The Question – Why does disability matter?

In the UK one in five of us have a disability, that make us a powerful group of people both politically, financially and as people. We as people are incredibly strong given our experiences and the challenges we have overcome.

However, despite the progress we have seen with our rights over the last seventy years we still face discrimination for who we are. This can be things like access to places, being mistaken for a person who may not understand, being spoken to differently and not being given the equal chance.

My physical needs and when I open my mouth may seem as if I may not understand, not be able to communicate or be capable of making my own decisions. But I’m a very intelligent person who is engaged with politics and global affairs, but that may not come across when you first look at me.

Disabled people I know are actually quite able in their brain and its just the difficulties holding us back. Access to transport hasn’t always been easy, when I’m in my wheelchair boarding a bus it can be frustrating and when on crutches its not always easy to find a seat.

But generally, over the last few years things have become easier. A step forwards as now the law requires all buses to be step free and have the space for a wheelchair, but the law doesn’t require a buggies to move out of the space it does mean most of the time the bugy moves.

Our society is better when we are all included, and including those with disabilities. Some may believe we are lazy because we do not all have a job, in my experience finding something which I can do is difficult. The role may not have tasks suitable, the location or the hours.

It’s not that I don’t want a job its I don’t know how I would cope with the hours and I fail to cope under pressure. Confidence I believe has been a factor, throughout my education I was supported and with every job in my area of expertise there are key elements that I can’t do.

But arguably its obtainment of grades and confidence.  In 2012, 46.3% of working-age disabled people are in employment compared to 76.4% of working-age non-disabled people.

14.9% of working age disabled people hold degree-level qualifications compared to 28.1% of working age non-disabled people, these figures come from the ONS.

I know very intelligent disabled people, but our problem is that employers judge us on slightly lower grades and what we can’t do rather than what we can do amazing things. I also believe because of what we have had to go through, from surgery to trying to fit in it can hurt us.

However, disability and the challenges we face can also bond us because of our experiences. I have humour, something which I believe is important as you need to be able to laugh at yourself when you’re not working properly. But at the same time, you don’t want to be laughed at for being stupid.

But do people exclude disabled people because they are scared of us, because they are worried that they will offend us or upset us? All we want in life is to be treated as equals and we will tell people what we can do and what we can do.

Often I wonder for people with hidden disabilities I often wonder what’s that like. I describe my friend as ‘coming out’ when he speaks about his disability, he looks like a normal man and you wouldn’t know about his needs. But, as a double act he is the brains off the operation and I offer wit.

We are lucky having the same life chances as abled bodied people, which means we can have a different perspective from a disability angle. Everything needs to be accessible, but the way we experience things can be harder but that bonds us, laughing and crying.

Our parents also have been strong fighting for us to get us the same chances as our abled bodied peers. I believe that going to a mainstream school gave me the better grades and understanding of the way the world works, which I don’t think I would be the same person I am if I wasn’t disabled.

For businesses disabled people are a key demographic, they need to be included and treated as any other customer. Although they may need more help than others, like with another customer a bad experience will impact your business.

Disabled people are estimated to be worth £45bn to GDP by 2030 and a £212bn to the UK economy the so-called ‘purple pound’, according to a report by the Papworth Trust.

Disabled people, as with another group of people or friends, we talk and share our stories, tips, information etc. But, I feel our experience is the key. We may be disabled, but that’s only one of the characteristics but first of all we are human beings with the same dreams and hopes as anyone else.

I want to be loved, I want to do the same things as anyone else. People I know will say I will make a brilliant husband, father, a great friend, a hard worker and a fighter. We do some of us struggle with confidence and being ourselves socialising.

Disabled people can be prejudice to other disabled people, I think that is for the same reasons as and I sometimes feel guilty because of that. People with autism have been difficult for me, although meeting a women called Anna, a few years ago and working with her changed my understanding.

My friend and colleague Josh, who has Autism and learning difficulties, like me has difficulties like myself with communication and being understood. This can cause difficulties when trying to communicate between us.

But, Josh has taught me a lot about my own worries when communicating with Autistic people, when you know how to work with him you get on really well, and you learn to understand how he communicates.

While we may need some help in living a normal lives, we should have the same opportunities to be normal and live like any other person. When we are part of one nation, we are a great nation, disabled people are a part of that.

But generally there are not many disabled leaders, in business. That ask, does that put people with disabilities at a disadvantage when trying to get into just a basic job?

There has been questions about when is a #MeToo style movement coming? I think that one day disabled people will stand up more for the discrimination and prejudice we face, that you need to hope will make life easier not just for ourselves but for the people who follow.

I believe we should speak out when things are both when things are going and we receive good service and treatment, but also show when things aren’t going well to try and change things.