Published on: 20/05/21
The Disabled Children’s Partnership (DCP) held a virtual parliamentary event last week, with more than 50 MPs and members of the House of Lords, or their staff, hearing directly from parents.
The DCP is a coalition of more than 80 organisations campaigning for improved health and social care for disabled children, young people and their families.
Four parents – Dan, Vanessa, Rick and Bev – gave eloquent and passionate accounts of their family’s experiences during lockdown and beyond. Topics covered included the delays to therapies, the closure of special schools, delays to vital health equipment, and the mental health and social isolation impacts on families throughout the pandemic.
Many political attendees pledged to support the campaign and raise disabled children and families in parliament. Several asked questions about wider impacts of the pandemic. A broad range of politicians were present, with representatives from every English political party with a seat in Westminster.
The event generated great momentum for the DCP’s campaign, and helped raise the profile of disabled children and families up the political agenda.
The DCP thanked parents for supporting the campaign saying: “We can't thank you enough for being a part of the campaign movement that helped make this event such a success. Without our fantastic campaigners lobbying their MPs to attend, there is no chance the event would have been as successful.”
Parents can take part in the DCP’s sign action to put pressure on government ministers on social media. They can also read the DCP’s report – No End In Sight. The coalition will soon be asking families to ask their MP to publicly sign-up to back disabled children and the campaign.
