BY JACK WELCH

WITHIN my own lifetime, the rights which protect and empower disabled people have come a long way.

With legislation like the Equality Act in place, disability hate crime, or ableism, is an offence.

However, as I discovered at a panel discussion hosted by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on issues raised around human rights in disabilities, there is much to be done if equal rights are ever going to become achievable.

During the discussion, I raised the fact that it can be difficult for people with disabilities to connect with politics and make their voices heard to those who represent them.

In the world of Parliament, when there are less than a handful of members who are disabled, it can be hard to feel inspired.

Organisations like Scope, who I spoke on behalf of, can help bridge the gap when opportunities can feel sometimes lacking.

Within the media, there is also a lack of strong portrayals to mirror society.

Around 16 per cent of adults are classed as disabled, but there seems to be very little of that seen on TV screens, besides programmes which have a particular focus on an issue, such as ‘Employable Me’ and ‘The Undateables’.

Successful campaigns, like Scope’s ‘End the Awkward’, have achieved a wider popular footing by using humour and somewhat surreal situations to capture wider public attention.

Until there is real change in how the media operates, questions of how meaningful change can occur will continue to be raised.