Fighting Disability Discrimination

On October 1st I was invited by pupils of Jame’Ah Girls Academy in Leicester to talk about disability rights and discrimination at an event called “Years Of Struggle.” Seventy pupils aged from eleven to sixteen were in attendance.

Firstly we talked about people’s perceptions and stereotypes- the things that come to mind upon hearing the word disabled. Most pupils admitted to visualising wheelchairs, when in fact less than 8% of disabled people use them.

We talked about both the Equality Act and the Disability Discrimination Act: the rights that exist due to legislation, but also the problems that are faced when these rights aren’t recognised.

One girl gave a example of a Leicester resident who was turned away and labelled as a fire hazard upon turning up for his disability benefit assessment. He was informed at reception that the building in which the assessment would be conducted was not equipped for people in wheelchairs!

This led on to a discussion on Work Capability assessments, and February’s protest that took place outside the Atos offices in Leicester when a National day of action was called.

We agreed that it was a significant victory when Atos- a huge company with a £7.1 billion yearly revenue- decided to end it’s contract with the Government. This was a direct result of protests and much negative publicity.

But we agreed that the test should be scrapped altogether, not just handed on to another company. Anyone who cannot work due to sickness or disability should have a right to an income they can live on without enduring humiliating tests.

We also talked about problems caused by cuts to vital local services, the importance of free, publically owned health and social care, and how Cameron’s “Big Society” is using children and family members as a substitute for professionals.

Pupils were inspired on hearing about local protests and demonstrations, with several expressing an interest in getting involved with future Socialist Party campaigns.

There was general agreement that the point is to change society, and remove the barriers that prevent people from participating in life in the way that everybody else can. Cuts to vital services have turned back the clock as far as equality is concerned.

Disabled people are a minority in society- only by uniting, fighting back and struggling together for a fair and equal society together can we look forward to a future that’s free from discrimination.