Disabled people feel ‘forgotten’ by political parties

Nearly half of disabled people in the UK feel they aren’t important to political parties, with many feeling they are being forgotten by politicians, according to a new survey by Sense.

Sense is now urging the next government to priories the needs of disabled people who are disproportionately affected by low income and poverty, with many facing long waits for eligibility decisions about benefits and relying on food banks.

Disabled people feel as though they are not being heard

Of the 1,000 people with complex disabilities included in the survey, 47% said politicians are not doing enough to engage disabled people and secure their vote, with a third (33%) concerned that their vote will not make a difference to disabled people’s lives.

Despite this, 76% said they are still planning on voting in the General Election. However, one in five (21%) have still not decided who to vote for and 26% believe no matter who they vote for, their lives are unlikely to improve.

Mohammed Azeem, 39, from the West Midlands, is visually impaired. He has voted in every election he has been eligible for, but for the first time, he is considering not voting.

Mohammed said: “I’ve been voting for so many years and it hasn’t made any difference or brought any change. Even if I do vote, it won’t make a difference.”

“Disabled people need to be part of manifestos. At the moment, we’re not being heard, and change isn’t happening,” he added. “When it comes to us or listening to our views, nothing gets done.”

Next government must show disabled people that they matter

Sense is now calling for disabled people, who make up nearly a quarter of the UK population, to be prioritised by the next government.

They have produced a manifesto for political candidates, called ‘A Plan for Change’, outlining how the next government can improve the lives of disabled people, focusing on seven key recommendations:

1. Make sure disabled people can afford the essentials.
2. Fund social care so no disabled adult goes without support.
3. End the postcode lottery of social care for disabled children.
4. Give every disabled child equal access to education.
5. Make the benefits system work for disabled people.
6. Tackle barriers to work.
7. Always have a senior minister for disabled people.

Richard Kramer, Sense Chief Executive, says the societal inequalities disabled people face are a “disgrace”, as is the lack of attention politicians have paid to this group.

“The pandemic and the subsequent cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated many of the problems that disabled people and their families already faced. Disabled people are struggling to pay for essentials like food and energy. The social care sector, which so many depend on, is in crisis, and the welfare system is in urgent need of reform.

“Whoever forms the next UK government must show disabled people that they do matter to them,” he said.