Herriot-Watt University launch new project examining West Lothian disabled people's access to eco-friendly practices

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Disabled people and those living with long-term health conditions in West Lothian will take the forefront in a new project examining potential discrimination people face trying to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.The project, titled ‘Eco-Ableism’, is in collaboration with West Lothian Libraries and The Partnership Centre in Carmondean, Livingston and led by Herriot-Watt University.A number of environmental policies have been introduced to the UK in an effort to lower greenhouse emissions - but the arrival of these measures can pose significant obstacles to disabled residents and people with chronic health conditions.For example, people with low-mobility might be unable to carry out ‘everyday tasks’ such as placing recycling bins on a pavement.A team of academics from Heriot-Watt’s School of Social Sciences are to gain a better understanding of this issue and put forward a series of recommendations to mitigate against the current challenges.The project team will host a series of focus groups in West Lothian this summer to encourage local groups and individuals to identify the obstacles they face when efforts are made to enact new eco-friendly policies at a local and national level.Eco-Ableism examples include ignoring disabled people in emergency planning, removing parking bays to make way for cycle lanes, and various other environmentally-oriented policy changes which negatively impact those with disability and long-term health conditions.Professor Kate Sang from the School of Social Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, will lead on the research process while maintaining Eco-Ableism as a community-led project, with people’s voices and personal experiences at its heart.Kate Sang said: “Eco-ableism can be defined as being