The UK’s elections watchdog says that tough new powers would allow it to force action from elections officers who fail to make their polling stations accessible to disabled people. The Electoral Commission called for the new powers in a report on […]
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Minister hints that ILF could be scrapped
The minister for disabled people has hinted that the government could be set to scrap the Independent Living Fund (ILF) as part of its spending review. In a ministerial statement this week, Maria Miller MP attacked the previous government for failing […]
Work Choice given government go-ahead
The coalition government is to go ahead with plans to launch a new work programme for disabled people with higher support needs. The Labour government had announced plans to replace specialist programmes such as WORKSTEP with a new scheme called Work […]
New figures ‘prove that work test needs reform’
New government figures provide further proof that disabled people are being unfairly denied out-of-work disability benefits because of a controversial new assessment, say campaigners. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures show the number of people found “fit for work” […]
Mayor’s equality scheme ‘is vague and confusing’
The mayor of London’s new scheme for promoting disability equality is vague, confusing and “shows signs of having been pulled together in a hurry”, according to the capital’s leading disabled people’s organisation (DPO). The draft version of the mayor’s disability equality […]
Thalidomide campaigners turn attention to long-serving prisoner
Disabled activists are calling on the government to push for the release of a thalidomide survivor who has served 18 years in prison in the Philippines for drug smuggling. Billy Burton was handed a life sentence after he was caught trying […]
UKDPC uncovers widespread reports of hate crime deaths
New research by a leading disabled activist has uncovered reports of more than 20 violent deaths of disabled people – many of them likely to be disability hate crimes – over just three months. The report, by hate crime campaigner Anne […]
DLA survey results come at perfect time
A disabled people’s organisation has told two government ministers that their cost-cutting disability living allowance (DLA) reforms could be “counter-productive” and make it harder for disabled people to work. Both the disabled people’s minister, Maria Miller, and the care services minister, […]
Campaigners face new euthanasia battle
Disabled activists campaigning against the legalisation of assisted suicide and euthanasia are facing yet another attempt to force the government to weaken the law. Lawyers for Tony Nicklinson, a stroke survivor with high support needs, announced this week that they want […]
Open employment with support ‘is the ideal’, says RADAR
Disabled people should be supported to find mainstream employment rather than “special” jobs in separate, sheltered workplaces, according to a new report. The Supporting Sustainable Careers report by RADAR suggests ten “propositions” that would make it easier for disabled people to […]