Jottings

10th August 2009

Face book and Twitter seem two lifestyle choices that feel a generation away from me a 51 year old granddad of two beautiful grandchildren and another due anytime now, but here we go as I dip a toe into "blogging". As I look back on the past 20 years since I joined the disability world I have witnessed many changes in disability related equality legislation which has helped improve physical access and facilities. But the greatest changes have been how society has altered to meet our needs. No greater change has been that of public opinion and acceptance of disabled people. Well that's what I thought until I heard that the BBC had received challenges and actual complaints for employing Cerrie Burnell a one handed presenter of CBeebies on the ridiculous grounds that her disability might frighten the children (read the telegraph story here).

This is the reality check that we all need from time to time. They make us realise that we may have achieved a great deal in some areas, but we also have a long way to go before we can say that all disabled people are treated equally alongside everyone else in society. Earlier today I attended the meeting of the Disability Awareness Day Management Team where we reviewed this year's event which attracted over 27,000 visitors to the main event and 12 complimentary events held during the run up to DAD 2009. I expressed my gratitude to the team, as they had all played their part in making it, for me, the biggest and best we have achieved in the 18 year history. My best memories of this year's event was seeing so many young people involved as stewards, assistants, car parking attendants, this sense of pride extends to youngsters from my own family, Gavin, Emma, James and Tom, not forgetting Tommy and Caroline.

During the past 18 years Warrington Disability Partnership and its predecessor organisations have been a large part of my life, and that of my family and friends. I would need to write a book to tell you about all the things that have made me proud and a second volume for me to tell you about all the things that have made me scream. None more so than the story about the BBC presenter, maybe we have our work cut out for a few years to come.

I suppose the moral in my first blog is that it is fine to look back, but we mustn't forget that tomorrow's another day and who knows what opportunities lie ahead.

Dave Thompson