People with a disability have faced challenges in the UK historically, but thanks to several legislative milestones, support has gradually improved since the early 20th century. Issues have included a lack of accessibility in public spaces, limited medical advancements, and societal attitudes that marginalise disabled individuals.
© AnnaStills / Shutterstock.com
History of disabled rights
For centuries, people with a disability had no support legislatively, although individuals designed early medical devices to aid day-to-day life. This included German watchmaker and innovator Stephan Farffler, credited with inventing the first self-propelled wheelchair in 1655.
An amputee himself as a result of a childhood accident, Farffler designed and manufactured the mechanical three wheeled mobility aid when he was 32, using the principles of watchmaking, including a crank and driver for propulsion.
Although the church made provision to help disabled people who needed extra support, including providing free accommodation in convents and monasteries if required, successive governments didn’t put any statutes in place until the 20th century.
Support for war veterans
In the early 20th century, new initiatives began to recognise the valuable contribution people with a disability made to society, largely as a result of World War I, when some two million British soldiers came home from conflict zones with various injuries, many of which were life-changing.
This included more than 40,000 veterans who lost limbs; visual impairments; lung damage from poison gas attacks in the trenches; facial and head wounds; paralysis due to damaged nerves; tuberculosis and post-traumatic stress disorder, which was diagnosed as “shell shock” at the time.
In 1919, the first national scheme was launched to offer injured veterans support, with the UK government providing employment training and pensions, based on the severity of the disabilities. A full pension was provided for those with life changing injuries that prevented them from working again.
War veterans were also supported by the Royal British Legion charity, which was founded in 1921 to help them access employment, training and financial aid, raising funds through the Poppy Appeal. Various individual organisations including the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers, Comrades of The Great War and the Officers’ Association joined forces to launch the RBL.
Disability rights legislative milestones
In 1944, the Disabled Persons Employment Act set up a quota system requiring larger companies to hire people with disabilities as part of their workforce. In 1946, the government funded Invacar was designed and manufactured to provide accessible transport for disabled motorists. It was replaced by the Motability Scheme in 1977.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 outlawed discrimination and required all service providers to enable access for everyone, while the Equality Act 2010 further expanded protection.
Other notable initiatives included the Care Act 2014, focusing on social care, which reformed outdated legislation to offer better support. This included safeguarding adults from neglect, integrating support with health services, and setting recognised care standards.
Modern accessibility laws
As a result of legislative changes, UK businesses and industries have adapted to meet the needs of disabled customers and employees. The Equality Act 2010 and other building regulations require companies to make reasonable provision for everyone. It also protects individuals from discrimination in education and employment.
Wheelchair accessible toilets must be provided in public and commercial buildings, and the government’s Access to Work scheme offers financial support to disabled candidates and employers who need adjustments to their premises.
New technology is enabling modern accessibility solutions that have improved daily living. Smart home devices include thermostats, video doorbells, security cameras, locks, blinds, robot vacuums, lighting with motion sensors and medical alerts that can recognise if the person has fallen and alert emergency responders.
Voice controlled assistants such as Amazon Echo connect to cloud based services, including Alexa, to enable anyone with impaired fine motor skills and mobility issues to perform various tasks. Voice commands will let users set alarms, play music, make phone calls, complete online shopping and more.
Safe sleeping solutions
Adaptive furniture includes adjustable beds for the disabled, recliner chairs with lift mechanisms, height adjustable tables, specialised seating systems, adaptive desks, riser-recliner chairs, bariatric chairs and more.
A wide range of special needs beds means disabled people and their carers can access unique sleeping solutions for both adults and children. Many health conditions can cause sleep disruption, including a risk of falling out of bed, so disabled care beds are designed for both comfort and safety. They can be adjusted to help people climb in and out, which can aid carers who may face challenges lifting a person with limited mobility.
Outside the home, advancements in the public infrastructure include step free access on trains, trams and buses, giving people in wheelchairs easy access to public transport, so they can enjoy independence if they don’t drive.
Future trends
Disability support is continually evolving and future developments in policy, technology and design are expected to further improve quality of life. As a nation, we’re embracing tech such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality, which are transforming how special education is delivered.
Websites, software and apps are more accessible to people with a disability, as companies who excel in making their online presence available to all have a competitive advantage over rivals. Studies show almost 11 million disabled adults in the UK are regular internet users, with a combined spending power worth around £25 billion per year.
Businesses are actively investing in accessibility testing and improving the user experience to reach a wider customer base. As technology continues to evolve, more devices will be on the market to enhance lives and break down barriers.
Continuing growth in remote and flexible working arrangements is a game changer for wheelchair users, as the home office is a viable option. It eliminates the need for commuting, which is often a barrier for disabled people who wish to work. The office environment can also be customised for optimum comfort, ease of use and productivity.
Successive governments are recognising the importance of disability support and have increased funding to improve resources and services, with a likelihood this trend will continue into the future.
