Sports organisations and campaigners were this week mourning the loss of a ground-breaking disabled photographer who leaves behind an “enormous legacy” of pictures that captured many of the great moments of Paralympic sport. Graham Bool, who died suddenly on 17 September, […]
News Archive
Liberal Democrat conference: Ministers ‘know social care funding risks’
Government ministers “know what will happen” if they fail to fund social care adequately and end up “shunting” costs onto the health service, the Liberal Democrat care services minister has admitted. Paul Burstow told a fringe meeting at his party’s conference […]
Liberal Democrat conference: Delegates fear impact of spending cuts
Liberal Democrat delegates have raised fears about the impact of spending cuts on disabled people, and have criticised the language used by the coalition government in attacking “benefit cheats”. They were debating a motion – approved overwhelmingly by party members – […]
Debenhams showcases new wheelchair for mannequins
The designer of the world’s first wheelchair for mannequins hopes her ground-breaking new product will be a step forward for disability equality in the high street. The Mannequal made its first appearance on 3 September in the store window of the […]
Survey finds public support for winter fuel campaign
There is widespread public support for extending winter fuel payments to severely disabled people, according to a new survey. The research found that 86 per cent of non-disabled people (and 90 per cent of disabled people) supported the move. The survey […]
High-speed broadband ‘could transform lives’
Super-fast broadband services could “transform” the lives of disabled and older people, according to a new report. The report, prepared for Ofcom’s advisory committee on older and disabled people, says that so-called “next generation” broadband could help disabled people access education, […]
Government backs calls for simpler, clearer social care laws
The government has backed calls for new, simpler laws on social care to replace the current “piecemeal” state of the legal framework. The Department of Health (DoH) was responding to a public consultation by the Law Commission on reform of social […]
Solar Centre abuse scandal: New claims of abuse
The health trust at the centre of an alleged abuse scandal at a day centre faced similar allegations at a nearby facility for disabled people just two years earlier. Disability News Service has been collecting mounting evidence of the serious nature […]
Minister gives first estimates for IB reassessments
The government has given its first estimate of the number of people claiming long-term incapacity benefit (IB) who they expect will be found “fit for work” when reassessed using a controversial new test. The work capability assessment (WCA) was introduced for […]
Treasury cuts ‘could deprive disabled people of food or fuel’
Reported government plans to cut £2.5 billion from spending on out-of-work disability benefits would risk condemning more disabled people to poverty, according to campaigners. The plan to reduce spending on employment and support allowance – which is gradually replacing incapacity benefit […]