An event hosted by the Federation of Disabled People will give people with disabilities an opportunity to tell the election candidates of their day-to-day experiences and highlight the improvements in the local area that would improve their quality of life.

Green candidate Caroline Lucas said:
“Disabled people deserve the same rights and opportunities as anyone else and this event gives them an opportunity to campaign for better rights and access.

“There are many simple steps that can be taken to improve the day-to-day lives of people with disabilities. So Brighton and Hove could copy transport authorities elsewhere which have been requiring more taxis to have full disability access. We support the GMB which represents drivers and the Disabled Federation's call for a quota system for the taxi and private hire vehicles to be wheelchair accessible. I'm aware there is a large unmet demand for wheelchair accessible vehicles.

"There is also a wealth of work to be done to ensure that the large numbers of vehicles using Brighton's streets don't park on the pavements or block routes used by people with disabilities. There are many steps that can be taken in the local area to make life easier for disabled people.”

“The Green Party also believes that people whose disability prevents them from working should not be demonised and Green Party economic policy has long emphasised the importance of non-conditional and non-means-tested universal Citizens Income in liberating disabled people.

“I'm also looking forward to hearing how disabled people themselves feel life could be improved in the local area and hope that voters give me the opportunity to press for these improvements by voting for me on 6 May. Our manifesto is called ‘Fairness is Worth Fighting For’ and that means fairness for everyone.”

The event will be split into two segments. The first will give four disabled people the opportunity to outline their experiences. The second session will give local candidates the chance to outline their priorities for improving services for disabled people and promoting disability equality. This will be followed by questions and answers.

The event will be held on on Wednesday April 28 at the Friends Meeting House in Ship Street, Brighton from 2pm-5pm.