I remember years ago, soon after I’d quit my day job in fact, being asked to moderate a talk at the BBC. It was for their staff. The talk was on disability and the media. The panel had disabled actors and production staff. The audience was packed with script writers, casting managers, and directors. My… Continue Reading
Access for all
When you are a wheelchair user like me, access is so important. Access to transport. Access to housing. Access to employment. Access to leisure and tourism. Without access we can’t move, live, work, learn, and socialise. Fortunately the world is gradually getting more accessible. New projects in transport and construction have accessibility regulations. The Equalities… Continue Reading
Suzanne Bull – Music Without Barriers
I’ve always loved music. I can remember sitting in the car with my mum and little sister during the school holidays. We’d drive around visiting friends. The cassettes were always playing loudly. We’d all be singing along. I also remember my dad taking me to a concert when I was around 10 years old. The… Continue Reading
It’s Now Time to Act
In recent years I’ve read up a lot more on the history of the disability rights movement. I’ve also read a lot about other civil rights groups. There’s many similarities. You need your demonstrations (with a touch of civil disobedience), you need your community leaders, and you need dialogue with the decision makers. Before the… Continue Reading
Liz Sayce – Community Participation and Universal Design
When I was due to go on work experience at school, I missed out because of my spinal fusion surgery. Not to be deterred, a year later I found my own placement in the school holidays. It took a bit of research and rejection. I found something in the end. I helped run the leisure… Continue Reading
Inclusion Campaign Launches
I’ve been fighting hard to keep positive lately. I know it’s only my view, but the world has seemed more fearful. More divisive. More hateful. In the social justice world there’s been horrifying accounts. In the disability world there’s been government cuts and hate crime. People are losing care funding, Motability cars and their independence…. Continue Reading
Making a House an Accessible Home
Most of my recent experiential posts have been about work, leisure and inclusion for disabled people. I’m all too familiar with the need for accessible housing, care support, and enabling equipment. However once it’s in place, it’s less of a concern. Recently I moved house. The 1 bed flat was great for a while. Having… Continue Reading
How to be a Kick-Ass Disabled Person
I’m a professional disabled person. I’ve been doing this barrier breaking, rights fighting thing for a while now. Trust me I’ve learned the ropes. So I decided to share my top 10 tips for being a kick-ass disabled person. Be sure to share your ideas too in the comments section and on my @martynsibley social… Continue Reading