The impact of government policies on disabled people

With proposed government cuts to disability benefits dominating the headlines, disabled people are speaking out about the barriers they continue to face in daily life. As a disabled access charity that proudly amplifies the voices of disabled people, we wanted to talk about the issues being raised by our community in our latest Access Survey.

The 2024 Access Survey results highlight the reality of the challenges and the growing frustration among disabled people about systemic inaccessibility, employment discrimination, and economic hardship. The survey was conducted in Autumn 2024.

Lack of confidence in government

One of the most telling statistics from the Access Survey is that only 7% of respondents said they have confidence in the current government’s approach to disability rights and policies. 

As recent policy proposals emphasise getting ‘more people back to work’, one survey respondent summed up the situation:

“Stop focusing it on the fact that you want to get 'more people back to work' without addressing the backlog in access to work, without addressing the fact that disabled people are having their access to work removed from them, without addressing the discrimination employers have towards disabled people and without addressing the mass inaccessibility all over the UK. All the Labour government has done is tell disabled people that unless you work you're worthless and that they are coming for us all.”

Other respondents highlighted the impact of such delays and discrimination:

“Stop penalising and making things difficult for those who are genuinely disabled. We want the same opportunities as everyone else, whether this is choosing a school or college of our choice …, opportunities to find a job that we enjoy and can access …, to accessing the entire community.”

“We want to work and have the same opportunities as someone who is not disabled. All the time we are treated as a financial burden by government, we will be treated as such by local government and society as a whole. We don't choose to have a disability.”

Information is power!

At Euan’s Guide, we believe information is power. The challenges highlighted in our Access Survey and testimonials—barriers to employment, discrimination, and economic hardship—are all made worse by a lack of clear, reliable disabled access information. Time and time again, we hear from disabled people who arrive at ‘accessible’ venues only to find steps with no ramps, lifts out of order, or no accessible toilets. These issues don’t just make daily life difficult—they limit opportunities for education, work, and social inclusion.

Representation and public attitudes

The Access Survey also explored representation and public attitudes towards disabled people, and found:

• 57% of respondents feel that disabled people are not fairly represented across media, including TV, advertising, and books.
• 41% believe that public attitudes toward disabled people have remained the same, while 32% feel they have worsened.

A respondent pointed out the harmful stereotypes perpetuated by media and government narratives:
“We are still either used as a sob story, a 'awww look at the poor disabled person' story or a 'well if they can do it why can't you' story. We are demonised by every government in the UK as leeches and scroungers just for wanting to live, not just exist.”

The cost of living 

And, of course, disabled people are disproportionately affected by the cost of living, evidenced in the 2023 Access Survey results, which reported that:

• 50% were concerned about energy bills, and 61% were cutting back on usage.
• 51% were concerned about grocery bills, and 61% were cutting back on food spending.
• 50% reported doing less leisure and recreation than before due to financial strain.

One respondent said:

“Everything has gone up, every part of my life is affected. I use a powerchair, stairlift, bath lift and a Cpap machine ... At times I feel like I have to choose between eating and breathing, because my bill a year ago was £60 and it’s now nearly £150.”

Another said:

“I feel that disabled people were not given the same amount of support with the cost of living as other benefits. Our costs are already usually higher than most yet we had the warm home discount taken away and received the least help. Using medical equipment, needing extra heating, special diets etc cost a lot more than average households.”

What needs to change?

As these conversations continue to unfold online and in policy discussions, we urge decision-makers to listen to disabled people’s lived experiences and make tangible commitments to change.

How you can help

Share the results of the 2024 Euan’s Guide Access Survey with family, friends, and your local MP. www.EuansGuide.com/AccessSurvey

Review your most visited accessible venue so disabled people know what to expect when visiting.

Welcome disabled people to your venue or business by listing.

Tags: blog, Euan's Guide, 2024 access survey