A government advice service has warned about the “sharp practices” of some companies selling mobility scooters and other independent living products, after a steep rise in complaints. Consumer Direct, which is run by the Office of Fair Trading, received more than […]
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Honours for campaigners and Paralympic stars
Campaigners and sports stars are among the disabled people recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list. The disability rights and equalities consultant Ann Macfarlane, who has a long-standing involvement with the disabled people’s movement and is a board member of the […]
Regulator’s care guidance could discriminate
Guidance drafted by the new health and social care regulator could discriminate against disabled people who want to work in the industry according to legal experts. >From next April, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will begin to put in place the […]
Few disabled people appointed to public bodies
The government department that supports UK business failed to appoint a single disabled person to the board of a public body last year, despite making 100 appointments. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform – now replaced by the Department […]
Two new attempts to change assisted suicide laws
The House of Lords was the scene in early June of the two latest attempts to weaken the law on assisted suicide. The first move was an appeal to the Law Lords by Debbie Purdy, from Bradford, west Yorkshire, who has […]
Party leaders back calls for more disabled candidates
The leaders of the three main political parties have backed calls for more disabled people to stand for parliament. Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg all met disabled parliamentary candidates from their own parties. And they pledged to do more […]
Harper calls for PM to scrap MP mental health discrimination
Out-dated laws, which mean that MPs automatically lose their seats if they are detained under the Mental Health Act for at least six months should be scrapped the prime minister has been told. Mark Harper, the shadow minister for disabled people, […]
New coalition will fight to improve equality bill
A new campaigning coalition is set to fight for improvements to the government’s equality bill, and for full civil rights for disabled people. The agreement to form the new coalition of disabled people – yet to be named – came at […]
New single equality duty ‘must be robust’
The government has set out how public sector bodies should “advance” equal opportunities and tackle discrimination through a new single equality duty. The duty is a key part of the equality bill and will “build on” existing disability, gender and race […]
Right to Control is ‘a leap forward’ for disabled people
Campaigners have hailed a government programme that would give disabled people in England control over the funding they receive from the state as a “leap forward” for disability rights. They were speaking at the launch of a consultation on Right to […]