Injured islander "concerned" about impact of "archaic" dress code rules

Thursday 21 December 2023

An islander who was denied entry from two local bars after an injury left him unable to wear smart clothes said that he is "disgusted" and "concerned" about the "parity of access and service for islanders with ongoing disabilities".

Toby Farlan – who works as a Capacity and Liberty Officer at the Government of Jersey – recently broke his hand in multiple places.

As a result, Mr Farlan is unable to fasten buttons on any of his clothes.

He has therefore been wearing "jogging trousers and any un-ironed top I can fit my cast though" to work, but explained that his employer is "completely fine" with this due to his injuries.

However, on a recent Christmas night out, Mr Farlan was turned away from two local bars due to not meeting the dress code – despite his "very visible" cast and sling.

Pictured: Mr Farlan recently broke his hand in multiple places, and is therefore wearing a "very visible" cast – which is "bright red for festive season".

"I tried to explain I couldn't fasten buttons, but was dismissed," he said. "The bouncer was was downright rude."

Although the incident left Mr Farlan feeling "a bit embarrassed" and ruined his Christmas night out, he explained that his main concern was for islanders with permanent disabilities which may encounter the same issues with the "archaic dress codes" at some local licensed premises.

"I'm lucky because this [cast] will come off soon, but some people have permanent disabilities," he said, explaining that he knows someone with autism who faces sensory problems with certain fabrics.

Mr Farlan said: "This just goes against all the work that is being done on diversity and inclusion on the island."

"What if I had a permanent disability that required loose clothing that promoted my independence going to the bathroom?

"I thought this was 2023 not 1923!"

He added: "I am disgusted and also very concerned about the parity of access and service for islanders with ongoing disabilities or difficulty with fine motor skills."

Pictured: Islanders with ongoing injuries or disabilities are struggling to socialise with friends due to be turned away from premises.

Earlier this year, local charities called for "more education and understanding" from bar and nightclub staff towards islanders with disabilities and brain injuries, following reports of individuals being denied entry to licensed premises due to staff misinterpreting their disability for drunkenness.

It came as a social post by a mum explaining that a local pub had denied her disabled son entry gained huge traction on social media, with more than 200 reactions and almost 90 comments.

Many of the commenters detailed similar experiences of friends and family members who had suffered from brain injuries being turned away by door staff in Jersey, highlighting the extent of the problem.

Enable Jersey is a charity which aims to remove the barriers that limit disabled islanders and inspire changes to create a more inclusive community.

In response to the outcry on social media in May, Suzanne Day, the charity’s Programme Co-ordinator, explained that disabled islanders are often “questioned and ostracised” when out with their friends.

“Even people in wheelchairs are often made to feel unwelcome in licensed premises,” she said.

Although Ms Day admitted that signifiers such as cards and medical alert bracelets can be “really valuable in explaining why someone may be stumbling or slurring their words”, people with disabilities often find it disheartening that they constantly have to prove themselves.

Mrs Day explained: “Many of the people we work with at Enable will tell us that they aren’t disabled by their condition – they’ve learnt how to deal with that – but are disabled by the environment and people around them.”

Pictured: People are often "disabled by the environment and people around them".

She added that “more education and understanding is needed, especially for people in positions of power such as till staff or door staff who have the ability to deny someone service or entry”.

Mrs Day explained that it is often as easy as “just taking a step back and observing a situation for five minutes” to help get a fuller understanding of what is going on.

“Why should someone with a disability not be able enjoy a night out with their friends?” she asked. 

Mrs Day added: “We’re not trying to criticise anyone, but it’s really important to have these sorts of conversations and raise awareness.”

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FOCUS: Do bar and nightclub staff need greater disability education?