(East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow) (SNP):...I
declare my interest as chair of the all-party parliamentary group
for disability, and I thank the organisations that have been in
touch and that have supported people with disabilities across the
United Kingdom during the pandemic. They include Disability Rights
UK, Inclusion Scotland, Sense, Scope, Mencap
Leonard Cheshire, Care England, Age UK and Disability at Work, just
to name a few...
(Hastings and Rye) (Con):...One of the most tragic aspects
of the pandemic has been its effect on those with learning
disabilities, particularly those in social care and education. A
recent survey by Mencap reports that seven
in 10 people with learning disabilities have experienced a
reduction in social care during lockdown while seeing their needs
nearly double. It was deeply concerning this week to listen to some
of the brave panel members on the all-party parliamentary group for
special educational needs and disabilities describing their
difficulties in accessing learning and getting the right
support...
(Southend West) (Con):...A number of constituents have
expressed to me their concerns that some disabled people are being
refused services because they are not wearing a face covering,
despite being exempt. Although many charities and organisations,
such as Mencap have produced their own
exemption cards, more clarity is needed...
(Enfield,
Southgate) (Lab):...I will focus on people
with hidden disabilities who are unable to wear masks. I was
contacted earlier this year by a young woman called Georgina
Fallows, who is a rape survivor and is unable to wear a mask
because it triggers her post-traumatic stress disorder. She has
experienced a number of incidents: one on a visit to a hair
salon—she had booked the appointment in advance, but was challenged
quite aggressively by a customer, who accused her of killing her
dad because she was not wearing a mask—and another in a local
supermarket. That has led to Georgina not wanting to go out for
fear of being challenged and facing other such attacks.
Georgina is just one example of a person who has a hidden
disability and is unable to wear a mask. She waived her right to
anonymity about her rape attack so that she could champion this
cause, because it is very close to her heart. She wants people to
be aware that she is unable to wear a mask, and she does not want
to feel awkward about that. Since Georgina got in touch with me,
I have met a number of charities that have told me about the need
for greater awareness of people with hidden disabilities. The
charities that I spoke to include Mencap the
National Autistic Society, Sense, Asthma UK, the
British Lung Foundation, Mind, Disability Rights UK and Inclusion
London. I appreciate that the Government have set out a number of
exemptions for wearing facemasks, but unfortunately many members
of the public are not aware of them. The Government need a clear,
high-profile public campaign...
(Beaconsfield) (Con):...My last point is on
community or day centres, which are a lifeline to people who
might have an adult living with them who has complex disabilities
or severe autism. The day centre is a lifeline
for that family...
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