Reforms to the scheme that provides funding for disabled people to make their workplaces more accessible could help end its reputation as the government’s “best kept secret”, according to a minister. Among the “first steps” in reforming Access to Work (AtW) […]
‘Tougher action needed’ to secure digital inclusion
Stricter enforcement of the Equality Act, better education and even boycotts of companies and websites are needed to secure better access for disabled people to information and communication technology, according to a leading expert. Leonie Watson, director of accessibility at the […]
‘Shock’ of housing executives over accessible property report
Senior housing figures have spoken of their “shock” at reading a report which revealed how a “property crisis” is preventing young disabled people from living independently, relocating for work or even moving in with their partners. Organisations representing landlords and estate […]
Dignity of vigil highlights importance of ‘fitness for work’ court case
Mental health system survivors and other disabled activists have conducted a vigil outside the high court in London, as it considered whether to grant permission for a judicial review of the government’s controversial “fitness for work” test. Two people with mental […]
Memorial hears tributes to ‘passion and integrity’ of ‘wonderful’ Jack Ashley
Friends, family, colleagues and other admirers of the deaf peer Jack Ashley have paid tribute to the integrity, determination and “bloody-minded passion” of “one of history’s great civil rights leaders”. A memorial event in Westminster that celebrated the life and achievements […]
DWP dismisses concerns over specialist job scheme
Serious concerns have been raised over the government’s specialist disability employment programme, after new figures suggested it has helped only a few hundred disabled people with high support needs into jobs. Work Choice was launched in October 2010 and aims to […]
DLA cuts will cost motor economy ‘hundreds of millions of pounds’, say campaigners
Coalition cuts to disability living allowance (DLA) could cost the economy £650 million a year and lose the government £80 million in taxes, because of the impact on the car industry, says a new report. The research by a group of […]
Doctors demand end to ‘fitness for work’ test
Britain’s doctors have voted to “demand” an end to the government’s controversial “fitness for work” tests, and to work with disability charities to campaign for it to be scrapped. The vote came today at the British Medical Association’s (BMA’s) annual representative […]
Channel 4 picks non-disabled team for Paralympic torch relay
Channel 4 has been criticised for its “absurd” and “very disappointing” decision to choose five non-disabled people – and not a single disabled person – to take part in the London 2012 Paralympic torch relay. The broadcaster, which has the UK […]
Baroness Campbell brings portability bill back to Lords
A disabled peer has re-introduced a bill that would allow disabled people to retain their council-funded support when they relocate to a different part of the country. Baroness [Jane] Campbell’s social care portability bill received its first reading in the House […]