I agree with most of Linda's general argument, however, I think the issue of
the role of the Access Officer in a City Council such as Sheffield needs
expanding upon.
In my small City, I have been informed that our Access Officer sees her role
as advising local businesses on how to get round the DDA! The fundamental
issue here isn't about Officers being useless but rather the ideological
positioning of them.
Despite all the hype surrounding the DDA and it's framing in so called,
"Civil Rights", the reality is that we haven't broken free of the paternalism which
underpins this type of social policy and the practices which flow f`rom it.
The idea that 'economic power' among Disabled people could impact as well as
the 'Pink Pound' I believe to be questionable. The form of social oppression
Disabled people experience requires us to address issues which involve, but not
necessary determined by economic factors.
In many ways, the "economics" associated with "disability" maintain rather
than helping to liberate Disabled people from social oppresion - the 'special
needs industry' plays an active role in our segregation.
Access Officers, I believe, merely reinforce the status quo at an ideological
level - they do not operate from a Civil Rights agenda - they merely
negotiate the Council's ability to comply with legislation.
Bob Williams-Findlay
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