'Society has changed but there's a huge way to go'

Dave Thompson is the founder of Warrington Disability Partnership

Thirty years after it was made illegal to discriminate against someone because of their disability, a campaigner has said that while society has changed during the last three decades "there's a huge way to go".

Warrington Disability Partnership (WDP) founder Dave Thompson, from Old Hall, said his members were finding that many smaller employers wanting to hire a disabled person were still struggling to access the funding needed to offer reasonable workplace adjustments.

"Even if the disabled person is the best candidate, they may not get the job," said Mr Thompson, 67.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) was passed in 1995 and has since been replaced by the Equality Act of 2010.

Dave loved playing American football before suffering an accident

Dave suffered a spinal injury in 1989 when playing American football for the Warrington Scorpions.

He became a full-time wheelchair user with limited use in one hand and no use in the other.

Dave, then 31, had to give up his job as a business partner at a Warrington retail store.

He said he thought he would have to accept a life on benefits.

"It was a scary time," Dave said.

"I had a lack of awareness of what was available and a fear of failure, because it looked like we're gonna have to have the house repossessed."

Dave said he "got into a very dark place" and felt "hidden in the system".

And so he formed the WDP - to improve the lives of people living with disabilities.

His organisation has since grown ever since and now has 44 paid employees and more than 200 volunteers.

Dave Thompson with his son Gavin Thompson

Reflecting upon the last 30 years, Dave said: "Accessibility has definitely improved somewhat.

"Back in 1989, 1990, I'd be invited out to pubs, clubs or restaurants and I'd find out when we got there they didn't have an accessible toilet, or they didn't have access into the building.

"These days accessibility is the norm in the retail and leisure industry - toilets and changing areas have hoists and changing tables, which enables people with very complex disabilities to be able to go out and use a loo with dignity," he said.

Not everything is perfect though.

"While you don't tend to find many places inaccessible there's still work to do," said Dave.

"If you go on a plane, as I have to do two or three times a year, you'll get carried on board.

"And then there's the expectation that it's no big deal to be carried up a couple of steps - and that if you say no, you're being ungrateful."

‘Myths and misconceptions’

Employment rates are significantly lower for disabled people.

To tackle this, Dave said business owners should receive assurances and incentives.

"It is great to hear the government talk about getting disabled people or people with long-term health conditions back into work," he said.

"But disabled people need to know they will be taken seriously, that reasonable adjustments will be made.

"There's a lot of myths and misconceptions out there.

"Even if a smaller employer wants to give a disabled person the job, it might take months to get funding for the reasonable adjustments needed in the workplace.

"So even if the disabled person is the best candidate, they may not get the job.

"If there were more incentives in place for employers and more chances for hirers to be disability confident, it would help."

'Fear and stigmatisation'

"The Disability Discrimination Act brought a range of legislative changes," said Dave.

"Society has changed and there has been more awareness of what people can and can't do.

"And that stems into mental health, learning disabilities, and neurodiversity - not just the physical conditions like mine, being a wheelchair user.

"But every day at the WDP we see people who feel pressured.

"They see things in the media about welfare reforms and cuts and it creates that element of fear and stigmatisation."

"So I still think there's a huge way to go."