C.C.N.U.K.
Keyworkers Consultation Report
20h July 2009
Haverfordwest

The Care Co-ordination Network UK, (CCNUK) Wales, http://www.ccnuk.org.uk/, commissioned Dynamix and Alison John Associates to consult with a group of disabled young people aged 13 - 25, on their understanding of what a Keyworker is and provided suggestions for what the role of a Keyworker could/should be.

On July 20th 2009 a group of disabled young people met for a day of consultation activities in the Garage youth centre in Haverfordwest.

Below is the outcome of one particular activity that we wanted to share with you. We asked the young people to identify barriers that prevented them from doing what they wanted to do. The groups looked at Attitudinal, Environmental and Institutional barriers, the outcome is listed below. We were shocked by the level of discrimination still being experienced by disabled young people.

Attitudinal Barriers
Telling me I can’t go to a football match because I’m disabled.
Telling me I can’t go shopping.
Telling me what people to speak to.
People in shops, bars and busses staring at me.
Ticket collectors on trains not being able to sign to me, so they shout at me instead.
People saying I can’t have a job because I’m ‘disabled’
Being ignored because I’m deaf.
People get annoyed with me because it takes so long to put the ramp out to get on the train.
Some people think I’m stupid and I don't understand what they are saying to me. 
Telling me to hurry up when getting on and off trains and buses.
People say ‘grow up act normal’
People make me do what I don’t want to do.
People saying ‘walk properly’
Attitudes of some of the staff at school.
Can’t join in activities at school, as the staff think it’s to difficult to organise.
People questioning me about my ‘disability’ when it not their business.

Environmental Barriers
Lack of accessible transport.
Lack of transport in the evening.
Taxis are too expensive.
If bus drivers don’t like the look of you, they drive past you.
Pavement to narrow where I live.
Cars parked on the pavements and over ramps.
People who are not disabled, parking in disabled car parking spaces.
Housing – not enough accessible houses or independent living houses.
Not all trains, buses or taxis are accessible.

Rules/Laws/Policies
Health & Safety stops me from doing some things.
Having to pay for special equipment.
Most building are not ‘disabled’ friendly – driving test centre.
My school has steps.
Lifts can’t be used if there is a fire, so what should I do?
Fire alarms don’t flash in shops, colleges and businesses, so I don’t know when there is a fire.
Lots of big organisations don’t have anyone who can use BSL, they don’t even have Braille in their buildings.