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Minister for disabled people: there is no shortage of jobs

Mark Glasgow — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:55:05 +0000

Maria Miller blames unemployment on people’s unwillingness to apply for work A government minister has insisted there is “no shortage of jobs”, blaming unemployment on people’s unwillingness to apply for the work available. Maria Miller, the minister for disabled people in the Department for Work and Pensions, said on Sunday night she believed the unemployment problem was down to a lack of “appetite” for the jobs on offer

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Minister for disabled people: there is no shortage of jobs

Benefit cuts are fuelling abuse of disabled people, say charities

Mark Glasgow — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:49:19 +0000

Rising public resentment blamed on government focus on alleged ‘scrounger’ fraud and inflammatory media coverage The government’s focus on alleged fraud and overclaiming to justify cuts in disability benefits has caused an increase in resentment and abuse directed at disabled people, as they find themselves being labelled as scroungers, six of the country’s biggest disability groups have warned. Some of the charities say they are now regularly contacted by people who have been taunted on the street about supposedly faking their disability and are concerned the climate of suspicion could spill over into violence or other hate crimes.

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Benefit cuts are fuelling abuse of disabled people, say charities

Benefit cuts are fuelling abuse of disabled people, say charities

Mark Glasgow — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:49:19 +0000

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Benefit cuts are fuelling abuse of disabled people, say charities

Harry Wade Nov/Dec Column – Step By Step

Mark Glasgow — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:04:52 +0000

Are you watching Strictly Come Dancing? I love it but, as I wrote in my autobiography Out On a Limb, dance steps are tricky with only one ankle. And I need to be given a leg that fits to be able to take any steps at all.

I want ‘out on a limb’ to mean I’m out and about, on my prosthetic limb, living the best quality life I can. I don’t want it to mean I’m isolated and unheard, fighting single-handed the services that provide it for me; single-legged of course in my case.

I’m going to be the wrong sort of single-legged and out on a limb if I can’t work with my prosthetist to get it right. Firstly, if you want to know if a prosthetic limb fits someone, you should ask them rather than tell them. It needs a two-way dialogue.

Dialogue is the rather obvious central idea to marketing, research & development and quality control. It’s a central idea of the social model of disability, which starts with the patient’s needs, rather than the medical model of disability, which starts with idea of ‘medicine man’ as omniscient expert.

For all its much-debated faults, dialogue with patients is also a central idea to the new NHS white paper. “No decisions about me without me”. This is very encouraging.

At my local Disablement Services Centre in Leicester we have just started using something called the Hear by Right standards to try to improve the centre’s inclusion and participation of patients. Patients and staff all get a say regarding the bits we think are already in place, more or less, and which bits we think need improving (or starting!
)? The patients started the Hear by Right assessment process at our last Prosthetic
User Group meeting and now we have a list of our priorities for action. The staff is doing one next month and then we can have a discussion about it.

It feels good to say how well the Disablement Services Centre is listening to us. It feels good that the DSC is keen to hear us and to improve. It will feel even better when patient voice actually produces tangible changes and improves the service we depend on. Already the Prosthetic User Group has worked with management to produce an agreed comments, concerns and complaints process and we’re working towards getting expenses paid for attending the group – a good sign of top management support and commitment to listening. This will help to give every patient the confidence to have their say and not to suffer alone, in silence. If we can be heard and change smaller, local procedures, there’s a good chance we can help with the bigger challenges of improving the quality of the service for all. We won’t be single-legged and out on a limb, we’ll be dancing in the street – with management as our dancing partners. You don’t need ‘Strictly’ to tell you that it takes two to tango.

Lorraine Hershon Nov/Dec Column – Pleasure Island

Mark Glasgow — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:03:30 +0000

They do say that a change is as good as a rest, and that’s just what I needed.

This year hasn’t been the easiest, so as the summer rolled round again, I decided to look for an adventure.

First things first: I spent some weeks perusing websites and doing ‘costings,’ because I’m the kind of person who plans everything down to the finest detail. I should have been in the military such is my planning finesse.

Where should we go this year? The criteria were tough: accessible – ish, at least for me, suitable for a family with small boys, minimal boats (because my husband doesn’t do them) and of course affordability.

Choices

I looked at France but the pound being as it is, it came out as costly. In fact anywhere in the eurozone was soon eliminated. We looked at Scandinavia but it was a long drive. So the options narrowed considerably. Until that is, I looked at Orkney.

Ever fancied going abroad that isn’t abroad? If so, then Orkney is for you. It’s just an hour’s ferry journey (which was just about manageable). It felt like going on a long exotic holiday but without having to change currency. It has history and culture, nice cafes, wonderful whisky and fantastic scenery including Scapa Flow, Ring of Brodgar and St Magnus cathedral; I could go on.

I always worry about accessibility but generally it was pretty good. Most of the shops either have no steps or just one teeny-tiny one. The cathedral isn’t particularly easy to get around but seeing that it’s almost 1,000 years old, that’s probably understandable. The boys found it all wonderfully exciting. We did all those things you do when you have children: kite flying, beaches (not me though), picnics with a real wicker basket, odd little museums such as that devoted to the humble ‘wireless’ and so on. It was a fantastic, adventurous holiday that hooked us completely. Everyone is keen to go again next year and I can see its one of those things that could become a family tradition, something they will want to repeat in 30 years time with their children.

Where next?

I’m desperate to go to Shetland now, although I imagine the accessibility might not be great (although it might be better than I think). My chances of getting my husband on an overnight ferry are slim, but I’m working on him.

I know that living with a disability can sap your spirit and it can be easy to get into a rut. Before you know it you stop being bothered about doing things but I’m so glad that I made the effort to enjoy an unusual holiday destination. It wasn’t always easy and of course we all prefer the ‘known’ but the buzz and stimulation of a new experience shouldn’t be underestimated. So, go on, try something new; you never know until you do. Now, shall I do that parachute jump I’ve always thought about doing? A trip to Shetland maybe, or is it time to buy the Jaguar?

Pullout1:Everyone is keen to go again next year and I can see its one of those things that could become a family tradition.

Mountain Triking – Julie Andrews

Mark Glasgow — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:00:24 +0000

Julie Andrews goes down to the woods in Weston, giving everyone a big surprise.

Imagine quietly strolling through woods on a balmy Sunday afternoon contemplating roast beef and Yorkshire pudding when out of the bushes fly three rambunctious trike riding ladies. It would certainly make you blink a bit wouldn’t it?!

Yes, that was me and a couple of friends last weekend. Well, when you’re offered the chance to trial a new invention on your own doorstep, you have to drag your friends along too.

Awesome invention
When Ed Elias, inventor of the awesome Mountain Wheelchair Trike met with us last weekend, he immediately sussed that the three of us could begin our woodland adventure right in at the deep end. Exchanging four wheels for three, Dawn, Jo and I took our lean, mean trekking machines and headed deep into Weston Woods.

Propulsion is easy; Mountain Trike is really easy to use, with two drive levers by your sides and hydraulic disc brakes at your fingertips. You can also gain extra leverage for steep and difficult ground since even whilst the brakes are firmly engaged the levers can be set to take you forward on release.

Designed for traversing over land that would be uncomfortable, difficult to negotiate or even impossible in traditional wheelchairs, the unique direct drive steering system means that the rider can even steer with one arm if required. This has to be the most exciting new wheelchair available with nowhere being out of bounds.

The experience
Bombing past local strollers, we were certainly turning heads. People were actually approaching us to ask for a go. Sadly for them, not one of us was willing to miss even a second of the experience. Climbing hills, negotiating rocky paths, clambering over dense tree roots and even logs; what glorious moments we enjoyed, going where we liked. Total autonomy!

I should admit here, that after 20 minutes or so I began to suffer a bad case of girl-wimpery. Having been away from extreme sports for a while, the cut and thrust of the trike had turned my arms and hands into hot melting jelly, my forehead seemingly dripping molten lava into my eyes. How could I admit this, when my friends appeared so together? With a casual swig of water I dug deep and sped off again.

Quite soon after I began to suspect that Dawn, my dear friend of many years, was becoming overheated too. It was the speedy removal of her jumper as she skipped into the woods that gave her away. The two of us have played and holidayed together since childhood, but as Dawn always says: “just thinking about ‘your’ kind of playing has me seeking for the comfort of my own arm chair.” You can imagine then how thrilled I was when Dawn agreed to join me for the day. Now as she drank her water bottle dry, she wasn’t looking as ‘thrilled’ as she had earlier, even though she was an absolute natural at Mountain Triking.

Mild to wild
Jo on the other hand was looking, well, quite cool actually. Maybe she was just trying to look nifty in front of the rest of us. Normally a fairly careful rider, Jo had morphed from mild to wild in seconds. She sped off immediately as swiftly as three wheels could turn and never once looked back for assistance. She was gone and so too were her young family, as they excitedly ran to keep up with her.

Half way through the afternoon we went our separate ways for a while. Jo went off to race around with her children and Dawn and I tested our Mountain Trikes to see what they were really made of. We headed down the steepest hill of the day with the over confident Triker in me wheeling off without a care. Dawn, more sensibly, took a slower descent and arrived at the bottom of the hill demure and unscathed. I was still happily hurtling down the hill with the deep rumble of stony ground drumming in my ears nearly drowning out Ed’s cries of “break gently, break gently”! My husband took the brunt of the collision that followed as he attempted to stop me from tipping into a bush of stinging nettles. I felt absolutely dreadful when the red welts appeared on his face, showing just how much of a stinging he’d taken for me.

At the end of the trail we rode reluctantly back to our cars. Dawn was excited to have negotiated every obstacle in her path and described how free she’d felt. Her greatest thrill had come from trekking through the woods independently. For the first time she and her husband had been able to negotiate such rugged terrain together, side by side.
Jo had also had a blast riding through the wilds. She said she hadn’t felt so exhilarated since before her accident years ago. Her little boy had been one and a half then and has no memory of times spent trekking with his Mum all that time ago. I guarantee, he will always remember and relish the glorious rough and tumble experience of playing chase with his Mum through the woods this afternoon.

More: www.mountaintrike.co.uk
This experience was made possible by Enhance, a charity working hard to turn big wishes into reality. If you are looking for a particular sport or activity visit: www.enhancetheuk.org

Welfare reform bill: what next for disability benefits? – live discussion

Mark Glasgow — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:17:47 +0000

After Tuesday’s vote in the Lords, ministers are pushing ahead with DLA reform. But how will the new system work, and who will lose out? 11.09am: I’m told the comments tool on the site (not just the welfare reform bill live blog) is down

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Welfare reform bill: what next for disability benefits? – live discussion

Maria Miller Nov/Dec 12 Column

Mark Glasgow — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:02:18 +0000

I’m sure most of us have had to deal with a pushy doorstep seller wanting to sell us new windows, cable TV or a variety of household goods. Usually most will take the hint from a polite but firm ‘not interested’ but sometimes they can apply pressure and can actually be offering goods that are incredibly overpriced.

A recent report by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) found that was certainly the case when it comes to the selling of mobility aids, including scooters, wheelchairs, stair lifts and adjustable beds. The report found that disabled people may be paying too much and in some cases experience high pressure and misleading information when buying such items from doorstep sellers in their own homes. It also highlighted the stress and inconvenience caused when customers are misled into making an inappropriate and expensive purchase. This is reflected by figures showing that last year, Consumer Direct received 4,500 calls from people complaining or asking for advice about mobility aids; advice which is worth sharing now with readers of Able Magazine.

The most important point is that we need to encourage disabled people – like all consumers to utilise their spending power and shop around for the best deal. The OFT estimate the current value of the mobility aids sector at between £430 million and £510 million. This equates to a lot of clout for the purple pound.

So, when shopping around to compare products and prices, make sure you double check the facts to fully understand all the costs, including extras like installation, on-going serving charges and warranties.

Although the advice may seem obvious, doorstep selling can be a particular problem for disabled people with mobility issues, who may find it easier to invite sellers into their homes rather than going directly to the store. Disabled people looking to purchase this equipment may also prefer to invite mobility aid traders to their home so that it can be assessed and measured for the equipment. Even though many traders treat their customers fairly, some use high pressure sales tactics that encourage people to make snap decisions without comparing prices or checking to see if the product is the right one for their needs.

It’s important that people aren’t pressurised into making a hasty decision that could leave them out of pocket or with an item that’s not what they need. That is why the OFT has launched a campaign aiming to help give people the confidence to think twice and to say no if they’re unsure about what’s being offered or want to take the time to discuss their needs with a family member, friend or trusted healthcare professional.

People need to be especially wary of time-limited or exclusive offers that need to be signed on the spot – this can be a high pressure sales tactic. Also remember that if you spend more than £35 with a trader on the doorstep, you usually have seven days in which to cancel the purchase. The seller must give you a written cancellation form setting out your rights when you agree the contract, otherwise they are committing a criminal offence and the agreement isn’t valid.

The OFT has opened investigations against two national mobility aid traders for potentially misleading their customers. Traders who fail to treat customers fairly face a real threat of effective enforcement action, but disabled people – as consumers – can also do their bit and know their rights.

More: Consumer direct: 08454 04 05 06

Is £600m really being paid in disability living allowance to people who don’t qualify?

Mark Glasgow — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:20:06 +0000

The disability minister Maria Miller today claimed that £600m of the annual £12.6bn DLA bill is being “overpaid” each year, her key argument for the controversial reforms that will continue their struggle through the Lords today. Is she right

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Is £600m really being paid in disability living allowance to people who don’t qualify?

Welfare reform bill: disability benefit cuts – Lords live discussion

Mark Glasgow — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:01:23 +0000

Lords to debate controversial cuts to disability living allowance payments (DLA) 10.46am: Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson , the former paralympian, is leading the charge in the Lords to mitigate proposals to replace DLA with Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Lady Grey-Thompson is calling for a trial of the new PIP assessment scheme before it is introduced. She told the Guardian , it “made sense” to pilot the scheme before it went ahead

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Welfare reform bill: disability benefit cuts – Lords live discussion

U-turn on mobility payments is just the start

Mark Glasgow — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:36:56 +0000

Disability campaigners have forced the government to backtrack on cutting mobility payments for those in care homes. But the battle’s only just begun Good news. Tens of thousands of disabled people living in residential care have won a reprieve over a planned benefit cut after a high-profile campaign, according to an article in the Times

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U-turn on mobility payments is just the start

A Trike Down Memory Lane

Mark Glasgow — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:30:15 +0000

Harry tells tales of growing up on one leg (and several sets of wheels).
Picture the scene: 1963 and a small red trike with yellow wheels hurtles down a steep hill. The little boy’s feet no longer on the pedals fixed to the front wheel. The boy’s mother has begun to run but she’s been left behind; the pedals flailing menacingly as the trike reaches near terminal velocity and the junction at the bottom of the hill looms.

The boy hears his mother cry out with increasing anxiety – much to his satisfaction. As he whizzes past the last house but one he jams his metal leg into the pedals and they lock. The trike slews to a halt leaving a very pleasing skid mark down a series of paving stones. Turning and grinning at his mother who was just arriving and out of breath: “That was fun! Can we do it again?” “Perhaps tomorrow”, she winces.

Ah yes, readers, that was me. Aged four and applying the laws of gravity on the steep hills of Hampstead to obtain the maximum freedom and enjoyment out of my little trike.

It is a reassuring habit to push my bike from my right hand side where my artificial leg will protect me from painful pedals on shin and ankle. And even better protection from bicycle-hating dogs. I was cycling outside our house as a child when I was suddenly attacked by the dog from across the road. She barked and darted out as I cycled past and bit me on the leg. She yelped, whilst lying on the pavement were two teeth. (She was never known to attack a bicycle again.)

It was just a few years later when I was fending off a friend whilst playing bicycle football that I stuck out my armoured leg and caught it in the spokes of his back wheel. With a clatter the leg was pulled straight off down the trouser leg and bounced on the tarmac. This seriously inhibited my ability to pedal, but I was still able to freewheel back to pick it up and pop it back on.

Some disabled children with similar situations to mine have been told that they can’t ride a bike (so they can’t). I was told that I could and so I can. It’s shocking really that it comes down to what authority figures tell us rather than being given the opportunity to discover what we are actually capable of.

I uncovered another similar conspiracy the other day when a fellow amputee told me (and a class of schoolchildren) that he didn’t hop. Asked why not, he said that it was too dangerous since he might fall over. Sadly, in terms of missing out on the mobility advantages of hopping I’m reminded of what Elvis Costello says: “You never see the lies that you believe”. How else could I have honed my skills in hopping upstairs with two cups of tea?

Ride on!

Adapted from Harry Wade’s autobiography: Out On A Limb: Growing Up On One Leg. For more information email: outonalimb@hotmail.co.uk

GET ACTIVE, TAKES TO THE SEAS

Mark Glasgow — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:26:39 +0000

Julie Andrews set sail on her very first seafaring holiday, on luxury cruise liner, Grand Princess, joining friends who were celebrating their 25^thwedding anniversary.

Having never sailed before and given that two of our party are wheelchair users, the staff at Thomas Cook had a lot to investigate. Thankfully, our agents were exemplary at understanding access needs and advising us accordingly.

Everything was made easy on our embarkation from Southampton. We drove straight to our designated area; bags were collected and car taken by valet to park and just like that we were luggage free and ready to play.

Setting eyes upon our floating princess for the first time enthralled the big kid in each of us. Setting off that fresh summer day, our grand lady sliced easily through frothy aqua blue waters heading, eventually, for Iberian seas.

Stateroom accommodation

Our outside stateroom accommodation was the most accessible we’ve ever seen. The beds alone being larger than other rooms we’ve stayed in; dreams of Bedroom Heaven come true.

To make every evening meal special we chose a fixed dinning option. Lavishly furnished, Bocelli’s is a charming restaurant with wonderful considerate waiters. The food was delectable and from the first scrumptious meal, we knew that when we returned home, our belts would need to be let out some more.

That evening we strolled along the decks, taking in the opulence that was ours for an entire week. The ship glided smoothly through dark waters with barely a shudder detected under our feet.

Onboard

Going ashore to Guernsey required a short voyage in tender boats. Dawn and I left this rocky disembarkation to the boys, and opted for a girly day on board instead. Men free, child free, interruption free, we were able to get down to some serious chatting: bliss. Strolling around the ship was easy, as restaurants, shops and most of the other facilities have flat access. The ship’s newly laid carpet did cause a few problems, but whenever we were a little ‘push weary,’ staff were always ready to help.

Later that afternoon people were returning from the tender boats in a very unusual shade of green. I was especially worried for my husband since he can’t even roller skate without getting motion sickness. Eventually we spotted Nigel and Doug and amazingly, both were still the correct shade of pink.

It isn’t compulsory to ‘dress’ for dinner on these occasions as there are plenty of less formal ‘anytime dining’ halls to choose from. Personally, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to dress up for the night. What with all glitz and glam surrounding us and photographers snapping away at the tables it was little wonder that the atmosphere was electric. No surprise then that by dessert, my friends and I were slightly Champagne wobbly. Unfortunately, the ship had also begun to sway and as quickly as we were draining our happy juice, Nigel’s poor face was draining of colour. That evening, violent winds buffeted the Princess and people began dropping like ninepins. We lost both Nigel and Dougie to the storm (not literally).

Bonjour France

Waking to the calm coast of Brest, France the next morning was a relief. Disembarkation was much easier via ramp, with wheelchair accessible shuttle bus taking us straight into the centre of Brest. Unfortunately, Brest was, for the most part closed until late afternoon. Luckily we found a quaint cafe that was open and we feasted upon gigantic ice cream desserts and rich creme brulees. Back on board, we did what we had begun to do best, readied our appetites for further filling. Nigel, bless him, was still virtually nil-by-mouth.

We all took a day to ourselves as the ship cruised towards Portugal. Nigel and I breakfasted and shopped in the onboard boutiques then watched films by the pool. Hot popcorn and delicious pizzas were supplied all day long. We eventually moved on to prepare for dinner, feeling already like jumbo couch potatoes.

After dinner, sated and incredibly relaxed, we stepped outside, wrapped ourselves in blankets, and watched one more film under the stars. Life does not get any more perfect than that.

Bom Dia Portugal

Disembarkation to Lisbon was hideously difficult. A long steep slope of steps had replaced the previous ramp. This was dreadfully uncomfortable for a lot of people.

Thankfully, once ashore, the day greatly improved.

The itinerary suggests that passengers should keep to the main tourist areas whilst visiting Lisbon. We however, found ourselves lured to Lisbon’s more ancient side. Strolling through mosaic cobbled alleys, right up into the picturesque hills, our walk exuded a distinctly medieval atmosphere. Wrought-iron balconies adorned with pots of bright flowers, caged birds and multi-coloured laundry distracted the eye from badly dilapidated buildings. Most of the older residents have apparently lived here for all their lives and although they live in semi derelict conditions, a strong sense of community is felt here. Buying gifts in the tiny shops set up in people’s front lounges, we were treated with curiosity and great dignity by several generations.

In stark contrast to this timeless area is modern Lisbon. With its high street designer shops, trendy bars and shiny modern trams rumbling through the streets, the city emanates a vibrant atmosphere. Later, when it was time to return to ship, we turned to take one last look at the hills. Having seen people living in such deprivation, makes you doubly appreciate what you have back home.

Buenos días España

Disembarkation to Vigo, Spain was comparatively easy. As we made our way ashore we were greeted with one of the finest natural ports in the World. Gigantic statues of travellers and an ultra modern shopping mall beckoned us to stay awhile. Pushing our wheelchairs up through the hills of Vigo was hard going but the higher we climbed, the more ornate the buildings became. Shop fronts and verandas were bedecked by locally handmade gifts such as traditional hats, baskets, and beautiful filigree plates. Eventually we reached the top of Vigo and were mightily rewarded, for there in the shimmering turquoise waters of the Galician Sea, floated our very own, Grand Princess.

The final day was spent at sea. We chilled in the beautiful atrium, entertained by jugglers, shopped, and chilled some more. Once again dinner formalities were fulfilled with the ladies wearing colourful couture and men in black and white finery. What a tremendously fun night we had sharing jokes with our lovely waiters and saying our goodbyes.

As a finale to our wonderful week of dining, the chef’s brought out gigantic baked Alaska desserts on silver platters parading them around the room by candlelight; tremendous.

Later that evening, reluctant to end our day, the four of us sat overlooking a moonlit sea, chatting about the week. We concluded that our cruise had been blissful, calm, chaotic, crazy and joyful, exactly like our lifelong friendship really.

Welfare reform: The fight for disabled people just got harder

Mark Glasgow — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:50:05 +0000

The new mantra of ‘something for something’ may disadvantage disabled people, says Alice Maynard, if that something means work that they can not find The House of Lords is debating the welfare reform bill . Few people would argue that the welfare system doesn’t need reforming, but the plan to get more people working will backfire when it comes to disabled people

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Welfare reform: The fight for disabled people just got harder

Maria Miller, Minister for Disabled People – Sept/Oct Column

Mark Glasgow — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:42:51 +0000

As we count down to the start of the London 2012 Games, I chose recently to visit the Olympic Park site that next summer will play host to the best athletes from across the World.

I was fascinated to see how far the site has progressed. From the moment I arrived, I could see the pride that has gone into the construction and the excitement of the people who work there and clearly relish being involved in the build-up to such a momentous event.

One of the most important parts of delivering a successful Games is getting access to and transport right. Arriving by public transport from Westminster, I was pleased to see just how accessible the site will be for disabled people visiting from various central connections including Waterloo. Once an industrial wasteland, it has undergone a massive cleanup operation transforming it into the state-of-the-art facility, complete with athletes’ village and landscaped gardens that are there today.

Stadium

Alongside the stadium stands the impressive aquatics centre with the iconic stingray-shaped roof, the velodrome which will be the venue for the cycling events and the extensive polo arena, to name just a few of the venues where many of our young Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls will compete next year.

We have a wealth of talent in our Olympic and Paralympic teams. I very much look forward to seeing the likes of Ellie Simmonds who won double gold in swimming in Beijing aged just 13, competing on home turf. Young athletes such as Ellie are an inspiring example. Her dedication and determination to succeed; balancing her training with school work is remarkable.

The 2012 Paralympic Games present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase the talents and sporting expertise of disabled people. These achievements will be broadcast around the World and the Olympic site’s international broadcast centre will host 20,000 media representatives from across the globe. Here in Britain, Channel 4 will provide extensive coverage of the Paralympic Games, showing more coverage of the Paralympics than ever before. The broadcaster has also committed £500,000 to reach its target of 50% disabled onscreen presenters during the London 2012 Paralympic Games: another tangible legacy.

Opportunities

It has been a key priority of the organisers of the Games to involve underrepresented groups, including disabled people in their planning and legacy. For instance disabled people have been involved in the construction of the site as apprentices, volunteers and employees. Further opportunities will present themselves in the day to day running of the Games in areas such as retail, catering and customer services.

Hosting the 2012 Games will be a great moment for this country and one in which all sections of society will be involved. There will be many opportunities for the country to see firsthand the exceptional talents of disabled athletes. One of the real legacies of these games will be lasting inclusion.