give us a one level town              

circled by green

give us unspecial needs

give us access all areas

a wheelchair wide world

as easy as yours

slopes and ramps and gentle contours

slight inclines and smooth edges

bear us no grudges

give us hoists and lifts don’t

give us shifty looks

give us a pointed finger free zone

give us poems in Braille and Makaton

and the time to read and speak them

give us eye level windows to see through

and new experience to feel through

give us the facts

give us eye contact

our own voice

our freedom of choice

a fair deal

an even keel

give us a level playing field

and when we’ve worn out those clichés one by one

when all’s said but not done

when we’re off and doing

out and about

give us clout

give us time

give us space

give us only what you wanted

what you take for granted

give us only what you have

given yourselves

a part in life’s dance

give us more than just a second’s glance

give us a chance

Commissioned for the ‘Carry on Listening’ project for people with learning difficulties.

                                    by  John Lindley  Cheshire Poet Laureate for 2004

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