Today I joined thousands of other people on the Hardest Hit demo that took place around Westminster in London. The demo was organised to protest against the coalition government’s planned welfare reform bill. If you haven’t heard about the bill then don’t feel too bad because it has had very little coverage in the media, other than in the Society Guardian, which is shameful and a damning indictment on the current news agenda. The fact that there was an estimated 8000 people on the streets of London for the demo was a firm two fingers to the uninterested media and a huge thumbs up to social media sites such as Twitter which was able to be used to galvanise some of society’s most disenfranchised people to come together and show that they can have a voice. You can find out more on the Hardest Hit campaign here http://thehardesthit.wordpress.com/.

I must admit that prior to the demo I did seriously debate whether or not to attend as I didn’t know how much good it would do and if I’m honest I have been scathing on the usefulness of demos before. However, I am more than happy to eat humble pie and say how pleased I was I went. When I arrived it hit me that I wasn’t just joining the demo for me, I was joining it for the thousands of people physically unable to make it to London and be a visible presence outside Westminster. It was a privilege to be joined by my mum and disabled people their friends, families and carers. It was also great to see a demo open to all complete with accessible toilets, speeches complete with sign language and carried out in good humour despite the reason why we were all there.

The thing is I begrudgingly accept that cuts are needed to help boost the economy and I fully accept that there are people who claim benefits who have no right to. That being said what the government in their infinite wisdom are proposing to do will have long and far ranging effects on the everyday lives of disabled people. In fact it is ironic that what I witnessed today was a demo where the people involved acted with real dignity and that is the very quality that those most affected could lose if the bill goes through. The fact is that there are some people who will be terrified about having their benefits taken away from them and without the ability to access much needed support and help will essentially become housebound unable to call on the assistance they have previously received.

My preference would be for the government to focus on creating a level playing field in society by removing the barriers that stops people like myself being able to access everyday services such as dentists, restaurants, hairdressers, banks and petrol stations due to physical barriers such as steps and narrow doors. Once this has happened then by all means start looking at how changes to the benefits system can be made.