MPs have called on the government to do more through its new equality bill to monitor how the public sector combats disability discrimination. The work and pensions select committee said current disability equality schemes were often merely “tick box exercises”, and […]
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Campaigners welcome equality bill
The government’s new equality bill will play a “significant part” in reaching its goal of equality for disabled people by 2025, according to the minister for disabled people. Jonathan Shaw was speaking after the government published the bill, which streamlines a […]
Thousands ‘stand up for autism’ on awareness day
Campaigners and charities have successfully united to mark World Autism Awareness Day in the UK. In the lead-up to the day (2 April), 20 autism charities called on people across the UK to raise awareness of the condition and “stand up […]
GB Paralympian nominated for world sports award
British cycling Paralympian Darren Kenny has been selected as one of the top six disabled sportspeople of the year. Kenny, who returned from last year’s Beijing Paralympics with four gold medals and a silver in track and road cycling, has been […]
Mind book shortlist covers drugs, cricket and Marilyn
The mental health problems of Virginia Woolf Sylvia Plath and Marilyn Monroe are used to help chart the study of the female mind over the last 200 years, in one of the books shortlisted for an annual literary award. Mad, Bad […]
New guide features best of UK attractions
Disabled visitors to attractions across the UK are still facing unhelpful staff, poor signage and badly thought-out design, according to reviewers who helped write a new guide book. The second edition of The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain, published on 6 […]
Asda starts selling living aids
Asda has become the first supermarket to sell mobility and independent living aids in-store. >From 18 April, the chain began selling 15 different products from the new brand Mobilease in 75 of its stores. It hopes to expand the exclusive range […]
More than half of councils have signed charter for children
More than half of English councils have signed a charter that commits them to providing decent services for disabled children and their families by the end of 2009. The campaign group Every Disabled Child Matters has now persuaded 77 local authorities […]
Autism guidance should help Scottish schools
New guidance and advice published by the Scottish government aims to help schools and councils meet the needs of children with autism. The Autism Toolbox was launched at the National Autistic Society Scotland’s (NASS) Daldoch House School and will be sent […]
Advice charity marks anniversary with new online service
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 […]