{"id":50485,"date":"2024-06-10T10:56:47","date_gmt":"2024-06-10T09:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?page_id=50485"},"modified":"2024-06-10T16:09:25","modified_gmt":"2024-06-10T15:09:25","slug":"potential-and-possibility-2023","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/about-us\/research\/potential-and-possibility-research\/potential-and-possibility-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Potential and Possibility 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t
\t\t
\n\n

People with complex disabilities tell us what needs to change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our annual research reveals what people with complex disabilities want to change to improve their lives in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I just want to be acknowledged and accepted and for people to understand how difficult life is for us. We just want to live normal independent lives like everyone else but to do that we need help along the way.”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At Sense, we know how important it is for every disabled person to be able to reach their potential. There are 1.6 million people with complex disabilities in the UK<\/a>, and none of them should be left out of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2022, we spoke to over 1,500 people with complex disabilities to find out about their experiences, what matters to them and what barriers are in their way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results showed us how we can pave the way to a better future for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, following the findings on employment, we carried out more research into employment of disabled people<\/a>. We’ve also campaigned to improve support for disabled jobseekers<\/a> and called for assistive technology and better awareness of complex disabilities in Jobcentres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building on the success of our research in 2022, we repeated it in 2023, including over 1,500 people once again. We surveyed people using the same methodology we used in 2022, and we also asked questions of people who use Sense services around the UK. This allowed us to reach people who wouldn’t normally participate in research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have updated the figures on some of these pages to reflect our latest findings, and explored some new topics.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We want everyone to see the potential and possibility in the lives of people with complex disabilities, and to do what they can to change things for the better.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

\n
\n\n

Experiences of people with complex disabilities in 2023<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n Health and wellbeing\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tOur latest research shows there are some large gaps between the health and wellbeing of people with complex disabilities and non-disabled people.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n \"person\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n Access to healthcare\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tIn our 2023 research, we asked people with complex disabilities about how accessible they find healthcare settings.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n \"\"\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n Social care\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tFor the 2023 update to our Potential and Possibility research, we asked participants about their experiences of social care.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n \"Close-up\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n Relationships and socialising\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tFor the 2023 update to our Potential and Possibility research, we asked participants about relationships and their social lives. \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n \n
\n

\n \n The cost of living\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tIn 2023, 85% of people with complex disabilities are worried about the rising cost of living. \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n \"A\n <\/figure>\n \n
\n

\n \n Engaging in politics\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tIn the 2023 update to our research, we asked people with complex disabilities about their experiences voting and getting involved in politics in other ways.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research from previous years<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\n \n
\n

\n \n The impact of Covid-19\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tAs part of our Potential and Possibility research in 2022, we asked people with complex disabilities about the impact the Covid-19 pandemic had on them.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t
\t\t
\n\n

What does Potential and Possibility mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“I hate being idle. Getting employment would help ease my discomfort in life and give me that much-yearned independent life, exploring my potential. l want to appreciate my mum and relatives who struggle to make ends meet to give me a better life. I want to be independent and prove that l am capable of doing anything in life despite my condition.”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We asked disabled participants what they would like to do in the future, to find out what Potential and Possibility means to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our 2023 research, people with complex disabilities shared that they wanted to be financially secure, highlighting the ongoing impact of the rising cost of living. Developing friendships and relationships also remained a high priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n