In a recent move by the UK government, changes to the sick note process have been announced that have raised concerns among disabled individuals and their advocates. The changes are said to make the process more efficient and streamlined, alongside helping to further cut the welfare budget. A move that is not surprising by a government who have repeatedly penalised disabled persons over the last decade.
The new process specifically targets those with ongoing mental health concerns adding needless stress and stigma. Furthermore, the lack of accessible working roles for disabled individuals makes it even more difficult for them to return to work. Many disabled individuals face barriers in finding suitable employment due to discrimination and ableism in the workplace. This has become a more noticeable issue in recent months due to the focus on stopping remote work for many businesses. Without the proper support and accommodations, many disabled individuals are unable to work, this will result many being unfairly penalized under the new sick note process.
This move by the UK government is sending a dangerous message that disabled individuals are not valued or deserving of support. After the UN hearing recently on the violation of disabled persons human rights, it is disheartening to see further backlash against the disabled community. This runs the risk of leading to further stigmatization and discrimination against disabled individuals, who already face many challenges in society.
The government must place more value on the account of the needs and experiences of disabled individuals when making policy decisions. Rather than demonizing and penalizing disabled individuals.
The changes to the sick note process in the UK are worrying and ableist, and they highlight the need for more support and understanding for disabled individuals in society. Disabled individuals deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and it is essential that policies are put in place to ensure their rights and needs are met.
Tag: stigma
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2020
The theme this year is ‘not all disabilities are visible’. This is stressing the fact that not every condition is immediately visible; according to the WHO report roughly two-thirds of people with a mental or neurological disorder will put off going to a doctor for help largely in part due to stigma, discrimination and neglect. As someone who has very much been on the receiving end of this trio when it comes to living with multiple neurological conditions, this comes as no surprise to me.
Looking at me as I am right now, curled up on the settee trying to not make to much noise so as to not wake the kids, you could be forgiven for not knowing I had a disability; even if your keen eyed and spotted my odd eyes you wouldn’t know that my sight was impacted and would be unlike to think too much about it. However even when you can spot my spasms or a dislocation, you cannot see my brain fog, my sensory loss, the neuropathic nerve pain, no one can see fatigue fight, the pain induced insomnia, the sixty odd dislocations a day and so much more.
I love talking with young children about my disabilities because they don’t hold back. “How does your chair work?” “Can you get upstairs?” “Do you have to put you your chair in the bath?” The look of fear on the parents faces as they worry that something not deemed politically correct may be asked is what I find disheartening. Without these beautiful minds being curious how can stigmas be fought against, broken down and normalised? This should be praised and encouraged. I appreciate that not everyone will want to be asked, but you’ll be surprised by how many people are more than happy to discuss these things.
Disabled people, whether the condition is visible or not, physical/mental/learning or otherwise are still people. Next time, pause, maybe ask a question, you could be amazed at how it opens your eyes.
Surreal Radio Experience
Today has been an experience to say the least. Whilst rushing around this morning attempting to persuade my non-cooperative arm into a jumper, I noticed I had a tweet from my local BBC radio station. I stood, gaping, one behaving arm in its sleeve, the other flailing through the air with a mind of its own. I’m not sure what I felt more, excited or nervous that I would ramble on faster than listeners could keep up with. Noticing this tweet a whole 40 mins beforehand wasn’t much prep time, but it wasn’t an opportunity I was going to turn down. As I discovered after a quick pre-interview chat, the show had decided to get in touch after reading my Cosmo article. The topic Disabled Dating, is one that many of you may be aware from my previous blog posts that I feel passionately about.
It was fantastic to have the opportunity to discuss the stigma too often experienced because of disability. Whilst some people are absolutely fantastic, I’ve thrown my drink down my date before because I foolishly held it in my arm that spasmed; thankfully he laughed it off, others can be very closeminded and unwilling to consider the prospect of dating a disabled person. It was interesting to listen to George Dowell who was also on the segment and featured recently on The Undateables. Now don’t get me wrong, I haven’t changed my mind on the show. However it was thought-provoking listening to his experience.
If you fancy checking out the segment here is the link, the piece starts at 1h08, I come on at 1h16. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03dsjr5
Dystonia and Me 