'Barriers still facing disabled people in Wales'

MS for North Wales

Responding to the Social Justice Minister’s Statement on the International Day of Disabled People, I highlighted the barriers still facing disabled people in Wales, referring to the Debate on Changing Places Toilets I led in November 2022, stating 'the lack of basic facilities such as these are leaving people disabled, trapped, isolated and dependent on others'.

I also referred to the National Deaf Children's Society Cymru warnings that falling numbers of Teachers of the Deaf and issues with the roll-out of the Welsh Government's Additional Learning Needs Reforms are hindering deaf pupils; to the financial pressures and false economies being experienced by Disabled People's Organisations across Wales, including Flintshire-based ‘The FDF Centre for Independent Living’; and to the recurrent concern raised by Disabled and Autistic people and their families in Flintshire that there is ‘an evident pattern of blame and bullying when a parent raises legitimate concerns’.

I led a Member Debate calling for a “faster, fairer, funded pathway” in Wales for people with Pancreatic Cancer, throughout their diagnosis, treatment and care.

Speaking in the ‘Fuel Poverty’ Debate, I called for the Welsh Government to implement the new Warm Homes Programme with urgency, and proposed amendments, including adding specific reference to older people and people living with a terminal illness.

I again questioned the Finance Minister over funding to protect Flintshire Communities affected by October’s Storm Babet from future flooding.

Senedd engagements included Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Welsh Parliament Branch AGM, Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week, and 'Champion Thank You Event - Time to Change Wales', campaigning to end discrimination faced by people with mental health problems.

I was re-elected as Chair of the Welsh Parliament Cross-Party Group on Disability at the Group’s AGM and Meeting, attended the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister, and met the Minister for Social Justice to discuss the update on the Child Poverty Strategy for Wales.

Other engagements included a visit to Arriva Buses Wales at their New Broughton Depot, Wrexham, to discuss issues including the impact on their services of the Welsh Government’s reduction of the default speed limit to 20mph, and a visit to Wrexham Bus Station with representatives of RNIB Cymru, Vision Support, VI Voices Campaigning Group (Wrexham) and Arriva Buses Wales to discuss the barriers faced by people living with a vision impairment at the bus station and on the buses, and possible solutions.

For my help, email mark.isherwood@senedd.wales or call 0300 200 7219.