Young disabled campaigners have issued a five-point manifesto that describes the positive legacy they want to see from the success of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The five recommendations come from young “ambassadors” of the disability charity Whizz-Kidz, which provides wheelchairs […]
All News Stories
Peers try to smuggle new Motability support into up-rating bill
Disabled peers have appealed to ministers to prevent the “chaos” set to be caused by tens of thousands of disabled people having their Motability vehicles removed, because of planned government cuts to disability benefits. Both Baroness [Tanni] Grey-Thompson and Lord [Colin] […]
Confusion and anxiety as PIP advisers give out-of-date answers
The coalition’s programme to replace disability living allowance (DLA) with a new benefit has been thrown into confusion after the government’s own telephone helpline advisers began passing out-of-date information to anxious claimants. The Conservative minister for disabled people, Esther McVey, promised […]
Disabled people on government work schemes ‘deserve better’
The failure of the coalition’s two programmes to help disabled people into work has highlighted the need for much more intensive employment support, according to one of the government’s own advisers. Liz Sayce, chief executive of Disability Rights UK, spoke out […]
Star fears for the future after assisted dying road trip
A high-profile opponent of assisted suicide says a radio documentary in which she visited the five countries that allow state-sanctioned killing left her convinced that other governments will soon legalise the practice. The disabled actor, comedian and activist Liz Carr said […]
Government silent on need for inquiry into punishment of autistic pupils
The government has failed to say if it believes there is a need for a national inquiry into the use of locked rooms to punish autistic children in special schools. It faced questions over the issue after schools inspector Ofsted launched […]
Listed status for gravestone of ‘Peter the Wild Boy’
The government has given listed status to the gravestone of a disabled man who was brought to the court of King George I in 1726 after being discovered as a teenager living wild in a German forest. The man – known […]
Signs of hope for job-sharing MPs campaign
Activists who want disabled people to be able to become job-sharing MPs are pushing the deputy prime minister to reopen a parliamentary inquiry, so that it can discuss the idea again. Campaigners want parliament to introduce new laws that would allow […]
Questions raised over failure to include access in rail station scheme
Campaigners have asked the government why a major scheme to build a new platform at a busy rail station failed to include work to make the station accessible to disabled people. The £2.5 million project is taking place at Alexandra Palace, […]
Annual day celebrates ‘independence’ for wheelchair-users
A disabled campaigner is hoping disabled people in the UK and around the world will use an annual day to celebrate the independence provided by their wheelchair. Steve Wilkinson launched International Wheelchair Day five years ago, and although it has yet […]