‘Tragedy and injustice’ Suffolk man fights to protect autistic people in future crises
Ivan Ambrose is joined by Ipswich MP to create better support systems.
The MP for Ipswich, Jack Abbott, has warned that disabled people were “an afterthought” during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he used a Westminster Hall debate to call for stronger support for autistic and neurodivergent people ahead of any future public health emergency.
The debate was prompted by a long-running campaign led by Ipswich resident Ivan Ambrose, who began petitioning Parliament after what he describes as a “horrendous experience” during the pandemic.
Mr Ambrose said:
“It’s been nearly five years that I’ve been working on this specific autism campaign… this come about by my horrendous experience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic… There was no autism-friendly information to make it more easily understood for autistic people.”
He said he was “really pleased” that his concerns had now reached Parliament, adding:
“I do not want this to happen again to autistic people in future pandemics… There has got to be much more effective and appropriate communication to prevent as much distress and anxiety as possible when there is a future pandemic.”
‘Much more support’ needed in Suffolk
Mr Ambrose said that support for people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) remains inadequate locally.
He said:
“People with SEND… need much more support in Suffolk and this is particularly the case for adults with disabilities.”
He added that autism is “a lifelong condition and it needs lifelong support”, and called for “functioning adult autism support services in the community” including “in person” help or “home visits”.
Abbott: Disabled people were not considered in early COVID decisions
In Westminster Hall, Jack Abbott set out concerns raised in the UK COVID-19 Inquiry about how disabled people were treated in the early stages of the pandemic.
He told MPs:
“Disabled people were an afterthought. Their needs and how the government response might affect them were not considered.”
He highlighted criticism that the Government’s disability data was “fragmented” and that communication formats, including British Sign Language interpretation, were inadequate in 2020.
Mr Abbott said:
“It wasn’t until May 21, 2020… that the position of disabled people was even considered at an inter-ministerial level.”
He linked these national failings to Mr Ambrose’s personal experience, telling MPs:
“What happened to Ivan is a tragedy, a gross injustice… the damage inflicted on him cannot be taken back.”
MP praises Ivan Ambrose’s campaign
Mr Abbott told Parliament he had met Mr Ambrose several times, calling him “hugely inspirational”.
He said:
“He’s turned his trauma and suffering into this incredible determination… He’s spent the last four years campaigning, fighting to make sure that no one has to go through what he did.”
Mr Abbott noted that Mr Ambrose’s evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Autism Act has already influenced national discussions.
He added:
“Warm words of inspiration and thanks are simply not enough. We need to see lasting and permanent change so this can never happen again.”
Call for stronger future pandemic planning
Both Mr Abbott and Mr Ambrose said pandemic preparedness must take account of autistic and disabled people.
Mr Ambrose said:
“We need to learn the lessons now and put the measures in place so that we are much more prepared, including for autistic people in future pandemics.”
Mr Abbott said he is looking forward to seeing the Government’s updated pandemic response plan, adding:
“I’m very glad that the impact on vulnerable people, including autistic people… is at the front and centre of this work.”