Sheffield Law Centre has a long reputation for helping people, especially in Burngreave. Hidden away behind the Wicker, the small team of caseworkers has helped prevent evictions, stopped deportations and won rights for workers.
Burngreave resident, Douglas Johnson has just taken up a new post as a Disability Rights Worker and is happy to hear from anyone who has been treated badly because of their disability. He will be doing casework for individuals and is also available to talk to groups.
People have different ideas of what disability means: it’s not just people with mobility problems but includes people with sight or hearing difficulties, people with depression and anxiety, people with conditions like cancer, MS and HIV and those who have had problems in the past even if they’re in good health now.
Even though disabled people have had legal rights since 1995, few have used them. You might be able to use your rights:
• If you’re mobility problems stop you getting into shops
• If you can’t use a call centre because you’re deaf
• If you get a poorer quality of service because you’re disabled
• If the disabled toilet is always locked
• If you’re asked to leave because of your autistic child’s behaviour.
Douglas Johnson can be contacted at Sheffield Law Centre on 273 1888 or at Waverley House, Nursery Lane or by e-mail: Douglas@slc.org.uk. The Law Centre’s service is always free.