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.