Public attitudes to disabled people haven’t improved enough in 20 years, says Scope
In 2014 disabled people have higher aspirations than ever before, but public attitudes to disability are still playing “catch up”, according to the disability charity Scope. The organisation is marking twenty years since deciding to change its name from The Spastics Society, with the release of an info-graphic and blog, Disability in Britain: Then and Now, which compares life in 1994 and 2014 for disabled people.
The analysis is based on:
- a survey of over 1,500 disabled people conducted by Scope in 1994
- a new Scope report about how we can improve disabled people’s living standards
- a range of existing disability research
- contributions from disabled people, including well-known Paralympians and actors.
1994
Twenty years ago many disabled people in Britain felt that they were living in a world apart: 38% of disabled people said that they were called names, and 59% said they were stared at because of their disability; 85% of disabled people looking for work thought that employers were reluctant to offer them jobs because of their disability, and 34% of disabled people had been turned away from or refused a service in a public place[i].
2014
Today many disabled people agree that there have been huge steps forward. It is unlawful to discriminate against someone because of their disability. Access to public spaces has vastly improved. The Paralympics was a game-changer for disabled people’s visibility. But it’s also clear that public attitudes lag behind.
In a new Scope report published tomorrow, Better living, higher standards: improving the lives of disabled people by 2020, the charity suggests that life is still far tougher than it needs to be if you are disabled. It reveals that: 42% of disabled people told Scope that they had lost out on a job because of the way employers perceived their impairment “every time” or “a lot of the time”. Half of disabled people (49%) report having experienced discrimination in shops, and 31% report such behaviour when attending leisure activities, such as cinemas and theatres.
Alice Maynard, chair of Scope:
"The big change for disabled people in the last twenty years is that we have higher expectations for our lives than ever before. That’s mainly down to disabled people’s own campaigns. Change can really happen – the last 20 years are proof of that. Whether it’s representing your country as an athlete, starring in a national television drama, or being elected to office, we know that disabled people can aim high and succeed. But many still see such disabled people as the heroic exception and public understanding of what disability is, and the challenges disabled people face on a daily basis, is limited. This means that, in 2014, disabled people’s everyday lives are tougher than they need to be."
Richard Hawkes, chief executive of Scope, said:
"Twenty years ago, we changed our name to Scope, so we could be side-by-side with disabled people as they campaigned to change society for the better. In 2014 disabled people face many challenges. Many disabled people continue to face negative attitudes, in the playground, in the street, and from employers. Not enough disabled people have jobs. Many disabled people are unable to live as independently as they would like to. And at every turn, disabled people have to pay more for everyday things. Disabled people continue to push for better living standards. This year we want to play our part in driving changes."
Julie Fernandez, actress best-known for her role in “The Office”:
"I’m amazed at how quickly the last 20 years have gone by, and at how much things have changed for disabled people. We have legislation to support the rights of disabled people both at home and at work. It is also wonderful to see how much more confident young disabled people are today. They expect equality, and rightly so. However, we’ve still got a long way to go. Many disabled people in the UK still feel like second class citizens."
Nicholas Hamilton, racing driver
"People like to tell you that you can't do something when you have Cerebral Palsy, and I love proving them wrong. There were so many barriers to me becoming a racing driver and I've overcome them. I hope that in another 20 years time no one will ever be saying 'you can't do that' and everyone will be encouraged to chase their dreams."
Sascha Kindred, six-time Paralympic champion:
"I experienced quite a lot of name calling back in school, but I always had my twin brother there to support me so it seemed easier to deal with. I definitely believe attitudes have changed since then as when I go back to schools now to speak about my experiences as a disabled athlete, the children are genuinely interested and I know a lot of other kids with disabilities have increased opportunities and facilities compared to my time at school. I still think we need to educate people further though as this will continue to increase awareness of the challenges people with a disability face every day."
Improving attitudes in 2014
Scope took the decision to change its name from The Spastics Society in March 1994 because the word ‘spastic’ had become a common term of abuse for disabled people.
Twenty years later Scope will once again be tackling public attitudes to disability.
This will include the launch of a national advertising campaign in May, which will use comedy to highlight the awkwardness that many people feel when they are around disabled people.
To make this work as effective as possible, Scope is also launching a new website, which will later this year include a new community for disabled people and their families. Scope is also adding the words ‘About disability’ beneath its logo.
[i] Disabled in Britain: A World Apart, a survey of 1568 disabled people, carried out by BMRB International for Scope, 1994
Disability in Britain: Then and Now is a blog and infographic, based on a survey of over 1,500 disabled people conducted by Scope in 1994; a new Scope report about how to drive up disabled people’s living standards; a range of existing disability research; and contributions from disabled people, including well-known Paralympians and actors.
Scope’s new living standards report
In a new Scope report published tomorrow, Better living, higher standards: improving the lives of disabled people by 2020, the charity suggests that life is still far tougher than it needs to be if you are disabled. It reveals that:
- 42% of disabled people told Scope that they had lost out on a job because of the way employers perceived their impairment “every time” or “a lot of the time”.
- Half of disabled people (49%) report having experienced discrimination in shops, and 31% report such behaviour when attending leisure activities, such as cinemas and theatres
- 30% of disabled people said that they have been stared at due to their disability
- Half of disabled people say that services they receive do not enable them to take part in community life
- Disabled people are twice as likely to live in poverty as non-disabled people, and half (49%) of disabled people use credit cards or loans to pay for everyday items including clothing and food. Disabled people are three times more likely to draw on doorstep loans
