Tag Archives: inclusive

The value of the disabled wallet isn’t fully recognised

Two years ago I went to a wedding party in the UK, held at a friend’s bar in a basement.  As I went down in the lift to join the crowd below, he moaned “I spent £25,000 putting this lift … Continue reading

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Paralympics may mask London’s lack of infrastructure

We moved to Australia from the UK partly because it is a lot easier to get around here outside the home.  Buildings are newer, there’s more space, and generally people seem a bit more willing to help. Of course, this … Continue reading

Posted in Access, Disability facts, Inclusion, Independence, Parking, The built environment, The urban environment | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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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The third sex

I went to a new GP today. The appointment was a long one, as I recounted my not inconsiderable medical history. The conversation was a bit stilted. As a result, the thirty minutes seemed like sixty. It surprised me that … 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 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

Posted in Access, Changing attitudes, Empathy, Inclusion, The spending review, The urban environment | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment