Category: Long read

Audio Stories Microreports

I don’t feel supported by my support workers, says Fatima

In this short illustrated and audio report, CDA reporter Fatima explains why her support workers' unreliability prevents her from being able to make the most of her support package.

Reported 2 months ago by Fatima

Reports

Housing association has let me down, says CDA member

Janet left Belfast's Falls Road 26 years ago to find a better life in Camden but her territorial neighbours and ineffective housing association have caused her and her children great misery.

Reported 2 months ago by

Reports

Lack of toilets at Hampstead Cemetery an ‘absolute disgrace’, says CDA member

CDA member Yvonne Klemperer talks about how the lack of toilets at Hampstead cemetery has left her 'feeling traumatised'.

Reported 4 months ago by Tom

Reports
Protestors holding up a banner at a Just Stop Oil demonstration

Quiet, polite protests don’t work, says Oliver

In this piece, Oliver says why he thinks gentle direct action methods are the only way to get people and the Government to take notice of the issues that really matter.

Reported 7 months ago by Oliver

Microreports
Mary in front of a bush and a bin

Mary reports on the thorny problem of Camden’s street clutter

As a blind person I am regularly faced with obstructions when making simple trips in the community. Just a walk down my own road can be fraught with hazards, making it more difficult for me to get out and about on my own.

Reported 7 months ago by Mary

Croftdown Road, London
Microreports

Inaccessible health clinic leaves Mik in despair

In this short audio piece, Mik explains how private health clinics outsourced by the NHS are often not accessible, meaning wheelchair users like him are discriminated against and unable to get the same health care as people without impairments.

Reported 11 months ago by Mik

Reports

Thomas’ ideal work scenario

In this piece, Thomas explains what his usual job-hunting experience is like and what his ideal experience would be. With a few modest adjustments here and there, Thomas would be able to get a job, perform really well and enjoy the respect of his colleagues.

Reported 12 months ago by Thomas Marston

Blogs
Man with short hair

I’ve learned how to make my events even more powerful, says Oliver

In this piece, community reporter Oliver Chan explains how a Leadership programme has helped him to hone his skills as an events organiser.

Reported 12 months ago by Oliver

Reports
Photo of young man.

I’m being pushed in the wrong direction – Tayo on his employment experiences

Tayo's piece tells us how he has been pushed towards unsuitable jobs even though he is clear about what he is good at and what he wants to do.

Reported 1 year ago by

Microreports
Girl with dark hair and pale skin

Bullied from Reception to Year 10 – Fatima’s school years

In this short piece, Fatima explains that she was bullied at her primary and secondary schools by girls who sought to isolate her. Despite the trauma of her formative years, Fatima has been able to move on with her life, she says.

Reported 1 year ago by Fatima

Microreports
Man with short hair

Disabled people need homes not hospitals, says Oliver

In this short think-piece, Oliver sets out the changes he thinks need to happen so that Disabled people living in institutional homes can lead better and more independent lives.

Reported 1 year ago by Oliver

Microreports

Pavement obstructions make shopping trips a nightmare, says Mary

In this mini-report, Mary says street obstructions make it difficult for her to go shopping and she asks for greater enforcement of rules on street clutter and easier ways of reporting the problems to the Council.

Reported 1 year ago by Mary

Long read
photo of Tom

Meet my friend pain

In this in-depth piece, Tom explains how the sudden and seemingly inexplicable onset of pain in his right shoulder in 2003 kick-started a near two-decade long battle with chronic pain. For 17 years medical professionals of all stripes failed to identify either the solution or the cause of the problem. In the end, peace came when Tom learned to live with and adapt to his pain instead of trying to destroy it.

Reported 1 year ago by Tom

Microreports

Mary recommends audio-described cinema shows

As a blind person Mary can sometimes feel excluded from leisure facilities as well as from local amenities like shops due to poor access provisions. However in this piece, Mary explains how the Barbican's audio-described showing of the movie Belfast enabled her to thoroughly enjoy a trip to the cinema.

Reported 1 year ago by Mary

Long read
sad man

They believed I was an abomination – Quillias on his school days

In this in depth piece, Quillias describes the horrendous bullying and discrimination he faced at school from both pupils and staff. His formal education was an ordeal that damaged him and left him with few qualifications and no credible plan for the future. But Quillias didn't let the bullies win. He has bounced back, re-educating himself at college and forging a path towards becoming a scientist.

Reported 1 year ago by Quilliass Huntesmith

Blogs
hands holding ankle

Doctors wouldn’t listen to me, says Sarah

I developed complex regional pain syndrome because medical staff didn’t listen to me or take action at the right time. I hope my story will encourage people to speak out against doctors who fail to respect what Disabled patients tell them.

Reported 1 year ago by Sarah

Blogs

Discrimination is partly to blame for my pain, says Jill

In this heart wrenching story Jill explains the multiple causes of her chronic pain and tells us how discrimination has played a role in creating her pain and keeping it going.

Reported 1 year ago by Jill

Audio Stories
man holding back

My pain is overlooked because I’m Disabled, says Mik

Mik was born with cancer and has lived with pain for much of his life. In this audio Mik says his spinal problems have become worse, in part, because medical professionals have too often assumed his pain is simply due to him being Disabled.

Reported 1 year ago by Mik

Blogs
Photo of Ellie at the theatre

‘Relaxed’ performances make theatre accessible

In this moving piece, Robert explains how a 'relaxed' performance of the Nutcracker allowed his Disabled daughter, Ellie, and her family members and support workers to thoroughly enjoy a theatre show without having to worry about access problems or negative reactions from other audience members.

Reported 1 year ago by Robert

Video Stories
A flyer explaining Fatima's Zoom course.

Fatima releases video on Zoom course

In this short video, Fatima explains how she will deliver her Zoom training course to Disabled people. Lessons will now be delivered online because COVID restrictions mean people can't have meetings in person at the Greenwood Centre. 

Reported 1 year ago by Fatima

Audio Stories

Not very NICE! Mik rails against guidelines on long term pain

In this report, Mik rails against NICE's (the National Institute for Health Care Excellence) recommendations that people manage chronic (long term) pain through exercise, mindfulness, acupuncture and psychological therapies instead of medications like opioids. Mik says the severe pain he's lived with for 40 years is often so bad he can't even get out of bed, let alone do yoga or eat 'mung beans'. 

Reported 1 year ago by Mik

Microreports
woman with black hair

My condition is more than skin deep, says Fatima

When I was 15 years old, my skin started turning white. I’m of Bangladeshi heritage and had always been brown so I was shocked when pale, itchy patches appeared on my face. I went to the doctor and they told me I had condition called Vitiligo, which makes your skin lose its pigmentation. Sure enough, after a while, my body began turning white too.

Reported 1 year ago by Fatima

Microreports Reports

Arlington road consultations a sham, claims Mik

In this short piece, Mik argues that Camden Council is muscling through its planned streetscape changes for Arlington road without heeding calls for the changes to be adapted so they are more inclusive of Disabled people.

Reported 1 year ago by Mik

Microreports
hire bikes on pavement

Hire-bikes must not be left on pavements says Mary

Leaving hire-bikes in the pavement makes navigation extremely difficult for me as a visually impaired person who uses a white cane.

Reported 1 year ago by Mary

Microreports
Sign for ultra low emission zone

ULEZ forced me to splash out on new motor says Jill

We have just bought a new hybrid (part electric, part petrol) car because of the £12.50-a-day charge for driving an old vehicle in the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

Reported 1 year ago by Jill

Microreports
Colourful poster with the words 'happy to talk about arts'

My conversation starter posters will help beat loneliness, says Oliver

I want to tackle loneliness and ageism by encouraging people to talk to each other in public spaces. I think this will improve people’s physical and mental health. Since the winter started, I have been feeling very lonely myself and so I’ve come up with the idea of using themed conversation starter posters to make it easier for people to chat to me and others at my ‘happy-to-talk’ benches.

Reported 1 year ago by Oliver

Reports
Sign for ultra low emission zone

Expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone deals blow to Camden’s Disabled drivers

The ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) expanded from central London to the boundaries of the North and South Circular roads on Monday 25th October, meaning Disabled people in Camden will now be fined for driving older, highly polluting vehicles in the borough unless their vehicle is registered in the disabled tax class.

Reported 1 year ago by Tom

Microreports Video Stories

Sarah uncovers maze of access issues around HS2

In this short video, Sarah walks around the areas affected by HS2 building work in the Euston area. Sarah found many access problems as well as high levels of dust and noise pollution and a lack of greenery. 

Reported 1 year ago by Sarah

Reports

Fatima presses on with mission to teach Zoom

Since my last post I have helped a friend learn how to use Zoom. We both went to Movement Classes run by Unity Works at the Greenwood Centre and that is where we got chatting about Zoom. 

Reported 1 year ago by Fatima

Blogs Reports
Man reading poetry in Chalcot square

Bridging the generational divides – Oliver’s work gathers pace

My last Engages All Ages event was the best attended so far. It took place on Sunday 3rd October in Chalcot Square in Primrose Hill and some of the participants played music, sang songs and read poetry about the generational divides.

Reported 1 year ago by Oliver

Blogs Reports
Photo of Colonel Fawcett pub

Ramping up the victories – Anna campaign makes local pub accessible

When I joined the Leadership Programme, I decided my project would be about making Camden venues more accessible for me and others. This is important to me because I am a wheelchair user and I like socialising with friends just like anybody else.

Reported 2 years ago by Anna Alston

Blogs Video Stories

Cycle lanes and LTNs not blocking ambulances, research finds

When I heard reports saying the new pop-up cycle lanes and low traffic neighbourhoods (LTN) were delaying ambulances and putting people's lives at risk, I thought I should dig around and find out if the accusations were true.

Reported 2 years ago by Tom

Pancras Square, N1C 4AG
Blogs Video Stories
Mik on his hand-propelled bike

Camden’s inaccessible streets and services make me feel unwanted, says Mik

As I wheel around I'm reminded that Camden is a part of London that is so inhospitable to wheelchair users like me. Shop after shop, cafe after cafe, restaurant after restaurant, bar after bar and club after club isn't accessible to me just because I'm a wheelchair user.

Reported 2 years ago by Mik

Blogs Video Stories
Image of woman named Nadia

No reasonable adjustments made in employment or interviews, says new reporter Nadia

In this piece, new reporter Nadia wrote her answers to the Project Lead’s questions about her background, her life and her challenges and triumphs.

Reported 2 years ago by

Blogs Reports
Cartoon image of woman called Janet

Meet new reporter Jay

So there I was, a 17-year-old girl with no job and nowhere to call home. And that’s how my adult life started out.

Reported 2 years ago by

Audio Stories Microreports

I don’t feel supported by my support workers, says Fatima

In this short illustrated and audio report, CDA reporter Fatima explains why her support workers' unreliability prevents her from being able to make the most of her support package.

Reported 2 months ago by Fatima

Reports

Housing association has let me down, says CDA member

Janet left Belfast's Falls Road 26 years ago to find a better life in Camden but her territorial neighbours and ineffective housing association have caused her and her children great misery.

Reported 2 months ago by

Reports

Lack of toilets at Hampstead Cemetery an ‘absolute disgrace’, says CDA member

CDA member Yvonne Klemperer talks about how the lack of toilets at Hampstead cemetery has left her 'feeling traumatised'.

Reported 4 months ago by Tom

Reports
Protestors holding up a banner at a Just Stop Oil demonstration

Quiet, polite protests don’t work, says Oliver

In this piece, Oliver says why he thinks gentle direct action methods are the only way to get people and the Government to take notice of the issues that really matter.

Reported 7 months ago by Oliver

Microreports
Mary in front of a bush and a bin

Mary reports on the thorny problem of Camden’s street clutter

As a blind person I am regularly faced with obstructions when making simple trips in the community. Just a walk down my own road can be fraught with hazards, making it more difficult for me to get out and about on my own.

Reported 7 months ago by Mary

Croftdown Road, London
Microreports

Inaccessible health clinic leaves Mik in despair

In this short audio piece, Mik explains how private health clinics outsourced by the NHS are often not accessible, meaning wheelchair users like him are discriminated against and unable to get the same health care as people without impairments.

Reported 11 months ago by Mik

Reports

Thomas’ ideal work scenario

In this piece, Thomas explains what his usual job-hunting experience is like and what his ideal experience would be. With a few modest adjustments here and there, Thomas would be able to get a job, perform really well and enjoy the respect of his colleagues.

Reported 12 months ago by Thomas Marston

Blogs
Man with short hair

I’ve learned how to make my events even more powerful, says Oliver

In this piece, community reporter Oliver Chan explains how a Leadership programme has helped him to hone his skills as an events organiser.

Reported 12 months ago by Oliver

Reports
Photo of young man.

I’m being pushed in the wrong direction – Tayo on his employment experiences

Tayo's piece tells us how he has been pushed towards unsuitable jobs even though he is clear about what he is good at and what he wants to do.

Reported 1 year ago by

Microreports
Girl with dark hair and pale skin

Bullied from Reception to Year 10 – Fatima’s school years

In this short piece, Fatima explains that she was bullied at her primary and secondary schools by girls who sought to isolate her. Despite the trauma of her formative years, Fatima has been able to move on with her life, she says.

Reported 1 year ago by Fatima

Microreports
Man with short hair

Disabled people need homes not hospitals, says Oliver

In this short think-piece, Oliver sets out the changes he thinks need to happen so that Disabled people living in institutional homes can lead better and more independent lives.

Reported 1 year ago by Oliver

Microreports

Pavement obstructions make shopping trips a nightmare, says Mary

In this mini-report, Mary says street obstructions make it difficult for her to go shopping and she asks for greater enforcement of rules on street clutter and easier ways of reporting the problems to the Council.

Reported 1 year ago by Mary

Long read
photo of Tom

Meet my friend pain

In this in-depth piece, Tom explains how the sudden and seemingly inexplicable onset of pain in his right shoulder in 2003 kick-started a near two-decade long battle with chronic pain. For 17 years medical professionals of all stripes failed to identify either the solution or the cause of the problem. In the end, peace came when Tom learned to live with and adapt to his pain instead of trying to destroy it.

Reported 1 year ago by Tom

Microreports

Mary recommends audio-described cinema shows

As a blind person Mary can sometimes feel excluded from leisure facilities as well as from local amenities like shops due to poor access provisions. However in this piece, Mary explains how the Barbican's audio-described showing of the movie Belfast enabled her to thoroughly enjoy a trip to the cinema.

Reported 1 year ago by Mary

Long read
sad man

They believed I was an abomination – Quillias on his school days

In this in depth piece, Quillias describes the horrendous bullying and discrimination he faced at school from both pupils and staff. His formal education was an ordeal that damaged him and left him with few qualifications and no credible plan for the future. But Quillias didn't let the bullies win. He has bounced back, re-educating himself at college and forging a path towards becoming a scientist.

Reported 1 year ago by Quilliass Huntesmith

Blogs
hands holding ankle

Doctors wouldn’t listen to me, says Sarah

I developed complex regional pain syndrome because medical staff didn’t listen to me or take action at the right time. I hope my story will encourage people to speak out against doctors who fail to respect what Disabled patients tell them.

Reported 1 year ago by Sarah

Blogs

Discrimination is partly to blame for my pain, says Jill

In this heart wrenching story Jill explains the multiple causes of her chronic pain and tells us how discrimination has played a role in creating her pain and keeping it going.

Reported 1 year ago by Jill

Audio Stories
man holding back

My pain is overlooked because I’m Disabled, says Mik

Mik was born with cancer and has lived with pain for much of his life. In this audio Mik says his spinal problems have become worse, in part, because medical professionals have too often assumed his pain is simply due to him being Disabled.

Reported 1 year ago by Mik

Blogs
Photo of Ellie at the theatre

‘Relaxed’ performances make theatre accessible

In this moving piece, Robert explains how a 'relaxed' performance of the Nutcracker allowed his Disabled daughter, Ellie, and her family members and support workers to thoroughly enjoy a theatre show without having to worry about access problems or negative reactions from other audience members.

Reported 1 year ago by Robert

Video Stories
A flyer explaining Fatima's Zoom course.

Fatima releases video on Zoom course

In this short video, Fatima explains how she will deliver her Zoom training course to Disabled people. Lessons will now be delivered online because COVID restrictions mean people can't have meetings in person at the Greenwood Centre. 

Reported 1 year ago by Fatima

Audio Stories

Not very NICE! Mik rails against guidelines on long term pain

In this report, Mik rails against NICE's (the National Institute for Health Care Excellence) recommendations that people manage chronic (long term) pain through exercise, mindfulness, acupuncture and psychological therapies instead of medications like opioids. Mik says the severe pain he's lived with for 40 years is often so bad he can't even get out of bed, let alone do yoga or eat 'mung beans'. 

Reported 1 year ago by Mik

Microreports
woman with black hair

My condition is more than skin deep, says Fatima

When I was 15 years old, my skin started turning white. I’m of Bangladeshi heritage and had always been brown so I was shocked when pale, itchy patches appeared on my face. I went to the doctor and they told me I had condition called Vitiligo, which makes your skin lose its pigmentation. Sure enough, after a while, my body began turning white too.

Reported 1 year ago by Fatima

Microreports Reports

Arlington road consultations a sham, claims Mik

In this short piece, Mik argues that Camden Council is muscling through its planned streetscape changes for Arlington road without heeding calls for the changes to be adapted so they are more inclusive of Disabled people.

Reported 1 year ago by Mik

Microreports
hire bikes on pavement

Hire-bikes must not be left on pavements says Mary

Leaving hire-bikes in the pavement makes navigation extremely difficult for me as a visually impaired person who uses a white cane.

Reported 1 year ago by Mary

Microreports
Sign for ultra low emission zone

ULEZ forced me to splash out on new motor says Jill

We have just bought a new hybrid (part electric, part petrol) car because of the £12.50-a-day charge for driving an old vehicle in the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

Reported 1 year ago by Jill

Microreports
Colourful poster with the words 'happy to talk about arts'

My conversation starter posters will help beat loneliness, says Oliver

I want to tackle loneliness and ageism by encouraging people to talk to each other in public spaces. I think this will improve people’s physical and mental health. Since the winter started, I have been feeling very lonely myself and so I’ve come up with the idea of using themed conversation starter posters to make it easier for people to chat to me and others at my ‘happy-to-talk’ benches.

Reported 1 year ago by Oliver

Reports
Sign for ultra low emission zone

Expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone deals blow to Camden’s Disabled drivers

The ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) expanded from central London to the boundaries of the North and South Circular roads on Monday 25th October, meaning Disabled people in Camden will now be fined for driving older, highly polluting vehicles in the borough unless their vehicle is registered in the disabled tax class.

Reported 1 year ago by Tom

Microreports Video Stories

Sarah uncovers maze of access issues around HS2

In this short video, Sarah walks around the areas affected by HS2 building work in the Euston area. Sarah found many access problems as well as high levels of dust and noise pollution and a lack of greenery. 

Reported 1 year ago by Sarah

Reports

Fatima presses on with mission to teach Zoom

Since my last post I have helped a friend learn how to use Zoom. We both went to Movement Classes run by Unity Works at the Greenwood Centre and that is where we got chatting about Zoom. 

Reported 1 year ago by Fatima

Blogs Reports
Man reading poetry in Chalcot square

Bridging the generational divides – Oliver’s work gathers pace

My last Engages All Ages event was the best attended so far. It took place on Sunday 3rd October in Chalcot Square in Primrose Hill and some of the participants played music, sang songs and read poetry about the generational divides.

Reported 1 year ago by Oliver

Blogs Reports
Photo of Colonel Fawcett pub

Ramping up the victories – Anna campaign makes local pub accessible

When I joined the Leadership Programme, I decided my project would be about making Camden venues more accessible for me and others. This is important to me because I am a wheelchair user and I like socialising with friends just like anybody else.

Reported 2 years ago by Anna Alston

Blogs Video Stories

Cycle lanes and LTNs not blocking ambulances, research finds

When I heard reports saying the new pop-up cycle lanes and low traffic neighbourhoods (LTN) were delaying ambulances and putting people's lives at risk, I thought I should dig around and find out if the accusations were true.

Reported 2 years ago by Tom

Pancras Square, N1C 4AG
Blogs Video Stories
Mik on his hand-propelled bike

Camden’s inaccessible streets and services make me feel unwanted, says Mik

As I wheel around I'm reminded that Camden is a part of London that is so inhospitable to wheelchair users like me. Shop after shop, cafe after cafe, restaurant after restaurant, bar after bar and club after club isn't accessible to me just because I'm a wheelchair user.

Reported 2 years ago by Mik

Blogs Video Stories
Image of woman named Nadia

No reasonable adjustments made in employment or interviews, says new reporter Nadia

In this piece, new reporter Nadia wrote her answers to the Project Lead’s questions about her background, her life and her challenges and triumphs.

Reported 2 years ago by

Blogs Reports
Cartoon image of woman called Janet

Meet new reporter Jay

So there I was, a 17-year-old girl with no job and nowhere to call home. And that’s how my adult life started out.

Reported 2 years ago by

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