Service and ‘The Bus’
Disability shunned
I FELT bad for my friend as he relayed his recent experience to me.
He took his vehicle to a well-established garage in Walu Bay as he wanted to have it diagnosed.
He was told to stand in a customer waiting area, but because attention to his vehicle was taking longer than he expected and as he has a severe back problem which didn't allow him to stand for long periods, he asked for a chair.
My friend, who by now was suffering considerable pain, was promptly told that customers could not sit while waiting for their vehicles. He suggested to the staff member that he could sit in his car, but that was not permitted either.
My friend informed the staff member that he would seek advice on the matter from the Fiji Disabled People's Federation on policies which address provisions for the disabled in business establishments. He spoke briefly to someone from the Federation who was going to call back, but they failed to do so. On knowing that and after all the fuss and bother my friend went through, a chair miraculously materialised and he was permitted to sit at the security desk.
We both wondered, as the company claims it has 'over 100 years of experience', what has it learnt about customer relations in that time. People living with disabilities need to be included in every aspect of business and the rights of the disabled must be realised and reflected in business policies and procedures, including customer relations.
Furthermore, what about pregnant women and the elderly? Would the company have them stand for over an hour, also? Sadly, too, when my friend reached out for advice from the Fiji Disabled People's Federation, the Federation wasn't rushing to assist.
I'm wondering if a disability is not visible such as someone who is suffering chronic pain, but may be putting on a brave face or has hearing loss then it is not considered with the level of seriousness and degree of consideration as a disabled person whose disability is visible?
This business certainly needs to lift its game and know that disabled people have as much right and access to services as everyone else. I feel that, at the least, an apology is in order. JULIE SUTHERLAND
Tamavua
The quality of Joshua
WHERE is our rampaging Votua, Ba ruggered native. the Bus Joshua Tuisova
If memory is correct Josh was anyone's nightmare in the 2016 Rio Olympics. His power and stature to push off players at will was the strength and strategy used by guru Ratu Ben Ryan and it worked.
Players thought twice about confronting Tuisova and that neutralised the defensive play of opposition and allowed our boys to attack at will.
Who can forget when Tuisova made his entry. There was huge competition between him and the than specialist winger Savenaca Rawaca and Ben Ryan was a master tactician in lifting the game of both players.
Another player who missed the Rio games is the sledgehammer, Eroni Sau, He was dumped in 2016 and should have got the nod this year.
Anyway back to Josh I just want to end by saying the The Bus and the The Trailer are inseparable and the prospect of putting Radradra and Joshua together in Tokyo would have been a delight and probably half the mission in Tokyo accomplished.
Josh is currently in top form in France so why is he not in the mix.. Anyway with Kunatani, Eroni and Josh missing let's see Gareth's pick this year. Will it be the lesser experienced players exposed in Tokyo or will we miss the experience hands to change the baton at Tokyo
SHALWYN PRASAD
Mukta Ben Place, Nabua