Nothing's really changed....

Years ago, back in the 1970s there was some effort made to try and get an extra benefit for blind people, to take into account that they would never be able to drive and would incur extra expense with taxis, etc., because public transport was erratic, expensive and often didn't take them where they needed to go anyway.  However successive governments never even made a move to do anything about this.  Those who were campaigning were incensed - how could politicians just ignore such a need?

The answer came, not from a politician, but from a television programme which sent a few journalists out to interview people.  It discovered that most people believed that the registered blind already received a special benefit, along, some said, with free televisions.    The government didn't need to do anything because only a 'few' people wanted it; the remainder assumed they already had it.

I see a lot of parallels today.  The disabled don't need help, we are told, because stores, offices etc are already eager to help them.  They have made allowances, installed lifts etc.  Well, some have.  Some still haven't.  Some don't want to and never will.  Some install disabled changing rooms and then put staff in charge who make it impossible for the disabled to actually use them....  and on it goes.

I am currently in the midst of a disability discrimination claim against a large - very large - retail chain.  The level of discrimination and sheer incompetence - which I will describe fully when it is finally settled - is staggering.  A recent survey by the Leonard Cheshire Foundation found that only 2% of people who suffer descrimination ever take it further.

Guess what?  I'm one of that 2%.