5 Minute Interview with Cecily Blyther

1. Can I start by asking you to tell us a little about yourself?

Only within the last decade have I really come to realise how much people are disabled by society. Every person is different, and we should always be able to support each other, to make the most out of life and for society.

I have, just in the last four years, realised how neurodivergent I am. I have ADHD. It was only when my daughter was diagnosed that she told me that this is what I have too!

In the last 20 years, I have been attempting to come to terms with the menopause: My memory and thus my confidence have deteriorated. This has also caused me to suffer from anxiety over the last four years.

I obtained a very helpful assessment from the Government’s scheme, Access to Work (AtW), this year. Unfortunately, my employer has been unable to implement the reasonable adjustments recommended by AtW, and I have been dismissed. Of course, I am appealing against this decision, and I may need to apply to an employment tribunal.

2. Many disabled people do not consider themselves to be disabled; do you think or yourself or describe yourself as disabled?

Yes, I describe myself as disabled by society. I don’t often talk about being disabled. However, if I don’t talk about it, people will assume that I am able, … and as equally able as everyone else who looks as if they are not disabled. I try to live my life without having to explain what support or facilities I need. Wouldn’t life be wonderful if everyone worked together, to enable each other?

3. You are known as a disability campaigner, what inspired you or motivated you to become a campaigner?

A sense of fair play; I support students who have various backgrounds, and I have always been keen for every person to have the best facilitation they can have in order to succeed in anything. Now, on the UCU’s Disabled Members’ Standing Committee, I aim to support fellow members of the union to claim the best reasonable adjustments they need to do their job well.

4. What do you think are the biggest barriers facing disabled people and preventing them from reaching their full potential and fully participating in society?

When someone feels disabled, they are very often let down by other people, and this leads to them being even more disabled. I need everyone to enable each other. We are all different, and we each have a part to play in the world. How much richer the world should be if we all opened up to the potential of every person we meet.

5. Can you give any examples of barriers that you have faced? Did you overcome them? If so, how?

The system of management at my institution has created barriers, rather than supporting me to do my job better. Even though I enlisted the help of Access to Work which recommended a whole list of practical things to help me, my employers have not put these reasonable adjustments in place. I am still holding out for a positive outcome. As a union activist, I feel the desperate need to support my colleagues by fighting this case, not just for myself, but for them.

6. As a disabled person what is the biggest barrier either facing you or disabled people generally that you would like the new Government to take action on?

Ableism! The biggest barrier is society’s and institutions’ ingrained attitudes to people who are differently abled. The idealised attitude is for everyone to act as “normal” as possible, in order to avoid being disabled by people, peers, colleagues and managers.

As I touched on, earlier, if someone looks able, many people just expect them to be able, and to do everything in the same way as they do. Of course, this is a completely inaccurate way of looking at one’s fellow beings. For a start, every person is different; they may choose to approach tasks using different methods and their own distinctive capabilities. Just because someone takes longer to do something does not automatically indicate that they are not as good at doing it; it may be that they excel at the task.

7. Do you think that the British media and the British public have an open and positive attitude towards disability and disabled people? If not, why not?

Even in the media, ableism is rife. Attitudes are as deeply ingrained here as in the rest of society.

It is ingrained in us all, that a disabled person is less able than a non-disabled person.

Perceptions portrayed in the media directly influence the way disabled people are treated in society. For example, in social media, people tend to access content that agrees with their own attitudes, and this cause any negative images or ideas presented to them just to confirm and reinforce their attitudes.

Another example is when disabled people are covered in the news, and are portrayed as being a burden on society. I would say, instead, that it is just this negative attitude that is what drains society of willingness to support all people.

I believe it is so important for everyone to appreciate all others, no matter how different they are. Conversely, no matter how different someone is, they have valuable contributions to make in society, … especially if they are enabled.

8. Have you heard of the ‘Social Model of Disability’ and do you agree with it?

I most certainly do. Disabilities are designed by society. No one should be considered as disabled. Instead, everyone should enable each other, according to what we want or need.

9. At the moment the ‘Assisted Dying Bill’ is receiving a lot of coverage in the media. What is your opinion of the bill? Do you agree with it? Do you have any concerns? Is a private member’s bill the best way or the correct way to change the law on such an important issue?

Ultimately, I know that I would wish to have the ability to govern the circumstances of my death, if I were to be suffering at the end of my life. I believe this bill is a good start. For such a sensitive subject, no one is ever going to get the legislation right first time. By starting with the tight guidelines recommended, it is more likely to be acceptable to more people and is more likely to be made into law. Then, as this law is observed, it may well be possible and prudent to reshape it.

10. Finally, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Is there anything else you are happy to share about your life experiences as a disabled person?

The disability gap grows just like the pay gap is growing: when more people ignore others’ differences, the gap for opportunity and capability grows ever bigger between disabled people and non-disabled people. We need to turn this round, and enable all people to fulfil their potential.