ULEZ Campaign Win
Dr Kush Kanodia is described by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, as a “passionate disability rights champion” who has “made a massive difference to the lives of disabled people in London”.
The Vision
To build a truly inclusive and equitable society for all, we must ensure climate action goes hand-in-hand with climate justice, social justice, and disability inclusion, ultimately stemming the tide of growing poverty and inequality.
The Challenge:
London, the world’s first Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), aimed to improve air quality, but it came at a cost for many disabled residents. With limited accessible public transport, disabled people rely on their vehicles to access essential services. The daily ULEZ charge of £12.50 for older vehicles would have created a significant financial burden. All during a cost of living crisis.
Leading the Change:
Dr. Kush Kanodia, a passionate advocate for disability inclusion, spearheaded a campaign to ensure ULEZ considered the needs of disabled people. He partnered with Inclusion London and other disability organizations to fight for reasonable adjustments.
A Successful Outcome:
Through Dr. Kanodia's dedicated efforts, London's ULEZ policy was transformed:
Over 250,000 disabled people are now exempt from ULEZ charges (Joint Press release with the Mayor of London).
Grants for wheelchair-accessible vehicles increased to £10,000 (Joint Press release with the Mayor of London).
Exemptions were extended for carers and the grace period.
Sadiq Khan Mayor of London's reference letter to Dr Kush Kanodia
The Partners:
No person can transform a system by themselves, it has to be from a Me to a We.
Inclusion London
Action for Disability Kensington & Chelsea
Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea’s Mobility Forum & City of London’s Access Group
Continuing the Fight:
Despite this victory, challenges remain. Many disabled Blue Badge holders are still not exempt, and other cities are implementing Clean Air Zones with similar accessibility concerns. Dr. Kanodia continues to advocate for a standardized approach that ensures fair and accessible clean air policies across the UK.
Dr. Kanodia's leadership has made a significant difference in the lives of disabled Londoners. Join him in the fight for a more inclusive and equitable future!
Media
Kush’s interview with the BBC
Campaign Links and Downloads
Alum Dr Kush Kanodia success in campaigning for mitigations for disabled people in ULEZ policy
Disabled campaigners welcome mayor’s ‘significant improvements’ to clean air scheme
London Mayor Approves Dr Kush Kanodia’s Campaign for Concessions
Sadiq Khan Mayor of London's reference letter to Dr Kush Kanodia