A national disability charity has marked its 40th anniversary by launching a new online service that will offer advice and information built up over the last 40 years. The Disabled Living Foundation’s telephone helpline answers 25,000 queries a year, but … Continue reading →

Campaigners have welcomed government action to clarify to primary care trusts (PCT) how they can improve the lives of disabled children with health problems. The government wrote two letters to every PCT in England on 2 April, explaining their duties … Continue reading →

The government has announced the launch of a new strategy for people with mental health problems in England. Phil Hope, the care services minister, said the New Horizons strategy would aim to improve services, but there would be a particular … Continue reading →

The government has threatened to cut funding to some English councils if they don’t do better on providing short breaks for disabled children. The government gave money to 21 “pathfinder authorities” last year to develop best practice in provision of … Continue reading →

Australian Kurt Fearnley fended off a strong challenge from Britain’s David Weir to win the 2009 Flora London Wheelchair Marathon. In perfect weather conditions, Weir narrowly failed to take his fourth straight title, crossing the line just a second behind … Continue reading →

Three new digital technology centres will “transform” the lives of disabled and older people, and those living in rural communities, thanks to a £36 million investment in Britain’s “digital future”, the government has announced. The three new research “hubs” at … Continue reading →

A government minister has pledged to improve the information provided to parents of disabled children and children with special educational needs (SEN). Education secretary Ed Balls said he accepted improvements suggested by the Lamb Inquiry, which was set up by … Continue reading →

A new organisation will provide the first national voice for disabled people who employ personal assistants (PAs). The Association of Disabled Employers (ADE) has been set up by Anne Pridmore, who has campaigned for nearly 20 years on independent living … Continue reading →

Campaigners have called on the prime minister to set a clear timetable for carrying out his promise to provide free prescriptions for all people with long-term conditions. The campaign was launched on 1 April, the day people with cancer in … Continue reading →

Peers have called for urgent government action to help people with haemophilia who became infected by contaminated NHS blood and blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. The House of Lords was debating the findings of an independent public inquiry, … Continue reading →