disability-history-timeline-2013

Social advances1894The British Medical Journal (BMJ) beginsa campaign to improve standards ofcare for older, sick and disabled peoplein workhouses. Over the next two years,workhouses across England and Wales arevisited by a BMJ ‘commission’ and theirinspection reports, often very shocking, arepublished in the Journal. The BMJ’s effortsresult in improvements in the standard ofcare provided.1899The National League of the Blind forms asa trade union.1909The Royal Commission on the Poor Lawsproposes a state universal safety net forcitizens. The lack of a positive response totheir proposals leads to the development ofthe Labour Party.1916British Braille becomes the Englishlanguage standard because of the wealthof code already available in the BritishEmpire. Previously New York Point andAmerican Braille were used in the USA.1918The end of the First World War heightensawareness of physical impairment issues.1.5 million people have lost limbs, areblinded, become deaf or suffer severemental trauma or brain damage duringthe four-year conflict. People who suffershell shock are classed as mentally ill and,if badly affected, are sent to an institution.1937A report on health services by Political andEconomic Planning points out that thepoor treatment received by some in formerworkhouses has led to impairments. It callsfor the setting up of a national healthservice. It was thought to have influencedthe later Beveridge Report (1942).26