Islington Council launches disability scheme

Suchandrika Chakrabarti

Today (December 4 2006) sees the launch of Islington’s first Disability Equality Scheme, writes Suchandrika Chakrabarti. It aims to improve quality of life for those with disabilities in the borough.

Strategies include a sign language DVD on council tax to inform deaf residents; a review of access to disabled parking spaces; and further training to help council staff deal with disabled issues.

A recent survey of disabled Londoners showed high levels of discrimination and exclusion.

For instance, 50 per cent of respondents to recent survey had been victims of disability-related bullying or harassment.

Additionally, it was found that 24% of disabled people aged 16-24 had no qualifications at all compared to 13% of non-disabled people of the same age.

The survey also showed that people with learning difficulties are 58 times more likely to die before age 50 than other citizens.

A spokesperson for Disability Action in Islington said: “We welcome this new initiative targeted at raising awareness of the problems that the disabled community face.”

There are an estimated 28,000 disabled people living in Islington, meaning that 16 per cent of all residents define themselves as having a disability.