Forum Brief: Discrimination

Young disabled people are missing out on holidays because of transport problems, according to a new survey.

They are also being denied job opportunities and are often unable to join in with things their friends do, the study found.

Some 47 per cent of those questioned for the NOP poll for the Disability Rights Commission said problems with public transport made it difficult for them to participate in activities other people their age took part in.

Forum Response: Disability Rights Commission

Bert Massie, chairman of the DRC, said: "Many young people we spoke to were enjoying life, but a significant number were isolated and had suffered discrimination. This has to change."These young people represent our future. They have the right to the same start in life as non disabled people. The right not to be discriminated against at work and in their leisure time."The DRC is here to fight for young people's rights and we must do everything possible to ensure that young disabled people enjoy our vision of a society where everyone can participate fully as equal citizens."

Forum Response: The Disabilities TrustMatt Townsend, public affairs officer at The Disabilities Trust, told ePolitix.com: "It is crucial that young disabled people have the same life chances as their non-disabled peers when seeking employment, using leisure facilities or accessing public transport, this is not only their right but something that will benefit society as a whole by for example giving people with disabilities the chance to use their economic power and thus opening up new opportunities for business.

"While it is good to see that many young disabled people are enjoying fulfilling lives it is unacceptable that so many still face discrimination and exclusion."

Forum Response: Royal National Institute for the Blind

A spokesman for the RNIB told ePolitix.com: "The picture this survey paints is sadly not a surprise to the RNIB. Despite the disability discrimination act and the setting up of the Disability Rights Commission, there is still a long way to go before such discrimination comes to an end."

Forum Response: Shaw Trust

Ian Charlesworth, managing director for Shaw Trust, told ePolitix.com: "This survey has revealed some very important findings, but not ones which came as a surprise to Shaw Trust. With less than 1 in 2 disabled adults of working age being in employment, it is to be expected that young disabled people should have such low expectations about their work prospects. Equally, it is not surprising that 15 per cent of the respondents had been told the reason for being turned down for work was related to their disability or health problem.

"The extention of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) in 2004 to all employers employing 2 or more people may make some difference to this statistic in the future. Changes in legislation alone are not enough. What is really needed is a change of hearts and minds by employers towards disabled people. It is a fact that disabled employees are more reliable, more conscientious, and have less time off work through ill-health, than non-disabled employees, but too many employers still see the person's disability rather than concentrating on the applicants abilities.

"The importance of transport to overcoming some of the barriers which young disabled people face in leading a more fulfilling life at work and in leisure, cannot be overstated. This is a major problem to many young disabled people, particularly in rural areas, and can mean that young disabled people are trapped in a life of social exclusion. Shaw Trust has developed a range of services for young people. A particular service, run mainly in the Midlands, focuses on providing a smoother transition from education to employment, for young people with special educational needs.

"Our success rate of over 40 per cent making this transition is one we are very proud of. What is unfortunate is that we have had to rely on funding from the Lottery, grant making trusts, private sector benefactors or other charitable organisations, and that there has been little or no statutory funding for this work. We would support the DRC in its vision 'of a society where everyone can participate fully as equal citizens' and will call upon the government to recognise the needs of all disabled people, and make appropriate provision."

Forum Response: RNID

Brian Lamb, director of communications at RNID, told ePolitix.com: "RNID is not surprised by the findings from the latest Disability Rights Commission poll. A survey conducted by RNID in 2001 showed that discrimination against deaf and hard of hearing people in the workplace was widespread, with a staggering 70 per cent of deaf and hard of hearing people interviewed believing they had failed to get a job because of their deafness.

"Fear and a lack of understanding among employers about how to communicate with and accommodate deaf employees, means that 19 per cent of deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK are unemployed, compared to five per cent of non-disabled people.

"Young deaf and hard of hearing people represent a pool of untapped talent. Discrimination simply does not make good business sense."