Campaigners have welcomed parts of a report on benefits reform by former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, but say it should have done more to tackle the poverty faced by disabled people. The Dynamic Benefits report from Duncan Smith’s Centre for […]
Britain is failing those who lose their sight, says RNIB
The lack of advice and support for people who lose their sight is “a national disgrace” according to a disability charity. RNIB said that of the 100 people a day who begin to lose their sight, only eight will be offered […]
Edinburgh festival pledges to improve access
Organisers have admitted that access at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) was not good enough, and have ordered a major review. The decision came after disabled artists labelled access at the festival “an absolute disgrace”. Ju Gosling, aka ju90, had […]
Mayor to face police authority hate crime questions
A leading disabled activist is to question publicly Boris Johnson’s failure to mention disability hate crime in his equality plan for London. Anne Novis will raise the issue in her role as the United Kingdom’s Disabled People’s Council (UKDPC) representative on […]
Anger over withdrawal of college funding
Funding for young adults with learning difficulties to attend further education courses is being withdrawn at the last minute by local authorities, according to a disability charity. The Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) said it was “very concerned” after receiving a string […]
‘Funding and detail missing’ from hate crime action plan
Disabled activists have welcomed a new government hate crime action plan, but have criticised its lack of detail and a failure to provide funding for disabled people’s organisations. The United Kingdom’s Disabled People’s Council (UKDPC) said it was disappointed that no […]
Loss of free parking creates problems for disabled drivers
Some disabled drivers are finding it harder to use council-run carparks because local authorities are removing their free parking concessions. The warning has come from Mobilise, the disabled motorists’ charity, which said councils are also installing new ticket machines that are […]
Charities raise concerns over mental health swine flu measures
Mental health charities have expressed concerns at government plans to cope with a possible swine flu pandemic that would make it easier to section people in hospital. The Department of Health (DH) is carrying out a short consultation on whether to […]
Government sets personal budgets target for 2011
Three in ten adults who are eligible for council-funded support services should be receiving them through personal budgets by April 2011, according to new guidance. And by October 2010, local authorities will be expected to offer a personal budget to all […]
Mixed picture on public equality duties, says watchdog
Britain’s equality watchdog has described the efforts of public authorities to fulfil their legal duties to promote disability equality as “mixed”. Some are still failing to encourage the participation of disabled people in public life, or promote positive images of disabled […]