Equal Lives' 30th Anniversary survey - Results Part 3

There is a background collage of clocks and timers in pale semi-transparent blue. On top, a large blue scrap of paper reads 'Beyond 2026: Your hopes for the future' in dark blue text. In the top right-hand corner of the graphic is the Equal Lives logo: Equal Lives is written in blue text, with a tagline written in purple - Free from disabling barriers. There are 3 orange birds flying into the air above the writing.

Welcome back to the third and final blog post about the results of our 30^th anniversary survey. This blog focusses on the last question, which was: What's one change you hope to see over the next 30 years?

You may notice that the answers below follow a similar pattern to the first question, which asked about societal changes over the past 30 years. Once again, improved accessibility and awareness emerged as the top two themes again. This really emphasises the truth that while things have improved, more needs to be done!

What's the one change you hope to see over the next 30 years?

[Alt text]: A colourful pie chart showing the results of the question grouped by theme: Better understanding and awareness (10), Improved accessibility (9), Changes to policy and legislation (6), Improved social care and support (4), Increased coproduction and consultation (3), Better workplace inclusivity (3).

Top Answer

10 respondents said they want to see better understanding and awareness, and an improvement to societal attitudes. This included intersectionality, hidden disabilities, and the reality of people’s everyday lives. Here are some full answers on this topic.

• “Attitudes still need to change a lot so everyone can be fully included in society, particularly regarding hidden disabilities such as learning disabilities and autism.” – Jen H

• “Better post diagnosis support, especially for people with hidden disabilities who are often diagnosed but not given any further support services and don't meet the narrow 'official' criteria of disability for things like travel passes, mobility and pain support services and additional financial support.” – Ruth S

• “A greater understanding of how health and disability impacts people lives on a daily basis as no two days are the same.” – Dale B

• “A greater recognition of the diversity of the disabled community. Let's celebrate what ethnicity and LGBTQIA+ identities can show us about shared experience. Let's work together to stamp out multi-marginalisation.” – Anonymous

• “That disabled people are given equal treatment and are treated like people instead of problems.” – Anonymous

• “Better acceptance into society. [There is] still too much prejudice caused by media mostly.” - Anonymous

• “Less ableism. The Government dispelling myths about us instead of encouraging them.” – Anonymous

• “That disability is normalised” – Emma R

• “Public and Bureaucratic attitudes changing” – Debbie B

• “Equal representation” – Karen C

  
  

2nd most common answer

Coming in at a close second, 9 respondents said they wanted to see improved accessibility. Respondents wrote about shops, transport, areas of Norwich, newbuild homes, and more. Here are some full answers:

• “Just to be able to go out in my wheelchair and not have to think about [whether the shop has] a drop step or proper turning circles. Big shops should make things a little easier if you're in a wheelchair, such as Lidl, Sainsbury's and Tesco, because if you want anything off the top shelf and there's no staff... well, what more can I say?”- Tracey B

• “Improved accessibility in all senses of the word.” – Ruth S

• “For the world to be fully accessible as opposed to having only parts of it as such.” – Nichola A

• “I hope to see more accessibility rules and laws to allow disabled people to access everything freely and have the same advantages as non-disabled [JD1] people, and a further understanding for those with invisible disabilities and more laws to protect them.” - Anonymous

• “I'm going to give you two things: Make the Lanes in Norwich more accessible. I understand that many of the shops are in listed buildings - but a removable ramp can go a very long way to improving access. Make it law that aeroplanes should improve accessibility and have at least one accessible toilet on board. Access in airports is good. However, this stops at the plane door. It is archaic the way disabled people with limited mobility are treated on flights.” – Anonymous

• “Better access!” – Anonymous

• “Even new homes only have access at the front door, not to the rear of the property and garden and their downstairs toilets are often too small for wheelchair users.” – Anonymous

• “Even better facilities of all types to enable accessibility.” – Anonymous

3rd most common answer

We had 6 people writing about the changes they wanted to see to policy and legislation, including changes to PIP and care provision. Here are their answers:

• “The government sets up a statutory body to pursue discrimination cases on behalf of disabled people. I can dream!” – Fraser B

• “I would like to see PIP payments to be a graduated allowance that would increase according to how long a person has been ill and/or disabled. The longer time one is unable to work, the harder it becomes in trying to maintain a decent way of life.” - Denise L

• “I would like to see a new provision of care run by local communities with systems that work because they are designed by the people who use them. This new provision pays carers in a way that adequately reflects the vital work they do and rewards genuine care (filtering out those who are unable, for whatever reason, to effectively and kindly provide that care). It would run alongside a UBI system that ensures everyone in this country has their basic needs (at least) met. I would like this care to be part of a health system that truly values everyone and supports divergent needs as a matter of course, providing holistic well-being (rather than just Western pathologized medicinal practices).” – Rachel L

• “An increase in the strength of the DDA, through Equal Lives, we fought for this legislation so let’s continue to give it teeth. I continue to be surprised when I get equal access, I would like to see future generations of disabled people expecting to find they are catered for.” - Stephanie A

• “Communal housing for young adults with disabilities would be useful.” - Anonymous

• “The recognition that just because someone is disabled doesn’t mean they can’t do anything but may not mean they are able to earn a full-time wage so partial funding to support them if they are able to do some work.” – Anonymous

Other answers included improved social care and support for Disabled people (4 people). 3 people wrote about the need for increased coproduction and consultation, and trusting Disabled people to make their own decisions. Finally, a further 3 people mentioned improved workplace inclusivity and support, including through recruitment.

[Alt text] Our 30th anniversary logo, which is a navy blue 30 with orange birds flying out of the zero. Underneath the number reads '1996 - 2026' in red writing.

Message from Equal Lives:

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this survey, and thank you for reading the results.

As we reflect on everything that has been shared here, it's clear that progress has been made; but there is still much work to do. The themes that have emerged here, from accessibility, to policy and equal treatment, highlight both the achievements or the disability rights movement, and the barriers that still remain. 

At Equal Lives, your voices will continue to shape our work. Over the next 30 years, we will keep campaigning for Disabled People's rights, working with leaders and decision makers to influence change, challenge policies and systems that create barriers. We will continue to provide services that support independence, choice and control, ensuring Disabled people have the information, support and opportunities they need to live the way they choose. 

The next 30 years won't change themselves, but by working together, challenging inequality and championing Disabled people's voices, we can help make them better than the last.

Here's to the next 30.