Monthly Archives: March 2024

U.K. Government still silent

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Hello all.

About a week on from the UK being questioned by the UN on its approach to Human Rights for Disabled People and I have not seen or heard anything from this government.

As a Disabled person it does not shock me at all how I am feeling about this. I feel let down, angry and very sad.

I listened to about 20 minutes of the conversation as I was busy with something else before hand.

All I have heard this week is the continuous barrage of hatred towards Disabled People from this government. A new policy they wish to implement is having data from the NHS shared with DWP so that Disabled people can be ‘helped’ back into work.

From my point of view this will be exactly the same situation the government has had with Personal Independence Payments. By this I mean NHS resources will be wasted on getting Disabled people into work who absolutely cannot work. Doctors do not just sign people off sick for fun.

You’re probably wondering ‘why can’t they work?’ There might be a few reasons;

They might be chronically ill

Places of work might not have access to resources such as accessible technology to allow them to work (screen readers), wheelchair access, they might not be able to go into the office as frequently as the employer might like.

They might not be able to work a full time job or have the ability to do at home working if their accommodation is not suitable due to things such as not having an office space.

There are many reasons. The way I am looking at this issue is this- make society more accessible and then everyone can thrive.

Why is it that Disabled people are being made to feel as though we are the problem? When all we want is equal access to society like everyone else.

This government and the party it represents, has continuously blamed Disabled people.

Look at how councils are now blaming the rise in SEN spending and social care for their lack of money. However when these same councils have gone to the government and said we need more funding the government have told these councils no. No. Sorry, you’ll have to find some way of making ends meet.

Which is why you have Disabled people wanting to access care in their own homes to live independently, but who are loosing access to their care agencies because the agency wasn’t awarded any funding.

It is exhausting being disabled. I look forward to seeing the report from the UN. However I very much doubt the government will truly act on it.

Thank you for reading,

Philippa B.

United Kingdom and United Nations

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Hello all, 

Today is a momentous day for the Disabled Community in the United Kingdom. Our Government is having to answer to the United Nations on its treatment of Disabled People. 

Here are a few of the statistics from the Shadow Report to the UN:

  • ‘Three-quarters of Disabled workers are paid less than £15 an hour
  • 2,030 autistic people and people with learning difficulties incarcerate as inpatients
  • 1,500 crimes against patients over just 6 months caught on CCTV at Muckamore Abbey
  • 2000 deaths of patients in Essex mental health hospitals’

These are only a few of the points. Please follow this link to read more. Go to the bottom of the page and see the attachment Statistics from the UK DDPO’s Shadow Report to the UN. 

As a Disabled person I am very angry and very upset by the statistics in this report. The fact that our government does not seem to care about us is appalling. 

There are so many Disabled people in our society who are crying out for change and they are not being heard. The government keeps imposing sanctions on our community, they keep saying some Disabled People are fit to work when Doctors say otherwise. The government keeps reassessing Disabled people for benefits such as PIP and ignoring what their Doctors are saying about their health conditions. 

Disabled People are being driven to brink with some even taking their own lives because they are not getting the help they are entitled to. The media can portray us as lazy and liars. There are councils in the UK which are going broke and the services which are under threat are social care. These benefits assist Disabled People and their families in accessing the support they need to live their best lives. 

The way I see the portal of us in some of the Media is: Disabled people are taking up too much funding. We need to find a way to save money, lets cut back on services for Disabled people.

On the second page of the report you will see quotes talking about how the lack of council funding is having a detrimental impact on Disabled people. 

We have a right to live our best lives just like any other community, yet we seem to be shunned and blamed for society’s problems. This report has not received much attention the news at all. Which leads to Disabled people feeling like we are not worth thinking about. 

But we are. 

If you wish to know more about this, as it will probably not end up on the Six o’clock news then please follow Disability Rights UK. They are fighting for what Disabled People have a right to- basic human decency. 

Thank you, 

Philippa B. 

Lunch out

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Hello all,

Last week I went out with a friend for a nice catch up over some brunch.

I had a full English breakfast with hash browns which was delicious.

Afterwards we went to Lush. I did not buy anything because I have a lot of bath stuff already.

It is always nice to have something to look forward to and something to remember during your week which could cheer you up.

I’m trying to focus on positive thoughts and the positive things happening around me.

It can feel like there is a lot of negativity in the world and we need to focus on the good things around us. In the hope that more positive things will come.

Going out with friend’s is one of the positives I can focus on. Especially if we are going somewhere which will be nice and quiet. I struggle with sensory overload and always try planning with this in mind.

When I go out I make sure to carry my AirPods as they are noise cancelling and they help to reduce the volume of everything going on around me on the train.

If– the place we went to for brunch was nice and quiet. So sensory overload was not an issue. Except when someone was making a smoothie, but that’s it.

I enjoyed the food, I gave my freind the mushroom because I do not like them. The hash browns were amazing.

If you have not tried If then give them a go. The menu is pretty big and we are going to go back to try the pancakes.

What kind of things do you have to look forward to to cheer you up?

Thanks for reading,

Philippa.

Street Clutter

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Hello all,  

I know it has been a while. I have been thinking about what to write. I have decided to write about street clutter. 

As a visually impaired person street clutter is a major hazard. My white cain does allow me to feel for obstacles in my path which I do not see. However this doesn’t mean I can instantly find my way safely.  This image above is showing an example of barricades which have been set up to stop people using a crossing. One of the barriers was a grey colour, this did not contrast well with the grey paving behind it. This meant that I couldn’t really tell it was there and had to stand and look at it for a few minutes before moving forwards.

Barriers and cones blocking a crossing. One of the barriers is stuck out into the pathway.


The next day I went back as it is on a usual route and the barricade was in a much more suitable position. 

Another example of street clutter which is not safe is when road signs are left on tactile paving. Such as the one below. Tactile paving needs to be left clear because it allows those using a cain to navigate crossings safely by telling us what kind of crossing we are at. 

Street clutter for anyone is tricky and when there are road works I understand it is a lot more difficult to try accommodate everyone. However just street clutter in general should be to a minimum to make sure everyone has the chance to feel safe. 

When there is a lot going on it creates a lot more visual stress. Also as visually impaired people if we come across items in our path it is difficult to navigate safely when we are on our own. This would be if we needed to step out onto the road and a car is coming. 

Street clutter can affect anyone, but it is more dangerous for those of us who are disabled. Imagine if you are a wheelchair user and you have to go out into the road because there is something on the pavement blocking your path. There might not be a dropped curb for you to use. This makes it impossible to get around. 

If street clutter is managed more affectively, such as A boards for advertising, and are tucked in so we can get have enough space then that makes it easier. If there are road works happening then it is important to update a website, such as the council so that people can check before they travel. But this then leads us onto other problems such as websites are not always accessible. But this is a blog for another time. 

All we ask is that business, councils just be more considerate around how they ensure the safety of all path and road users. We want to be able to travel as independently as possible and we can’t if there barriers in our way. 

Thank you for reading, 

Philippa.