A GP whose patient tried to kill himself after a “fitness for work” test is urging the government to introduce a way to allow doctors to report such cases to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Dr Stephen Carty, medical […]
News Archive
‘Fitness for work’ test under fire: GPs say assessment must be scrapped
GPs have piled new pressure on the government after unanimously calling for it to scrap its controversial “fitness for work” tests. The British Medical Association’s (BMA’s) annual conference of local medical committees which represent GPs, passed a motion this week calling […]
‘Fitness for work’ test under fire: Campaigners seek judicial review
Campaigners are to ask a judge to declare that the government’s controversial “fitness for work” test is unlawful because it discriminates against people with mental health conditions. Two people with mental health conditions, both supported by the Mental Health Resistance Network […]
Government suggests long delay to disability strategy
The coalition appears to have ordered a lengthy delay to the publication of its cross-government disability strategy. A consultation on the strategy ended in early March, and the government had promised that it would be published in the spring. But a […]
Three-year cruelty campaign was not hate crime, says judge
A judge has sparked concern after refusing to treat a three-year campaign of cruelty in which a disabled man was repeatedly beaten by relatives as a disability hate crime. Preston Crown Court heard last week that Ghalib Hussain, who has epilepsy […]
Paralympic sport bosses set to do more on rights
The sports body that represents Britain’s Paralympians has suggested that it is planning to take a more active stance around disability rights issues. The British Paralympic Association’s (BPA’s) new five-year strategic plan published this week, also reveals that it is considering […]
Coldplay is latest draw for London 2012
Organisers of the London 2012 Paralympics have put on sale a further one million tickets as they marked 100 days until the games begin, and announced that the British band Coldplay would perform at its closing ceremony. The organising committee LOCOG […]
Classification flaws could mean missed swimming opportunity at London 2012
The lack of severely-impaired swimmers in the British team at this summer’s Paralympics could mean a missed chance to highlight sporting opportunities for other people with similar conditions, according to a leading athlete and activist. Helen Dolphin is Britain’s fastest 200 […]
Nine speak out to back ‘contract for the future’
Nine leading disabled activists have backed a new “contract for the future”, which lays out the 15 changes that need to be made to improve the lives of people with learning difficulties. The nine leaders, who all have learning difficulties, spoke […]
Survivors seek online route to spreading their lived experience
A group of thalidomide survivors from across Europe are hoping to share the knowledge they have gained from half a century of living with their impairments through a new online community. They are hoping their website will connect people affected by […]