CRAVEN Disability Forum says it will work with partner organisations following the completion of a public survey which revealed issues for disabled people in accessibility, education and physical and mental health support.

The forum, which aims to improve the lives of disabled people and is supported by North Yorkshire Council, said the idea was to better understand the issues faced by people living across the whole of Craven.

It invited the comments of disabled people, a family member, carer or friend, and has now published a report covering the key themes that were identified along with powerful personal testimony highlighting the day-to-day reality of living with a disability.

The survey included 12 questions and ran for three months from October, 2021 to January 2022. Planned events to promote the project were hit by coronavirus lock-downs, so responses were the result of publicity including in supermarkets, community noticeboards, the internet and 'word of mouth'. A total 95 people responded, mostly from Skipton, and the surrounding area, and 91 per cent were 26 years old and over.

Asked how accessible people thought places of work, public spaces, such as pubs and clubs, roads and public transport were; roads and transport were rated the worst, with 46 per cent saying they were either poor or very poor. Shops were criticised as having steps while others had access buttons at the door, but which could not be reached from a wheelchair.

Problems were identified in the area of education and young people with respondents saying there was not enough provision for children with special needs and a lack of support when moving to adult education. There also needed to be improved employment and mental health support.

Asked of their experiences of being a disabled person, 53 per cent said they felt they had been treated unfairly or had had a negative experience because of their disability.

The report concluded if pavements were easier to navigate and shops and social venues more accessible, people would feel more part of their community. Public transport also needed to be more accessible and affordable and young people would benefit from better support earlier on.

The forum says it will use the results of the survey to better understand residents, and to decide what areas it will focus on in the future. The report will also be circulated to groups and statutory bodies so that they can better understand the issues faced by disabled people living in the area.

Helen Firth, chair of Craven Disability forum said; "We will use the survey to address issues in our 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 such as transport. The forum will look at all of these and identify the best way to proceed with each alongside the general themes that came up.”

The report is available on-line at https://nypartnerships.org.uk/cdf and in libraries.

To receive a copy email CravDisForum@gmail.com or phone Helen Williams, North Yorkshire Council Participation and Engagement Officer on 07815 644 362.