Work programmme charities gagged by Government

Organisations that sign up to deliver the government Work and Health programme must agree not to.attack Esther McVey or the DWP. I expect that clause to be there its standard, but why would charities  sign up to such a scheme in the  first place? Organisations that undertake government contracts cannot be seen to disagree with policy. These organisations claim to support the rights of disabled people, those rights have been adversely affected by the very same policies. Its a very clear and 'dangerous' conflict of interests, which should not be allowed.

The Government won't care they want to silence those who speak out against them, and this is job done, in a way that they hope won't be noticed. The charities should know better, although I know in reality they won't care either, most don't work with us, but apparently 'for' us. They say what they like without listening to disabled people. This  scheme raises their profile, brings in funds and it meets their definition of helping people, though I don't agree with the definition.

These charities won't be able to effectively challenge any DWP policy or action. If they provide welfare advice that is mostly rendered useless, they are no longer umpartial, they are paid by the state. They can no longer claim to be supporting our rights because they are participating in work that harms those rights. They have also allowed themselves to be gagged, they have agreed to stay silent. They can no longer play any real part in stopping this government. They have betrayed the very people they supposedly support.

What a difference a new chair makes

ònly a week and already my new chair has made a huge difference to.my life.

Its easier to steer, meaning it is better in restricted spaces. It also turns more easily, again good
where there isn't much room. Theae factors make easier to especially if, like me, co-ordination is an issue.

The best thing about it though is that.I am already more able with it.  Shopping is easier, because I can reach shelves that were too high before. Clothes shopping was a pleasure because I could select clothes of the rails myself. Buying craft stuff was a real fun experience because I could see and reach items at different levels. I had a real free choice. at home too I can prepare food and drink.more easily and without making a mess.  I was also able torebòt the Internet without help. It cuts out the frustration of having to wait for someone to do things, and needing help, when I want to be able to do tasks myself.

i am now at eye level  with people, in effect standing up. This makes being seen in shops etc easier, I'm.harder to ignore! Having a coversation more equal, people are not leaning doewn to talk to me.

Best thing I've done buying this, but atvthe same its sad. I realise how muc I'e mssed by not being able to do such basic things.  I intend to.make the most it, I intend to miss out anymore.

Accessible events that make it impossible to book

Charity Attitude Is Everything says disabled event goers find booking tickets has its own issues, I agree. Whilst physical.access is improving booking tickets is still challenging, despite equality laws21  covering such issues there is a long way to go.

I''ve sat on booking lines for marathon sessions either to get nothing, or when I get to the end of the queue to be told I have to ring a different line for access seating, or to get carer tickets. This makes the process longer, and more complicated, making buying a ticket a more difficult and even more like trying to win the lottery.

Many disabled people need a carer to go to events, which makes attending more expensive. Venues may have a discount or free tickets scheme but this can add to the difficulties of booking. Sometimes you need to provide proof of disability before booking,  which adds another time factor. I came across  one such scheme that said it used 'judgement' to decide if someone qualified. They asked searching questions about benefits and disability needs, as well wanting to check details with a carer. After all that they only gave discounts,.which varied, to a limited number of customers per performance. I didn't sign up, whilst I understand they have  to target discounts it shouldn't feel like they just want to be nosy.

Accesaible seating, and equipment like headphones are usually limited, so those who need them  have less options fogetting tickets. There may be only a handful of places even in large theatres. This means disabled people face more of a scramble for even fewer tickets.

Special seating may be in specific areas or be only for disabled people. This makes it difficult or impossible to sit with non disabled friends especially if you are in a group. I have been asked if I really wanted to sit with the people I was with!

Things are improving, some venues offer a very customer friendly service but disabled people won't have leisure equality until they really can book just like everyone else.

Sanctions used as punishment at will

Proof if it was needed that there is no sensible approach to the use of sanctions. It is used to punish vulnerable people, just because #DWP can.

Google maps include access information

Good start, but I would like this to be a nationwide initative. Not all disabled people live in London, and disabled people everywhere face access challenges.  It won't just help disabled people, but families with pushchairs too.

Frustrated

Really gets on my nerves when people who should know better expect disabled people to focus on things that are pink & fluffy. The reality of living with  disability is often very different

Randoms Day Out

Random people out in force today. Lady opens door to costa then promptly lets go, it swings back at me. Man decides he will open the loo door in Costa but as I come out closes it on me, then asks why I can't get out.Then another lady stops me in the street and asks why I don't go at top speed and scare people! 😁😁

Brown envelope fear factor

Brown envelope 'terror' turned out to be no more than a benefit increase that actually wasn't. Tory welfare policy has many of us scared of opening our post.

Cute disability pictures on social media harm.our rights

I hate the cute disabled kid pictures on social.medis asking for a share, happy birthday or whatever because apparently nobody will. They give the wrong impression of disability and are probably posted just to get a reaction. They damage the fight for acceptance and rights. As a disabled person I'm offended that anyone thinks it ok to show us as so different and in many cases pathetic that such images have to be paraded on facebook to get us 'accepted'. If thats acceptance and normality I don't want it.

Previously posted by me on facebook

Disability rights myths, or what the Conservatives tell you

Myth Disability Living Allowance is self assessed by claimants with no checks.
Fact Decisionmakers decided all claims advised by healthcare workers. DMs chose whatever evidence they need to decide. This could be a report from a professional involved in the claimants care or a medical by a DWP appointed professional.

Myth Personal Independence Payment is targeted at those who need most help.
Fact Based on a points system it cherry picks the needs it includes. Changes in the rules mean many with significant needs, lose out because they don't have the right needs. Many get less help than under DLA.

Myths Relatively few claims for PIP are appealed.
Fact Appeals are  at record levels. Currently around two thirds of appeals succeed. This seriously  calls into question the claim decision making process.

Myth Disability and sickness benefits were changed to combat fraud.
Fact Fraud for these benefit is around 0.5 %. Much higher  for Housing Benefits and Working Tax Credit. DWP inflate stats often for benefit fraud by including official error. This idcwhere claimants gave the correct information and DWP paid the wrong amount.

Myth Disabled and elderly people get free social care.
Fact There are savings and income limits before any help with cost is given. Care needs are assessed and only eligible needs met. Means tests are carried out, most people contribute to the cost.

Myth Disabled people get free cars.
Fact People on the  higher rate mobility component of DLA/PIP or the forces equivelant can lease a car using their benefit. Its either the car or the money. Cars have advance payments that must be paid, and any adaptions must  be paid for.

Myth Disabled people don't pay rent or council tax.
Fact Housing Benefit/Local Housing Allowance rarely meets the full cost, and not everyone qualifies. Most people under 65 now have to pay some council Tax, if they get any help.

Myth Disability related equipment is free. Fact Whats on offer if you qualify is limited and there are long waits. Most people have to buy to get what meets their needs. We often pay luxury prices for essential items.

Myth DLA/PIP meets the extra costs of disability.
Fact It comes nowhere near for many. Transport a big cost for many, special clothing, footwear, prepared food if you can't cook, or special diets. Equipment that you can't have free, contributing to care. Meeting the cost of activities you have to have someone with you, LAs won't usually cover that, and more. The money runs out long before the list does.

Myth Disabled people have their bills paid. Fact Anything we owe, and its pretty much the same as anyone else plus disability costs comes out of our income. Benefits if we qualify, vary on circustances, most struggle to make ends meet.

Mental health and physical health both matter every day

Its World Mental Health Day, a day to raise awareness. It works but its not enough, those who don't have mental health needs need to be aware of mental health every day. It also needs to be viewed in exactly the way as physical health, there is no difference.

I have complex PTSD, alongside a physical disability. Nobody suggests  that me saying I can't take my wheelchair down steps is not a real need they accept that. I find attending medical appointments difficult because of my PTSD, to do so I need reasonable adjustments like seeing the same people or seeing them at certain places. Under the law I can ask for that in the same way as asking  for wheelchair access. Too often though its not seen in the same way. I am told more often than not I am simply making a choice, I could do it if I wanted to.

In the street I have been called crip, spaz, mental, loony, the first two relate to my physical disability, the others to my mental health. People have defended me and reacted against the former, the latter is seen as more acceptable.

In fact treating anyone with additional needs, no matter what they are, as if its just choice is not acceptable, nor is using discriminatory language. Anyone with a disability or health condition has the same rights under the Equality Act, no mstter what the nature or cause of their condition.

My wish is that starting today and continuing every day people treat those with physical and mental health needs with the same respect, and acceptance that they have exactly the same rights That will be real progress.

Rights and responsibility go together

If we want our rights respected we have to take responsibility, for our actions. If we want equality we have to take both sides of it. We have to accept we get treated the same way as everyone else for negative reasons too.

Campaigners who are fighting for rights must do so responsibly. If we campaign in a way that causes disturbance in a manner that puts us on the wrong side of the law we must face the personal conequences. We have rights, but there are ways to claim them. Using it as a badge of honour on social media isn't appropriate. Claiming you were targeted because you were disabled won't do you any favours when 'preferred' media states you were doing what you were charged with. Not only are there personal considerations but we have to ensure we don't harm the very cause we are fighting for.  Getting arrested and shouting about it is hardly going to boost your popularity with the public. They are likely to see you as trouble makers who don't deserve rights. Nor will it increase understanding for disabled people in general. It instead increases hate and distrust. You also just made the job of other campaigners harder, those of us who use other methods will also be seen as irresponsible troublemakers who scream  when held responsible.

Lack of responsibility hasn't ended there. Its planned that any legal costs will be met by crowd funding.  I won't be contributing qqif it is set up.  I wasn't responsible I won't share the punishment. The solution is simple if you can't do the time, (next time) don't do the crime.

I can hear those who say they did it for all  disabled people. No they chose to do it, for themselves, but they didn't do it in my name, their actions don't help me. Rather it harms the rights fight. They do not listen to me or many others, they select those they listen to. They did not act or speak for me, only I can do that.

Not public property

Yesterday I met nosy person for the 2nd time in a month. Like last time she wanted to know if I was wating for a taxi, I was so she said it was ok with her. I asked why else I'd be waiting where they pick upvin the rain. She then asked if I was permanently disabled or just in the chair for now. Asked why it was her business. She then said I shouldn't be out alone. Seriously the same person same questions twice in a month.

Was whinging to someone abled bodied about it and got told its how people learn, you might have helped her. I'm all for raising awareness but eriously does that mean I'm obliged to answer nosey questions whenever they are asked? Do disabled people have no rights to privacy? I'm not public property!

I take my rights

As The British Survey of Social Attitudes shows more people think disabled people need more support I ask if they understand that we need not passive protection but our rights back? We don't need looking after but to be empowered.

The Government want disabled people to be full participants of society. I agree I want that too. I want to take an active part in society, to be able to choose to study or volunteer, if I want to. I want to have a social life, I want to be able to pay my bills without worrying. I want those who can work to be able to do so, not by force but by being given real choices that empower them I want disabled pople to able to choose where and how they live in the same way as anyone else does. I am not asking to be given these things as a favour, I'm claiming rights I have in law, the right everyone has to live life on their own terms. These are human rights and disabled people are human beings too.

To be able to use these rights disabled people need support and that has been stolen from us by The Government. Cuts that have taken our benefits have reduced our imcome so that many people can no longer make real financial choices. These changes are not because as the Govenment wants you to believe, we aren't as disabled as we claim, or so they can support those more in need. It is just because they can. Its not even because there isn't the money. The government find money to support the rich, we pay the price. It isn't possible to participate in society if keeping your home or buying food is a challenge you cannot meet. It costs more to live with a disability than to be  non disabled and the income aimed at meeting those needs often doesn't and many are being denied this at all under new rules. Cuts take away our rights.

Many disabled people need support to do daily activities, from the basic getting up and eating, to going out and being part of our community. The law says we have the right to this but the government have taken it away. The reality is that many have no support at all or so little they have to choose between eating and peeing. Without support we cannot have the lifestyle of choice other people we are denied that right.

Rights theft thats what the Government are doing. Whatever they say its nothing more or less. Its not targeting support, its not stopping fraud, disability benefit fraud is less than 1%, some other benefits are significantly higher. They are not tackling equality, giving us rights or helping us be part of society. Their actions do the exact opposite on all counts. They claim they want to support us, I don't want what passes for support on their terms, I don't even want to be given my rights that will have Tory conditions attached, not the same as rights in law. I want to be empowered to live as I choose. I take my rights, they are mine to take, not theirs to give.

Blog based on a conversation with Neil Crowther via Twitter.

Manor House and Ashbury hotel, viewed on wheels

Good range of crafts and food was great with a wide choice.

However as a disabled person, a wheelchair user,  I found the access not what it said on the tin. Easy access rooms were anything but, lacking space. Had to move the bed to even get in the room. Wet rooms were small with a strange layout. It was the only toilet I could use, with difficulty, as others around the site had very limited access despite being easy access. Building layout made moving around a challenge outside routes bumpy but easier to use.

I had asked if all craft activities were accessible was told yes only to find some weren't. Also difficult to get to materials and some staff didn't offer assistance. Didn't risk using the pool after looking at it, athough I planned to. Didn't attempt any of the other activities, strange access generally made me wary.

Some staff were really helpful, others not at all. Some had awful attitudes to disabled people. Not talking to me at all but the person I was with. I queried access to our designated table, first they said it was ok, then said I was in the way.

Some good pointd but not somewhere I'd go again.

Human catastrophe is having an effect on how disabled people are treated

The UN has said the Tory Government has committed a human catastrophe with their treatment of those with disabilities. Cuts to services and benefits, a welfare system geared to refusing help unless challanged repeately that has a culture of fear that causes harm to many just at the thought of having to engage with it. Those things don't help but add in the rhetoric that names us as scroungers, suggests that can't work is actually won't work and lie that those in need are being supported and you have a timebomb. 

The UN are concerned that treating people in this way will lead to people being seriously harmed by others. I am not, I am concerned that that is how we are treated and that said harm has already been done and continues. Tens of thousands have died, many many more injured and being an object of hate, hate incidents  and hate crime are  a fact of life to varying degrees, for many disabled people. Dsabled people now exist in a culture of fear for their safety and total dread at whatcpunitive action the Goverent will take next.

I don't want words met by complete disregard by our Government who agreed to only reflect on their actions. I want action to  protect and stop the regime of fears

Have disabled people become so hated its now acceptable to be rude?

I was trying to leave a shop which was crowded, and trying to not ask someone in a much bigger chair to move because that would have made things difficult for tbem. I asked a little girl aged about 8 politely if she could move,  explaining why I couldn't go the other way. She told me it was inconvenient and refused, her mum agreed with her! As I moved away, and then had to ask another wheelchair user  to move, said child then said she is going the other way, and her mum replied she should have done that first.

I've encountered more hate and negativity recently than I have in my lifetime. I blame the media and Goverment who treat  disabled people with disdain and total ignorance, but I can't ignore the fact that responsible adults speak fot themselves and seem not to worry what their children say. I would never have replied in the way they spoke and it is never acceptable. No longer should we excuse it because of Government rhetoric people make their own choices.

If people need telling I'll say it, we are people like you with the same rights. Your rudeness and ignorance is  unacceptable.

When welfare is warfare

Stories are doing the rounds that DWP are not following the own regulations in dealing with PIP claims.

Several stories going around but the gist is that mandatory reconsiderations are  being sent out before claimants have decison  notices. They didn't ask for one, because the law says you can't before you have a decision notice. MR is the first part of the appeal process. It is for claimants  not DWP to decide if this step is taken.  It is in my opinion a cynical and dangerous attempt to squander claimants rights, and ensure they face an appeal wasting public funds. Instead the aim should be to improve the decision making process, to reduce the need for the appeal process to be used, and where it is, resolving disputes at the earliest opportunity, making it a quicker, cheaper and less stressful process.

This is very serious because it denies the right to defend rights, the right to challange. It is another flaw in a flawed system, the purpose of which seems to be to deny those who qualify their rightful enritlement. The aim should be to support those who need it, instead the process seems hellbent on proving that nobody does. It should be radically changed before it isn't used because blanket refusal becomes a given.

Original Source Disability News Service

If only they listened.

If any group of workers is likely to have contact with disabled people regularly its probably healthcare workers so why do so many of them lack basic disability and mental health  awareness?

Today I had a routine over 50s mammogram. Its unpleasant anyway but but my experience had added extras, my carer being refused entry to the room when I needed assistance, them trying to dismantle my chair, when I said no, and when I said hospitals sometimes trigger my PTSD telling me not to be scared. My carer was allowed in after they realised my chair wouldn't come apart, to assist me to transfer, only for us to be told how we should do it, we just carried on regardless. She also supported me when they ignored the fact my sitting balance isn't that good when I told them this.

A few days ago an OT thought it was a good idea if someone accompanied me to a wheelchair assessment to help me choose a chair. This was after she agreed what my needs were and said I obviously knew what I needed.

A few months ago a nurse at a different surgery in the group I go to asked to speak to my carers after I said that going to the surgery increased my anxiety. I said I was alone, she said no you can't be, people like you have to be made to come.

I've had some fantastic care some staff always go tbe extra mile when needed but the less good staff detract from the good experiences. Disabled people or anyone with additional needs are people and deserve the best quaulity of care as does  anyone else. I only ask that they listen and work with us, we are the experts on our own situation.

Strictly no tokenism or sympathy votes thanks

Paralympian Jonnie Peacock is reportedly taking part in this years strictly come dancing, the first disabled contestant on the main show.

I welcome the real inclusion of disabled people in mainstream programmes, it makes disabilty seem just an every day event and makes it visible. Being part of a popular entertainment programme not related to disability is a good thing if its presented appropriately.

The voting system concerns me though. I hope he gets votes because he is good, because he deserves to and not just because he is disabled. British audiences are known for liking those they view as the underdog. This could actually harm the cause of disabled people, rather than further it, the sympathy factor has much to do with the negative attitude that disabled people  aren't real people, and not capable of real lives, with appropriate support, just like everyone else.

Why has he been asked, and given the length of time its been broadcast why now?  Is this a sticking plaster approach to the often poor public and estabishment attitude to disabled people. Is it meant to prove we are viewed positively because I'm not fooled. Any official attitude change needs to be seen as consistent to make a real difference. Does the BBC just want to be seen as inclusive so they have trotted out a disabled person for the purpose?  Again relative one offs won't change much, and I'm not taken in by tokeism. If the aim is to use a disabled person to prove a point in favour will do nothing for the good of the disability rights movement, it could cause serious harm.

That said this isn't a rant at Jonnie Peacock, I hope this does make a positive difference and he does really well. I'm a huge Strictly fan, and a long time disability activist, I want to be cheering on both counts, time will tell whether I am.