Government proposals to offer free personal care at home to disabled people with the highest needs will probably lead to a squeeze on services for those with lower needs, say campaigners. Deep concerns emerged after the government published its new personal […]
Mystery over appointment of equality watchdog commissioners
The government has been unable to explain why it has performed a U-turn on cutting the number of commissioners appointed to the board of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Last week, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) announced the names […]
Amendment to bill ‘could lead to more disabled MPs’
Political parties should be required by law to publish information on how many disabled people – and other under-represented groups – are selected to fight parliamentary seats, according to a Commons committee. The recommendation came in an interim report by the […]
EastEnders scoops mental health media award
The TV soap EastEnders has been recognised at an annual awards ceremony for its commitment to tackling mental health storylines realistically and sensitively. The award was one of six won by the BBC in the Mind Mental Health Media Awards which […]
MPs and peers highlight discrimination faced by disabled children
A report by an influential group of MPs and peers has highlighted some of the discrimination experienced by disabled children in the UK. The report on children’s rights by the joint committee on human rights includes evidence of discriminatory attitudes towards […]
Disabled artists praise dancer’s avant-garde epilepsy experiment
A dancer with epilepsy who will try to induce a seizure in front of an audience has won praise from other disabled artists for bringing the condition “out of the closet”. Award-winning dancer and choreographer Rita Marcalo will spend 24 hours […]
Lifting of ban means athletes with learning difficulties will compete at 2012
Athletes with learning difficulties will be able to compete at the London 2012 Paralympics, after a ban was finally lifted by the world governing body. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) imposed the ban after the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, when nearly all […]
Bank loses appeal over ‘landmark’ access ruling
A bank will have to install a lift at a city centre branch after a disabled customer won an appeal court victory in a landmark discrimination case. The Royal Bank of Scotland will have to carry out the building work – […]
Bill ‘will shine light on disgraceful response to blood inquiry’
Campaigners hope a new private members’ bill will finally force the government to provide fair compensation for the victims of the NHS contaminated blood scandal. Lord [Alf] Morris’s contaminated blood (support for infected and bereaved persons) bill would implement all the […]
Government announces new equality watchdog commissioners
The government has announced the names of eight new commissioners who will join the board of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) next month. One of the new board members is Mike Smith a disabled consultant and leading rights activist, […]