I was at a Disability Union meeting today. What campaign issues would you see as a priority?

Duninn

Hi folks - I was at a Disability Union meeting today.  We are a new Union and as we build ourselves up we are looking at ideas of campaigning.  We are an increasing group of disabled people working with each other for each other and not politically aligned.  So, what campaign issues would you see as priority? I will use them in any discussions we have now or in the future. 

Oxonlady

Hi @Duninn, there are many issues concerning people with disabilities that the Disability Union could campaign about.

One of these issues concerns me greatly because I have encountered it time and time again. It is the fact that many hospitals totally ignore the needs of disabled people and make no provisions whatsoever.
Last night I spent around six and a half hours in the waiting room of my local hospital's A&E department. The paramedics who brought me in were instructed to take me there and that's where I was left, in my wheelchair the whole time. I was already in a lot of pain and feeling helpless and confined for hours did not help.
Eventually, I telephoned A&E reception and asked them to find a nurse to take me to the loo.

All the time I was in A&E, not a single member of staff asked me if I was all right, if I needed a blanket, as the room was cold, if I'd like a hot drink or something to eat or needed to use the facilities. If you are mobile you can do these things for yourself. And if you cannot, the hospital should have at least one disability nurse to look out for people who may need assistance.
Every time I have mentioned this problem to the hospital, they claim to have a disability nurse. I have never seen any evidence of this nor does anyone ever demonstrate any conception of the difficulties disabled people face. 

Duninn

@Oxonlady - that’s horrendous, don’t have PALS?

Duninn

@Username_removed - <moderator removed link - promotion of paid for services not allowed on community> I spent time researching who and what they were offering before I committed to joining.  You’ll be able to get more information from the link.  Because Disibility Union is a relatively new organisation we are working with a clear canvas, we are a group of people with a range of disabilities and although some of us have a political interest the Disability Union is not affiliated to any political Party.  

Oxonlady

Hi@Duninn, as it was the middle of the night, contacting PALS was not an option but to be honest I don't find them very helpful during the day, either.
At around 5am, I sent an email to the Complaints Department and copied it to the A&E Secretary, asking her to raise the matter with staff in A&E. 

kirsty80

Issues with Access to Work and D/deaf people not getting full funding for communication support. 
Interpreters and stenographers only paid for hours worked, when many have a minimum booking fee or 2 hours to half a day.
So those support workers are consistently getting underpaid because Access to Work will only pay hours worked. Eg. they will pay 1 hour but not 2 hours.
This means deaf people are struggling to get support because no support worker will work an hourly rate.
See deaf access to work website for more details
Would your union make any difference, is the question?
 I don't want to pay out when I could get the same, or better support from a trade union membership.

Cher_Alumni

Hi @Duninn

I've removed the link to the union in question from your earlier post as advertising of paid for services isn't allowed on the community - please see our house rules.

I appreciate you were gathering views on issues to add to the groups campaign agenda, however we would always recommend our members access free advice with impairment-related problems where/if needed.  

Good luck with your future campaigning and discussions.  

Lisatho11987777

I am already with a union and have found it helpful in work issues and the political campaigns are good as well