'Shifting attitudes requires action on many fronts' - read Scope's new research now

Tori_Scope

Our research team have conducted new research into attitudes towards disabled people. 

I've highlighted some snippets below, but you can read more about the results and next steps on our website. 

Let us know what you think about it in the comments!

Attitudes towards disabled people

• Our research into attitudes has found 3 out of 4 disabled people (72%) have experienced negative attitudes or behaviour in the last 5 years.

• 9 out of 10 disabled people (87%) who had experienced negative attitudes or behaviour said it had a negative effect on their daily lives.

Types of attitudes

Disabled people and their families experience a range of different attitudes and behaviours. Such as:

• making assumptions or judging their capability (33%)

• accusations of faking their impairment or not being disabled (25%)

• staring or giving looks (19%) 

Where attitudes come from

The sources of these negative attitudes are varied. Disabled people told us that this was most frequently experienced with:

• the public (42%)

• on public transport (39%)

Negative attitudes also commonly reported:

• from management at work (42%)

• from benefit assessors when accessing the benefits system (52%)

It’s concerning that negative attitudes were frequently experienced much closer to home too:

• 29% from family

• 27% from their partners and romantic relationships

• 25% from friends

The effect on disabled people’s lives

9 out of 10 disabled people (87%) experiencing negative attitudes and behaviours said that they had a negative effect on their daily lives. This increased to 96% of disabled people aged 18 to 34. The personal impact of negative attitudes was more likely to be reported by disabled women.

Employment

Negative attitudes significantly affected disabled people looking for work or promotions.

35% said they avoided this completely because of their negative experiences.

Education

30% of disabled people looking for education or training said they avoided doing so because of the attitudes they had experienced.

This was more common in younger disabled people aged 18 to 34 (36%), compared to 26% of disabled people aged 55 or over.

Public transport

23% of disabled people avoided using public transport, after experiencing negative attitudes or behaviour while travelling.

Health and social care

13% avoided health and social care settings, after experiencing negative attitudes.

Social lives

1 in 5 disabled people (23%) avoided going out to social gatherings following negative attitudes and behaviour.

Younger disabled people were over twice as likely to avoid going out (35%), compared to disabled people 55 or over (15%).

Disabled people’s priorities for attitudinal change

Disabled people told us that change in the following areas needed prioritising:

• The public (31%)

• Benefits system (30%)

• Healthcare (22%)

• The media (19%)

• The workplace (17%)

• Shops (15%)

Over to you...

• Have you faced negative attitudes?
• If so, who by?
• What do you think could help to reduce negative attitudes towards disabled people?

More research will be released through the year, so keep your eyes peeled!

SueHeath

I found this interesting but very sad to read.
I have not had problems myself but i have witnessed what people have to put up with.
I really don't know the solution, the thing is you see more people with disabilities, the same as people with colour or gender on the TV it's the norm.
The only other thing i can think of is people have a phobia about some disabilities or are so shallow minded at seeing people who look different, i really don't know the answer.
Perhaps time ought to be spent asking some of the cruel people why they feel, react the way they do.

Tori_Scope

I think that's a really important point @SueHeath Responsible and accurate media representation can be a good way of normalising disability, and educating people. Do you think it's better for this representation to be incidental, e.g. a character happens to be disabled, but it's not a big part of their storyline, or more of a point for the viewer to focus on? 

I think you're right that some people do have a bit of a fear of people who might look or behave differently than them, for example. Asking them what's at the root of their feelings could be a good thing. I imagine we'd probably uncover a load of misconceptions!

SueHeath

I wish i did know the full answer @Tori_Scope i don't even notice people who wear glass's i seam to see through that type of thing and just see the person behind, but then again that could be because my husband and a lot of my family wear glass's - so you could look at that as seeing things all the time you stop seeing the disability. x

leeCal

My son has cerebral palsy and he receives a bit of abuse on the streets, and he uses two crutches to get along! It’s very sad, he has enough to put up with.

SueHeath

Bless @leeCal it's a cruel World out there sometimes, but do you think the more he goes out and people get used to seeing him the more he will be excepted ? How does it affect your son ?
There will always be bully's who would be the same to youth for not wearing the latest trainers. xx

leeCal

@SueHeath It’s possible that the more he’s seen the better but he’s been travelling to the same town for many years. He is affected, it makes him a bit bitter towards people.

having said that he does receive kindnesses from people too so it kind of evens out I think. 

Tori_Scope

You may well be right @SueHeath. That being said, some people don't want others to see through their disability, but rather acknowledge it as part of them. Does that make sense? Do you have any thoughts on that?

Tori_Scope

I'm sorry to hear that too @leeCal. No one should be treated that way. I'm glad some people are kind, however  

SueHeath

Yes I can understand that @Tori_Scope that's what makes the person who they are in some cases, bit like the saying if you've got it flaunt it. What i am saying is when I know the person I see past their disability after all it's also their personality that makes them who they are. Then you have people that feel they have to hide them selves away. x

L_Volunteer

I hear you @SueHeath. I agree, personality plays a big role! 

spikey

I have had to deal with nasty remarks threats of physical violence and over issues regarding my anxiety i suffer with depression and ADHD so my anxiety is through the roof 24/7 it's completely un called for and the same group of people would be quick enough to change there tune if some like my self would commit suicide saying that it shouldn't of got to that stage when nighty percent of the time the responsible for it getting that far by being nasty in all forms of manner 

daz2

I find that people are nervous around me. It's not just the way they look at me, I have left side cp hemiplegia, it's the look on their faces when they need to speak to me. I've always blamed the media for the way they portray disabled characters. A lot of people also think that a disabled person wants something from a non-disabled person and play on their disability to get it. I remember when I met my wife I had just bought a train ticket the day before to go see a friend 3 hours away.When I met my future mother-in-law she thought I was only talking to her daughter because I wanted a lift to where I was going. 

Jennifer14Owen

Lots of people that think people with Irlen syndrome are wearing sunglasses when they are not and some teachers that know about Irlen syndrome are asking students to remove their sunglasses in cl

Styal

I have found that public transport staff generally are very helpful, particularly at train stations for assistance with putting out ramps for my wheelchair or directing me to the best part of the train to embark/disembark with railway staff there ready and waiting to help. The staff of the benefits system need more education.  Had a nightmare trying to transfer to higher rate mobility on PIP from DLA, almost got to the tribunal stage. Think the fact that I am reasonably articulate despite my traumatic brain injury worked against me during PIP interviews. The only issue I've had in shops is sometimes staff tend to speak to my husband rather than me as I'm using my mobility scooter or rollator so tend to get overlooked as not at a face-to-face height. Again, education is the key, but M&S staff and John Lewis staff are both well-trained in this respect!

Maurice123

i must be a bit strange or its the area I live in. I have no problems and all my requirements are served by either paid or voluntary persons.  There is absolutely no difficulty in my having anything I need supplied by a volunteer.  
The only problem I have is I miss company and SCOPE does not provide this. That is okay but i think that most people think when they join they they may meet people. When they realise that the site does not provide that service they stop corresponding. I do not think that this is recognised by the management. We know the answers to most disabled persons questions and do not need the site to give us advice. We need to be able to communicate with other people who have similar problems.

longpaul

I was an extremely fit and healthy 45yr old until I had an illness very similar to sepsis which attacked most of my vital organs causing me to be unable to walk and talk although I'm now able to do both albeit not very well I was very grateful for all the help I was given but I must say you do have to search hard for what you are entitled to and be persistent 

SueHeath

Maurice123 said:

i must be a bit strange or its the area I live in. I have no problems and all my requirements are served by either paid or voluntary persons.  There is absolutely no difficulty in my having anything I need supplied by a volunteer.  
The only problem I have is I miss company and SCOPE does not provide this. That is okay but i think that most people think when they join they they may meet people. When they realise that the site does not provide that service they stop corresponding. I do not think that this is recognised by the management. We know the answers to most disabled persons questions and do not need the site to give us advice. We need to be able to communicate with other people who have similar problems.

I am sorry you feel like this about the scope forum Maurice - but i have to disagree with you.
I never joined scope with the intention of meeting people in the flesh, it's a forum, which in my mind is a platform for us to talk/ask/debate about any think that is happening in our lives. I for one enjoy the interaction and friendships that i have made, whilst on the site, I have said it many a time, it is the best thing I have done in joining the group.
Perhaps you would have benefited more from joining a dating/escort site x

Maurice123

@SueHeath
Hi Sue,
I recognise that it is a forum and that suitably qualified people offer advice on virtually any topic of interest to disabled people I also know that those who have been looking for a companion are directed to a site called Outsiders.
The main disadvantage of this site is that it is for people based in London.There is NO disabled dating site that is not a fraud. Note that they are all based outside British jurisdiction, on places like the Isle of Man, and Dublin. Most people joining them do not realise that they are scams. There is a site called Genuine Disabled Singles who use pictures of disabled people and then send messages as if from those people to customers. The supposed interested people never reply and the client thinks they have been rejected whereas it is just another fraud. Match do have some disabled people but they are never advertised by the site. In general dating sites are a waste of money and time. I just feel that there should be a genuine site which can supply people in areas outside the main cities who are lonely and would welcome a private conversation. This I believe is something many disabled people feel they cannot discuss and are embarrassed to talk about. Most people are in a far worse situation than I am and their carers, their family mostly are totally unsuitable to meet this need. When you have to depend on other people for your continued existence you become introspective and depressed. However this is not a subject which is discussed on the site because it is an open site and most people do not want to disclose their true feelings in case of hurting those around them. Perhaps I can say these things because there is nobody I can hurt and I have many good friends across the country. Not the same thing as a close companion though.

SueHeath

I do understand what you are saying @Maurice123 be it a relationship or just friend to physically talk to - I know age UK do a phone service for lonely pensioners and I bet there are more groups out there that we do not realise about.
Have you looked at Team Rest - i am also a member of that on line group it's not like scope but you might find groups on there that meet up for trips to the theatre, walks, meals etc x

Maurice123

@SueHeath
Thanks Sue. I will try it but my disability is that I have lost the lower part of my right leg and that inhibits most activities. I do appreciate your suggestion though.