people with disabilities. Those requiring assistance must announce their travel plans at least 24 hours in advance. In this case, the woman with limited mobility had notified Slovenian Railways of her travel intentions and received confirmation that the journey would be possible with the necessary adaptations.

Those who, due to limited mobility, require assistance with travel must announce their journey to Slovenian Railways at least 24 hours before arriving at the station.

— Advocate of the Principle of EqualityDetailing the advance notice requirement for passengers needing assistance.

However, upon arrival at the station, the provided adaptation was insufficient. The woman, unable to board the train, subsequently reported the discrimination to the Advocate. Slovenian Railways expressed regret for the incident, attributing the failure to an incorrect assessment of the platform height, which prevented the provision of a suitable ramp. They noted that alternative transport was not feasible due to the passenger's health restrictions on the day of travel.

We regret the incident and the complication occurred because we incorrectly assessed the platform height and therefore did not provide a ramp.

— Slovenian RailwaysThe company's explanation for the failure to accommodate the passenger.

The Advocate clarified that discrimination is determined by the effect of an action, regardless of intent. While acknowledging the railway company's empathetic response and regret, the Advocate concluded that discrimination occurred because the individual was deprived of the opportunity to use the train due to her disability.

The effect of a certain action is important for establishing discrimination, not whether the action was intentional or unintentional.

— Advocate of the Principle of EqualityClarifying the legal standard for determining discrimination.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delo in Slovenian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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