Freedom of City award winner criticises disability access

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the case of Anna Landre, a wheelchair-using activist, researcher and consultant, who was awarded the Freedom of the City of London for her contributions to computer science and disability campaigning, but was unable to collect the award on stage due to the lack of an accessible ramp. The article highlights the irony of being granted the Freedom of the City but not the freedom of the room, and the systemic issue of inaccessibility that disabled people often face.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Irony of the Situation

1. What was the irony that Anna Landre experienced when receiving the Freedom of the City award?

• Anna Landre was granted the Freedom of the City of London for her disability campaigning, but was unable to collect the award on stage due to the lack of an accessible ramp, which she described as "the absolute irony to be granted the Freedom of the City but not the freedom of the room."

2. How did Anna Landre feel during the ceremony?

• Anna Landre said she was "in shock and trying to figure out what to do" when she was told she wouldn't be able to receive her award onstage like the other recipients. She spent most of the ceremony "trying not to start crying" and felt "belittled surrounded by that pomp and circumstance."

[02] Systemic Inaccessibility

1. What are the challenges that Anna Landre and other disabled people face in enforcing their rights?

• According to Anna Landre, the only way to enforce their rights is to sue, which is an "unbelievable burden." She said this is why "we're never going to have full implementation if the only mechanism for enforcement is disabled people suing."
• Landre suggested the need for an easier way to make complaints, such as an ombudsman or leadership from the government, to make disabled people's rights real.

2. How does inaccessibility impact society according to Anna Landre?

• Landre said "inaccessibility like this has a real cost to society" and that "we'd benefit from an easier way to make complaints" to address this systemic issue.

[03] The City of London Corporation's Response

1. How did the City of London Corporation respond to the incident?

• The City of London Corporation said they "offered our sincerest apologies to Anna Landre for the inaccessible stage upon receiving her freedom award" and that they are "undertaking an urgent review to ensure accessibility at our buildings, facilities and events."

2. What did the Corporation say about their commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion?

• The City of London Corporation stated that they are "fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion" and are making "every effort to ensure this doesn't happen again."