colin and all,
it's interesting and scarey how oppressors portray themselves as the
victims when disabled people insist on our right to access. in otherwords,
assertive, empowered disabled people are seen and treated as threats and
the oppressors as needing protection from us.
in u.s. disability studies forums -a very different situation than what
colin is going through, i know- there is a tendency to portray pwd's who
are fighting for equal access to the field of disability studies as
threatening to the "mental health" of the oppressors; those who perpetuate
and erect access barriers. of course, ableist oppression is never
intentional, we are told over and again. thus, our refusal to accept the
ableist status-quo and to speak out against it, is "mean," "not nice" and
oh my, even causes deemed impairments in the oppressors.
another example of this phenomena (would you call it "demonizing the
victim"?) surfaced recently when u.s. media attempted to link the suicide
of dr. gunther (one of the physicians at the center of the "Ashley x"
case)to public criticism from disability rights activists.
in closing, this seems to be a wide-spread reaction to the disability
rights activism of pwd's, particularly when we just won't go away. i'd
like to think about this further in order to develop an effective
resistance to what may be a growing, or at least well-entrenched, effort
to silence our voices by publicly identifying us as threatening. any
theoretical or reading references would be greatly appreciated.
best, sharon lamp
#
On Fri, October 19, 2007 5:14 am, Colin REvell wrote:
>
> 19/10/07
>
> Why is it when us 'Crips' make complaints about 'access-issues', then
> 'service-providers' and public bodies can totally get away with bullying
> and abusing us and there is no where, or no-on to turn too to complain?
>
> As many of you know I am a disabled flood victim, been staying in totally
> unsuitable accommodation that does not meet my asessed-needs at all.
>
> I was only in my bungalow 3 months, before the June flood made me
> 'homeless'.
>
> As many of you know I had been homeless for nearly 3 years before that
> living in totally inappropriate B&B', Guest Houses, Caravans, Hotels,
> tents on the streets, then I got this 'private' bungalow, then when I was
> just starting to settle these floods hit Beverley.
>
> aA I said, since June I have been accommodated at Beverley Arms Hotel, by
> East Riding of Yorkshire, since June and I have been trying to make
> complaints about access issues, especially also to the local church too,
> about the 'noisy' Bells/Clock Charms, which is causing 'sensory-overload'
> as a NeuroDiverse Autistic disabled person an especially impacting on my
> sleep. Thre are also other access and assed needs issues to which are not
> being implementd in my case.
>
> I have just been 'shouted-at' and threatend with the Police or making
> complaints to Mr Brookes, General Manager and to his Manager, Mr Ashley
> Myers, who as usual have just totally ignored my complaints, then, as
> usual, like all service-providers and public bodies, then always use the
> same excuses to get out of meting our needs, by saying 'I am causing
> harrassment and distress' to his staff..... As I said this is being used
> all the ime against any disabled person who complaints and 'whistle-blows'
> and the Government are doing nothing about it toprotect us from this
> disability discrimination and abuse.
>
> I tried to explain to Mr Brookes in a calm manner, but he was shouting at
> me like a 'mad-man', to wind my neck in if I wanted to stay at his hotel
> and don't make any complaints and if I do he will call the Police and say
> 'I am harrassing his staff', as I said how many times have others and I
> heard this, for then, the 'service-providers' and public bodies to get out
> of their public duties towards disabled people.
>
> I have been caused great distress by Mr Brookes behaviour towards me,
> which Adrian Whyatt, has been informed fom the CEHR Autism and
> NeuroDiversity Action Group has reported to Rita Hunt at ERYC Social
> Services and I have too, but I am being informed thy have no staff to deal
> 'with-me'. Adrian, is also contacting Commissioner Jane Campbell at CEHR
>
> I have been assaulted and abused by previous Hotel, B&B and Guest House
> owners and managers in front of the eyes of social worker and police
> officers and no action is ever taken to potec me, then as many of yo know
> when I take my own action, then it's me weho is abused by the Police,
> ERYC and all other public bodies, no one wants to 'listen' and they don't
> bloody care too.
>
> I have reported this within the local Courts and you all know what has
> happend there???
>
> What basic human rights and civil liberties do us 'Crips' really have in
> 'reality'? Where do 'we' go to get our 'voices heard?
>
> I feel totally powerless!!! What about you?
>
> Yours
>
> Colin Revell
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