Disabled trade unionists have refused to join the government’s new “alliance” of organisations interested in disability, because they say it will restrict their ability to campaign against coalition policies. The Office for Disability Issues claims that about 90 disability, public, voluntary […]
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Films highlight the human cost of cutting personalised support
People in mental distress are being denied the personalised support they need to stay healthy and out of hospital, according to a mental health arts charity. CoolTan Arts was screening three new films by its members about the personalisation of care […]
Disability Matters UK: An interesting journey, a big ambition
It’s fair to say that we at Disability Matters UK have set our stall out with a big ambition: to unite with others to create an inclusive society that recognises, supports, encourages and celebrates the contribution sick and disabled people make […]
DWP documents spark ILF closure ‘safety net’ fears
Doubts have emerged over whether the coalition will offer enough funding to provide anything more than a “safety net” to former users of the Independent Living Fund (ILF) after it closes, following the release of confidential government documents. The papers were […]
Ministers ridiculed over Spartacus snub
Two ministers faced ridicule and anger tonight after trying to use an “extraordinary” and “ludicrous” excuse to explain a refusal to meet a delegation of disabled activists. The Conservative minister Mark Hoban had been told to come to the House of […]
Chancellor eyes up welfare for fresh cuts
The government has refused to rule out further cuts to disability benefits, after fresh plans to curb spending were announced in this week’s budget. The chancellor, George Osborne, announced there would be a new limit on a large part of what […]
Disability hate crime has been ‘left behind’ by the criminal justice system
Criminal justice agencies must work closely with disabled people and their organisations if they are to correct their failure to deal with disability hate crime, say campaigners. They spoke out as an independent report on the barriers to the identification, investigation […]
Disabled peer calls for DPOs to join fight for watchdog’s ‘fairness and dignity’ duty
A disabled peer has appealed to user-led organisations to join her fight to protect a legal duty that keeps the Equality and Human Rights Commission pushing for fairness, dignity and respect. Earlier this month, Baroness [Jane] Campbell secured her first victory […]
Funding means national disability arts archive starts to take Shape
A pioneering project to develop an archive for the disability arts movement has secured vital lottery funding. The National Disability Arts Collection and Archive (NDACA) will provide a home for some of the most influential and important work since the birth […]
Motability’s new driver rules ‘could breach Equality Act’
New insurance rules that effectively ban foreign personal assistants (PAs) from driving Motability vehicles are likely to breach the Equality Act, it has been claimed. The new rules, introduced in January, mean foreign drivers without a UK licence can only be […]