Bosses from the country’s three leading cinema chains have been given a grilling by young disabled activists over their failure to make their screens more accessible. Leading executives from Cineworld, Odeon and Vue attended a parliamentary meeting as part of an […]
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Survey provides detailed picture of social barriers
The first major survey to explore the barriers that disabled people face to participating in British society has produced a detailed picture of their experiences across work, transport and education. The Life Opportunities Survey compares how disabled and non-disabled people participate […]
Reports raise new safety concerns over institutions
New fears have been raised about the safety of people with learning difficulties, after the care watchdog published the first reports from a national programme of inspections. The programme of surprise inspections of more than 100 NHS and independent hospitals that […]
Protesters set Olympic Park tone for months of Atos protests
Disabled protesters furious at the involvement of two of London 2012’s major sponsors have targeted the first “test event” held to prepare for next year’s Paralympics. Protesters were denied access to the Olympic Park by LOCOG, the 2012 organisers, but were […]
Europe’s leaders ‘must take action on poverty and discrimination’
The European Union’s (EU) leaders have been urged to take action to ensure disabled people do not suffer more poverty, exclusion and discrimination because of the European financial crisis. The call came from Yannis Vardakastanis, president of the European Disability Forum […]
Legislation could solve council foot-dragging on personal budgets, say MPs
The government should consider introducing legislation to give disabled people a legal right to a personal budget according to a committee of MPs. The report from the Commons public accounts committee said that a small number of councils were “dragging their […]
Big Society ‘could open door to opportunities’
The government’s “Big Society” agenda could provide an opportunity to put into practice many of the “long-cherished principles” held by people with mental health difficulties according to a disabled journalist and activist. Mark Brown, editor of the mental health magazine One […]
Mobility component u-turn: Fears over how DWP will fund decision
The government has refused to say how it will fund its decision to abandon plans to remove a key mobility benefit from disabled people in residential care. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said the move – announced today by […]
Mobility component u-turn: Government accused of ‘incompetence’
The government has been accused of “incompetence” after it finally abandoned plans to remove mobility support from disabled people in residential homes. The decision was announced today by Maria Miller, minister for disabled people, following months of criticism and campaigning by […]
Minister seeks ideas for coalition’s disability strategy
The government is urging disabled people to suggest measures they would like to see included in its new disability strategy. A discussion document, Fulfilling Potential, was launched today by the Office for Disability Issues (ODI), outlining three main areas: ensuring appropriate […]