Notes from our discussions with attendees.

Topics:  

• National Strategy for Disabled People, the current Covid pandemic and the post-covid recovery.  
• Long term commitment and ideas 

  If the government locked down earlier, I would not be disabled. The government is not looking at those of us who have been made disabled from covid, and not just long covid. I developed cepaceous and lost limbs, this was a direct link from covid.  All of this NHS bashing is horrible, they have said so many people’s lives.  Asking for extra care is sometimes demeaning, something I wasn’t willing to put myself through.  

  Having to be disabled for a minimum of three months before you can receive PIP is ridiculous, we know some disabilities will last forever, why are you making people wait. We need more support for people filling in disability benefits forms, especially for amputees who aren’t able to fill in forms themselves. 

  Prosthesis in the UK really needs to be updated, NHS is still using prostheses that were created after the second world war. I was donated a more modern one, I wouldn’t have had it otherwise. 

  The NHS prosthesis oversight body does not have any disabled people on its board, how is that ok. This needs to change.  

  The system isn’t set up to help people. If we were given the proper tools and support, I would be able to look after myself. This would include exercise which would keep me healthy and less likely to need the NHS.  

  A lot of work needs to be done on changing the perception of needing to access benefits, people pay into the system and should not be judged for needing to access it. 

  Civil society organisations like mobility do not get any government funding. While different in different areas, it should be universal support.  

   It would make so much more sense if your own doctor, who knows you would make the decision about your PIP application and your medical suitability. Currently, it is some person who just doesn’t know you, reading a document and making decisions with no context or real understanding.  

  Photographic ID for disabled people needs to be fixed. I had to hand in my driving licence and don’t have a passport, I am hoping I can use my blue badge. Even if I was going to apply, the applications are not very accessible. All government should be online and accessible software included, including voice annotation.