Susie Jones
Consigli per i conducenti • 3 leggere

Camionisti con disabilità: qual è il supporto disponibile?

Creato: 12/08/2024

Aggiornato: 12/08/2024

Nel Regno Unito, il 23% della popolazione in età lavorativa ha dichiarato di essere disabile - all'insaputa di molti, una buona parte è costituita da camionisti che attraversano l'Europa per consegnare le vostre merci. Nonostante debbano affrontare molte sfide, la loro presenza nella comunità degli autotrasportatori evidenzia l'importanza dell'inclusione e della diversità nel settore.

Se ho una disabilità, posso guidare un camion?

Se avete una disabilità fisica o cognitiva, potete guidare un automezzo pesante. Tuttavia, è necessario superare una visita medica per determinare se si è sufficientemente idonei. La visita medica consiste in quanto segue:

  • Un colloquio con un medico sulla propria salute: I conducenti devono essere onesti e aperti.

  • Un esame fisico in cui il medico controllerà

  • Pressione sanguigna

  • Cuore

  • Visione

  • Test per il diabete

  • Condizioni neurologiche

  • Disturbi del sonno.

Una volta completato, la DVLA deciderà se siete in grado di guidare.

Adattamenti del camion

Per i conducenti con disabilità fisiche sono disponibili le seguenti modifiche:

  • Comandi manuali per sostituire i pedali

  • Ausili per lo sterzo

  • Acceleratori del piede sinistro

  • Conversione della frizione

  • Imbracature

  • Sedute specializzate

  • Attrezzatura per lo stivaggio delle sedie a rotelle.

Nel 2021, il produttore di mezzi pesanti MAN ha adattato quattro autocarri per conducenti disabili. Gli adattamenti hanno comportato l'equipaggiamento degli autocarri con una piattaforma di sollevamento per consentire alle persone in sedia a rotelle di accedere facilmente alla cabina, con tutti i comandi montati sul volante o intorno ad esso.

Sebbene la tecnologia e gli adattamenti stiano progredendo nel settore, molti autisti disabili devono ancora affrontare sfide sul lavoro.

Quali sono gli ostacoli che i camionisti disabili devono affrontare?

Per gli autisti disabili può essere difficile ottenere un posto nel settore, anche se sono in possesso delle qualifiche richieste e hanno superato l'esame medico. Molte aziende sono riluttanti a fornire un veicolo adattato, poiché può essere un investimento costoso.

Per gli autisti disposti a pagare gli adattamenti necessari, Andy, amministratore delegato dell'organizzazione benefica Globe Truckers UK, afferma che è ancora difficile trovare un impiego.

"Alcune aziende di trasporto sono riluttanti ad assumere persone disabili: spesso diffidano degli ostacoli che gli autisti devono affrontare al di fuori della cabina, ad esempio le scale e i sollevamenti".

David Chambers, un [autista di mezzi pesanti disabile] (https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/disabled-hgv-driver-accuses-back-to-work-ministers-of-hypocrisy-over-equality-laws/), ha denunciato le prove che deve affrontare quotidianamente e ha chiesto adeguamenti ragionevoli alla legge sull'uguaglianza, soprattutto dopo che il governo ha chiesto che un maggior numero di persone che ricevono sussidi per la disabilità [tornino al lavoro] (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 e molti altri si trovano in difficoltà nei grandi depositi dove, in base all'Equality Act, il deposito non è obbligato a fare adeguamenti ragionevoli per gli autisti disabili. Per motivi di sicurezza, devono aspettare lontano dai loro camion durante le operazioni di scarico, con il risultato di dover camminare per lunghi tratti e salire le scale.

Che supporto c'è per i camionisti disabili?

Trovare assistenza può essere faticoso per chi ha subito infortuni o malattie che cambiano la vita. L'associazione benefica britannica Globe Truckers è stata costruita appositamente dagli autisti per aiutare gli autisti, fornendo supporto a persone ferite, malate o disabili.

"Molti automobilisti disabili o feriti non sanno a chi rivolgersi perché le informazioni a loro disposizione sono molto scarse. È qui che entriamo in gioco noi, offrendo il nostro supporto e la nostra guida, sia che si tratti di indicare loro le persone giuste o di fornire finanziamenti per le attrezzature".

"Alcuni autisti hanno solo bisogno di qualcuno con cui parlare, e noi siamo qui per offrire loro questo sostegno in ogni modo possibile. In futuro ci piacerebbe poter finanziare l'adattamento dei camion per gli autisti. Gli adattamenti possono essere molto costosi e la maggior parte degli autisti disabili deve pagare di tasca propria. Per raggiungere questo obiettivo, abbiamo bisogno di maggiori finanziamenti e del sostegno degli operatori del settore", afferma Andy.

Come può aiutare l'industria?

Per un paesaggio più inclusivo e diversificato, il settore deve fare di più per accogliere le disabilità fisiche e cognitive: un cambiamento che deve avvenire presto, dice Andy.

"È fondamentale che l'industria si dedichi al proprio sostegno e al proprio tempo, sia direttamente agli autisti disabili che a enti di beneficenza come Globe Truckers. L'industria non può aspettarsi di attrarre le persone se non fornisce sostegno alle minoranze".

In quanto rifugio per molti autisti, le aree di sosta per camion possono aprire la strada fornendo strutture accessibili. Nel 2022, il governo ha investito 100 milioni di sterline nel settore per migliorare le strutture stradali e creare parcheggi per camion più sicuri.

I finanziamenti del governo potrebbero migliorare l'accessibilità per i conducenti disabili alle fermate più frequentate. Cambiamenti come i seguenti potrebbero avere un impatto sostanziale:

  • Parcheggi accessibili alle sedie a rotelle: gli autisti che hanno difficoltà a salire e scendere dall'abitacolo hanno bisogno di spazio extra, soprattutto per chi ha bisogno di un sollevatore.

  • Servizi accessibili: ristoranti, servizi igienici e altre strutture accessibili garantiscono un ambiente inclusivo.

Le flotte possono contribuire a creare un ambiente più inclusivo attuando le seguenti misure:

  • Modificare gli autocarri - per facilitare l'utilizzo da parte di conducenti disabili grazie a comandi manuali e tecnologie adattive.

  • Supporto e formazione: fornire corsi per affrontare sfide o esigenze specifiche.

  • Pratiche di assunzione inclusive - l'adozione di un approccio non di parte nelle assunzioni promuove una cultura inclusiva e diversificata.

La creazione di una cultura diversificata e inclusiva è fondamentale per attirare un maggior numero di autisti nel settore del trasporto merci. L'industria ha trascurato il sostegno alle persone con disabilità fisiche e cognitive, lasciando molti autisti nell'incertezza su dove rivolgersi. Gli autisti disabili offrono un punto di vista unico e una capacità di adattamento che rappresenta un cambiamento gradito per il settore.

Cosa fare se si diventa disabili durante la carriera?

Se sviluppate una condizione medica o una disabilità "notificabile", dovete informare la DVLA, che procederà come segue:

  • Decidete per lettera: alcune circostanze possono richiedere maggiori informazioni.

  • Valutare le condizioni mediche e decidere il risultato.

  • Se avete bisogno di adattare il vostro veicolo, avrete bisogno di una valutazione indipendente dei vostri [adattamenti].(https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/)

  • Se dovete smettere di guidare, la DVLA vi fornirà una motivazione medica.

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