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Raz Jabbin: different, same, equal or not?


My Life as a British Muslim - 27/08/08

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Published Date:
27 August 2008
Free parking for people who are disabled but yet wanting to be treated the same. This has been one of the discussions on The ET website this week.
So, which one is it, different, same, equal or not?

I was walking out of a shop the other day and there was a woman in a wheelchair, and because she saw me first, she moved to one side to give me right of way. As I looked up, my instant reaction was one of trying to help. I almost jumped to give her right of way, but quickly realised that the polite thing to do would be to acknowledge her gesture, so I did.

As I walked out, I wondered whether we ever see disabled people as the same or equal? I'm not sure.

But doesn't that stand for everyone? Take me for instance, the mere fact that I have a brown complexion makes me different. No matter what I do, the fact that I'm an Asian woman doing it will always remain – and such thoughts in themselves can challenge the idea of equality.

On the other hand, there is no denying that in today's Western society, we can also capitalise on our differences. It's partly why I have this role.

Take Helen Smith, the director of policy and campaigns for the disabled motorist, for example. She had written a somewhat passionate letter in regards to blue badge holders having to pay for car parking, saying: "In the current climate of rapidly increasing motoring costs, this is merely an additional financial burden for the disabled motorist."

And she's absolutely right. But what is also a fact is there are also single parents, deprived families and, believe it or not, people who are worse off than someone with a disability, who are also struggling with today's climate. So really, is it fair?

I'm not suggesting that I am in favour of making disabled people pay for car parking, and I completely concur that they should have the most convenient spaces.

But, does that mean we can agree there is a difference? Is it OK to admit that?

The thing is, there is all this talk of people wanting to be accepted, being equal, being treated like everyone else, and I say you're more then welcome to it.

But don't be surprised when you see how insensitive, unfair and ugly being like everyone else can get.

Personally, I believe, that we are all equally different in one way or another.

Related:
Parking hike set to hit disabled and traders, 4 July 2008.

Readers' letters: Disabled people should park for free 23/08/2008.

The full article contains 447 words and appears in Peterborough ET newspaper.
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  • Last Updated: 27 August 2008 2:17 PM
  • Source: Peterborough ET
  • Location: Peterborough
 
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A Seymour,

27/08/2008 22:42:07
I think no one would object to free parking for disabled people but what I do object to is the way disabled drivers park on double yellow lines. Double yellow lines are placed on roads to prohibit parking to assist traffic flow or because to park there would be dangerous however disabled just park there anyway often restriction traffic and creating danger for other road users. Free parking spaces yes parking on double yellow lines no.
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Dan Jackson,

28/08/2008 00:22:13
I agree on the yellow lines but cars take up the same space and spaces need to be maintained. Able body or disabled should pay the same, equality for all.
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Helen Smith,

Norwich 28/08/2008 16:55:59
I was extremely disappointed to read this article in the Peterborough Telegraph.

Whilst I would happily agree with Raz that “being different is OK” – if we were all the same it would be a very boring world, after all - I was disappointed that her article reacted only to one point in my letter and seemed not to consider any of the other, equally important reasons I had mentioned.

Yes I did say that charging blue badge holders is “an additional financial burden for the disabled motorist." But this was merely one small point amongst many of far more significance.

Take for instance my point about disabled people not having the same transport options as non-disabled people. If we lived in a world where all buses were accessible, and bus stops were within a short distances of peoples homes then we would be in a more “equal” situation. If it didn’t take disabled people three times as long to do their shopping as anyone else it would be a more “equal” situation. And if we were in that situation, I’m sure that disabled people wouldn’t have a problem paying up – why shouldn’t we, if we were in exactly the same position as everyone else?

At Mobilise we receive many letters, emails and phone calls from people who are unable to carry out the simplest of day-to-day tasks; not because of their disability, but because parking close to the goods and services they need to access is difficult if not impossible. Quite frankly it is hard not to lose patience with the councils who make these ill-informed decisions without even bothering to consider the needs and rights of disabled people in their area.

As Director of Policy and Campaigns for the charity Mobilise I fight for the rights of all disabled people, but to illustrate this particular case I will use myself as an example. I am a completely independent disabled driver, but because I lost all my limbs to meningitis I can not take tickets out of barriers, put money in slots, or walk very far. I am completely excl
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Helen Smith,

Norwich 28/08/2008 16:58:35
Cont...
excluded from using my local shopping centre because I cannot use the parking machinery – and as there is no other parking nearby, this means I can’t even get in.

Raz seems to focus on the question of whether disabled people should pay; and completely ignores the fact than many people physically can’t.

This issue is not, as your article seems to suggest, about treating disabled people differently. It’s about making sure disabled people have equal rights of access, so that they have an equal chance at employment, an equal chance of education, and a equal chance to go about their daily business. In short, it’s about making sure that disabled people have exactly the same chances to live their lives. Not different, not better, just equal.

In closing, your statement “But don't be surprised when you see how insensitive, unfair and ugly being like everyone else can get” seems to show a complete lack of understanding of the experiences of many disabled people. Why would we be ‘surprised’, when we are already ignored and discriminated against every day?
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