Letter: Disabled still lack equality
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: In a useful point about not patronising disabled people, Virginia Ironside ("Dilemmas", 10 October) paints a picture of near-equality of access and opportunity and of resolved difficulties for disabled people. This could not be further from the truth.
Scope's own survey Disabled in Britain: A World Apart (1994) shows that disabled people would like to enjoy things that the rest of the populace do, if only the proper provision was available.
Disabled people do not have freedom of access. Contrary to her view, ramps are not available on request and, it may surprise your readers, neither are wheelchairs. Public toilet facilities are still very difficult to find, while obtaining funding for private adapted facilities, an everyday need, is often a long and difficult process.
Our survey shows that more than two-thirds of disabled 18 to 24-year- olds have been called names and a majority felt excluded from work and social activities. Clearly most of Ms Ironside's opening paragraph is dangerously misleading.
RICHARD BREWSTER
Chief Executive, Scope (formerly The Spastics Society)
London W1
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments