The government has caused alarm among campaigners by extending its assault on the laws that protect disabled people and other minority groups from discrimination. Last year, the government announced plans to weaken the “specific duties” that public bodies such as schools […]
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Cuts and reforms to EHRC put disability committee’s future in doubt
Cuts to the funding and responsibilities of the equality watchdog could mean that its specialist disability committee is under threat, its disabled commissioner has warned. Theresa May, the Conservative home secretary and minister for women and equality, this week confirmed plans […]
Court’s ruling will have ‘huge impact’ on discrimination in benefits system
A landmark court ruling is set to help disabled campaigners fight discrimination within the benefits system. The Court of Appeal ruled this week that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) breached article 14 of the Human Rights Act – on […]
Disabled workers still face ‘bleak’ struggle for support
Disabled people are still facing a “bleak picture” in their struggle to secure the support they need in the workplace according to a new report from the equality watchdog. The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report, A Perfect Partnership, says awareness […]
Campaign raises fears over ‘unsafe’ vehicle conversions
Some wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) are potentially unsafe for passengers or drivers travelling in their wheelchairs, and should never have been allowed on the roads, claim campaigners. The campaigning user-led charity Disabled Motoring UK (DM UK) spoke out as it joined Constables […]
Disability movement divided over Remploy closures
Significant parts of the disability movement have backed disabled Remploy workers who are set to lose their jobs because of government plans to shut their sheltered factories. Despite their continued opposition to the kind of segregated and sheltered employment provided by […]
GP vote set to pressure government over ‘fitness for work’ tests
GPs across Britain look set to call on the government to abandon its much-criticised “fitness for work” tests, giving a huge boost to disabled activists who have fought for them to be scrapped. The work capability assessment (WCA), which tests disabled […]
Treasury criticised by watchdog over equality failings
The Treasury may have failed in its legal duty to consider how some of the cuts announced in its 2010 spending review would impact on disabled people, the equality watchdog has concluded. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) spent 18 […]
London 2012 reveals names of first Paralympic torch-bearers
A cheerleader, an athlete and an artist are among the first disabled people chosen to take part in this summer’s Paralympic torch relay. LOCOG, London 2012’s organising committee, this week announced the names of more than 300 people – both disabled […]
Disabled artist ‘in shock’ over treatment by London 2012
A disabled artist who has spent five years training young disabled people to perform in the Paralympics opening ceremony has spoken of the “disgraceful” way he has been treated by organisers of the London 2012 games. Jean-Marie Akkerman founded Cirque Nova […]