the country's only news agency specialising in disability issues
The Labour party is on a “collision course” with the equality and human rights watchdog and the United Nations because of its failure to accept the need for a legal right to independent living, according to a national network of disabled people’s […]
The equality watchdog is to launch a new project that will provide funding for disabled and older people to take legal action when they have faced discrimination on public transport. The fund has not yet been officially launched by the Equality and […]
The needs of many disabled pupils in England are not being met, while councils are under growing financial pressure because more children are attending special schools, parliament’s spending watchdog has warned. The report from the National Audit Office (NAO) says the number […]
A disability charity which campaigns for an end to the hostility faced by autistic people in the workplace has this week been defending its actions in an employment tribunal, following allegations made by an autistic former employee. Dave Gregson (pictured) worked as […]
The government’s own social security advisers have called for “urgent” action to stop jobcentre staff forcing claimants of universal credit (UC) to take medication or attend medical appointments in return for receiving their benefits. The social security advisory committee (SSAC) included the […]
One of the country’s oldest disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) has stressed that plans for closer co-operation with two other disability charities do not mean that they are moving towards a merger. The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) was founded in 1974 by the […]
A committee of MPs has called on the government to ban parking on pavements, after hearing how the practice was putting disabled people all over the country in stressful, inconvenient and even dangerous situations. The Commons transport committee says in a new […]
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) appears to have secured funding to set up an independent panel to examine cases where its own failings have led to the deaths of benefit claimants. Although DWP refused to provide any details on the […]
Grave concerns have been raised about what appear to be “discriminatory” and “pernicious” actions by a police force that has admitted passing information about disabled protesters to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Campaigners, including the human rights organisation Liberty, are […]
Three disabled peers have pledged to do all they can to avert the significant impact on disabled people of a no-deal Brexit, with one warning of a “time bomb” that is now likely to “detonate”. They spoke out this week as MPs […]
The rail regulator has been forced by a disabled campaigner to reconsider its refusal to tell train companies to ensure their rail replacement buses are fully accessible. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) issued guidance to train and station operators in […]
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has admitted that it has no idea how many of its 19 “disability champions” are disabled people. The disability sector champions – covering areas such as banking, gaming, arts and culture, media, music and retail […]
Three national disabled people’s organisations have told the government of their “grave concerns” about the impact of a no-deal Brexit. Inclusion Scotland, Disability Wales and Disability Action (in Northern Ireland) are among 85 organisations that have signed a joint letter to prime […]
A new piece of co-produced research will examine the advantages – and risks – of using artificial intelligence (AI) to support disabled people to live independently. The research, which has secured funding from the British Academy, will see academics work in co-production […]
Disabled-led organisations have secured funding of more than £750,000 to develop three separate programmes that will aim to produce more disabled leaders in the arts. All three of the programmes receiving funding from Arts Council England (ACE) are headed by disabled-led arts […]
Leading disabled campaigners have warned that a council’s proposals to increase care charges will force them and others to quit their jobs and stop their volunteering work, and will push many others into poverty. One influential campaigner warned that she could be […]
An autistic man who has been kept in locked mental health units for four years has told his mother he fears he will never be released. The user-led campaign group Autistic UK is supporting the family of Ikram Khan, now 23, who […]
Disabled politicians preparing to contest the general election likely to be called within months will be hit hard by the government’s refusal to fund their disability-related campaign spending, a Deaf parliamentary candidate has warned. Kerena Marchant, who uses British Sign Language (BSL) […]
A world-renowned London tourist attraction could soon be facing legal action after failing for years to address its glaring access flaws, according to a former adviser. Disabled broadcaster, journalist and access consultant Mik Scarlet said it was “shocking” that a top London […]
The amount of time that nurses and physiotherapists spend carrying out face-to-face disability benefit assessments can vary hugely, depending on where the test takes place, according to analysis of new Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures. Although the figures do not […]
Disabled delegates who are providing free access and mental health advice and support to delegates at next month’s Labour conference have had to launch an “embarrassing” crowdfunding appeal after they say the party refused to pay for any free accommodation. At last […]