And can I just add that if people with disabilities make it too hard for the rest of us to communicate with them for fear of offending, discriminating, standing, sitting or using the wrong terminology, they will become ever more isolated and treated as ‘a problem’. Most people are just trying to be helpful and friendly - please don’t throw that back at us if we make a hash of it.
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Leanne, If you feel so strongly on this point, that is fine, but why don’t you then write to The Access Association, The Centre for Accessible Environments, The CEHR, and similar bodies, and make your point there ? They would be interested to hear your, and other viewpoints.
Not saying they would agree with all that you say though, but some of it, yes !
I am one of few who has studied the Equality Act in some depth, (as well as lectured on the Disability element of it ), and it’s predecessor the Disability Discrimination Act.
Whilst those that wrote the law had the best intentions, the real culture changes will happen between people having dialogue in real-life situations.
The 2012 Paralympics was one area which transformed many people’s misconceptions in respect of disabled people, and was very positive. But it wasn’t enough.
I do empathise with some of what you say.
You are entirely correct in that if an inclusive design is introduced on toilets or whatever, then everyone benefits. I have thumped the table so many times at project meetings where the designer failed to make sufficiently wide WC cubicles, making it impossible to take shopping into the cubicle or easily move around, and positioned the door swing incorrectly.
Or, in toilets, the designer put the drainpipes where the wheelchair has to move, causing an obstruction. Small, but important details.
The intention of modern technical standards on inclusive design, is to ensure the design will be truly inclusive for everyone, not just disabled people.
Trouble is, a lot of the designers/architects are still playing “catch-up”, and needing to relearn their profession in the area of disability and inclusive design. Too often, they get it wrong, or think they can learn it all from a book, but to be a good designer, you have to make a few mistakes and learn from them.
The Mayor of London’s right-hand-advisor on disability, has been seconded to co-ordinate the education of architects and designers so we don’t keep having buildings and spaces that don’t work very well. They have to have a common terminology to use. No good saying " It’s not very British "
No, actually, you are correct, it isn’t very British. It’s International !
Many of the changes are based on International disability culture and not just British. I know this, because I have personal experience of it. Only the other week I met a lady from Mexico , who is helping to make the cities and towns more inclusive over there, and came to us 'Brits, looking for feedback.
The EU, USA, and many countries, including GB, are trying to share information on design, terminology, disability-needs, education, training, legal frameworks which will benefit everyone in the longer term.
There is great interest from abroad, in our standards and approach, and I can tell you that Britain leads the way in inclusive design in so many areas, (but we have some way to go), so don’t knock us too hard !
Seriously, the more people’s views that we have on this, the better.
Finally, my favourite bit from The Equality Act 2010:
Section 198.
The Rule of common law that a husband must maintain his wife is abolished.
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True, I have come across some people with a disability, who are so sensitive about it, that it’s nearly impossible to hold a conversation with them, without something you say being ambiguous and them taking it totally the wrong way. In such a case, it’s That person who has the problem, not the rest of us… yet we are expected to cope with their attitude and somehow work out what they need, without being told. Of Course I don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings; Of Course I want them to feel like a Person and that I’m not patronising or excluding them. But, if someone sets out to be offended by every breath I take while I’m with them, I really don’t see what can be done.
I’d add that most of the “disabled” people I have met and talked with were lovely, normal, pleasant, friendly people. As with any other “group” within the general population, there are always a few who are difficult to please and make it hard for everyone else.
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