Many disabled people are missing out on sex, fun and spontaneity in their lives, according to the results of an independent living “quiz”.
The magazine-style quiz, carried out by Scope and supported by Disability Now, issued respondents with an “independent living score” ranging from 1 to 100.
Nearly a third scored between 30-49 points, which falls in the “not very independent” category.
A comparative follow-up quiz of non-disabled people showed that, by comparison, disabled people are worse off in their ability to act spontaneously, plan for the future, access information and enjoy a good lifestyle.
Disabled people were less likely to be able to try new things, with 55 per cent answering “not very often” or “rarely/never” compared to 19 per cent of non-disabled people. And 48 per cent of disabled people were rarely or never able to enjoy sexual relationships versus 17 per cent of non-disabled respondents, who were also three times as likely to feel happy and content (46 to 14 per cent).
Andy Rickell, an executive director at Scope, said: “It isn’t really surprising that these results show that disabled people don’t feel happy very often and are having relatively little fun. If you don’t get the support you need…then life is going to be frustrating.”
The news has prompted campaigners to renew calls for the government to support the independent living bill originally proposed by Lord Ashley.
Rachel Hurst, director of Disability Awareness in Action, says the findings show that “independent living for disabled people is a lovely dream that hasn’t even remotely become a reality”.
Disabled protesters at a rally to promote independent living were “appalled” by the findings. Chris Killick, 45, from Bermondsey, said: “A lot of disabled people will need support to go to the pub or cinema but social services don’t have the resources to implement it. That means being stuck at home.”
Another protester, Sue Elsegood, 41, from Greenwich, said the results showed the “indignity” that disabled people often face in their daily lives. “The fact that I can employ a PA to assist me here today makes a huge difference and I’d like that enshrined in new legislation.”