The Liberty disability arts festival will stay in its Trafalgar Square home next year, London’s Mayor has confirmed. This year’s festival attracted an estimated 20, 000 visitors, but there had been concerns that it might be moved to a venue away […]
Bay abuse supermarkets face flood of court action
Supermarkets are facing claims for compensation from disabled shoppers across the country because they have failed to protect their accessible parking bays from abuse. A string of county court claims are being dealt with by a new legal firm led by […]
Watchdog calls for user involvement
England’s health and adult social care regulator is seeking disabled people and user-led organisations to play a part in the regulation of services. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is looking for individuals and organisations to help it expand its SpeakOut network, […]
Disability world mourns Baroness Chapman
The disability world is mourning the loss of one of its most respected campaigners, Baroness [Nicky] Chapman of Leeds. The crossbench life peer, who died on 3 September aged 48, had been a member of the Lords since 2004. Among her […]
Greens join battle over DLA and AA
Disabled Green Party activists are joining the fight to prevent the government scrapping disability living allowance (DLA) and attendance allowance (AA). Following a fringe meeting of the party’s trade union group, members agreed to submit a defence of the two key […]
Survey could prove case for fining bay abusers
Disabled campaigners are set to carry out a national survey of supermarket carparks, as part of efforts to stamp out the misuse of accessible parking bays. Members of the Baywatch campaign – the disabled motorists’ charity Mobilise, Disability Now magazine and […]
Government refuses to rule out scrapping DLA
The government has refused to rule out scrapping disability living allowance (DLA) as part of its proposed adult social care reforms. Concerns over the future of the key disability benefit, which is not means-tested and is intended to cover the extra […]
Access at Edinburgh International Festival ‘an absolute disgrace’
Disabled artists have labelled access at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) “an absolute disgrace”. Ju Gosling, aka ju90, who was appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with her exhibition Abnormal, said the International Festival had only arranged two BSL-interpreted performances, […]
Prisons ‘failing’ on mental health work preparation
Many offenders with mental health conditions are not being allowed to take part in prison-based job preparation schemes, according to a new report. The policy paper, by the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health (SCMH), says many schemes exclude mental health service-users […]
Sophie and Riam join forces for new campaign
Two young disabled campaigners are to use their high media profiles to provide support for other victims of discrimination, raise awareness and help change the law. The new Imperfect campaign is headed by artist Sophie Morgan and law student Riam Dean. […]