From time to time here at My Way Access I take to the blog and talk about certain things that need to be said. I am normally able to keep my personal emotions out of it, but this time I feel I cannot.
For the first time in my life, I’m actually fearful for the future. As a person with a disability, living in a Northern Ireland Housing Executive house and working part-time, with assistance from Access to Work.
I feel any sense of independent I have slowly built up over the years is slowly being stripped away.
Some of the news that is coming, that will affect people living with disabilities are:
The Department of Work and Pensions have released a document to show they are cutting the Access to Work scheme for people with disabilities. As someone who availed of this scheme to find placement over 13 years ago, it was crucial for me to get onto the employment ladder. Without it, it would have been too difficult. Even today without it, it would be too expensive for me to continue working.People with disabilities are not asking for hand outs, but looking for opportunities that will put us on an level with people with no disabilities. These cuts will take that level playing field away and take away our independence.
The UK’s new Disability Minister Justin Tomlinson voted against the safeguards in the Welfare Reform Bill 2012. The new disabilities minister voted against protecting benefits for disabled children and cancer patients, which campaigners say would cost families up to £1,400 per year.This new minister will be there to help Iain Duncan Smith cut £12billion from the Welfare Bill. Remember, Iain Duncan Smith recently said “anyone can live on £7 per day”.Not only will it more difficult to find employment as a person with a disability, but they are ensuring if you are without employment, you will not be safeguarded by welfare for a basic standard of living.
As I say, if you have a disability, if you are a vulnerable member of society, if you are just about keeping your head above the water, the future is something to be fearful of.
Now is the time raise your head and let your voice be heard.
Your not far wrong as I’m living in the south and far what I’m seeing here we are returning to a state were disabled people will be third class in government eye with no right and left to fend for ourself , beyond sick that a government give it self a pay rise year after year and Bonus paid also and it the poor and disabled that are used are used to bleed dry very sicking world we live in , I know it will get to a stage were I will pray for death because of these people .
It is a worrying time for anyone with a disability at the moment. Whether you are from the north, the south or indeed across the water. The gap is widening at the moment between the rich and the financially disadvantage and the current Government in the UK and Ireland are increasing that gap.