The sixth and final episode in the second series of the Yorkshire Calendar series produced during the International Year of Disabled People in which presenter Richard Madeley and Vyvyan Mackeson look back on the year to see what has been achieved and has it made any difference to the lives of the disabled. Please note, the programme uses out-dated terms to described certain disabilities and the disabled that some viewers may find offensive. Title: Yorkshire Television Colour Production...

The sixth and final episode in the second series of the Yorkshire Calendar series produced during the International Year of Disabled People in which presenter Richard Madeley and Vyvyan Mackeson look back on the year to see what has been achieved and has it made any difference to the lives of the disabled. Please note, the programme uses out-dated terms to described certain disabilities and the disabled that some viewers may find offensive. Title: Yorkshire Television Colour Production Calendar At Your Service In the living room of their flat Barbara Wallwork, who has severe spasticity, feeds her baby daughter. Title: A Year of Their Own Credit: with Richard Madeley and Vyvyan Mackeson Presenter Richard Madeley begins this final programme by asking what has the International Year of Disabled People meant for the 5-and-a-half million disabled people in Britain? After providing details on what the campaign has achieved, he asks has it made any different to the daily lives of disabled people? Looking at the issues of employment co-presenter Vyvyan Mackeson states that prospects are no brighter with 16% of disabled people being without work at the half-way point of the year. 19-year-old Tracey Caldwell from Doncaster who has Spina bifida speaks with Vyvyan and sees the campaign as being a mixed blessing. She explains why she believes integration of disabled and able-bodied pupils in schools is important as it breaks down barriers and helping people understand the needs of the disabled. As she wheels her wheelchair around the garden Vyvyan explains in voiceover that Tracey has been out of work since leaving her special school four years previous and provides details of two work placements, she has been on via the Youth Opportunity Scheme. However, Tracey explains her frustration and feelings of isolation when these placements ended, and no permanent jobs were offered. She talks about the challenges of having compete for work with able-boded people. Back in the studio Richard conducts a discussion with regards the employment prospects for disabled people such as Tracey with Alan Walker Honorary Secretary of the Disabled Alliance and a Lecturer in Social Policy at Sheffield University, Colin Low who is on the National Organising Committee in Leeds for the International Year of Disabled People campaign and is also registered blind and finally Roger Hales Secretary for the Lodge Moor Spinal Unit Sports Club in Sheffield. There is a consensus that disabled people are at a severe disadvantage when looking for work, especially now when unemployment levels are so high. Moving the programme on Vyvyan begins to talk about access for the disabled and provides details on success stories such as a new reginal aid centre for the disabled to open shortly at St Mary’s Hospital in Leeds. However, a lot of work is still needing to be done and a photo montage following compiled by the Skegness Community Action Project showing the towns lack of wheelchair ramps, access to disabled toilets as well as issues with disabled parking and being able to shop in a local supermarket. Richard raises the questions of access for the disabled with Roger Hales, who is in a wheelchair, as well as with Colin Low and Alan Walker. They talk about what International Year of Disabled People has achieved and what they hope will continues. They also talk about the new Disabled Persons Act and are critical of the government for not implementing a policy that would stop a developer from constructing a building without also providing adequate disabled access. After Richard explains that the main aim of the International Year of Disabled People was to change attitudes towards disabled people, he provides details about 28-year-old Alan Bates from Halifax that shows sympathy and understanding for the disabled is not always forthcoming. Richard speaks with both Alan and Councillor Dick Deadman from Calderdale Council about John’s unfortunate situation of both being evicted from his housing association flat for non-payment of rent and been given a suspended prison sentence for non-payment of rates. John ends the interview by saying while the International Year of Disabled People hasn’t helped him, it has been good at raising the awareness of the disabled with the general public. Back in the studio Richard discusses the plight of John with both Alan Walker and Colin Low who both state that sadly cases like John are not uncommon and that many disabled are now living in poverty. They talk about the need for disabled people to have basic rights and a basic income to allow them to live independently. Finally, Richard asks Roger Hales if attitudes towards the disabled have changed over the year? In Sheffield not really Roger states but overall, he has seen them improve slightly. Vyvyan provides details on a ‘Charter for the 80s’ that has been compiled in the hope that it will launch a new era of understanding following the International Year of Disabled People. Richard then provides details on Bill and Barbara Wallwork from Copley near Halifax and how 1981 was also a special year for them. Inside their modern flat Barbara who has severe spasticity feeds her baby daughter Sarah. Sitting with Sarah on his knee Bill, who also has spasticity, and Barbara explain to Richard the challenges they faced from people when they made the decision to have a child and what people’s reactions were. They talk to Richard about how they knew they cope and the possibility of having a second child. Back in the studio Richard brings both the programme and series to a close by offering the address for ‘Calendar At Your Service’ if more information is required on any part of the series. Title: Calendar At Your Service Credit: was presented by Richard Madeley and Vyvyan Mackeson Editorial Assistant Patrick Dean, Eve Conway Film Editor Gordon Hopps Director Derek Goodall Producer Petrina Rance Editor Graham Ironside End title: Yorkshire Television Colour Production. © Trident Television Ltd. MCMLXXXI