Without people like Jane Campbell, who fought for the Disability Discrimination Act 20 years ago, I can’t imagine where I would have been today
I was 11 months old when the Disability Discrimination Act became law, 20 years ago this week. As I approach my 21st birthday, it’s sobering to think that when I was born, there wasn’t a single piece of legislation protecting the rights of disabled people in the UK and that as I lay on the floor with my soft toys, people just like me – but infinitely more courageous – were out on the streets fighting to be recognised as equal. From where I sit now, it is hard to believe.
It is even more sobering to consider what my life may have been like without the act. Of course it’s impossible to know, yet I am certain that I would not have fared as well as I have.
The challenge is creating a society fit for disabled people, people who live with long-term conditions and unpaid carers to enjoy their right to live well.
Geraldine Scott geraldine.scott@archant.co.uk @Geri_E_L_Scott Members of the NNUH Emeregncy care team and Older People’s Medicine. Photo: NNUH The county’s busiest hospital is to become the first Read More »
Dan Grimmer Older people can lack the confidence to go online, according to Norfolk County Council research. More than 90,000 homes in Norfolk have no or Read More »
Dan Grimmer Older people could suffer because of cuts to support services in sheltered housing, the deputy leader of Norwich City Council has warned. Some of Read More »
Geraldine Scott A charity is putting the focus on helping carers of people living with dementia at a series of free workshops. Age UK Norwich is Read More »
Karen Bethell Parents of youngsters with profound disabilities are protesting against changes in the way residential short breaks are allocated, which they say have taken away Read More »
I was 11 months old when the Disability Discrimination Act became law, 20 years ago this week. As I approach my 21st birthday, it’s sobering to think that when I was born, there wasn’t a single piece of legislation protecting the rights of disabled people in the UK and that as I lay on the floor with my soft toys, people just like me – but infinitely more courageous – were out on the streets fighting to be recognised as equal. From where I sit now, it is hard to believe.
It is even more sobering to consider what my life may have been like without the act. Of course it’s impossible to know, yet I am certain that I would not have fared as well as I have.