Disabled people to play lead role in TUC protest

Disabled people are set to play an important part in a protest planned by the TUC against the government’s public spending cuts.

Disabled people will be at the front of next month’s march – which will start at London’s Victoria Embankment and end with a rally in Hyde Park – where they will be able to set their own pace, while there will also be a static protest for those disabled people unable to take part.

There will be a wheelchair-accessible area in Hyde Park, and a shorter route for those not able to take part in the whole march.

The TUC says it is organising the protest on Saturday 26 March to “give a national voice to all those affected by the cuts” and “to show that people reject the argument that there is no alternative”.

Organisations that will be involved in the disabled people’s section of the march include two campaigning disabled people’s organisations Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and Black Triangle, as well as two mainstream campaigning organisations, London Coalition Against Poverty and Benefit Claimants Fight Back.

Linda Burnip, a founding member of DPAC, said: “We want to highlight the problems that disabled people have and to let trade unions and other people know what our problems are.

“It is really important for as many disabled people to be there as possible because the cuts are going to start biting even more in April.”

Those disabled people who cannot attend the action can submit their photographs and a written statement to be included on placards carried by protesters on the day. To include your details, email [email protected]

For updated details of the disabled people’s part of the protest, visit: www.dpac.uk.net

For details of access arrangements, visit: http://marchforthealternative.org.uk/2011/02/18/access-and-disability/

22 February 2011