On October 8th residents of Camden will vote on who represents the ward of Holborn and St Pancras in Parliament. After too long feeling like we didn’t have an MP because who we last elected had bigger fish to fry, this will be a chance to elect someone who speaks for us and the concerns of our area.
Something I wonder, as someone who has been disabled from birth and who has worked to try to make Camden a more inclusive, accessible place for disabled people (with varying success sadly) is will we be able to expect our new MP to consider the needs of the disabled community here in Camden and the country as a whole?
In the last few years, we’ve seen a growing attack on disabled people from the media and certain parts of politics, with the spread of what are to all intents and purposes lies about who can claim benefits, who should be out at work and things like our “free cars”. I now know that a day will not go by when I don’t see discussions on TV or hateful posts on social media filled with misinformation about who gets what and what it really means to be disabled in 21st century Britain.
I had hoped Andy Burnham taking the leadership of the country might have led to a stronger rebuttal of the untruths being bandied around, but so far this hasn’t happened. So, I ask all the candidates, will you be a voice for truth? Will you speak out for change, championing a Camden that is better for all disabled people, no matter what their age or whether they are locals or enjoying our town as a visitor.
I first came to Camden in the early 80s drawn by the clubs and the shopping. I was a regular at the Camden Palace and later the Electric Ballroom’s alternative night on a Friday. Back then I had to fight to be part of the thriving scene in Camden. Crawling up and down stairs to get into the venues (I won’t describe how I might use the toilets, but I tried to avoid crawling as much as possible for obvious reasons) and battling my way around the cobbles of the market was part of what was expected of me if I wanted to be where the “cool kids” were.
But I was young then, and there was no legal expectation of access. Today we have just celebrated 30 years since the Disability Discrimination Act came into law and 15 years since the DDA was replaced by the Equality Act, which had stronger legal expectations. Yet can I honestly say Camden would be easier for me to visit if I was young again?
Yes, some of our public transport is easier, and I could jump on the Thameslink from my hometown of Luton with ease today, but none of the tube stations are accessible and there is still only one wheelchair space on our buses (which is becoming commonly seen as the buggy space despite it clearly being marked with the wheelchair symbol). Are the clubs, pubs, and the famous market more accessible? Sorry, but that’s pretty much a resounding no.
I’ve lived in Camden now for over 25 years, having married into a family who have lived here since the town was developed and who helped build most of it. I’ve fought to improve the accessibility of the place I now call home, but I can honestly say that while I can find examples of the improvements I have been involved with all over the city, country and Europe, Camden seems to be resistant to change. Our council never places accessibility or inclusion at the top of the list of priorities, and I have to say our MPs haven’t exactly been disability champions either.
This must change. If we build a more accessible Camden, disabled people can become more involved in what Camden is and can help make it better. So much of the technology we enjoy today was originally designed to improve accessibility for disabled people, and a world designed for accessibility makes life easier for everyone. Disabled people aren’t some “other” groups, we are you the day after an illness or accident. A lack of access will only impact you after you’ve joined our gang, but that impact doesn’t have to be there.
If our elected representative places the needs of disabled people at the heart of decisions they push for, Camden could become a shining example of how to get it right. Not just for the UK but the world. Come on, each of the people standing. Time to think of what can be done to positively improve the lives of disabled people in the ward and that can make visiting Camden a highlight of a disabled person’s trip to our great city.
More information – https://camdendisabilityaction.org.uk/your-voice-your-questions-your-future/
