This week, our Community Manager has been looking at some of the recent disability news, we hope this will become a regular feature for our subscribers, If there is anything you’d like to see please let us know!
Rail ticket office closures
Train operating companies are being forced by the government to close rail ticket offices across the country. This is due to the government wanting to cut costs after giving heavy support through the Covid Pandemic. Their reason for wanting the closures is apparently because only 12% of tickets are now bought at station kiosks. 299 kiosks are currently fully staffed, 708 are staffed part time. Under the closure proposals most of these will be closed. It has been suggested that possibly staff would instead be situated on the concourse and platforms to sell tickets, offer travel advice, and help those with accessibility needs.
With the closure of the ticket kiosks there is a real possibility of job cuts as not so many staff would be needed. The government believe that many people can use the ticket machines to make purchases so the change shouldn’t cause any issues. Two major rail unions have pointed out that they haven’t considered the impact these changes would have on those in the disabled community. They have asked to lengthen the consultation period because of their concerns.
Those with sight impairments. Not all the ticket machines are equipped with the necessary adaptions to make them accessible for those with a sight impairment. Such as braille on the buttons and voice prompts to let the user know what’s happening on screen. Another consideration for sight impaired would be how they would access advice on their journey without any available staff. People with sight impairment also know where the kiosks are situated with a staff member, if this is taken away, they are then left having to locate someone to help them. Some may find this difficult and stressful.
Those with hearing impairments may rely on being able to interact with staff using a hearing loop at the ticket office. Will the ticket machines have the capability to use a hearing loop? Will those with hearing impairments be able to hear and understand staff if they are moved to the platforms? Will the staff be trained in sign language and how to use a hearing loop? Hearing impaired may have to have someone accompany them to help with purchasing tickets easily.
Those with learning disabilities may find the machines complicated and not have the level of understanding to use them so will need assistance from staff. If staff are not readily available this may stop those with learning disabilities from using trains.
The current “Turn up and go” service that is available at stations offers quick last minute journey assistance. If staff are taken out of the station will this service stop? Will something else be put in place to help the disabled community get the assistance they need to get to their destination?
Do you have any experiences to share when using trains and buying tickets at the train station? How would these changes affect you? Let us know your views, why not join our Facebook group, and start a conversation!
PIP Assessment process debated in parliament
The PIP assessment process was debated in parliament on 4th September following a petition organised by Tik Tok user Lawesome. As a member of the disabled/chronically ill community she was sick of seeing how bad the process was and how it affected those in the community. So, she took it upon herself to make changes happen regarding the PIP assessment process. After setting up her petition she got her local MP (Elliot Colburn) involved and he ultimately pushed for the debate to be held in parliament. She also asked her followers through Tik Tok to sign and share the petition. She wanted to get as many voices behind it as she could.
MP’s from across the country attended the debate, they all voiced their concerns that the PIP assessment process was severely flawed and needed to be changed. They also shared personal stories from their own constituents detailing their personal dealings with assessors and the DWP. Representatives from Scope, MND, Crohn’s and Colitis UK were also in attendance. They all voiced from their own perspective how the process didn’t take into consideration how some of these conditions are variable and a system of general tick boxes will not show what sufferers are dealing with daily. Those suffering from Crohn’s and Colitis are currently a big proportion of claimants being refused PIP because the assessment and form do not cover the specifics of their condition.
It was discussed that a lot of the assessors don’t have relevant training and knowledge of claimant’s conditions and the system favours evidence provided by the assessor rather than the evidence the claimant has sent in. MP’s feel assessors need more training or should be from a medical background to better understand claimant’s day tot day life.
MP’s voiced their concerns that those in the disabled and chronically ill communities are facing very stressful and upsetting assessments. These are in turn causing unnecessary psychological trauma and sometimes death. MP’s say the assessments are inhumane. They also believe people that are suffering lifelong illnesses and disabilities should not have to be regularly reassessed. They should not have to prove they are still ill or disabled every couple of years.
The magazine The Big issue did a survey of disabled people which found the majority felt the system was made to catch them out. They felt it was not there to assist them being able to better manage their day-to-day life while dealing with their disability/chronic illness.
The petition is asking that the medical evidence from the claimant’s medical professionals should be enough, but the government say the assessments ensure the people get the help they are entitled to. Medical evidence from GP’s etc is insufficient to ensure claimant’s get the right support.
What have been your experiences with PIP and the assessments? What were your views on the debate? Share your view with us on our Facebook group.
labledpodcast.co.uk 
A very interesting article.
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