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DMUK BAYWATCH RESULTS BBC COMMITS TO IMPROVING ACCESS

In August DMUK asked the public to help them with their annual Baywatch campaign. Disabled motorists were asked to complete a survey about their parking experiences over the past 12 months and there was a record number of responses, with 1028 people responding to the survey. This year’s survey again confirmed that most disabled motorists, 78.12% of respondents, think that local authorities are not doing enough to tackle disabled parking abuse. This figure is significantly lower than last year (95.9%) which does suggest that some local authorities are doing more to tackle this issue.

When it comes to finding suitable disabled parking bays at supermarkets, 39.2% of those surveyed said that it was ‘easy’ and 11.6% said it was ‘very easy’. However, 81.9% of respondents also stated that they ‘very often’ or ‘often’ see disabled parking bays being abused. This would suggest that there is still more work to be done in the correct management and enforcement of those bays. Similarly, to last year, the DMUK survey also asked people to provide details of the parking experiences on everyday journeys. 56% of the respondents stated that it was either difficult or very difficult to find suitable disabled parking. In 2021 this figure was 79.5%. However, in this section of the survey, they also asked the respondents how often they saw disabled bays being abused on their everyday journeys. 87% of respondents said that they either saw this occurring ‘often’ or ‘very often’. This figure, consistent with last year, is alarming and shows that the wider parking industry is not doing enough to enforce disabled parking provisions. DMUK communications and campaigns director, Heidi Turner said: “We are thrilled to have received so much support for this year’s campaign. Getting over 1000 responses is a first for the charity and it also shows how important parking is to disabled people. We are pleased to see some improvements for disabled people when parking on their everyday journeys, but supermarkets continue to disappoint. The charity will continue to seek ways of better enforcing and managing the Blue Badge scheme so it is protected for genuine Blue Badge holders.”

To read the full article of results visit: PosAbilityMagazine.co.uk/DMUKBaywatch-Results-2022. The BBC has recently announced a new set of commitments to improve the representation of disabled people on screen and to improve access to BBC productions for disabled people. BBC iPlayer is also launching a dedicated collection called ‘Count Us In’ that celebrates disabled programming and talent.

The BBC’s commitments state:

“The BBC is committed to improving the representation of D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people on screen, with a focus on the quality and quantity of representation. We believe the portrayal of disabled people must be authentic, inclusive and reach across all our programmes and recognise that disability can be apparent or nonapparent “We know there are barriers to access within the broadcasting industry for those working off screen. We commit to improving opportunities and accessibility across our productions so that no one is ever excluded.”

The BBC has promised to include disabled talent in all new commissions, this means for all scripted programmes they will endeavour to cast actors with lived experience of disability in disabled roles, as well as “seeking disabled actors for roles not specifically written to be disabled”.

An increase in representation of disabled people within unscripted shows has also been promised, as they seek to include disabled people in contributor, presenter, and performer roles, both in series and one-off shows.

Joanna Abeyie, head of creative diversity at the BBC, said: “The BBC is committed to building an accessible and welcoming culture for disabled talent, both on and off screen, as part of our plans to ensure we truly reflect disabled audiences. There is more to do across the whole industry and I’m excited to see how these new access commitments remove barriers and create better workplaces that make the TV industry more accessible to all who want to be a part of it.”

NEW MOTORSPORT PROJECT FOR DISABLED ROOKIES

Team BRIT, the UK’s all-disabled racing team, has announced a new racing project for disabled rookies. From 2023, the team will field two entries in the Citroen C1 racing series, beginning at Silverstone in March. The low-cost endurance racing series sees drivers compete in standard, first-generation Citroen C1s. The tightly controlled series allows no modifications to the engine or transmission – the goal being close racing for everyone on a budget. Team BRIT founder Dave Player said: “We’re really excited about the launch of this project, which will add another step on our ladder of motorsport development for disabled drivers. “Adding the C1 championship to our race calendar means that drivers who are just starting out in the sport can enter a professional and hugely popular championship at entry level, with the support and guidance they need to develop. “We hope to attract some exciting new drivers to the team and look forward to seeing Anji and Yvonne enjoy some fun and competitive racing next year.” The team is looking for new disabled drivers to join the project, who will benefit from the use of the team’s hand control technology. To be eligible entrants must have a disability that requires them to race with hand controls. Email Info@TeamBRIT.co.uk if you are interested in being considered for the team.

The Team BRIT entry will consist of two teams of four drivers, one representing LGBTQ+ drivers, and a team of all-disabled drivers who require the use of hand controls.

The team already confirmed will be made up of Anji Silva-Vadgama, a Team BRIT rookie who lives with MS, she will be joined by her wife Asha Silva who lives with ADHD and autism. Also on the team will be Yvonne Houffelaar, an experienced sim racer who has scoliosis, and her partner Sophie Aeronwen who is autistic. The cars will be fitted with the team’s worldleading hand controls to enable disabled drivers to compete on equal terms. Drivers signing up to the project will receive professional coaching, tuition, testing and support throughout the season, entering all eight races.

SEE SPORT DIFFERENTLY

British Blind Sport (BBS) and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) released two new See Sport Differently toolkits to support sight loss organisations and sports clubs in helping blind and partially sighted people to be active. The toolkits are designed to support clubs and organisations by offering resources, information and ideas of how to work with other organisations to help strengthen local work that is already taking place. Created in collaboration with National Governing Bodies of Sport, the toolkits cover topics including accessible marketing, adaptable equipment, upskilling staff and volunteers, and more.

See Sport Differently aims to challenge perceptions and demonstrate that blind and partially sighted people can get involved with sport and physical activity. Charlotte Lloyd, National Governing Body liaison officer at BBS, said: “Our See Sport Differently research revealed that there is excellent work happening in both the sports sector and the sight loss sector to support blind and partially sighted people, but that the two sectors generally work in isolation, resulting in low levels of involvement. We hope that this resource will enable more organisations and clubs across the country to work together to deliver sport and increase participation for blind and partially sighted people.”

THE AUTISM FRIENDLY COOKBOOK

Autistic journalist Lydia Wilkins has launched her debut cookbook, written specifically for autistic people. The Autism Friendly Cookbook contains 100 recipes, with 30 of those coming from other autistic individuals. They are categorised with a key for sensory needs, as well as dietary requirements; most have some kind of story attached, too. You will find a skills ‘band’ – so if you struggle with timing, then you have more agency in tailoring your food to you. There is also an energy rank, too. Other chapters deal with sensory issues and how to adapt, as well as advice for parents, teachers, guardians, or relatives. Lydia explained her ethos behind the book to PosAbility: “It was important to me to put autistic and disabled voices front and centre; there are a tiny number of non-disabled people who have made this book happen, probably less than ten. “Not all autistic individuals will struggle [with cooking] – but I’d argue that those who don’t are extraordinarily lucky, and probably the product of a degree of privilege, such as if someone in a supporting role has had the time to teach and adapt to your specific needs. Research is suggesting more and more that eating disorders may potentially have an overlap in autistic women, for example. Those who use a food bank are more likely to be disabled, too. A conversation about this needs to start, desperately, especially given we now grapple at the coalface with the cost of living crisis.” You can buy The Autism Friendly Cookbook on Amazon.co.uk.

LATEST TWEETS

Dan White @Danwhite1972

Over half of parents & carers report skipping or cutting the size of their meals because there wasn’t enough money for food, while more than one in ten carers say they’ve had to cut back on essential items for their disabled children Britain is debased & its government uncaring

Eugene*Grant @MrEugeneGrant

“For those whose body types are never shown in certain contexts, it can be incredibly powerful to see someone like us participating” - sing it, @cathyreaywrites

Princess, The Tower @APainPrincess

“Flares don’t just affect us physically—there’s a tremendous emotional effect… Sometimes all we can do is just survive in the present moment… From one [#spoonie] having a bad week to another, we got this… Even when it feels like we don’t.” #NERVEmber

Accessercise @accessercise

ANNOUNCEMENT!! We are super excited to be launching our university pilot program this week! Accessercise have launched this historic pilot program to work with a number of universities to help their offering of exercise and fitness to their disabled students and staff.

SENSE AWARDED £2.2MILLION TRUE COLOURS CONCERT

The national disability charity, Sense, has been awarded £2.2 million by Sport England to tackle the issue of ‘inactivity’ amongst people with complex disabilities. This new funding will allow thousands of people living with complex disabilities in England the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity, improving their physical and emotional wellbeing. According to Sport England research, over half of disabled people are inactive – compared to a third of non-disabled people. This inequality increases sharply as the number of impairments a person has increases. The funding will allow Sense to directly support an additional 5,000 people living with complex disabilities to become more active in their local communities. The funding will also put a focus on upskilling care staff and sport providers to ensure they can deliver accessible and inclusive physical activity sessions. Louis Wickett-Padgham, head of sport and physical activity from Sense, said: “Being active is vital for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, learning skills and making friends, and yet disabled people are almost twice as likely to be physically inactive as non-disabled people. “The funding from Sport England will help us to support over 5,000 people to lead a more active life and further strengthen Sense’s strategic position to influence and lead positive change across sectors for people with complex disabilities.” Sport England also announced funding for two other disability charities, Mencap and Special Olympics GB. The charities join over 120 organisations that Sport England has partnered with this year, chosen for their unique influence and ability to level up access to sport and physical activity across England and create systemwide change. A global concert celebrating diversity and inclusivity in the performing arts has taken place in Tokyo, Japan. Embracing the theme ‘One World, One Family’, over 90 artists from a wide range of different cultures and many of whom live with a disability, performed alongside headliner Katy Perry. True Colours Festival (TFC) is a long-running international festival of performing arts that celebrates diversity and inclusion. It is designed to spark conversation, encourage innovation and creativity, and change perspectives. The concert, presented by The Nippon Foundation, was the most accessible concert ever staged by TCF. It boasted an array of accessibility features, including Japanese Sign Language, International Sign, real-time subtitles, audio description and personnel on standby at the venue for all guests in need of assistance. It was noted that the JSL and IS signers were a highlight of the show with their “high-energy and emotive signing of not just words, but also dance and instrumentals”. The concert included performances from disabled singers, dancers, performers, choirs, from across the world each with a different style. The talented line-up joined Katy Perry for the finale to an exhilarated and excited crowd for the biggest applause of the night. Dr Sydney Tan, creative and music director of the concert: “I wanted this concert to open minds and hearts, so it was not just about showcasing the enormous musical talents of the performers, but sharing their unique stories, which was not easy when most of our meetings had to happen online,” said Sydney. “I have never seen such amazing collaboration and camaraderie between artists across borders and time zones. The only limitations I faced were my own perceptions of what was possible, as every single artist involved surpassed every expectation I had.”