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 […]
Care commission starts work under shadow of funding cuts
Disabled campaigners have welcomed the new commission that will examine the funding of adult care and support in England, despite concerns that the government could have already ruled out some methods of funding the system. Paul Burstow, the Liberal Democrat care […]
Football cat cruelty advert cleared by watchdog
The advertising watchdog has ruled that a TV advert that features a blind footballer accidentally kicking a cat is not offensive and does not need to be taken off air. More than 1, 000 viewers complained to the advertising watchdog about […]
Obama and Cameron discuss disabled hacker
The prime minister and the US president Barack Obama, have discussed the case of disabled computer hacker Gary McKinnon, who faces the threat of extradition to the United States. The two leaders discussed McKinnon’s case during their meeting at the White […]
Solutions to housing shortage ‘are not complicated’
Local and national government could take simple steps that would make it easier for thousands of wheelchair-users to find accessible homes, according to a new report. The Mind the Step report estimates that about 78,000, or 13 per cent, of households […]
UK ‘could learn from developing world’ on disability equality
Disability organisations in the UK could learn from developing countries about how to cope with the impact of public sector funding cuts, according to a leading disabled human rights expert. Diane Mulligan, who leads the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s work […]