Tanni Grey-Thompson, a multi gold medal winning Paralympic wheelchair athlete, reflects on changing attitudes towards disability worldwide. She discusses her own experiences, including facing discrimination while pregnant, and meets individuals from India, Nigeria, Brazil, and New Zealand who have had similar journeys. The podcast explores challenges in accessing education, issues of accessibility, discrimination faced by individuals with Down syndrome, and struggles in using public transportation. It also highlights the obstacles encountered by disabled women and emphasizes the ongoing pursuit of equality worldwide.
The podcast highlights the challenges faced by disabled individuals in different parts of the world, including discrimination and limited accessibility.
It emphasizes the need for promoting understanding, respect, and equal treatment for disabled people, rather than pity or underestimation based on their disability.
Deep dives
The Journey for Disabled Equality
The podcast episode explores the journey towards achieving real equality for disabled individuals. It highlights the challenges faced by disabled people in different parts of the world, including institutionalization and discrimination. The episode features personal stories and experiences, shedding light on the fight for rights, representation, and accessibility. It emphasizes the need for continued efforts to remove barriers and ensure equal treatment and opportunities for disabled individuals.
The Prejudices Faced by Disabled Individuals
The podcast discusses the prevalent prejudices and misconceptions surrounding disability. It highlights the tendency for society to pity and underestimate disabled individuals. The episode shares stories of disabled individuals being treated differently or seen as inspirations solely based on their disability. It emphasizes the importance of promoting understanding, respect, and equal treatment for disabled people.
The Challenges of Accessibility
The episode delves into the challenges of accessibility faced by disabled individuals. It highlights the inadequate accessibility features in public transportation, buildings, and public spaces in different countries. Examples of inaccessible trains, buses, and airports are provided. The episode highlights the impact of inaccessible infrastructure on the daily lives and experiences of disabled individuals.
The Cost and Financial Struggles of Disability
The podcast sheds light on the financial implications of disability. It discusses the additional costs and expenses associated with living as a disabled person, such as medical needs, equipment, and accessibility modifications. The episode emphasizes the need for recognition of these costs and for support systems to address the financial challenges faced by disabled individuals.
Multiple gold medal-winning Paralympic wheelchair athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson examines 50 years of changing attitudes to disability around the world. When Tanni was a child in the 1970s in Wales becoming an athlete with spina bifida was far from guaranteed. There was no support for her parents bringing up a disabled child and education for children with disabilities was minimal.
Over the years Tanni has suffered discrimination including when she was pregnant being offered a termination. She meets others who have had similar journeys in India, Pakistan, Ghana, Nigeria, Brazil and New Zealand.
In India she meets Abha Khetarpal, and both reflect on several shared experiences. They both had scoliosis and use a wheelchair and faced early challenges at school - Abha having to be home schooled.
Meanwhile Lois Auta in Nigeria also uses a wheelchair. She was born in 1980 and tells Tanni how she managed to challenge the status quo and stand for parliament. ‘Disability is seen in our country as something that happens through witch craft," she says. Lois, who now acts as an advocate for women with disabilities says those prejudices still exist.
She meets BBC war correspondent Frank Gardner who tells her how he adapted to becoming disabled after being injured during his work in a war zone in the Middle East.
Producer: Ashley Byrne
A Made in Manchester production for BBC World Service
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