2011-09-24 by Maria Zedda
I’m currently doing some research on a project supported by the Office of Disability issues and I’m looking to hear about disabled people’s experiences in approaching and engaging with their MP or their staff.
If you are a disabled constituent who has been in touch with your local MP, and you have about 10 minutes to spare, can you tell me the following:
1) Why did you decide to contact your MP?
2) How did you start the process? (Did you go on their website, did you email or call them on the phone?)
3) If you used their website as a starting point, did you find it accessible and with access information about their surgeries, meeting places?
4) Who got back to you? (the MP or their staff?)
5) How was the process of setting up the meeting, did they ask you for extra requirement or did you have to tell them?
6) Once you told them your access needs how did the MP or his/her staff go about making it happen?
7) When you got to the meeting, were your access requirements met?
8) How was the MP’s (and that of their staff) attitude towards you, were they patronising/accommodating, relaxed or tense, etc…
9) How did you feel afterwards, did you get the feeling that your MP was able to help you or listen to your concerns?
10) If there was a follow up, did it happen and were you satisfied with the outcome?
Your replies are treated in confidence, so please email me at mzedda@wideaware.co.uk.
No real names will be used. The stories will help to inform the design and development of an e-learning project, aimed at increasing MPs’ awareness and that of their staff.
Many sincere thanks for your help!
Maria
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What is the closing date for responses?
Paul 4 October 11
Thanks Paul, you’re right, I should have clarified that. Responses are gratefully received until Friday 21st October.
Many thanks.
Maria 4 October 11
This is a PDF file.
Can you please send it as a Text file (Word would be fine) so that I can type in my answers?
Cheers.
John Rippon 5 October 11
Maria,
Is there a historical time limit on this?
My experiences occurred in Feb 2008.
I’d like to help if you want to go that far back.
Cheers!
Gary Miller 5 October 11
By all means, let me know what happened, there is no time limit, thank you!
Maria 7 October 11
To John Rippon above: I have not used a pdf file anywhere – I do not know what you are referring to.
Can you contact me via email and I will send you the word document?
Or, when you reply to this comment, fill in your details, including your email address, that way I can get back to you. Many thanks.
Maria 7 October 11
Hi,
I’d like to comment – but how do I contact you. Could you please organise it so that when I click on your name I get an email form, something like that. thanks
regards
ricky4
ricky4 9 October 11
I have contacted my local MP, John Mann, on several on-line petitions re: both disabled & elderly issues. My most pertinent & personal issue was re: Notts.C.C. and my Care Support Providers. I have received responses to all my communications via letter, e-mail & phone. One issue is still on-going, and as my health is worsening I am relieved that he takes such a firm stand on my behalf. Everyone I have spoken to have been more than helpful, and very understanding. He has my full confidence and grateful thanks.
Teddy Francis 10 October 11
Dear Teddy,
Thanks for your input, it’s much appreciated.
Dear Ricky4, I apologise for the technical fault, clicking on my name should take you to my email address, I will look into this immediately and get back to you.
Thank you for your patience.
Maria
Maria 17 October 11
Hi Maria,
I have contacted my MP Gemma Doyle on a few occasions recently.
Once to invite her to the opening of our shopmobility that we run and she attended
But recently about the benefits review to get her views and what actions she is taking to help her consistituents with disbilities.
She has responded and whilst i m ay not like some of the answers in fairness to her she has responded and we have a healthy dialogue going.
I cantacted her through her constituency office and by direct e-mail.
Regards
Jackie
jackie maceira 18 October 11
Dear Maria
Your readers may be interested to know about Disability Politics UK which has been started by a group of disabled people.
Disability Politics UK has started an e-petition to allow MPs to serve on a job share basis as this would help more disabled people become MPs. You can sign the e-petition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/17076
Best wishes
Deborah King
Deborah King 2 November 11
I have been in touch several times with my local MP and her predecessor from the other side of the political fence. I have not had a problem with getting a swift response from either of them. I have to say that the issues raised by both emails and personal visits to surgeries have not necessarily been about disability issues, though I am registered as disabled and receive DLA. However it is well to mention for example that the local agent for the government’s getting disabled people back to work scheme (the old new deal for disabled people) was sited in a building with offices on the first floor access to which was only by stairs. It had no suitable access for disabled people , no parking, and of course, no lift. The same applied to the local CAB office. These issues I did bring up up. As far as I am aware, the same conditions still exist so my local council is entirely unsympathetic to such things
Tony Maund 2 November 11
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