Disabled residents from across the city called for more job opportunities at a conference organised by Nancy Platts, the Labour candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven.
DISABLED people attending said that staff delivering public services must be better trained to understand and respond to their needs appropriately. They also wanted organisations to take a more positive approach to employing disabled people.
Kate Green MP, Shadow Minister for Disabled People was joined by disabled people and representatives from The Fed Centre for Independent Living, Able and Willing, the GMB and Brighton and Hove Buses who discussed the changes needed to services to improve disabled residents’ lives.
Nancy Platts, said: “The conference was a chance for disabled people to hold decision makers to account and speak directly to those who run the services that have such an impact on their everyday lives and I want to thank everyone who came along to share their experiences.
“We know disabled people want to work, but that more needs to be done to give them the opportunity to find employment. We heard some powerful stories today from disabled people who quite rightly want to be treated with respect and valued in the community and in the workplace.
“The repeal of the hated Bedroom Tax and more accessible transport is just part of the solution – we also need to encourage more businesses to offer jobs to disabled workers and make the reasonable adjustments needed in the workplace.”
Kate Green MP, added: “I enjoyed meeting Kemptown and Peacehaven residents and learning about their concerns as well as their hopes and dreams for the future.
“A Labour government will empower disabled people and enable those who can work to do so. We’ve insisted that our social security system properly protects those for whom work isn’t possible, and enables them to live their lives to the full and with dignity.”
Rosemary Cooper-Macleod from Saltdean, said: “This conference was an amazing opportunity to have our voices heard. Kate and Nancy have really listened to the issues disabled people face and their positive and proactive approach to finding solutions is very welcome.”
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