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Deaf-blind city manjoins disability rally
A deafblind man from Peterborough was at the forefront of a huge rally to force the European Union to do more to protect people with disabilities against discrimination.
A deafblind man from Peterborough was at the forefront of a huge rally to force the European Union to do more to protect people with disabilities against discrimination.Disabled Graham Hicks travelled to Brussels to take part in an outdoor ceremony, with more than 1,000 other people with disabilities.
He added his name to a petition – which has more than one million signatures – to challenge the EU's failure to honour its promise to bring forward a law against disability discrimination.
Mr Hicks (46), a talented sportsman who has set many world records, was accompanied by regional Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Richard Howitt, at yesterday's rally.
Mr Hicks, of Hyholmes in Bretton, said: "There were at least 1,000 people at the rally, and it felt like a really momentous occasion. it was a privilege to represent Peterborough at such a huge event.
"People from different countries were laughing and joking with each other, but we also realised it was a serious moment in the fight for equality.
"We've recently made big steps forward in the battle for disability rights in the UK, but many European countries are lagging way behind.
"Their streets, buildings and public transport are a complete no-go area for people with disabilities, because there is no provision for our needs.
"We need to force other Governments to up their game and stop this discrimination."
Mr Hicks has set several deaf-blind world records for his quad biking stunts, including securing a quad bike world speed record and travelling 127 miles on a jetski in under six hours.
Labour's Richard Howitt, who is president of the European Parliament's All-Party Disability Rights Group of MEPs, said: "This protest marks the next chapter in the history of civil rights marches which started in America in the 1960s and arrived in Brussels yesterday.
"I am delighted that Graham travelled all the way from Peterborough to ensure that the voice of disabled people in Cambridgeshire is heard.
"Despite all the advances of recent years, Europe still has no equivalent of the American Disabilities Act, and disabled people here continue to suffer as victims of denied educational opportunity, restricted housing choice and inaccessible transport.
"Europe rightly outlawed race discrimination seven years ago, and at that time promised that a disability law would follow.
"This year is the European year of Equal Opportunities for all. Graham and many others from across Europe have come to ensure that fine words are matched by concrete actions to protect people with disabilities."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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