There are many different forms of disability and special needs, some of which are obvious, but some which are not. People with disabilities or special needs can be disadvantaged, especially with a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Many people think that you can tell if someone is disabled and that people are usually disabled from childhood. In fact, most people who have a disability or a health condition develop it in later life - only 17 per cent are born with a particular condition. Disabilities and special needs can affect people in different ways and are not always obvious to others, and so it is not always possible to tell if someone has a disability.

We must remember that everyone is different. People with disabilities or special needs are ultimately disabled by society. Society creates and puts a label upon people and calls them disabled, creating the idea that they are different and separate to everyone else. But in reality they are not. The act of labeling someone as being different to others, or different to the ‘norm’, is what creates prejudice and ignorance.

Diversity and difference is one of the main cornerstones which makes us human. We are all different and we are all interesting. To bully, harass or be prejudiced against anyone because they are different is born out of, and only goes to show people’s, lack of understanding.

Safety, Disabilities and Special Needs

Equalities issues for the disabled and special needs are important for any culture. Historically, the disabled and people with special needs have been pushed aside and separated from the rest of society. Because of this most people never come across or have met disabled people, which has caused a serious gap in peoples understanding of the disabled and special needs and helped to fuel the prejudice they experience in their lives.

The disabled and special needs are continuously at risk and the victims of bullying, harassment and abuse, because they are different and are more vulnerable than others. They are picked on and targeted for being different, often seen as behaving differently to others. As such, disabled and special needs young people are extremely vulnerable to abuse and being the victims of crime. According to national research, disabled and special needs children and young people are between three and a half and five times more likely to be abused or be the victims of crime than others in society.

However, the links they and their families have with the community, schools/colleges and social networks help to reduce these risks and provide support for the family.

If you are Disabled or have Special needs

If you are a young person with a disability or special needs then there are several places in Brighton and Hove where you can go for support, access information and advice and get help about any issue.

Speak to your school or college about any specific need you have or any concern you have about something which happens at school/college.

Brighton & Hove Youth Advocacy and Participation Disabilities Advocate

The Disabilities Advocate at the Youth Advocacy & Participation project can offer young people information, advice and support about services for disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs. Tel: (01273) 295510

Children’s Disability Team

The Children’s Disability Team in Brighton & Hove Children and Young People’s Trust can offer young people information, advice and support about a range of services for disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs. Tel: (01273) 295151

Cherish

Cherish is a play organisation supporting children and young people, aged 4 to 19, with learning and associated physical disabilities in supervised play and recreational activities during the Easter and Summer school holidays. They encourage and support individuals at whatever level is necessary in a safe, creative and stimulating environment ensuring easy access to play, fun and creative activity to those often excluded from opportunities granted to their non-disabled peers.

Cherish Co-ordinator, Cherish, Level 6, New England House, New England, Brighton,
East Sussex, BN1 4GH
Tel: (01273) 624143

If you have experienced harassment, crime or bullying

If you have been the victim of a crime, especially harassment or victimization because of your disability, then you should always report it to the Police or Partnership Community Safety Team. The Partnership Community Safety Team has a specialist front line service which can offer you support and advice about being the victim of a crime. (see ‘Map of Services’ for contact details).

Otherwise, you should always talk to your teacher, class tutor, youth worker, connexions PA, key worker, support staff or someone you trust about anything which upsets you or affects you in any way. They will offer you support and will be able to give you advice about what you could do. No matter what it is, there is always someone you can turn to and get help from.

If you ever feel unsafe in a public place or at home, you should always find a police officer or someone you trust and talk to them about what has happened.

Links

www.drc-gb.org/

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is an independent body established to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. They have one key goal: "A society where all disabled people can participate fully as equal citizens." View their website for a range of information about disabilities and special needs, i.e. transport, education, discrimination and advice.

www.amazebrighton.org.uk/

Amaze offer one point access to children, young people and families about a range of diabilities and special needs issues. They can provide information, advice and support about issues to do with education, social services, leisure, money matters, safety and health care etc.

www.bhfederation.org.uk/

Brighton & Hove Federation of Disabled People is an umbrella organisation of 35 organisations in the city who work to improve the rights and services for disabled people. They work to work to promote independence and dignity for all people with disabilities and to identify gaps when services are being planned and developed. As such the BHFDP can offer families advice and information about a range of issues which can affect disabled children.

www.ability.org.uk/child_health_special_needs.html

Ability.org offer links to several other websites which can offer advice, information and support regarding disabilities and special needs. These include: email system that connects young people with disabilities or chronic illness to disabled and non-disabled peers and mentors; Special Child Magazine an online magazine featuring family issues, health disorders, tips and success stories; and many more.

www.dls.org.uk/

The Disability Law Service is a national registered charity that provides confidential and free legal advice for disabled young people, adults, their families and carers. DLS also provides disabled people with a casework service.

www.kids-online.org.uk/

Kids is a national charity which aims to work with families and children with disabilities and special needs. The can offer a range of advice, information and support to families.

www.eoc.org.uk/

The Equal Opportunities Commission work to promote a range of issues relating to people's equality, such as sex discrimination, disability, racism etc.