Memorandum from the Developmental Neuro-Diversity
Association (DDB 104)
We are broadly supportive of DAN's approach,
with a few reservations.
We can not, as a charity, take political sides.
We also do not agree that "employment remains
the dream of a small few".
The biggest group of people with disabilities
are the developmentally neurodiverse (dyslexia, developmental
dyspraxia, adhd, dyscalculia, asperger's syndrome, tourette's
syndrome and related conditions). A minimum of 5% of the entire
population are severely affected by these. They tend to overlap,
more often than not.
A minimum of 20% of the entire population are
moderately or mildly affected by them. Some reputable scientific
estimates run as high as 40%+ and rising. Many if not most are
unaware that these conditions exist (at least in mild or moderate
form), let alone that they have them.
It follows that disability is more common than
motherhood and affects the majority, not a minority, of the entire
population.
In separate studies done of young offenders
institutions (in Edinburgh and Durham) it was found that over
60% of young offenders had dyslexia and related conditions and
over 60% had dyspraxia and related conditions. None had been previously
diagnosed.
This means that comprehensive screening of the
entire population, including all age groups, and the comprehensive
implementation of equality and diversity training for all members
of society is required. Long-term Government commitments to mainstreaming
equality and diversity can only be achieved through these means.
It also means that the money spent on this and the billions saved
from having the biggest jail population in Europe, will enable
to comprehensive implementation of the Social Model of Disability
for all and still save money and leave room for tax cuts.
We are, as far as we know, the only pan-developmental
neurodiversity charity in the world. We are also entirely user-led
and controlled.
Access must include not being subjected to the
sensory assaults of the noisy and/or otherwise busy open plan.
We welcome any improvements for disabled people
and condemn any worsening of our situation (eg through the mania
for open plan as as opposed to closed plan or flexiplan (with
retractable screened sections and comprehensive sensory screening)
offices. We know these open plan offices are contrary to the spirit
of the UN Convention on Torture and the European Court of Human
Rights' condemnation of the use of "white noise" against
suspects in Northern Ireland as torture).
March 2004
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