New government figures have confirmed that only a small proportion of people applying for out-of-work disability benefits are “passing” the strict new test, the work capability assessment (WCA). The government claimed the figures showed that “thousands of people are now moving […]
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Justice system ‘must listen’ on safeguarding
A leading disabled campaigner has welcomed government plans to bring in new laws on “safeguarding” adults, but has called for professionals to do far more to listen to people with learning difficulties. His call came after care services minister Phil Hope […]
Movement must do more to encourage leaders of the future
Campaigners have called for a “tidal wave of desire for change” in the disability movement to encourage more young disabled people to become the leaders of the future. The call comes in the report Pushing for Change, part of a project […]
Campaign accuses government on talking buses
Campaigners have accused the government of trying to back out of a commitment to change the law to ensure all UK buses and coaches include audio and visual passenger information. The Talking Buses campaign, led by the charity Guide Dogs and […]
Government expresses ‘regret and sympathy’ for thalidomide damage
A thalidomide survivor has spoken of his mixed emotions as he watched from the House of Commons public gallery while a government minister apologised for the damage caused by the drug half a century ago. Guy Tweedy is one of hundreds […]
Writer’s university experiment will capture voices in poetry
A disabled writer is to produce a series of experimental poems that aim to capture the lives and voices of disabled people, during a nine-month stint as a university department’s artist-in-residence. Allan Sutherland, a writer and performance poet and a leading […]
Peers call for legal duty on accessible information
A new, explicit legal duty to provide accessible information should be included in the government’s equality bill, according to peers. The amendments to the bill were proposed by the disabled peer Lord [Colin] Low during its committee stage in the Lords. […]
Rights campaigner to head EHRC’s disability committee
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has chosen a disability rights campaigner as the new chair of its disability committee. Mike Smith, who has been a member of the committee since 2007, replaces acting chair Alun Davies, who stepped down […]
McKinnon wins latest round in extradition court battle
Disabled computer hacker Gary McKinnon has won the latest round in his legal battle to avoid extradition to the United States. A high court judge has ruled that there should be a judicial review of home secretary Alan Johnson’s failure to […]
Personal care bill passes Commons hurdle
A government bill to introduce free personal care at home for disabled people with the highest needs has completed its progress through the Commons. But elements of the personal care at home bill faced severe criticism, particularly from Conservative MPs. The […]