Do I have any contacts at TFL?

After attending the #RightsOnFlights parliamentary event I thought a lot about my own experiences of travelling & vacationing as a disabled woman. Truth be told I’ve never had 1 holiday where I’ve felt completely safe & able to maintain my independence.
metro.co.uk/2023/10/07/ive…

Here's your Thursday Loose line-up 🤩

Tune in at 12.30 on ITV1 📺

According to the UN, the UK Government systematically discriminates against Disabled people.

And now the UK Government is attacking Disabled benefit claimants.

No more.

Visit DisabledPeoplesManifesto.com to read our NEW MANIFESTO for Disabled people.

PLEASE SHARE

“MR PRESIDENT, please could we get a selfie!” 🇺🇸

'We're being pushed towards having to book two hours in advance before we get a train... make every MP do it, and then see how easy it is.'

The 2010 Equality Act is 'not fit for purpose,' Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson asserts as she lays out her stance on rail ticket office closures.

Someone in the campaign room should have done their research. Here you go…this is the best place to start.

sophie morgan Glad you're feeling better.

I've been campaigning about unwanted help, problematic behaviours & intrusive questions experienced by disabled people for 5 years through #JustAskDontGrab

Maybe you could share these resources?

Here's the media thread
x.com/BlondeHistoria…

#DisabilityTwitter can we start a campaign to change the new U.K. government #AskDontAssume campaign to an #AssumeDontAsk campaign….just asking…

I can feel the fight in me returning.

Must mean I’m on the mend.

Finally, I want to link to some excellent threads on this from other disabled folks, who offer some more info, stats, and insightful contributions.

First is Dr Amy Kavanagh, who has been campaigning in this space with #JustAskDontGrab for YEARS:

x.com/BlondeHistoria…

This leads me onto my last point - this campaign does NOTHING to address the fact that a major reason why these attitudes are becoming more pervasive are this Government themselves, who have spent thirteen years demonizing our community and using us as scapegoats.

And if you want to really be an ally, I’m available to speak or provide training (paid) about the impact of unwanted touch & intrusive behaviours experienced by disabled people.

Contact me here
amykavanagh.co.uk/contact/

My thoughts on the new #AskDontAssume Campaign.

Please, don’t #ask .

We will let you know if we need you for anything.

Otherwise you can #assume we are just fine. Thanks.

🙄

“By labelling these behaviours as misplaced good intentions the Government fails to acknowledge the real impact of these experiences on disabled people & especially the issue of disability hate crime.”

My reflections on #AskDontAssume with Rachel Charlton-Dailey 💖💜💙
mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…

There’s a very big difference between asking if a disabled person needs assistance and asking personal questions regarding their medical history re #AskDontAssume and that’s where the grey area is and boundaries will be crossed.

A stranger pointed at me and asked my caregiver what’s wrong with me. He was not looking for a “conversation,” it was an interrogation. And it dehumanized and objectified me making me feel invisible in a hostile public space where I cannot escape such scrutiny

#AskDontAssume

The campaign focuses on assuming disabled people are incapable, which plays nicely into them kicking 2 million people of out of work benefits. It also implies all questions are well-intentioned when disabled people know this isn't the case

If you do have a disabled colleague or pal, here are some non-ableist ways of asking what they need:

- Do you need a hand with anything?
- Is there anything we can do to make this more accessible?
- Is there anything it'd be useful for me to be aware of?

The campaign doesn't distinguish between asking a disabled colleague/friend what their access needs are (good!) and asking a random disabled person about their disability (bad!)

All the government is doing here is perpetuating the toxic idea that our bodies are public property