A disability charity has begun legal action against a budget airline over its failure to make its website accessible to blind and partially-sighted customers. RNIB says bmibaby has failed to take action to ensure that customers who use screen-readers or cannot […]
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New work test stats ‘show reforms are working’
New figures show the number of disabled people found eligible for unconditional support under the much-criticised “fitness for work” regime has doubled since its introduction by the Labour government in 2008. Figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) […]
New concerns over London 2012’s search for disabled volunteers
A leading user-led arts organisation has raised new concerns over the search for volunteers to take part in the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Paralympics. Last week, disabled artists and performers warned that many disabled people would be […]
Alarm after council scraps direct payments support service
Disabled activists are warning that local authorities could try to copy a council that has withdrawn funding from a direct payments support service. Even though government guidance encourages councils to provide an independent advice and information service for users of direct […]
Ofcom criticised after clearing Channel 4 over Gervais hate routine
The broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has come under attack again after ruling that an offensive, disablist routine by comedian Ricky Gervais did not breach its broadcasting code. Channel 4, which broadcast Gervais’s stand-up show Science last October, has refused to apologise despite […]
MPs’ survey provides new evidence of care cuts
Nearly two-thirds of local authorities in England have reduced their spending on support in the community for disabled and older people, according to a survey commissioned by a committee of MPs. The survey, carried out for the Commons health select committee […]
Disabled people ‘getting sharp end of the government’s stick’
It is “entirely obvious” that the government’s welfare cuts are “falling entirely” on disabled people and families with children, according to a leading academic. Professor Paul Gregg, an economic and social policy expert at the University of Bath, told a TUC […]
DLA reform: DPOs could boycott government consultations
Leading figures in the disability movement say they could stop cooperating with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if the government’s welfare reform bill becomes law. Disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) are becoming increasingly angry at the government’s failure to listen […]
London 2012 criticised over opening ceremony volunteer call
The London 2012 organising committee’s appeal for volunteers to take part in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Paralympics has been criticised by leading disabled artists and performers. The organising committee, LOCOG, announced this week that it was seeking 5,000 […]
DLA reform: Government concessions ‘are victory for activists’
The disabled activists behind a ground-breaking report that accused the government of misleading parliament over its welfare reforms say major concessions agreed by a coalition minister are a victory for disabled people. As peers prepared again to consider plans to scrap […]