The right to work
digital file Colour Sound 1974 23:53

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Summary: This film is about the barriers that disabled people face when trying to integrate into industry and employment. People with disabilities discuss frankly what needs to be done to change the situation and how they feel when they are excluded from open employment. The organisation Remploy is also discussed, an employment agency that finds work for disabled people. 3 segments.
Title number: 18090
LSA ID: LSA/21247
Description: Segment 1 A voiceover explains that society finds disabled adults embarrassing, although disabled children are often accepted. There seems to be an assumption that adults with disabilities do not have the same feelings and aspirations as others. A disabled man discusses how he tried to find employment from the age of 15. He has found work through Remploy making duffel bags in a workshop, and the workshop is shown. He discusses how employers are not encouraged to employ disabled people. A disabled man who is an employee of a work centre is interviewed about people with disabilities in industry. Time start: 00:00:00:00 Time end: 00:07:12:02 Length: 00:07:12:02 Segment 2 Factory work performed by disabled people is shown, and the manager discusses how the work has to be good quality. One man however, says that Remploy has disadvantages in that severly disabled people still cannot find employment through them. The employers' point of view is looked at also. One man who works in an office talks about his job and working life. He says before he started work at the office, he was imprisoned by immobility and ignorance. He places an emphasis on transport. Previously, he used an 'electric invalid carriage' which limited his movements and social life. Due to his job, he could afford to buy an automatic Mini, which has benefited his social life and happiness. He also makes fun of art therapy activities that are suggested for disabled people, such as basket weaving. Time start: 00:07:12:02 Time end: 00:15:06:21 Length: 00:07:54:19 Segment 3 He talks about adapting buildings for disabled people, and says that disabled people need to be more militant and more articulate about what they want. A further education school run by the Spastics Society is shown. One female student talks about assumptions that are made about disabled people, such as that they would be better off living together and working together instead of integrated into society. She also asks of one male student, 'Why is he even doing a degree if he'll end up basket weaving?' Some disabled people who use computers and typewriters to communicate, and one man who works as computer programmers, are seen working. The same man is shown being fed at lunchtime, and a voiceover says that society does not like spoonfeeding adults, implying that society prefers disabled adults to be hidden away. Time start: 00:15:06:21 Time end: 00:23:53:15 Length: 00:08:46:19
Credits: Filmed by Richard Dellow, researched by Graham Burn, produced by Bryan Hirst and directed by Nigel Evans.
Further information: This film was donated to Wellcome Trust by Scope.
Keywords: Cerebral Palsy; Disabled Persons
Locations: United Kingdom; England
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