Is 2018 the year that it becomes right for disabled people?

Looking back at 2017/2016 things really haven't improved much for disabled people. Will things change in 2018? The evidence has been laid out. It is crystal clear now disabled people have been adversely affected by policies that the government has implemented. But will it be enough.

Let's examine last year, we had the United Nations condemning Britain for its treatment of disabled people. We've had committee after committee reporting on the adverse effects of policies from ESA, PIP, and Universal Credit. We've had reports from the EHRC and various disability sector leads. We've had individual cases in courts suing the private sector for maladministration.  So what's changed?

Well for a start it’s not just disabled people shouting saying where being treated unfairly. The evidence is there in black and white to call on. Surely just the depth and breadth of the paper trail is so incontrovertible that it must make any rational person wonder whether perhaps there is truth in what people have been saying. As if there was any doubt!

So we've led the horse to water. So how do we make him drink? How do we get them to realise the long term effects of not drinking will be detrimental to its wellbeing. And here's the issue just cause the evidence is there doesn't mean that it will be used. It has to realise (Government) by itself. It has to know that it is better for them to take the advice than to ignore it.  This only happens usually close to elections, give a little and people seem to forget what’s happened.

More research, more papers, more calls for evidence just won't do it anymore. I feel it’s time we go back to basics. Shun there calls when consulting. Concentrate on the people at the front. So large organisations work on helping individuals, not sign post but take action. Use the law it’s there. Encourage people to fight for their rights. This will hopefully lead to more changes in law and thus have an overall greater effect. So instead of spending money to get a think tank to write about how such and such a policy effects people. Put the money in to helping the individual fight that’s where it’s needed most. Use the money to employ disabled, homeless people who have the expertise and knowledge already to ensure that effective changes can be brought in.  This year, this is where we will be. Not sitting in meetings discussing. We know what needs doing. So we will hopefully just be getting on and helping where it matters the most. 

We are looking at restructuring Lincolnshire Independent Living (the counties user led organisation) and concentrating on helping individuals who need it. We will refresh our site with up to date quality information that actually allows people to firstly understand and then help them come up with solutions to bring their concerns to an end. We will also look at strategies to get funding for LIL. This will ensure our work can continue and support those that need it.