What is the problem

As Glasgow change makers we think there is a lack of accessibility within activity groups, youth groups, sports groups, theatre groups and Holiday clubs for people with disability.

Who are we? 

Change Makers is a citizen reporting programme for young disabled people aged 16-25, empowering them to have their voice heard about the issues that matter to them and make a change to their communities. Change Makers is a Leonard Cheshire programme and campaigns are created by programme participants based on their lived experience of the issues that affect them.
More information

We think all disabled people deserve the chance to be included fully and participate in all aspects of activities, whether it is a group specifically for disabled people or not. Change makers think that people should never be left out just because they are seen as ‘different’, we think disabled people have as much right to access activity groups as anybody else.

Experience

‘I attended various clubs that could be defined as mainstream or ‘normal’ clubs when I was very young (5-7years old) things were great but then, at scouts things changed. My parents were told to not to bring me back because they couldn’t ‘cope’ with my disabilities. This was a similar pattern when I attended an art class and drama group, in both cases my parents were asked not to bring me back because of my disability. In one, case where I didn’t think this would happen at an ‘Autism’ group, especially designed to support people with ASD, and even they told my parents not to bring me back. This pattern continued until I found no limits sports club aged 15, this was the first group that made me feel welcome, I still attend this club to this day’ Glasgow Change Maker.

What we want

We are calling for all youth groups to be inclusive and accessible to all young people regardless of disability.

For some help with this download Leonard Cheshire’s Toolkit for engaging disabled people

 
How can you get involved?

• Sign this petition
• Email or write to your local counsellor by copying the below template

{DATE}

Dear {NAME},  

My name is {YOUR NAME} and I am a constituent of {OUR CONSTITUENCY}. I am writing to you today because I am concerned about accessibility for disabled people at Youth/Activity groups. This is something that’s particularly important to me as {EXPLAIN KEY REASONS AND ANY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE INFORMED THIS}.  

I am asking you to take the following steps to address my concerns:  

• More Guidance around how to make Youth/Activity groups more accessible
•   Accountability to make Youth/Activity groups more accessible

In your response, I would like you to outline the ways you intend to address this on my behalf. If you’re unable to address this personally, I would like to request that you escalate my letter to the relevant Minister or department.  

Please do keep me informed of any progress made.  

I look forward to hearing from you.  

Yours faithfully,  

{YOUR NAME}

Change Makers funding

Change Makers is supported by the Act for Change Fund, a £3.6million partnership between Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, for organisations supporting young people working for change. The Fund provides resources for young people to challenge social injustice, find ways of overcoming inequality and give voice to issues they are experiencing.

Act for Change Fund is a joint initiative between Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, working in partnership with the National Lottery Community Fund. Both foundations are acting as match funders and are awarding grants on behalf of the #iwill Fund.

The #iwill Fund is made possible thanks to £40million joint investment from the National Lottery Community Fund, and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to support young people to access high-quality social action opportunities. For more information, visit www.iwill.org.uk