Susie Jones
Conseils aux conducteurs • 3 min lire

Camionneurs handicapés - quelles sont les aides disponibles ?

Créée: 12/08/2024

Mise à jour : 12/08/2024

Au Royaume-Uni, [23 %] (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7540/#:~:text=There%20were%209.58%20million%20people,of%20the%20working%2Dage%20population.) de la population en âge de travailler a déclaré être handicapée - à l'insu de beaucoup, une bonne partie d'entre eux sont des chauffeurs routiers qui traversent sans fin l'Europe pour livrer vos marchandises. Bien qu'ils soient confrontés à de nombreux défis, leur présence dans la communauté du camionnage souligne l'importance de l'inclusion et de la diversité dans le secteur.

Si j'ai un handicap, puis-je conduire un camion ?

Si vous souffrez d'un handicap physique ou cognitif, vous pouvez conduire un poids lourd. Toutefois, vous devez passer un examen médical pour déterminer si vous êtes suffisamment apte. Un examen médical comprend les éléments suivants

  • Une discussion avec un médecin au sujet de votre santé : Les conducteurs doivent être honnêtes et ouverts.

  • Un examen physique au cours duquel votre médecin vérifiera

  • Pression artérielle

  • Le cœur

  • Vision

  • Test de dépistage du diabète

  • Affections neurologiques

  • Troubles du sommeil.

Une fois cette étape franchie, la DVLA décidera si vous pouvez conduire.

Ajustements du camion

Les conducteurs souffrant d'un handicap physique peuvent bénéficier des aménagements suivants :

  • Des commandes manuelles pour remplacer les pédales

  • Aides à la direction

  • Accélérateurs du pied gauche

  • Conversion de l'embrayage

  • Harnais

  • Sièges spécialisés

  • Équipement de rangement pour les fauteuils roulants.

En 2021, le constructeur de poids lourds MAN a adapté quatre [camions pour conducteurs handicapés] (https://trans.info/check-out-the-lorries-man-altered-to-accommodate-disabled-drivers-228342). Les adaptations ont consisté à équiper les camions d'une plate-forme élévatrice permettant aux utilisateurs de fauteuils roulants d'accéder facilement à la cabine, toutes les commandes étant placées sur le volant ou autour de celui-ci.

Bien que la technologie et les adaptations progressent dans le secteur, de nombreux conducteurs handicapés sont encore confrontés à des difficultés sur le lieu de travail.

Quels sont les obstacles rencontrés par les chauffeurs routiers handicapés ?

Il peut être difficile pour les conducteurs handicapés de se faire une place dans le secteur, même s'ils possèdent les qualifications requises et ont passé leur examen médical. De nombreuses entreprises sont réticentes à l'idée de fournir un véhicule adapté, car il s'agit d'un investissement coûteux.

Pour les chauffeurs prêts à payer les adaptations nécessaires, Andy, PDG de l'organisation caritative [Globe Truckers UK] (https://www.globetruckersuk.org/), affirme qu'il est encore difficile de trouver un emploi.

"Certaines entreprises de transport hésitent à employer des personnes handicapées, car elles se méfient souvent des obstacles auxquels les chauffeurs sont confrontés en dehors de la cabine, par exemple les escaliers et le levage.

David Chambers, un [chauffeur de poids lourd handicapé] (https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/disabled-hgv-driver-accuses-back-to-work-ministers-of-hypocrisy-over-equality-laws/), a dénoncé les épreuves auxquelles il est confronté quotidiennement et a demandé des ajustements raisonnables à la loi sur l'égalité - en particulier après que le gouvernement a demandé que davantage de personnes bénéficiant de prestations d'invalidité [retournent au travail] (https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/chancellor-announces-back-work-plan-disabled-people-backed-tougher-sanctions#:~:text=Forming%20part%20of%20his%20Autumn,for%20and%20stay%20in%20work.).

David et beaucoup d'autres rencontrent des difficultés dans les grands dépôts où, en vertu de la [loi sur l'égalité] (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents), le dépôt n'est pas tenu de procéder à des ajustements raisonnables pour les conducteurs handicapés. Pour des raisons de sécurité, ils doivent attendre à l'écart de leur camion pendant le déchargement, ce qui les oblige à marcher sur de longues distances et à monter des escaliers.

Quel soutien existe-t-il pour les chauffeurs routiers handicapés ?

Trouver de l'aide peut s'avérer laborieux pour les personnes souffrant de blessures ou de maladies qui changent leur vie. L'association caritative britannique Globe Truckers a été créée par des chauffeurs pour aider les chauffeurs, afin de venir en aide aux personnes blessées, malades ou handicapées.

"Beaucoup de conducteurs handicapés ou blessés ne savent pas vers qui se tourner, car il y a très peu d'informations à leur disposition. C'est là que nous intervenons et que nous offrons notre soutien et nos conseils, qu'il s'agisse de les orienter vers les bonnes personnes ou de financer des équipements".

"Certains conducteurs ont simplement besoin de parler à quelqu'un, et nous sommes là pour leur offrir ce soutien par tous les moyens possibles. À l'avenir, nous aimerions pouvoir financer des adaptations de camions pour les conducteurs. Les adaptations peuvent être très coûteuses et la plupart des conducteurs handicapés doivent les payer de leur poche. Pour y parvenir, nous avons besoin de plus de fonds et de soutien de la part des acteurs du secteur", déclare Andy.

Comment l'industrie peut-elle aider ?

Pour que le paysage soit plus inclusif et plus diversifié, le secteur doit faire davantage pour prendre en compte les handicaps physiques et cognitifs - un changement qui doit intervenir rapidement, selon Andy.

"Il est essentiel que l'industrie consacre son soutien et son temps à elle-même, que ce soit directement aux conducteurs handicapés ou à des organisations caritatives comme Globe Truckers. Le secteur ne peut pas s'attendre à attirer les gens s'il ne soutient pas les minorités.

En tant que refuge pour de nombreux conducteurs, les relais routiers peuvent ouvrir la voie en proposant des installations accessibles. En 2022, le gouvernement a investi [100 millions de livres sterling] (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/up-to-100-million-boost-to-improve-hgv-roadside-facilities) dans le secteur pour améliorer les installations routières et créer des parcs à camions plus sûrs.

Le financement du gouvernement pourrait améliorer l'accessibilité des conducteurs handicapés aux arrêts les plus fréquentés. Les changements suivants pourraient avoir un impact substantiel :

  • Places de stationnement accessibles aux fauteuils roulants : les conducteurs qui ont du mal à monter et à descendre de leur cabine ont besoin d'espace supplémentaire, en particulier pour ceux qui ont besoin d'un élévateur.

  • Aménagements accessibles : des restaurants, des toilettes et d'autres installations accessibles garantissent un environnement inclusif.

Les entreprises de flotte peuvent contribuer à la création d'un environnement plus inclusif en mettant en œuvre les mesures suivantes :

  • Modifier les camions - faciliter l'utilisation par les conducteurs handicapés grâce à des commandes manuelles et à des technologies d'adaptation.

  • Soutien et formation - proposer des cours pour répondre à des défis ou à des besoins spécifiques.

  • Pratiques de recrutement inclusives - l'adoption d'une approche non biaisée lors du recrutement favorise une culture inclusive et diversifiée.

Pour attirer davantage de conducteurs dans le secteur du transport routier, il est essentiel d'instaurer une culture de la diversité et de l'intégration. Le soutien aux personnes souffrant de handicaps physiques et cognitifs a été négligé par le secteur, ce qui fait que de nombreux conducteurs ne savent pas vers qui se tourner. Les conducteurs handicapés offrent un point de vue unique et une capacité d'adaptation qui constituent un changement bienvenu dans le secteur.

Que faire si vous devenez handicapé au cours de votre carrière ?

Si vous développez une condition médicale ou un handicap "à déclaration obligatoire", vous devez en informer le DVLA, qui prendra les mesures suivantes :

  • Décider par lettre - certaines circonstances peuvent nécessiter plus d'informations.

  • Évaluez votre état de santé et décidez de l'issue de la procédure.

  • Si vous devez adapter votre véhicule, vous aurez besoin d'une évaluation indépendante de vos [adaptations] (https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/).

  • Si vous devez arrêter de conduire, le DVLA vous donnera une raison médicale.

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