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What needs to improve for disabled people? Listen to me on BBC Radio 4

Chloe_Scope
Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
edited October 2020 in Coffee lounge
You and Yours, a radio show on Radio 4, has been running for about 50 years.

But how have things changed for disabled people during that time? Also, what do we still need to improve in the next 50 years?

Chloe and Lord David Blunkett

Peter White will be interviewing Lord David Blunkett about his lived experiences of being disabled during the 1970's and how things have changed in terms of accessibility. I will then be talking about my own experiences and what I believe needs to be improved for disabled people.

Over the last 50 years we have had the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act, disability benefits and more disabled people in employment. Yet I still don't think we've done enough!

Join Peter, David and myself on BBC Radio 4 today at 12:15pm to see what we have to say.

What are your thoughts? Do things need to change for disabled people? Let us know in the comments below!
Scope

Comments

  • RAwarrior
    RAwarrior Community member Posts: 430 Pioneering
    Hi @Chloe_Scope

    If possible please could you mention about how employers still discriminate against disabled people because they ignore the Equality Act 2010 by failing to make reasonable adjustments.

    Being disabled in the workplace is still very difficult because many disabled people are made to feel like they are a nuisance when they ask for basic things in order to work.

    Many disabled people are made to feel inferior to their able bodied colleagues.

    Please could you also mention that many disabled people are victims of workplace bullying and despite legislation they in place they don’t feel protected and can end up with long term physiological problems as a result.

     I think we still have a long way to go in relation to disabled people being treated fairly in the workplace.
  • ZaraGemmell
    ZaraGemmell Community member Posts: 1 Listener
    Hey Chloe,

    Great to see you representing on BBC Radio. 

    Digital Accessibility is key for future development.

    Lets put this in the forefront of everyone’s minds.

    Good luck!

    Zara ✌️?

  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
    RAwarrior said:
    Hi @Chloe_Scope

    If possible please could you mention about how employers still discriminate against disabled people because they ignore the Equality Act 2010 by failing to make reasonable adjustments.

    Being disabled in the workplace is still very difficult because many disabled people are made to feel like they are a nuisance when they ask for basic things in order to work.

    Many disabled people are made to feel inferior to their able bodied colleagues.

    Please could you also mention that many disabled people are victims of workplace bullying and despite legislation they in place they don’t feel protected and can end up with long term physiological problems as a result.

     I think we still have a long way to go in relation to disabled people being treated fairly in the workplace.
    Thank you for all of this. I certainly will be mentioning employment and the discrimination we can face. We'll get there, I hope.
    Hey Chloe,

    Great to see you representing on BBC Radio. 

    Digital Accessibility is key for future development.

    Lets put this in the forefront of everyone’s minds.

    Good luck!

    Zara ✌️?

    Welcome to the community @ZaraGemmell! Thank you, a very good point! I'll try and mention this if I can. :)
    Scope

  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
    Here is the link if you want to listen live at 12:20pm! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_fourfm
    Scope

  • RAwarrior
    RAwarrior Community member Posts: 430 Pioneering
    Hi @Chloe_Scope,

    I listened to the programme and well done for raising the very important issue of disability hate crime. Many people don’t realise that psychological  torment is just as bad as physical abuse.

    I have detailed my work situation on here many times and I am still suffering from the effects of being bullied and harassed at work. 

    My employer did nothing so it would have been very difficult for the Police to do anything about it. I do believe what happened to me was a disability hate crime.

    Unfortunately I think we have a long way to go to prevent and stop bullying and harassment of disabled people in the workplace.?

    I think there is still “an us and them culture” where able bodied staff are regarded in a higher esteem than disabled staff who can be seen as weak and a nuisance?

    On a positive note, you mentioned that you have a blog. Could you share the link with us if possible as I would be interested in reading it?
  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
    edited October 2020
    Thank you @RAwarrior, we definitely have a long way to go, even if some progress has been made. I blog at www.chloetear.co.uk :) 
    Scope

  • RAwarrior
    RAwarrior Community member Posts: 430 Pioneering
    Hi @Chloe_Scope,

    You’re welcome and thank you for sharing the link your blog. I look forward to reading it ?
  • deannatrois
    deannatrois Community member Posts: 3 Listener
    edited October 2020
    I know its too late now but I have a few physical problems but the one causing most difficulty is autism.  I am so tired of having help agencies saying they are autism friendly and they are anything but.  I had a partly adapted kitchen installed last year.., it couldn't have been installed in a more autism unfriendly way if they tried.  They expected me to talk to contractors who didn't speak very good english, cupboards fitted wrong, used a glue that set my asthma off, still have no hot water, they were actually laughing at me at the final inspection.  It was very upsetting.  There seem to be no standards of care, no understanding.  I'm sure they've all been on courses and then forget what they have talked about as soon as they walk out the door.  Had similar problems with Autism specialist social services. Once you have done the assessment where they are very understanding, they start recommending private agencies who have no understanding of autism at all (like tried to send me a different cleaner every day).  Then I am classified as not engaging when I ask for something more appropriate.  I have two children with autism too.  And there's nothing you can do about it.  
  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
    Thank you for taking the time to share this with us @deannatrois, it sounds like things have been really tough for you and your family. If there is anything specific that you feel the community can help you with, then please feel free to start a new discussion so the community can offer support. :)


    If you missed the interview, you can catch up on You and Yours on BBC Sounds. My interview with Lord David Blunkett is from 29.30, but the whole show was also a really interesting listen. :) 
    Scope

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