Your frustration is palpable and entirely justified, Sarah. My late mother died in 1998. She was disabled by MS. I haven’t observed any real improvement in disability access in the intervening 26 years! You’re also right in stating that the current ‘virtue signalling’ is a cheap and easy option. I’m alarmed that Garden Court Chambers is all over EDI policy like a particularly unpleasant rash.
Aggressive activists are driving the public conversation. Unfortunately a lot of people will simply go along with or even actively support what the most aggressive people say in order to avoid having that aggression turned on them. Actual disabled people are too busy living their lives and dealing with their disabilities to match the aggressive trans activists who make it their whole lives. Until people learn critical thinking, the mob will keep following whoever is the most manipulative.
Well, the world, writ large, doesn’t care enough about women to acknowledge the impact of this monstrous ideology on them, perhaps they will care enough about the disabled to enact change organically.
Just kidding! We will all have to fight for our rights AGAIN in the courts. See you there, friend.
Please, no more flags. We are surely at peak flag and the way to go is to get rid of them (starting with the ugly “Progress Pride” flag). Great piece Sarah. Totally agree with everything else you say.
Hi Sarah, I completely resonate with your point about disabled people lacking a prominent voice. However, I’m unclear why these issues can’t coexist alongside LGBTQ+ issues. I don’t see how one voice being louder impacts the core issue of there being a substantive obligation on barristers to “advance” equality, diversity, and inclusion in their practice. Surely, advancing EDI should, by definition, involve consideration of meaningful changes across the board, such as improving accessibility in buildings. Could you provide further analysis on why EDI specifically might be viewed as a negative in this context?
I have already stated it. It encourages empty, performative posturing. Which is a lot cheaper than spending money on the infrastructure disability required.
Your frustration is palpable and entirely justified, Sarah. My late mother died in 1998. She was disabled by MS. I haven’t observed any real improvement in disability access in the intervening 26 years! You’re also right in stating that the current ‘virtue signalling’ is a cheap and easy option. I’m alarmed that Garden Court Chambers is all over EDI policy like a particularly unpleasant rash.
It's very worrying. I think we have to focus now on who exactly is promoting this to understand why #LawFare is having limited traction.
Keep milking it, Sarah
I most certainly will
Why let truth get in the way
I will bow to your expertise in this field Gordon
Do you know what a field is?
Aggressive activists are driving the public conversation. Unfortunately a lot of people will simply go along with or even actively support what the most aggressive people say in order to avoid having that aggression turned on them. Actual disabled people are too busy living their lives and dealing with their disabilities to match the aggressive trans activists who make it their whole lives. Until people learn critical thinking, the mob will keep following whoever is the most manipulative.
Well, the world, writ large, doesn’t care enough about women to acknowledge the impact of this monstrous ideology on them, perhaps they will care enough about the disabled to enact change organically.
Just kidding! We will all have to fight for our rights AGAIN in the courts. See you there, friend.
I fully support you.
People and society follow tribal fads, not a rational & genuinely equitable assessment of needs and priorities.
— the blind led by idiots (excuse the ableist language!).
Is there not a flag, ribbon or some other symbol that people like me can wear to show that we want more done to improve physical accessibility?
We need one. Would be a good campaign.
Please, no more flags. We are surely at peak flag and the way to go is to get rid of them (starting with the ugly “Progress Pride” flag). Great piece Sarah. Totally agree with everything else you say.
Not a flag but a badge we can wear as a symbol of resistance and a sign for others that they are not alone.
Great piece, Sarah.
I shall ponder your thoughts about the Equality Act.
It was some years ago but I can envisage the incredible long and steep stairs from Truro Court now!
Have cross posted
I also feature 'the Band Played Waltzing Matilda' which is, centrally, a song about disability.
https://dustymasterson.substack.com/p/crocodile-dundee
Dusty
Hi Sarah, I completely resonate with your point about disabled people lacking a prominent voice. However, I’m unclear why these issues can’t coexist alongside LGBTQ+ issues. I don’t see how one voice being louder impacts the core issue of there being a substantive obligation on barristers to “advance” equality, diversity, and inclusion in their practice. Surely, advancing EDI should, by definition, involve consideration of meaningful changes across the board, such as improving accessibility in buildings. Could you provide further analysis on why EDI specifically might be viewed as a negative in this context?
I have already stated it. It encourages empty, performative posturing. Which is a lot cheaper than spending money on the infrastructure disability required.