Disability Action Yorkshire Hosts Successful Debate on Issues Affecting Disabled People
Harrogate-based charity Disability Action Yorkshire recently hosted a panel discussion - "What's Your Beef?”, providing a unique opportunity for disabled people to share their experiences and concerns with a panel of local body representatives.
Photograph: Gerard Binks
The event, chaired by Harrogate & Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon, brought together experts from various sectors, including transport, housing, healthcare, employment and town centre accessibility.
The lively discussion highlighted a range of critical issues affecting disabled people in the Harrogate and Knaresborough area. Attendees emphasised the urgent need for accessible housing, citing the lack of suitable options and the importance of incorporating mandatory targets for accessible and adaptable homes in local planning. Concerns were raised about the impact of rising building costs and the need for greater consultation with disabled people during housing development. Participants also shared frustrations with inaccessible public transport, including the limited availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles and the restrictive bus pass policy. The difficulties faced during inclement weather, particularly the lack of gritting on footpaths, were also brought to the forefront.
The roundtable further revealed challenges in accessing appropriate employment support, with some attendees reporting a lack of awareness among job center staff about available resources. The impact of recent changes to support programs was a key topic of concern. Throughout the discussion, attendees stressed the need for meaningful consultation and co-production with disabled people in the design and delivery of services, emphasising that accessibility and inclusion must be central to all aspects of community life. The need for more accessible and responsive mental health services, particularly in emergency situations, was also highlighted. The importance of preventative care and better coordination between mental health agencies was discussed.
The event proved to be a valuable opportunity for disabled individuals to directly engage with experts and policymakers. The insights shared will inform Disability Action Yorkshire’s future priorities and contribute to ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and accessible community.
“What’s Your Beef?” panellists. L-R: Graham North - Rail Strategy & Performance Officer York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority; Mike Dales - DWP North Yorkshire Employer & Partnership Manager; Mike Rudd - Head of Supported Housing North Yorkshire Council; Neil Revely - Disability Action Yorkshire Chair; Tom Gordon MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough; Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID – Town Centre Accessibility; Maggie Gibson, North Yorkshire Council – Housing.
Jackie Snape, Chief Executive of Disability Action Yorkshire, said, “We sincerely appreciate Tom Gordon MP for taking the time to chair our 'What's Your Beef' panel discussion with local disabled people. The conversation covered a broad range of topics, with Tom demonstrating a genuine commitment to understanding the challenges faced by disabled individuals in his constituency and, crucially, exploring solutions to help break down barriers.”
Tom Gordon MP added, “Hearing directly from disabled people about the challenges they face is essential in making real, lasting change. The event served as a reminder that accessibility and inclusion must be at the heart of our policies and communities. I am grateful to Disability Action Yorkshire for holding this event and to everyone who shared their experiences on the day. We must continue working together to break down these barriers and ultimately ensure all members of our community have the same opportunities.”
