Category Archives: Changing attitudes

Attracting wheelchair users makes business sense

A couple of years ago, I went to Barcelona.  As a wheelchair user who travels a lot, I am depressingly used to things being pretty hard work.  In many countries access is patchy at best (most wheelchair users therefore end … Continue reading

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A “black power” moment for disability?

At a medal ceremony at the main Olympic stadium in London during the Paralympics, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, was roundly booed by many of the 80,000 crowd. A British social commentator later said that maybe this … Continue reading

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Too many stereotypes & too much tokenism

The number of disabled characters in film, TV and radio is growing every day, as more and more producers become aware of the issue of representation.  A growing number of disabled lobby groups are making themselves heard amongst the correct … Continue reading

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Why I harp on about parking

Like many disabled people, I may sound like a stuck record, going on and on about parking. The reason I do is because not being able to park near where you’re going has a huge direct, and often indirect, impact … Continue reading

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A point that everyone knows, extremely powerfully made

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Is this the only time you put yourself in our place?

Yes, maybe it is a controversial question. It clearly isn’t true of the majority. But I pose it, in order to make a serious point. Wherever you are on this planet, as a disabled person, your quality of life is … Continue reading

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Disabled people – cheats, scroungers and skivers

Here is an article that appeared in the UK’s Observer newspaper on 4th December, the day after the annual International Day of People with Disability http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/04/ian-birrell-prejudice-against-disabled It talks about the depressingly widespread “demonization” of disabled people – and a climate … Continue reading

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The WheelEasy Beachcomber

Three years ago, when we decided to move to Australia, to live near Sydney in Pearl Beach,  Justine said “I’m buggered if we’re going to be in Pearl Beach in 2011, and unable to stroll along it hand in hand … Continue reading

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“The lucky country” ….or is it?

I haven’t written this blog for a few months, because in July I moved to Australia.  I won’t go into detail here about the enormous logistical task it was for my wife, myself (and our cat) to relocate to the … Continue reading

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The cost of bureaucracy

As I said in my last blog entry, I was due to contest a parking ticket that I was disputing, and which I expected to win. My date with the adjudicator was last week. I came out of the hearing … Continue reading

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