Campaigners have visited Downing Street to try to push the government to back a bill that would give disabled people a legal right to independent living. The group from the disability charity Scope delivered a box to 10 Downing Street containing […]
US campaigners back McKinnon extradition fight
The campaign to prevent the extradition of a disabled man to the US has received a boost with support from America’s leading civil liberties organisation. In a letter sent to David Miliband, the foreign secretary, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) […]
Call for action on HIV workplace discrimination
A majority of men living with HIV say the condition is having no negative impact on their working life, although a significant minority are experiencing discrimination, according to a new report. The Working with HIV report, by the National AIDS Trust […]
‘Successful’ mental health work support scheme to be extended
The government is set to extend a scheme that provides extra support that allows mental health service-users to find and retain jobs. Early results from a pilot project in London, run with the mental health charity Mind show that more than […]
Primary schools ‘failing to promote positive attitudes’
Many primary school pupils believe disabled people live tragic lives in which they cannot work and are unlikely to marry or have children, according to new research. The Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds, which conducted the research, […]
‘Unacceptable’ variation in muscular dystrophy services
People with muscular dystrophy are living years longer in some parts of the country than in others because of an “unacceptable” variation in services, according to a report by MPs and peers. The Walton Report, by the all party parliamentary group […]
London’s Mayor ‘failing legal duties on disability hate crime’
Leading campaigners say they are shocked and disappointed at the London Mayor’s failure to set a target around disability hate crime in his official equality document. Andrew Little, chief executive of Inclusion London, the capital’s new pan-disability organisation, said he was […]
Airline oxygen victory for campaigners
A campaign to persuade airlines to stop charging passengers who need to use extra oxygen during flights is celebrating a success after the operator Thomson Airways scrapped its charges. Three charities – the British Lung Foundation (BLF), the Pulmonary Hypertension Association […]
Small increase in use of direct payments ‘very disappointing’
A lack of commitment by local authorities is to blame for a disappointingly small rise in the number of people receiving direct payments, according to a leading disabled campaigner. The proportion of adults in England receiving their social care support through […]
Large majority of families with disabled children receive no services
Nearly three-quarters of families with disabled children are not receiving any care and support services, according to an analysis of new government figures. The figures come from reports on the levels of satisfaction with disabled children’s services in 30 local authority […]