Now get streets sor ted

AMASTERPLAN has been drawn up to improve the grim experience of disabled people moving around their own communities

The series of recommendations aimed at making the streets accessible to all follows research that paints a stark picture of how inaccessible and dangerous our neighbourhoods have become

In a survey of over 1,100 disabled people across the UK, more than two in five people face barriers to reaching their destination on foot or in a wheelchair

Now the Sustrans charity is calling on the Government and local authorities to ensure disabled people are at the centre of future planning

Xavier Brice, CEO of Sustrans, said: “Putting disabled people at the centre of discussions about how we plan and create spaces where we can all move around easily and safely is vital The Government must listen and take action to create places planned around people, not cars ”

“The recommendations are contained in a report from Sustrans that follows a six-month long Disabled Citizens Inquiry, which the charity produced in partnership with disabled people’s organisation Transport for All

They include: l Prohibiting pavement parking to make communities more accessible l Creation of a long-term dedicated pavement fund to improve and maintain pavements l Ensuring disabled people can be within walking or wheeling distance of services and amenities by creating communities with accessible services close to where people live through better planning

Missing

Are you out on benefits?

MORE than 600,000 disabled people could be missing out on thousands of pounds a year in benefits

New figures show 632,000 people are getting out-ofwork disability benefits for those with the highest support needs – but are not receiving disability living allowance (DLA) or personal independence payment (PIP)

It could mean tens or even hundreds of thousands of disabled people might be eligible for up to £156 a week more

Labour shadow minister for disabled people, Vicky Foxcroft obtained the figures and has called on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to take action

She said the DWP should write to all 632,000 claimants to ask if they have considered applying for PIP

A DWP spokesperson said:

“PIP/DLA can help with some of the extra costs if your health condition or disability is expected to last 12 months, while ESA/Universal Credit can provide financial support to people whose disability or health condition affects how much they can work

“Receiving one benefit does not mean an individual will be eligible for the other ” l Disability Rights UK Handbook – p5

Covid-19: The cruel truth

HUGE numbers of disabled people say they are yet to recover from their experience of the Covid-19 pandemic National charity Sense have announced results of their latest study which will be used at the independent Covid-19 inquiry that starts on June 13

Sarah White, head of policy at Sense, said: “The upcoming public inquiry is an opportunity to learn from the mistakes that have happened during the pandemic and ensure that never again are disabled people treated as second class citizens We must seize it ”