The View from Where I Sit

Tag: independence

  • Wheelchair Privilege?

    “Privilege is not having to add the extra steps to make the recipe taste good.” – Jon Stewart

    Let’s think about that by looking at the concept of privilege. Privilege, from a sociological perspective is defined as: “Unearned access to resources only readily available to some people as a result of their advantaged social group membership.”

    What does this mean?

    Instead of taking it from a black/white paradigm, let’s look at it from a able/disabled paradigm.

    If you do not have to live life from a wheelchair, you normally don’t think about NOT having to be in a wheelchair. You don’t think about the access you get to have. You don’t think about how you will get from Point A to Point B on a daily basis. You don’t think about whether or not you will be able to get into Building One or Building Two. You don’t have to know how to evacuate the building in the case of a fire, as a wheelchair user.

    If you DO have a wheelchair, you can’t NOT think about these things. You always have to be aware of where you CAN and CANNOT go, the places you DO and DO NOT have access to.

    How am I privileged for being in a wheelchair when I was born unable to walk? I need it for mobility. These places aren’t wheelchair accessible!

    How am I privileged for getting extra help in class or exams? I have learning difficulties. Or if I apply for learning support, I have to pay for it?

    How am I privileged if I sign up to join a ministry team at church and the leader insist that I get supervised even after being trained?

    How am I privileged if my parents get asked to supervise me in class, because the Ministry of Education refuses to provide a Para-educator due to personal prejudices, preferences and opinions?

    You don’t have to walk up these hills. You don’t have to climb the stairs. You’re lucky.

    Attention both positive and negative

    Wheelchair users have to deal with dirty looks people through their way, especially when driving to a wheelchair parking space. Social stigmas are very evident as you’ll see frequent glares, discrimination in public transportation, public ridicule, and pinpointing as one drives to disabled parking spots.

    Even positive attention isn’t necessary as even well intended comments can get overwhelming.

    The race for getting into the elevator

    Wheelchair users find themselves competing with the rest to get to the elevator first. This is never fair since other people can climb the stairs fast and get into the elevator first.

    Some people are confident to ask wheelchair users to wait and go last as the wheelchair will take more space in the elevator. This is very hurtful.

    The struggle for parking the vehicle

    Nowadays, most places, especially public areas, have parking for the disabled. These parking spots are near the entrance/exits and are bigger than standard park spaces. This hurts some non-disabled people, and they think it’s a privilege that wheelchair users don’t deserve; sometimes, you’ll find them discussing this.

    Parking in accessible parking areas isn’t that easy as it sounds. Non-disabled people often park their vehicles in these spaces. Whereas they may find it enjoyable, it greatly inconveniences actual wheelchair users.

    The other challenge is people parking too close to cars parked in the accessible parking spaces. This limits the use of the wheelchair ramp, which is very inconvenient.

    The grass only looks greener on the other side. Sometimes the wheelchair makes it look ‘easy to get by.’ We’ve simply been misunderstood.

    These days, the term “privilege” might be used to explain at least some of these hugely varied outcomes. The term is often poorly understood and sometimes misused. But it’s also often based on a solid base of real-life experience. This is certainly true for people with disabilities. Disability is most often a social and financial disadvantage. But that doesn’t mean people with disabilities can’t have and enjoy what in current parlance we call “privilege.”

    https://exploreaccess.org/disability-as-diversity-postsecondary/ableism-and-non-disabled-privilege/,

    https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewpulrang/2023/01/25/4-ways-people-with-disabilities-can-have-privilege-too/?sh=30d3aaad7f3a

    https://www.linkedin.com/posts/florabazie_linoratechinclusion-webaccessibilityexpertcoach-activity-7049376544066068481-Nf5c?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

  • What does Independence mean to me?

    All throughout life, I’ve been encouraged and trained to be independent despite being diagnosed with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus at birth. Independence is important to me. This pandemic has actually caused me to live at a higher level of independence, especially, in relation to self care and health care.

    Some wheelchair users prefer their own independence because receiving help makes them feel more disabled than they already are. It’s partly about dignity and respect. Other times it can be about disability pride. Their disability pride can be fuelled by entitlement, and identity. Wheelchair accessibility is one right that wheelchair users are entitled to.

    Wheelchair inaccessibility causes one to be co-dependent. I experienced this in Bermuda. I also cannot claim benefits at all in addition to relying on family. Fortunately, wheelchair accessibility enhanced my Independent Living. I experienced this in England. Wheelchair accessibility causes one to be independent because you can access things without relying on someone. I also cannot claim benefits while living with family.

    For example, when I was eight years old, I got my first manual wheelchair. From that age, I was always encouraged to push myself instead of allowing anyone to push me. This reinforced my independence.

    Another level of independence that I’ve experienced was high school. During my first year of high school, the building was nowhere near wheelchair accessible so I required hands on support. However, while in my second year of high school, it was taken away from me. I did everything on my own without a Paraeducator, because, when I transferred to the new wheelchair accessible building, it was assumed that I no longer needed support. This wasn’t a smart move because I struggled under pressure, failed two subjects and had to do Summer School to catch up on credits. This also affected my G.P.A when I graduated. This was quite stressful and frustrating for me. I cried and complained to my parents so they met with the school to sort it it out.

    However, it made me more self aware and helped me improve time management. Having an extra pair of hands helped me to navigate the school faster.

    The next example was during the first semester of my first year in college. I took classes without learning support for fear that I’d have to pay for it, because I was being treated as an international student instead of a home student. Before my January exams, lecturers raised concerns about my grades and overall progress. When this was realised, I was given assistance from learning support without paying for it. But I must admit, that it made me more organised and it improved my study skills and habit.

    Another aspect of independence that I learned, especially in college, is speaking up for myself while living independently. I had to move to another country to further my studies due to wheelchair accessibility issues.

    During my first year of college, meeting with the learning support department was very frustrating. Communication between my lecturers and the learning support department always seemed disconnected. The week or day before my exams, lecturers always asked me what was the learning support plan for my exams. This stressed me out because after every meeting, they assured me that they would share our discussion with the staff members. This almost never happened and I found myself repeating all of the information just to ensure my needs were met. This took away from my personal study time.

    However, all of these experiences taught me how to advocate for myself and cultivated the desire to advocate for others with disabilities.

    Unfortunately, due to struggling to balance studies, personal care and health I got help from disability services. This came in the form of a social worker, carers, district nurses, and a GP, after my first year of college. I received these services because I started losing weight and getting pressure ulcers. This means I had to rely on people more to help me cope with the demands of life. They helped me with cooking, cleaning, laundry and sometimes shopping. It helped me to set my priorities straight and enhanced my independence.

    Independence means taking ownership, taking responsibility, and taking action. It’s all part of maturity and putting on my ‘big girl panties.’ This is what independence means to me!

  • Access to Work Grant 

    By: Daniella Jade Lowe

    Self employment is a form of independence for the disabled. Self employment is a form of freedom and self reliance. Many people like the idea of working for themselves because they have no one to be held accountable to. However, there are many challenges to self employment, especially for a person with a disability.

    Challenges of Self Employment

    The challenges above and beyond for a disabled self employed person:

    • Fluctuating conditions
    • Business hours affected
    • Accessing finance
    • Solutions are not always possible
    • Accessing the right advice
    • Accessing transport


    The term ‘disabled’ has the same meaning as in the Equality Act 2010. This defines disability as ‘a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on one’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’.

    The term disabled can also include disabilities that only become apparent in the workplace. An example of this might be where you started work and found that your eyesight was affected by computer screens but had not noticed this problem before you started work.

    1.What is Access to Work?

    Access to Work is a government programme aimed at supporting disabled people to take up or remain in work. Access to Work is a discretionary grant scheme that provides personalised support to disabled people who are:

    • in paid employment
    • self-employed
    • apprentices
    • trainees
    • supported interns
    • doing self-directed work experience
    • on Jobcentre Plus promoted work trials
    • going to a job interview
    • You can also apply if you have:
    • a job offer letter
    • a job start date
    • a letter confirming your interview

    There have been changes to Access to Work due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    2.Who can get help?

    The Self Employed can apply for the Access to Work grant if they earn £6000. They can also apply if:

    • are disabled, have a mental health condition or have a long-term health condition that impacts on your ability to work;
    • are aged 16 or over; and
    • live in England, Scotland or Wales – there’s a different system in Northern Ireland
    1. What help is available?

    Access to Work support covers a wide range of interventions beyond ‘reasonable adjustments’ associated with overcoming work-related barriers resulting from disability. The support package is agreed based on individual need.

    Examples of the kind of help available through Access to Work are:

    • A communicator, advocate or BSL interpreter for a job interview, if you’re D/deaf or have communication difficulties.
    • a support worker, such as a reader for somebody with a visual impairment; communicator for a hearing impaired person; a specialist job coach for a person with a learning difficulty; or a helper for personal care needs at work
    • Specialist equipment (or alterations to existing equipment) to suit your particular need.
    • Help towards the additional costs of taxi fares if you cannot use public transport to get to work
    • Support via Access to Work’s dedicated Mental Health Support Service.
    • Young people who start a work placement with an employer as part of the Department for Education supported internship programme or a traineeship will be able to apply for Access to Work support for the time of their work placement only.

    Access to Work will fund additional travel, job coach and other support, including costs of equipment if appropriate, and promote the smooth transition into paid employment.

    No other types of unpaid internships or traineeships will qualify for Access to Work support.

    1. Help available for people with long-term mental health conditions

    A free and confidential ‘Mental Health Support Service’ is available to anyone with a mental health condition through Access to Work.

    The scheme offers:

    • Work-focused mental health support for up to nine months tailored to your needs
    • An assessment of your needs to identify suitable coping strategies
    • A personalised support plan, detailing the steps needed for you to remain in, or return to, work
    • Ideas for adjustments in the workplace or of working practice

    Support for Apprentices

    This free service supports apprentices who are feeling low, upset and struggling to keep up with their apprenticeship. It is completely confidential and run by fully trained professionals with expertise in mental health.

    To qualify for this service, you must:

    • be in an apprenticeship (attending or signed off sick); and
    • have a mental health condition that has resulted in absence, or is causing difficulties to remain in your apprenticeship
    • What help is available?

    An expert will provide you with emotional well-being support and advice for nine months; they will help you to cope better so you can concentrate on your apprenticeship; develop a step-by-step support plan to keep you on track; advice on workplace adjustments; and help an employer understand how they can best support you if you are experiencing a mental health condition.


    How to access the supporting apprentices scheme:

    Tel: 0300 456 8210
    Email: apprentices@remploy.co.uk
    https://www.remploy.co.uk/employers/mental-health-and-wellbeing/supporting-apprentices-service.

    1. Amount of grants

    There is no set amount for an Access to Work grant. How much you get depends on your specific case. The grant will only cover the support needed to let you stay in work or in self-employment.

    There is an annual cap on the total amount of support that can be provided under Access to Work; this is currently set at £60,700.

    Access to Work will pay 100 per cent of the approved costs (subject to the cap):

    • for travel to work, for a support worker/reader or a communicator for support at job interviews;
    • if you are unemployed and starting a new job;
    • if you have been working for an employer and have been in the job for less than six weeks; or
    • if you are self-employed or setting up your own business through the New Enterprise Allowance.
    • If you have been in your job for six weeks or more when you first apply for help, Access to Work will pay a proportion of the costs of support as follows: (As the employer, you will contribute 100% of costs up to the threshold level and 20% of the costs between the threshold and £10,000.
    • Employers with less than 50 staff: Access to Work can pay 80% of the approved costs.
    • Employers with 50 to 249 staff: The employer will have to pay the first £500 and Access to Work can then pay 80% of the approved costs up to £10,000.
    • Large employers with 250 or more staff: The employer will have to pay the first £1,000 and Access to Work can then pay 80% of the approved costs up to £10,000.
    • Access to Work would normally cover all additional costs over £10,000, subject to the cap.
    1. What Access to work cannot cover

    The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on an employer to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees. Access to Work funding cannot be used to support these adjustments.

    Access to work will also not fund items which are regarded as standard equipment, standard business costs or standard health and safety requirements. This means that any item which would normally be needed to do the job, whether a person is disabled or not, will not be paid for.

    1. Students

    If you need communication help for a job interview before graduation, you should be able to access this service, even though you’re still studying.

    If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty and are studying in higher education, you may be eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowances.

    1. Employers and Access to Work

    When you’re applying for jobs, you should mention to your potential employer, either at the application stage or in your interview, that Access to Work may be available to you.

    Access to Work information for employers is available at http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-work-guide-for-employers.

    Access to Work also has an eligibility letter, which you can give to your employer or take to a job interview.

    1. How to apply?

    You can apply online.

    Telephone: 0800 121 7479

    Textphone: 0800 121 7579
    Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
    Find out about call charges

    British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service

    To use this, you must:

    • first check you can use the service
    • go to the video relay service
    • Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

    Alternative formats

    Call the Access to Work number to ask for alternative formats, such as braille, large print or audio CD.

    If you need an alternative way of contacting Access to Work to discuss your needs, you can write to:

    Access to Work
    Operational Support Unit
    Harrow Jobcentre Plus
    Mail Handling Site A
    Wolverhampton
    WV98 1JE

    Supported Internships and Traineeships

    The application process for those on supported internships and traineeships wishing to apply to Access to Work includes:

    • The provision for a supported employment provider to make an application on behalf of an education provider (education providers can still make the claim if they would like to do so)
    • One placement per month for each student
    • The ability to make applications up to three months in advance.
    • For a flowchart setting out who may be eligible for Access to Work funding and the form for applying for Access to Work funding go to:

    https://www.preparingforadulthood.org.uk/downloads/supported-internships/access-to-work-fund.htm

    Completed applications should be sent to the dedicated Access to Work team at: Atwosu.london@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.

    Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

    You cannot get Access to Work support if you live in the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. There is a different system in Northern Ireland.

    Forms

    Access to Work uses a specific medical form in connection with claims for travel to work. The form can be completed by someone who knows you well, giving a clear indication why you need support with travel to work. Once completed, this then needs to be signed by a medical professional to verify that the information is accurate.

    This could be your GP, Practice Nurse, Psychiatrist, Psychologist or Learning Disability Nurse, but it can’t be signed by a non-medical person such as Social Worker or Support worker.

    1. How long is Access to Work funding available for?

    Access to Work funding agreements can cover up to three years. Reviews normally take place annually to assess if continued or further funding is needed. As long as you need the funding, you should continue to get it.

    1. What if I disagree with an Access to Work decision?

    You cannot appeal against an Access to Work decision, but you can ask for it to be reconsidered by a different Access to Work Adviser. To arrange this, use the contact details at the top of your award letter.

    If your circumstances change, such as if you change employer or your job role, you can ask for your award to be reviewed.

    If you have a complaint about the service you have received from Access to Work staff, you can use the DWP complaints procedure.

    1. Where can I get more help or information?

    For general information on Access to Work, go to http://www.gov.uk/access-to-work.

    You can get help and information at your local advice centre, such as Citizens Advice. https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/access-work.

  • The Purple Pound

    The Purple Pound

    By: Daniella Jade Lowe

    Disabled shoppers now have equality in business called the ‘Purple Pound’. The Purple Pound represents the spending power of the disabled household. A disabled household is a household in which at least one of the members has a disability.

    The Purple Pound here in England is equivalent to the Black Dollar in America. This is England’s way of ensuring Inclusive Marketing for the disabled population.

    Organisations are missing out on the business of disabled consumers due to poor accessibility (both physical and digital) and not being disability confident in their customer services approach. Out of this came ‘The Purple Shopper’.

    The Purple shopper was created to make the disabled person’s shopping experience a personal one, where stores are accessible at their convenience. No more queuing at checkouts, no over bright and loud environments.

    Businesses can join this initiative and become a Purple Shopper by signing up on their website at http://www.purpleshopper.co.uk.

    The Power of the Purple Pound

    In the UK, it is thought that some seven million people of working age have a disability, which all adds up to an awful lot of spending power.

    It is reckoned to be worth around £249 billion to the economy.

    According to statistics, 75% of disabled people have left a store or website due to inaccessibility. To combat this, ‘Purple Tuesday’ came into effect.

    Purple Tuesday 2020 is a change programme for organisations of all sizes from all sectors to get involved in, with the common goal of improving the customer experience for disabled people 365 days a year.

    Purple Tuesday is about creating a step change improvement in the awareness of the value and needs of disabled customers. It is about making the customer experience accessible.

    Participating organisations will make public commitments (a minimum of one new activity or initiative) to ensure sustainable changes are made. For organisations, this will result in the opening up of products and services to the disability market.

    I like these initiatives because they tackle isolation while promoting independence. Bermuda is a Purple Tuesday campaigner which makes me happy: https://bernews.com/2019/11/bermuda-joins-global-purple-tuesday-campaign/. For more information about this go to http://www.purpletuesday.org.uk.