Cross Party Working Group on Disability

CEO Patricia Osborne attends Cross Party Working Group on Disability – Scottish Parliament 3rd December 2009 on ‘Access Issues’

Patricia attended the event as guest of Susan Archibald, disability rights campaigner and was welcomed by the Convenor of the Group Mr Michael McMahon MSP. Patricia also met up with representatives from various disability groups including: Capability Scotland, SDC (Scotland’s Disabled Children) Leonard Cheshire Disability, CCNUK and members of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

BARRED! www.capability-scotland.org.uk

There were two main presentations at the event. Mark Cooper gave a talk on his ‘Barred’! Campaign. Disabled people are being barred from pubs and clubs across Scotland by poor access and a lack of suitable toilets. Barred! Wants MSP’s to support an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill that would require landlords to consider accessibility when applying for a licence. Mark discussed work on-going on an ‘Access Audit’ and so far he could report of the 1500 pubs in Edinburgh only 32 were satisfactory. So far Mark has persuaded 30 MSPs to sign in support of the amendment, but needs another 35 to join up. There was a call for everyone to join the Facebook campaign which so far has over 1000 hits, and to bring about any serious chance of this amendment going through. There was an admission from Mark he realized that not all establishments could possibly hope to transform to the standards that we all want, and he had no desire to badger the licensed trade into a corner, but he was keen to stress he wanted to work with them for change.

CHANGING PLACES www.changing-places.org

Joyce Burns an Occupational Therapist with years of experience, from PAMS gave a presentation on ‘Changing Places’ a campaign to bring about awareness and action on lack of suitably sized toilet facilities for disabled people. Joyce explained that this had been discussed on and off for around 17 years – and the data available noted in July 06 there were 8 suitable locations and 3 years later we now have 126. Early day motions have been signed by 113 MP’s and Joyce explained that the British Standard B88300-2009 – part of the Equality Duty – meant there were clear signs it was moving in the right direction. Joyce called for enough space, privacy screens and room for at least two carers. Most of us would agree that having to change your son, daughter or loved one on the floor of a public toilet is not acceptable, but sadly it is currently a reality for many. Changing Places’ want larger built facilities with a changing bench, hoist and plenty of space. If there were more facilities then people could get out more without worrying about having to get home fast. In closing Joyce handed out Feedback cards, which she is urging people to take with them and fill out when they are out – asking you to note things about height of changing bench, evidence of a dignity curtain etc.

DEBATE

During the debate on Access – Patricia commented on on-going plans at the Brittle Bone Society to organize a Youth Event and called for the lobby groups to approach the large chain Hotel groups. Patricia went on to say ‘often hotels are chosen as venues for events, not just because they meet the DDA criteria for the conference or event. Often and especially where young people are concerned they review the surrounding area – as they want to get out of the hotel and perhaps visit a few of the local hostelries. It is ludicrous that the business community cannot see the opportunities being missed to cater for everybody and that includes people with OI who invariably have wheelchairs. Capability Scotland said they hadn’t yet approached the large chain hotel groups – as this campaign was centred more on licenced premises, but having heard this angle on the problem felt this was a good tack to take and would be taking this suggestion on board.

EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Commision to hold inquiry into harassment of disabled people The Equality and Human Rights Commission announced they intend conduct a formal inquiry into disability related harassment and how public authorities are protecting disabled people’s human rights to live free from violence and abuse. The next meeting at the Scottish Parliament is March 3rd and will centre on Transport Issues.

Following on from that there is a planned event on the ‘Attendance Allowance’ on the back of the recent Green paper reforms consultation which the Brittle Bone Society has formally commented on and provided a response to the Consultation call.