Page 27
Call Sign September 2011
Although it took place some months ago, I
Following the disturbing riots,
haven't had the opportunity to write about the
Mike Son looks at the good side of life...
wonderful and memorable commemorative
Riots, the disabled and
service at Westminster Abbey to which I was
invited for a service to mark the 40th anniver-
sary of the coming into effect of The
making a difference
Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act
1970. This was a most moving and memo-
rable service in one of the most beautiful
buildings in the land.
Bill to the House of Commons on 5 December
During these past months, there has
1969, which we again heard in this service.
been foreboding about the future of our
Since passage of the Chronically Sick and
Society with riots on the streets of London
Disabled Persons Act 1970, over 180 countries
and elsewhere and a general mayhem
have adopted similar legislation and a series of
caused by selfish individuals who are hell-
international agreements have given recogni-
bent on trying to bring out the very worst
tion to the rights of disabled people. The
in law abiding people. So I thought it
organisers of the service believed that the
important to write about this occasion
legacy of this legislation should be to inspire
and how some members of our communi-
future generations to remove prejudice wher-
ty can and do make a difference for the
ever it exists and to create a just and more
benefit of others.
compassionate society.
Those with disabilities must be forever
Me? I just wanted to show with a small
grateful to the many people that fight for the
but significant article that however
rights of those less fortunate than us. In 1969
appalling the actions of a few rioting
Alf Morris, then Labour MP for Manchester
youths, this world is basically a good
Wythenshawe, won first place in the ballot for
place and we shouldn't forget that...
a Private Members' Bill in the House of
Mike Son
Commons. He chose to introduce a far-rang-
Lord Alf Morris - the former MP who
ing Bill for chronically sick and disabled peo-
DaC BoM
introduced the Chronically Sick and
ple. Drafted in less than three weeks, the Bill
Disabled Persons Act 1970
secured a Second Reading on 5 December
1969 and became law just ahead of the disso-
Another true story from Geoff Levene
lution of Parliament for the General Election
Where there's a devil, there is a taxi driver!
of 1970. The key provisions actually came into
force early the following year.
Since its implementation, official statis-
opened and clothed in a full length
One of the interesting things
tics show that it has helped over 60million
silver lamé evening dress slashed to
about our game is that you never
the thigh, out stepped late theatre
know what's going to happen
people - more than the present popula-
critic Kenneth Tynan who on 13
next. Even in these troubled
tion of this country. Its principal provi-
November 1965 in a live TV debate
times, you can sign-on, book into
sions were:
broadcast on the BBC's late-night
one of the zones on your Dial-a-
ˇ Right of access for disabled people to the
satirical show BBC-3, became the
Cab terminal and be offered a
built environment, including schools and uni-
first man to use the f-word on tele-
job immediately. Similarly, when
versities
vision. He was a handsome man,
you knock on a client's door you
but made a really ugly woman and
can still be amazed by the person
ˇ The world's first statutory provision for
our toddler stared in shocked won-
that opens it.
purpose-built housing for disabled people and
derment - as did we all.
I remember an evening some
help in adapting their homes
"Oh my God," exclaimed Tynan
years ago when Mr Harris turned
ˇ Practical help as of right for disabled peo-
as he hastily retreated back behind the curtain.
out to be Whispering Bob on his way to The
ple in their homes, including the installation of
I read later that he had worn the dress and
Old Grey Whistle Test! Or when picking up
telephones for those house-bound and access
jockstrap at a Dorchester Hotel ball.
Miss Smith in Queen Elm's Square I was greet-
For our Tarts and Vicars party, I chose a
ed by her boyfriend... Albert Finney! Then
to transport and other services outside the
monk's habit complete with cowl in addition to
when the passenger came out, next door's
home
a Death head mask. We then got into my taxi
window shot up and Dame Maggie Smith in a
ˇ The world's first recognition in law of
and drove there with me in the full outfit. At a
white robe fresh from the bath called down a
autism and dyslexia
set of lights in the Archway Road, I turned to
quick message!
ˇ The world's first legislation for the needs
look at the car next to me as I could feel the
Famous faces turn up in the most unusual
of children who are both blind and pre-lin-
driver staring at me with some amazement. His
places. It must have been 35 years ago when
eyes widened and his mouth had dropped
my then wife and I were invited to a Tarts and
gually deaf
open. There on the A1 he had come face to
Vicars party and decided to hire fancy dress
ˇ The world's first Institute of Hearing research
face with the grim reaper and he drove a
from Bermans & Nathans in Leicester Square.
The Bill's philosophy was memorably
London taxi!
As we waited by the changing rooms with our
expressed at Westminster Abbey from the for-
Geoff Levene (no longer K43 due to
two year old son, a male voice boomed out
mer MP and now Lord Morris of Manchester in
hopefully temporary medical reasons)
that he was going to need a silver lamé jock-
the final words of his speech commending his
strap with his outfit! At which point a curtain
