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Disabled access to U.K. stores poor (7th December, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

A new report from the British government says access for disabled people in stores in Britain is "shocking". The U.K. government visited and checked more than 30,000 shops and restaurants across the country. They found that many stores and eateries made it very difficult or impossible for disabled people to shop or eat while shopping. The survey listed many examples of how difficult it is for disabled people to go shopping. Around 20 per cent of stores had no wheelchair ramps and two-thirds of staff in shops had no training to help disabled customers. Going to the bathroom is also difficult for people in wheelchairs. Over 40% of restaurants and 30 per cent of stores have no accessible toilet.

Britain's Minister for Disabled People, Mark Harper, said it was unfair that the disabled had such problems when shopping. He said people with disabilities should be able to enjoy...shopping just like everyone else. He told reporters: "Everyone deserves to be able to go...shopping or enjoy a festive meal or drink with their friends or colleagues." He added that stores and restaurants were losing money because they did not help the disabled, saying: "This isn't just about doing what's right. Businesses are missing a trick by not doing more to tap into this market." He said: "A fifth of the British population has a disability and they and their households have a spending power of over £200 billion [$310bn]."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30342957
http://www.economicvoice.com/disabled-shoppers-driven-from-the-high-street-by-poor-accessibility-charity-survey-finds/
http://www.localgov.co.uk/Disabled-people-denied-pleasure-of-Christmas-shopping/37709

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. DISABILITY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about disability. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

report / access / shocking / impossible / survey / wheelchair / ramps / training / disabled / problems / reporters / everyone / losing money / festive / colleagues / tap

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. DISABILITY ACCESS: How can shops and restaurants do more? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Problems	Solutions
Entrances
Toilets
Prices / Menus
Cash registers
Staff
Parking

4. FINES: Students A strongly believe stores should get fined for not providing disability access; Students B strongly believe that's wrong. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. ACCESSIBILITY: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• Parking

• Wheelchair access

• Larger print

• Sign language

• Resting place

• Toilet facilities

• Trained staff

• Lower checkouts

6. STORE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "store". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	A new report on disability access is from a private charity.	T / F
b.	Researchers checked just under 3,000 shops in the U.K.	T / F
c.	Researchers found that 40% of U.K. stores had no wheelchair ramp.	T / F
d.	The study found that around 30% of stores had no accessible toilet.	T / F
e.	Britain's Minister for Disabled People said the situation was unfair.	T / F
f.	The minister said stores would lose money by building special toilets.	T / F
g.	Around 20% of British people have a disability.	T / F
h.	Disabled people in Britain have around $310 billion to spend.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	report	a.	co-workers
2.	shocking	b.	throughout
3.	across	c.	business
4.	help	d.	study
5.	difficult	e.	like
6.	enjoy	f.	ability
7.	colleagues	g.	horrifying
8.	tap into	h.	hard
9.	market	i.	make use of
10.	power	j.	assist

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	A new report from the	a.	power
2.	stores and	b.	what's right
3.	The survey listed many examples of how	c.	accessible toilet
4.	two-	d.	like everyone else
5.	30 per cent of stores have no	e.	colleagues
6.	enjoy shopping just	f.	British government
7.	drink with their friends or	g.	difficult it is
8.	This isn't just about doing	h.	into this market
9.	doing more to tap	i.	eateries
10.	spending	j.	thirds of staff

GAP FILL

A new report from the British government says (1) ____________ for disabled people in stores in Britain is "(2) ____________". The U.K. government visited and checked more than 30,000 shops and restaurants across the country. They found that many stores and eateries made it very (3) ____________or impossible for disabled people to shop or eat (4) ____________shopping. The survey listed many examples of how difficult it is for disabled people to go shopping. Around 20 per cent of stores had no wheelchair (5) ____________and two-thirds of staff in shops had no (6) ____________to help disabled customers. Going to the bathroom is also difficult for people in (7) ____________. Over 40% of restaurants and 30 per cent of stores have no (8) ____________toilet.

while
access
wheelchairs
ramps
difficult
accessible
training
shocking

Britain's Minister for Disabled People, Mark Harper, said it was (9) ____________that the disabled had such problems when shopping. He said people with (10) ____________should be able to enjoy shopping just like everyone else. He told reporters: "Everyone deserves to be able to go...shopping or enjoy a (11) ____________meal or drink with their friends or (12) ____________." He added that stores and restaurants were losing money because they did not help the disabled, saying: "This isn't just about doing what's (13) ____________. Businesses are missing a trick by not doing more to (14) ____________into this market." He said: "A fifth of the British (15) ____________has a disability and they and their households have a spending (16) ____________of over £200 billion [$310bn]."

disabilities
colleagues
tap
unfair
power
festive
population
right

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The U.K. government visited and checked more ______ shops
	a. than 13,000 b. than 33,300 c. than 30,000 d. than 30,300
2)	difficult or impossible for disabled people to shop or ______
	a. eat whale shopping b. eat while shopping c. eat whole shopping d. eat wheel shopping
3)	Around 20 per cent of stores had no wheelchair ramps and ______
	a. two-thirds of staff b. two-thirds for staff c. two-thirds from staff d. two-thirds off staff
4)	Going to the bathroom is also difficult for people ______
	a. in wheelchairs b. on wheelchairs c. an wheelchairs d. of wheelchairs
5)	40% of restaurants and 30 per cent of stores have ______
	a. no accessible toilets b. no accessible toiletries c. no accessible toilette d. no accessible toilet
6)	it was unfair that the disabled had ______
	a. such problem b. such problematic c. such problems d. such probe lamb
7)	people with disabilities should be able to enjoy shopping just ______
	a. like someone else b. like everyone else c. like all else d. like whole one else
8)	stores and restaurants were losing money because they did not ______
	a. help a disabled b. help the disabled c. help all disabled d. help them disabled
9)	Businesses are missing a trick by not doing more to ______ market
	a. tap onto this b. tap into this c. tap in two this d. tap in too this
10)	their households have a spending power of ______
	a. over £200 billion b. over £300 billion c. over £400 billion d. over £500 billion

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A new report from the British government (1) ___________________ disabled people in stores in Britain is "shocking". The U.K. government visited (2) ___________________ than 30,000 shops and restaurants across the country. They found that many stores and eateries (3) ___________________ difficult or impossible for disabled people to shop or eat while shopping. The (4) ___________________ examples of how difficult it is for disabled people to go shopping. Around 20 per cent of stores had no wheelchair ramps (5) ___________________ staff in shops had no training to help disabled customers. Going to the bathroom is also difficult for people in wheelchairs. Over 40% of restaurants and 30 per cent of stores have no (6) ___________________.

Britain's Minister for Disabled People, Mark Harper, (7) ___________________ that the disabled had such problems when shopping. He said people with disabilities should (8) ___________________ shopping just like everyone else. He told reporters: "Everyone deserves to be able to go...shopping or enjoy a festive meal (9) ___________________ friends or colleagues." He added that stores and restaurants were losing money because they (10) ___________________ disabled, saying: "This isn't just about doing what's right. Businesses are missing a trick by not doing more (11) ___________________ this market." He said: "A fifth of the British population has a disability and they and their households have a spending (12) ___________________ £200 billion [$310bn]."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Who made the report on disability access in Britain?
2.	How many shops and restaurants did researchers visit?
3.	What percentage of stores had no wheelchair ramps?
4.	What did staff at many stores and restaurants not have?
5.	How many stores had no accessible toilets?
6.	What position does Mark Harper hold in Britain's government?
7.	What did Mark Harper say people with disabilities should be able to do?
8.	What did Mr Harper say stores were losing?
9.	What fraction of British people have a disability?
10.	How much do disabled people in the UK have to spend?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Who made the report on disability access in Britain?	6.	What position does Mark Harper hold in Britain's government?
	a) a charity b) a group of disabled people c) the British government d) a restaurant chain		a) Minister for Stores & Restaurants b) Minister for Disabled People c) Minister for Health d) Minister for Equality
2.	How many shops and restaurants did researchers visit?	7.	What did Mark Harper say people with disabilities should be able to do?
	a) over 30,000 b) over 40,000 c) 13,000 d) 14,000		a) complain b) relax c) park d) go shopping
3.	What percentage of stores had no wheelchair ramps?	8.	What did Mr Harper say stores were losing?
	a) around half b) around 20% c) around 18.83% d) around 22%		a) custom b) money c) sales d) customers
4.	What did staff at many stores and restaurants not have?	9.	What fraction of British people have a disability?
	a) knowledge b) manners c) toilets d) training		a) a quarter b) a fifth c) two-fifths d) a third
5.	How many stores had no accessible toilets?	10.	How much do disabled people in the UK have to spend?
	a) 10% b) 20% c) 30% d) 40%		a) £200 billion b) £200 million c) £310 billion d) £310 million

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Better parking

You think better parking is the best way to help shoppers with disabilities. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so useful. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): trained staff, accessible toilets or lower checkouts.

Role B – Trained staff

You think trained staff is the best way to help shoppers with disabilities. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so useful. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): better parking, accessible toilets or lower checkouts.

Role C – Accessible toilets

You think accessible toilets are the best way to help shoppers with disabilities. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so useful. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): trained staff, better parking or lower checkouts.

Role D – Lower checkouts

You think lower checkouts are the best way to help shoppers with disabilities. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so useful. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): trained staff, accessible toilets or better parking.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'disabled' and 'access'.

disabled

access

Share your findings with your partners.

Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

new
checked
while
20
staff
30

unfair
everyone
added
right
fifth
200

DISABILITY SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about disability in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

DISABILITY DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'disability'?
3)	What do you think about what you read?
4)	How easy or difficult is it for disabled people to go shopping in your country?
5)	How shocking is the report from Britain?
6)	What should stores do for disabled people?
7)	Why don't stores help the disabled more?
8)	Should it be law for stores to help disabled customers?
9)	Should stores with no accessible toilets be fined?
10)	What difficulties do disabled people have in stores?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What more should Britain's Minister for Disabled People do?
13)	How unfair is it that stores are not helping the disabled?
14)	What can you do to make stores take more action?
15)	Why don't stores act if they know they are losing money?
16)	How can disabled people work together to get stores to act?
17)	What should those who are not disabled do to help?
18)	What can governments do to tell more people about this?
19)	What message do you have for store owners?
20)	What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

A new report from the British government says (1) ____ for disabled people in stores in Britain is "(2) ____". The U.K. government visited and checked more than 30,000 shops and restaurants across the country. They found that many stores and eateries (3) ____ it very difficult or impossible for disabled people to shop or eat while shopping. The survey (4) ____ many examples of how difficult it is for disabled people to go shopping. Around 20 per cent of stores had no wheelchair ramps and two-(5) ____ of staff in shops had no training to help disabled customers. Going to the bathroom is also difficult (6) ____ people in wheelchairs. Over 40% of restaurants and 30 per cent of stores have no accessible toilet.

Britain's Minister for Disabled People, Mark Harper, said it was unfair that the disabled had (7) ____ problems when shopping. He said people with disabilities should be able to enjoy shopping just like (8) ____ else. He told reporters: "Everyone deserves to be able to go...shopping or enjoy a festive meal or drink with their friends or (9) ____." He added that stores and restaurants were losing money because they did not help the disabled, saying: "This isn't (10) ____ about doing what's right. Businesses are missing a trick by not doing more to (11) ____ into this market." He said: "A fifth of the British population has a disability and they and their households have a spending power (12) ____ over £200 billion [$310bn]."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	excess	(b)	recess	(c)	access	(d)	process
2.	(a)	shocking	(b)	shocked	(c)	shocks	(d)	shocker
3.	(a)	made	(b)	took	(c)	gave	(d)	did
4.	(a)	listed	(b)	lists	(c)	listing	(d)	list
5.	(a)	third-rate	(b)	thirdly	(c)	third	(d)	thirds
6.	(a)	of	(b)	from	(c)	of	(d)	for
7.	(a)	such	(b)	much	(c)	touch	(d)	pouch
8.	(a)	ones	(b)	one	(c)	someone	(d)	everyone
9.	(a)	colleagues	(b)	colleges	(c)	collages	(d)	collagens
10.	(a)	adjust	(b)	just	(c)	gest	(d)	jest
11.	(a)	tip	(b)	tap	(c)	top	(d)	tape
12.	(a)	of	(b)	for	(c)	from	(d)	as

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	the British tnenomgrve
2.	30,000 shops and uaressttarn
3.	made it very difficult or ioibssepml
4.	eerhclihaw ramps
5.	help disabled stusmorce
6.	30 per cent of stores have no easlciebcs toilet
Paragraph 2
7.	it was rnfiua
8.	people with iaibtleiissd
9.	Everyone sedrevse to be able to go
10.	friends or goecellasu
11.	A fifth of the British aouptiolpn
12.	olseodhshu have a spending power

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	difficult or impossible for disabled people to shop or eat while shopping. The survey listed many examples of how difficult it
( 1 )	A new report from the British government says access for disabled people in stores
( )	or drink with their friends or colleagues." He added that stores and restaurants were losing
( )	Britain's Minister for Disabled People, Mark Harper, said it was unfair that the disabled had such
( )	disability and they and their households have a spending power of over £200 billion [$310bn]."
( )	else. He told reporters: "Everyone deserves to be able to go...shopping or enjoy a festive meal
( )	in Britain is "shocking". The U.K. government visited and checked more than 30,000 shops
( )	missing a trick by not doing more to tap into this market." He said: "A fifth of the British population has a
( )	thirds of staff in shops had no training to help disabled customers. Going to the bathroom is also
( )	difficult for people in wheelchairs. Over 40% of restaurants and 30 per cent of stores have no accessible toilet.
( )	and restaurants across the country. They found that many stores and eateries made it very
( )	problems when shopping. He said people with disabilities should be able to enjoy shopping just like everyone
( )	money because they did not help the disabled, saying: "This isn't just about doing what's right. Businesses are
( )	is for disabled people to go shopping. Around 20 per cent of stores had no wheelchair ramps and two-

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	in Britain is shocking Access for disabled people in stores.
2.	shop for disabled Difficult people or to impossible.
3.	ramps Around 20 per cent of stores had no wheelchair.
4.	- thirds of staff in shops had no training Two.
5.	Going bathroom difficult the also people to is for.
6.	had unfair disabled problems was the such It that.
7.	disabilities able shopping with be enjoy People should to.
8.	He stores were that restaurants money added and losing.
9.	right what's doing about just isn't This.
10.	disability a has population British the of fifth a said He.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A new report / reporter from the British government says access for disabled people in stores in Britain is "shocking" / "shocked". The U.K. government visited and checked more than 30,000 shops and restaurants abroad / across the country. They found that many stores and eateries made it very difficult / difficulty or impossible for disabled people to shop or eat while shopping. The survey listing / listed many examples of how difficult it is for disabled people to go shopping. Around 20 per cent for / of stores had no wheelchair ramps / lamps and two-thirds of staff in shops had no training to help disabled / disability customers. Going to the bathroom is also difficult for people in / on wheelchairs. Over 40% of restaurants and 30 per cent of stores have no access / accessible toilet.

Britain's Minister for Disabled People, Mark Harper, said it was unfairly / unfair that the disabled had such / so problems when shopping. He said people with disabilities / disabled should be able to enjoy shopping just like everyone / someone. He told reporters: "Everyone deserves to be able to go...shopping or enjoy a festival / festive meal or drink with their friends or colleagues." He added that stores and restaurants were lost / losing money because they did not help the disabled, saying: "This isn't just about done / doing what's right. Businesses are missing a trick / trickery by not doing more to tap into this market." He said: "A five / fifth of the British population has a disability and they and their households have a spend / spending power of over £200 billion [$310bn]."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_ n_w r_p_rt fr_m th_ Br_t_sh g_v_rnm_nt s_ys _cc_ss f_r d_s_bl_d p__pl_ _n st_r_s _n Br_t__n _s "sh_ck_ng". Th_ _.K. g_v_rnm_nt v_s_t_d _nd ch_ck_d m_r_ th_n 30,000 sh_ps _nd r_st__r_nts _cr_ss th_ c__ntry. Th_y f__nd th_t m_ny st_r_s _nd __t_r__s m_d_ _t v_ry d_ff_c_lt _r _mp_ss_bl_ f_r d_s_bl_d p__pl_ t_ sh_p _r __t wh_l_ sh_pp_ng. Th_ s_rv_y l_st_d m_ny _x_mpl_s _f h_w d_ff_c_lt _t _s f_r d_s_bl_d p__pl_ t_ g_ sh_pp_ng. _r__nd 20 p_r c_nt _f st_r_s h_d n_ wh__lch__r r_mps _nd tw_-th_rds _f st_ff _n sh_ps h_d n_ tr__n_ng t_ h_lp d_s_bl_d c_st_m_rs. G__ng t_ th_ b_thr__m _s _ls_ d_ff_c_lt f_r p__pl_ _n wh__lch__rs. _v_r 40% _f r_st__r_nts _nd 30 p_r c_nt _f st_r_s h_v_ n_ _cc_ss_bl_ t__l_t.

Br_t__n's M_n_st_r f_r D_s_bl_d P__pl_, M_rk H_rp_r, s__d _t w_s _nf__r th_t th_ d_s_bl_d h_d s_ch pr_bl_ms wh_n sh_pp_ng. H_ s__d p__pl_ w_th d_s_b_l_t__s sh__ld b_ _bl_ t_ _nj_y sh_pp_ng j_st l_k_ _v_ry_n_ _ls_. H_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "_v_ry_n_ d_s_rv_s t_ b_ _bl_ t_ g_...sh_pp_ng _r _nj_y _ f_st_v_ m__l _r dr_nk w_th th__r fr__nds _r c_ll__g__s." H_ _dd_d th_t st_r_s _nd r_st__r_nts w_r_ l_s_ng m_n_y b_c__s_ th_y d_d n_t h_lp th_ d_s_bl_d, s_y_ng: "Th_s _sn't j_st _b__t d__ng wh_t's r_ght. B_s_n_ss_s _r_ m_ss_ng _ tr_ck by n_t d__ng m_r_ t_ t_p _nt_ th_s m_rk_t." H_ s__d: "_ f_fth _f th_ Br_t_sh p_p_l_t__n h_s _ d_s_b_l_ty _nd th_y _nd th__r h__s_h_lds h_v_ _ sp_nd_ng p_w_r _f _v_r £200 b_ll__n [$310bn]."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a new report from the british government says access for disabled people in stores in britain is "shocking" the uk government visited and checked more than 30000 shops and restaurants across the country they found that many stores and eateries made it very difficult or impossible for disabled people to shop or eat while shopping the survey listed many examples of how difficult it is for disabled people to go shopping around 20 per cent of stores had no wheelchair ramps and two-thirds of staff in shops had no training to help disabled customers going to the bathroom is also difficult for people in wheelchairs over 40% of restaurants and 30 per cent of stores have no accessible toilet

britain's minister for disabled people mark harper said it was unfair that the disabled had such problems when shopping he said people with disabilities should be able to enjoy shopping just like everyone else he told reporters "everyone deserves to be able to goshopping or enjoy a festive meal or drink with their friends or colleagues" he added that stores and restaurants were losing money because they did not help the disabled saying "this isn't just about doing what's right businesses are missing a trick by not doing more to tap into this market" he said "a fifth of the british population has a disability and they and their households have a spending power of over £200 billion [$310bn]"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AnewreportfromtheBritishgovernmentsaysaccessfordisabledpeople
instoresinBritainis"shocking".TheU.K.governmentvisitedandchecke
dmorethan30,000shopsandrestaurantsacrossthecountry.Theyfoun
dthatmanystoresandeateriesmadeitverydifficultorimpossiblefordis
abledpeopletoshoporeatwhileshopping.Thesurveylistedmanyexam
plesofhowdifficultitisfordisabledpeopletogoshopping.Around20perc
entofstoreshadnowheelchairrampsandtwo-thirdsofstaffinsho
pshadnotrainingtohelpdisabledcustomers.Goingtothebathroomisal
sodifficultforpeopleinwheelchairs.Over40%ofrestaurantsand30per
centofstoreshavenoaccessibletoilet.Britain'sMinisterforDisabledPeo
ple,MarkHarper,saiditwasunfairthatthedisabledhadsuchproblemsw
henshopping.Hesaidpeoplewithdisabilitiesshouldbeabletoenjoysho
ppingjustlikeeveryoneelse.Hetoldreporters:"Everyonedeservestob
eabletogo...shoppingorenjoyafestivemealordrinkwiththeirfriendsor
colleagues."Headdedthatstoresandrestaurantswerelosingmoneybe
causetheydidnothelpthedisabled,saying:"Thisisn'tjustaboutdoingw
hat'sright.Businessesaremissingatrickbynotdoingmoretotapintothi
smarket."Hesaid:"AfifthoftheBritishpopulationhasadisabilityandthe
yandtheirhouseholdshaveaspendingpowerofover£200billion[$310b
n]."

FREE WRITING

Write about disability for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Stores with no access for the disabled should be fined or closed down. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about disability. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. DISABILITY: Make a poster about disability. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. DISABILITY ACCESS: Write a magazine article about disability access in stores and restaurants. Include imaginary interviews with a disabled person and with a restaurant and store owner.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on disability. Ask him/her three questions about disability. Give him/her three of your ideas on how stores can do more to help disabled people shop. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

F

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	report	a.	study
2.	shocking	b.	horrifying
3.	across	c.	throughout
4.	help	d.	assist
5.	difficult	e.	hard
6.	enjoy	f.	like
7.	colleagues	g.	co-workers
8.	tap into	h.	make use of
9.	market	i.	business
10.	power	j.	ability

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	The British government
2.	Over 30,000
3.	Around 20%
4.	Training
5.	30%
6.	Minister for Disabled People
7.	Go shopping or enjoy a meal with friends
8.	Money
9.	A fifth
10.	£200 billion [$310bn]

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

b

4.

d

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

b

9.

b

10.

a

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Disabled access to U.K. stores poor (7th December, 2014)

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