An appeals court has confirmed a ground-breaking decision that carers can secure protection from discrimination under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The European Court of Justice ruled in July 2008 that those “associated” with disabled people, such as carers, also had […]
Minister faces schools inclusion questions
A schools minister has faced a series of critical questions on what the government is doing to improve mainstream education for disabled children. Diana Johnson MP was speaking to a joint meeting of parliamentary groups on disability, children, autism and youth […]
Prize-winning photograph will put minister’s visitors in the picture
An award-winning disabled entrant in a photography competition has had his picture chosen to decorate the wall of a government minister’s office. Tim Thackeray won a gold award in Mencap’s Snap! national photography and film competition with Open Strings, a picture […]
Project Search pilots ready for lift-off
The government has announced the 14 pilot projects that will test a new internship scheme for people with learning difficulties. Project Search provides a group of people with “moderate or severe” learning difficulties with a year-long series of supported, unpaid work […]
Benefits system is ‘failing deaf people’
Deaf people are missing out on disability living allowance (DLA) and attendance allowance (AA) because their claims are being unfairly rejected, according to a new report. RNID’s Who Benefits? report says the situation has not improved since 2001 when their research […]
EHRC ‘reaffirms’ commitment to disability rights agenda
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has “reaffirmed” its commitment to disability rights in the wake of the resignations of its two disabled commissioners. A work plan for 2009/2010, published by the commission’s disability committee, shows how it is contributing […]
Harper tries to quell alarm over Conservative welfare reforms
The Conservative shadow minister for disabled people has laid out some of the key differences between his party and the government on the heated and controversial issue of incapacity benefit (IB) reform. Mark Harper MP has expanded on the radical welfare […]
Businesses’ standards are rising, slowly
Companies and public sector bodies are improving their performance on disability, although progress in some key areas is still limited, according to an assessment by the leading employers’ organisation on disability. Every two years, scores of private and public sector organisations […]
Councils ‘failing on equipment assessments’
Some councils are failing to meet their legal duties to carry out proper assessments of disabled people who come to them needing aids and adaptations, according to a report launched this week. In his annual report, Sir Richard Tilt, the social […]
Bill changes ‘will empower disabled people’
Changes to a government bill that should give disabled people more control over the support they receive from the state will deliver a real boost to their independence and inclusion in society, according to a disabled peer. Baroness [Jane] Campbell was […]