BBC Shines Spotlight on Stigma Facing Mobility Scooter Users

BBC Morning Live has broadcast a report highlighting the stigma, hostility and daily struggles faced by mobility scooter users across the UK.

The feature followed collaboration between the BBC, Surewise, Sharon Hilton from the Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership, and Professor Duncan Guest of Nottingham Trent University. 

In the programme, mobility scooter users Dean Brook and Andrea Hill spoke openly about the barriers they face when trying to live independently. Sharon Hilton also spoke in memory of her best friend Dawn, a mobility scooter user and campaigner who died last year but had been determined to see mobility scooter users treated with dignity, empathy and respect.

The programme was prompted by the Safer Mobility Campaign, launched by Surewise in April 2024, which has highlighted rising casualties, inadequate infrastructure and widespread social stigma affecting mobility scooter users.

“To see this issue spoken about so honestly, in such a carefully presented and sensitive way, was wonderful for us,” said Richard Hannan, Director of Surewise.

“We care deeply about the safety and wellbeing of mobility scooter users and were horrified to learn of how much verbal and even physical abuse they receive just for trying to live an independent life.

“To hear the presenters - well-respected, household names - present this issue to so many people, and concur that this situation is shocking, urging viewers to ‘take note’, was incredibly powerful.

“We are incredibly grateful to Dean, Andrea and to Sharon for telling their stories so openly, so articulately and with such courage. Their voices have made it impossible to ignore the reality of what many mobility scooter users face every single day.”

Viewers heard how Dean is routinely forced to justify his disability to strangers, Andrea is verbally abused on the roads, and many users face blocked pavements, dangers at crossings and frequent judgement.

According to Professor Guest, stigma is now one of the greatest threats to mobility scooter users’ wellbeing - on a par with the physical risks of unsafe roads.

To watch the programme visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpDMOjcA0ZY