Disability commissioner for England revisited

[Bluewatersixtysix]

Hi all,

you know my story, and the need to have a disability commissioner for England for our adult loved ones living with a disability. Some of you mentioned you would be willing to be interviewed with me by Meridian News, the need could not be more urgent. I heard today, the government is thinking of having an ageism commissiner for England in post? This indicates to me, that 'disability' is not recognised or not important enough? How can the government think that agism is more important that disability? We need to act now, if we are serious about needing a disability commissioner for England. Please sign my petition, here is the link again, for you, friends, family: Chng.it/76m6KyvtS7. Or contact me through the online post, to discuss interviewing with Meridian News

Thank you

[Hissone]

Yes im in its really important

[Rupertthebear]

I support your idea in principle people with disability and learning difficulties are not well supported .

[Inside]

hi I signed your petition and shared on X

[Bluey203]

I have signed the previous time this was posted. I agree we need someone in government to enforce equality and humane treatment for the most vulnerable in society, and most importantly to listen to the unpaid carers when things need to change. I just wondered if a 'Disability Commissioner ' might be too broad, it would encompass every disability there is, and the Commissioner couldn't have detailed knowledge for all.

I read Scotland was also proposing to have a disability commissioner, and also a commissioner for Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity.

Personally I think we need a 'Learning Disability Commissioner ' it's more specific but would encompass many disabilities ( should include those with Dementia), I felt the 'Down Syndrome act 2022' should really have included all learning disabilities too.

[Bluewatersixtysix in reply to Bluey203]

Hi all,

thank you very much for your support, I really appreciate you signing the petition. I noticed the numbers have gone up! KEEP SIGNING AND SHARING, if we do not act or challenge, no one will listen to us, and nothing will change, until there are more incidents, we can do this!

Kind regards

[Tottenhamhotspurs]

signed x

[dora01]

I signed the petition last time and posted on Facebook. I support this idea. Those of us who support disabled family /friends have no pressure group or person.

[Bluewatersixtysix]

Hi all,

Just to let you know, I have written a letter to Tom Pursglove MP, who is minister of state for Disabled people, and requested a meeting, to introduce a Disabilities Commissioner for England. He is aware of me due to my local MP, contacting him on the same issue, his response at the time was for me to join a local disabilities group who meet to discuss issues on a regular basis and report back to parliament, which I did. My argument is, a Disabilities commissioner could address all this on our behalf? I will let you know his response, if he replies back to me, I also made him aware of my petition, that has grown in signature since joining this group, thank you! and asked if he is aware of an ageist Commissioner being introduced?

Kind regards

[Bluey203 in reply to Bluewatersixtysix]

I just read online about the 'Older People's Commissioner' it was being campaigned for to government by 'Age UK' in October 2023.

ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/cam...

Also the 'Downs Syndrome Act 2022 ' was campaigned for by the Downs Syndrome Uk organisation.

I really think MENCAP should be doing the same for all of us, a recognised organisation would add more weight to the campaign for a Disability Commissioner in England, which is specifically imperative for the Learning Disabled who are so vulnerable.

@Jackie O'Sullivan CEO Mencap(acting)

[Bluewatersixtysix in reply to Bluey203]

Hi Bluey 203,

I totally agree, Mencap are recognised every where, and could raise our profile and theirs in the process? Also, using a celebrity could also be a good idea to move this forward any ideas?

[Bluey203 in reply to Bluewatersixtysix]

One celebrity is Paul Scholes, the footballer who played for England and Manchester United, has a son called Aiden who has autism non-verbal and complex needs.

Also Paula McGowan OBE, she successfully campaigned for mandatory training in England, the 'Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training ' for learning disability and autism, which became law in April 2022.

Not sure how you could contact them though? 🤔

[Bluewatersixtysix in reply to Bluey203]

Hi Bluey203,

thank you for your response. Yes, I also thought of Paula McGowan! Not sure how to contact them either? Does anyone know how to make contact, or be willing to make contact on our behalf? Social media is not my strong point!

[Bluey203 in reply to Bluewatersixtysix]

I sent an email to the olivermcgowan.org website with a link to this thread. Have to see if hear back, surprising there's no response from Mencap. Something like this shouldn't require a petition, it should be common sense 🙄

[Bluewatersixtysix in reply to Bluey203]

Hi Bluey203,

thank you very much for your response! Totally agree about Mencap!

[Bluey203]

I thought you might be interested to read the attachment, it's about Sir Stephen Bubb who wrote a report on recommendations of necessary changes that needed to take place in the NHS and Government to improve the lives of the learning disabled and autistic and their families, written in 2014 .

In 2016 he said that a Learning Disability Commissioner was now needed in England to speed up the process of all the promises made by the government after the Winterbourne abuse case.

This report was backed and agreed by Mencap, the CBF and the NAS.

10 years later we are no further forward.

Parents are still not listened to or respected, learning disabled still suffering, their futures looking bleak to parents who constantly worry about who will care and protect their loved ones when they are gone.

Totally shocking , infuriating and unacceptable. This is a National problem , not local.

learningdisabilitytoday.co....

[Bluewatersixtysix in reply to Bluey203]

Hi Bluey 203,

sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Thank you very much for your response, I totally agree, it is about time the government did something about it, as parents we are not listened to. However, if it was their child or family members, they would? This is called unconcious bias! I have a copy of the Winterbourne abuse case, and will mention this to the minister I sent a letter to recently, surprise surprise, NO response. I promise, to continue writing and raising our profile, with the aim to have a meeting. Until then, keep signing and sharing my link on change.org, for an adults disability commissioner for England

Thank you