As part of his #ThowbackThursday Facebook series, Joel James MS has highlighted a meeting he had with Disability Wales back in November.
Disability Wales is the national association of Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) striving to achieve rights, equality and independent living of disabled people in Wales.
The association also promotes the adoption and implementation of the Social Model of Disability, which identifies that it is environmental, organisational, and attitudinal barriers that disable people and prevent their full participation in society not their medical conditions or impairments.
Speaking about his meeting, Joel said:
It was great to meet with Disability Wales just before Christmas to understand the financial pressures facing disabled people in Wales. Sadly, being disabled can also be very expensive, with nearly 40% of disabled people in Wales living in poverty. Higher energy bills to keep homes warm, the need for costly specialised equipment and greater reliance on transport are essential areas of expenditure.
Wales has a higher proportion of disabled people within the population than the rest of the UK- 28% of the Welsh population is disabled. It’s therefore vital we get things right now, to prevent further financial and emotional strain.
