An entire generation in Northern Ireland and across the UK have been failed by disabled access, despite 2025 being the 30th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and 15 years since its replacement, the Equality Act 2010.
That's according to campaigners who say disabled people are still fighting for equal access as a new survey reveals the lack of disabled access has directly affected their goals, plans or aspirations.
While the rest of the UK updated their legislation in 2010 and there have been amendments to that since, Michael Holden, Chairman of the Centre for Independent Living Northern Ireland, says NI is still languishing with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 that is "woefully out of date".
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He told Belfast Live: "In some ways the situation is slightly worse in Northern Ireland. England, Wales and Scotland have much stronger disability policies in the Equality Act. There was a Disability Strategy that should have been published in December which still hasn't been published.
"Politicians here are currently calling for us to be equal to GB and I think now is the time, given that it's 15 years since the rest of the UK last updated their legislation, that we here in NI should set a new example for GB."
The Euan's Guide Access Survey is the UK’s largest and longest-running survey on disabled access, with over 6,500 participants, 68% of whom identify as a disabled person.
Of the thousands of respondents, which included those in NI, 70% said the lack of disabled access has directly affected their goals, plans or aspirations - and there is little hope for the future with only 7% feeling positive about the new government, showing a need for help from the public and businesses.
The 2024 Access Survey data also reported that 98% of respondents are not confident about visiting new places when thinking about accessibility and 73% of respondents have come across an accessible toilet that they’ve been unable to use.
This year’s Access Survey results mark 30 years since the Disability Discrimination Act and its successor, the Equality Act, and yet the results reveal that disabled people still face significant daily accessible barriers, compromising their quality of life and potential.
The survey results reveal widespread failures in public venues, transport, and social inclusion, with many respondents expressing frustration, exhaustion, and isolation due to ongoing inaccessibility.
"None of this comes as a surprise because the disabled community have huge networks on social media and we talk about all of things all of the time and wonder when anyone is actually going to listen. Housing, public transport, employment, education are the main issues that people face," said Michael as he called for greater engagement to look for practical solutions.
"Disabled people are not just here saying 'this, that or the other doesn't work'. They're saying but it would work if you did this way rather than that way. I believe that the politicians are willing but the civil servants are not - policy is more important than people."
Kiki MacDonald, co-founder of Euan’s Guide, added: “The results of the 2024 Access Survey paint a frustrating but familiar picture, even 30 years after the first legislation was put in place, disabled people are still having to fight for disabled access information and access to everyday places.
“Whether it’s arriving at a ‘wheelchair-accessible’ restaurant only to find a step and no ramp or being stranded at a train station with no assistance, these experiences are unacceptable. Accessibility should be a right, not a privilege.”
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