New hate crime laws that came into force in Scotland this week have been welcomed by disability and equality organisations. The Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009 extends existing laws covering violent crimes motivated by race or religious hatred to […]
Access to work breakthrough for councillors
Disabled local councillors who need access adjustments to allow them to do their jobs have achieved a breakthrough in their fight for financial support from the access to work (ATW) scheme. The disabled Liberal Democrat peer Baroness [Celia] Thomas questioned the […]
Report finds barriers but suggests personalisation is the answer
Prejudice, discrimination and low expectations are the major barriers preventing improvements to the lives of severely disabled people with learning difficulties, according to a report commissioned by the government. But Professor Jim Mansell says in his report that adults with “profound […]
Blue badge proposals would give councils power to tow cars
Councils could be given new powers to tow away cars displaying blue badges that are being misused, and to confiscate badges that have been reported lost or stolen. The government proposals aim to make the system of blue parking badges for […]
Report raises ‘grave concerns’ on work test
A new report has raised “grave concerns” about the impact of the government’s new work capability test on disabled people. The Citizens Advice report says seriously ill people are being subjected to the work capability assessment (WCA), while the test fails […]
Government tries again with wheelchair services
The government says it hopes two new pilot projects will end the postcode lottery in NHS provision of wheelchairs and lead to new national standards. The projects will start immediately and take place across the NHS South West and NHS East […]
Trailblazers to probe jobs market
A group of young disabled campaigners are embarking on an undercover investigation that is set to expose the discrimination they face in the job market. More than 200 members of the Trailblazers network, run by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign (MDC), will […]
London 2012: Government sets out plans for a ‘disability legacy’
The government has published a “legacy plan” aimed at bringing about “lasting changes” to the lives of disabled people through the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. London 2012: A Legacy for Disabled People aims to increase disabled people’s participation in […]
London 2012: Disability sport to receive £11.5 million boost
Sports chiefs have announced plans to spend more than £3.5 million on disability sport, in the hope of delivering a “lasting grassroots sporting legacy” from the 2012 Paralympic Games. Sport England is giving £1.54 million to the English Federation of Disability […]
London 2012: Sirens announce disability arts commissions
A musical symphony featuring warning sirens is just one of the highlights of the first 10 disability arts projects to be commissioned for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. The commissions are part of Unlimited, a three-year £1.5 million programme to create […]