Craven Disability Forum is a volunteer-run local group which aims to raise awareness and address the needs of people with a physical or sensory disability. We are part of North Yorkshire Disability Forum.
Minutes from September 2023 Meeting
During 2021 Craven Disability Forum published a survey for residents to understand the issues for disabled people across Craven. We are pleased to share our survey report below.
If you would like the report in a large print or easy read format please contact HASengagement@northyorks.gov.uk
Introduction and purpose of the survey
During 2021 Craven Disability Forum published a survey for residents of Craven. The purpose of the survey was to gain a better understanding of the issues for disabled people across the whole of the district. This report covers the key themes that were identified by people and overall findings. The results will help the forum to understand the perspectives of Craven residents and which areas they could focus on in the future.
Content and Distribution
The survey consisted of 12 questions and ran for 3 months from October 2021 to January 2022. It was available online and as a hard copy in standard and easy read format through libraries.
It was planned that the forum would promote the survey by attending external meetings and community groups. However, due to various levels of Covid restrictions including a 3-week lockdown in December 2021, distribution of information regarding the survey proved to be problematic as groups could not meet. However, distribution of information regarding the survey took place via the internet, supermarkets, community noticeboards, places of worship (when open), word of mouth, libraries including mobile libraries when permitted to open.
Response
A total of 95 people responded to the survey. Most respondents were from Skipton and the surrounding areas. 91% of the people who responded were aged 26 and over.
53% of respondents were disabled and 37% identified as a family member, friend, or carer of a disabled person. The most reported disabilities were physical (42 people) and learning (29 people). (For this question people were able to choose multiple options).
The survey asked ‘How do you feel about life for disabled people where you live? 38% of people chose positive or very positive.
However, there were several key themes that came out of the survey. These were
- Accessibility physically around the community and to information and support
- Education and young people
- Physical and mental health
1) Accessibility
Physically around the community
The survey asked people how accessible the following were
- Work, College or School
- Social venues such as pubs shops and restaurants
- Out and about – roads, pavements, parks, and open spaces
- Transportation
- Public buildings – council buildings doctors, dentists, hospital
- Transport - 46% of people rated as poor/very poor
- Shops - 30 % of people rated as poor/very poor
Out and about – what people said
Pavements and footpaths are not accessible in their local area. They are narrow, have poor surfacing and are badly cambered.
There are not enough dropped kerbs to get on and off the pavements safely in a wheelchair/mobility scooter.
Not enough pedestrian crossings.
Sometimes highways signs block dropped kerbs.
Footpaths are blocked with shop boards.
Footpaths are blocked by vehicles parking on pavements.
Footpaths are blocked by tree growth and overgrown verges.
There is a lack of disabled parking.
Transport- what people said
Poor accessibility at Steeton Station
Unable to cross track at train station due to closed and locked gate
Unable to access disabled toilet at station
Bus driver not stopping in safe spot to disembark
Buses do not always have the space for a wheelchair as this is taken up by others/with luggage
Transport not cost effective
Transport not frequent
Social venues
Many shops have steps at the entrance
In some shops you must press a button to gain access but often this can’t be reached from a wheelchair.
Loud music/background noise in shops particularly social venues
Inside shops often aisles blocked with items
Lifts not having capacity for wheelchair user and carer meaning second floor inaccessible
Heavy doors on accessible toilets
Accessibility to information and support
What people said
Emphasis is putting information online.
Very little practical support especially with respite for carers.
More support services are needed.
Very limited services for people with sight loss.
No social events or groups or support for elderly, everything is online.
2) Education and young people
'I am extremely disappointed with the lack of provisions in mainstream school for children on the autism spectrum...North Yorkshire seems to be significantly behind other councils.'
What people said
Requests for changes/modifications within school were denied.
Lack of provisions in mainstream school for children on the autism spectrum in North Yorkshire.
Not enough provision for children with special needs.
Lack of support when transitioning from special school to adult education.
Difficulties transitioning from children’s social care to adult social care
There needs to be improved employment and mental health support for young people.
3. Physical and Mental Health Services
'There is no local provision for many services'
This was a reoccurring theme throughout the survey for both physical and mental health issues. From accessing G.Ps through to people being able to access hospital care.
Many people commented that there had been a steady decline of services even prior to covid. The voluntary sector did receive some praise, however statutory services which should be provided by NHS and the Local and County Authorities fell well short of their statutory obligations.
Experiences
The next questions asked people about their experiences as a disabled person
53% of people reported they felt they had been treated unfairly or had a negative experience because of their disability. Experiences shared in the survey included
- A group of people with learning disabilities being told ‘their kind were not welcome’ by others in a café.
- People with invisible disabilities having to explain their disability to others to access facilities such as lifts, parking spaces and toilets.
'I would like to go into any shop, pub or restaurant. I would like to feel acknowledged and included.'
Only 15 % of people reported experiencing a hate crime because of their disability. Reported hate crimes included verbal insults and intimidation.
Areas to address
The next question asked respondents to choose the top three areas they would like to be addressed in the Craven area.
The top three choices were
- Leisure Opportunities 29%
- More disability support 28%
- More community transport 26%
The lowest choices were
- Stopping abuse and violence 4%
- Stopping discrimination 9%
- Easier access to equipment (and maintenance) 9%
Coronavirus
The final two questions asked people if they had been able to get the supported needed during coronavirus.
48% of people said they had been able to get the support
32% of people said they had not. (21% said not applicable).
People stated they had become lonelier and more isolated during Covid due to
- Clubs, activities, and centres being closed
- Activities moving online which were not accessible
- Lack of transport – no taxies and reduced bus service
- Inability to meet socially due to restrictions
Summary
The survey has produced some valuable insight into the issues that people with a disability face in Craven. The forum will use this information to set their priorities over the next year. Many of the concerns raised are interlinked and it could be that improvements in one area will cascade into others.
If pavements were easier to navigate, shops and social venues were more accessible then people would be able access their local area and feel more a part of their community. This would hopefully have a positive impact on people’s mental wellbeing.
If transport was more frequently available, cost effective and people were confident there was space for their wheelchair, they might be able to access more support groups and organisations and feel less isolated and lonely.
If young people felt better supported early on, schools had the necessary provisions in place and there were smooth transitions between education settings, young people may feel better equipped and prepared for the next steps in their life and report fewer mental health issues.
If we achieved all this what would the result be? It would be a more equal society and a better Craven for all.
Next steps
As a forum, we will use the survey to address issues in our local area and will seek to work in partnership with local organisations. Some identified issues were specific, related to defined areas, buildings, or experiences. Others were more general and will cover a large geographical area. The forum will look at all of these and identify the best way to proceed with each alongside the general themes that came up.
Already the information provided is being shared to inform a new draft Autism strategy for North Yorkshire and mental health services in North Yorkshire Council.
Looking to the future
There seems to exist a vast untapped resource of people with disabilities unable to find employment/volunteering roles or social engagement due to the many factors previously stated. Many of these issues can be addressed by people with disabilities raising their profile through supportive agencies e.g., Craven Disability Forum, Exclusively Inclusive, Compass and learning disability groups, also through Chambers of Commerce, Town and Parish Councils and North Yorkshire Council.
Due to the excellent response received from the survey results, the survey will be shared with the following organisations;
- NYDF- North Yorkshire Disability Forum
- North Yorkshire Council
- Councillors representing Craven in North Yorkshire
- Local G.P surgeries
- Local Hospitals
- Mental Health wing at Airedale hospital
- Community Mental Health teams
- Healthwatch
- Carers Resource
- Care Quality Commission
- Craven Communities Together
- Skipton Step into Action
- Richard Webb – Corporate Director of Health and Adult Services North Yorkshire Council (NYC)
- Health and Adult Services Equalities Manager NYC
- Claire Canavan –Participation and Engagement Manager NYC
- Kate Senior – Partnerships Officer NYC
- Liz Goulding – Participation & Engagement Officer NYC
- Stronger Communities NYC
- Local Libraries
- Exclusively Inclusive
- Town and Parish councils
- Compass
- Learning Disability groups
The survey report will also be circulated to voluntary groups and charities soon.
If you have any questions about the survey report, please contact Craven Disability Forum via CravDisForum@gmail.com or Helen Williams Participation and Engagement Officer on 07815 644 362.
