Anti-euthanasia campaigners have warned that a disabled man’s legal bid to allow a doctor to end his life without fear of prosecution would have a “catastrophic” effect on the safety of tens of thousands of other disabled people. Three high court […]
MP’s bill would scrap mental health laws that ‘shame’ UK
An MP has introduced a bill that aims to scrap laws that discriminate against people with mental health conditions in business and public life. The mental health (discrimination) bill would overturn discriminatory mental health legislation affecting MPs, school governors, company directors […]
Paralympian stresses need for DLA, and praises activists
A member of Britain’s wheelchair tennis squad for this summer’s Paralympics in London has spoken passionately about the importance of disability living allowance (DLA) to her and other disabled people. Louise Hunt was speaking to Disability News Service as she was […]
Paralympians speak of dreams of tennis gold
Two of Britain’s medal hopes for this summer’s Paralympics have spoken of their dreams of winning wheelchair tennis gold at London 2012. Gordon Reid and Andy Lapthorne were speaking as ParalympicsGB announced the 10-strong squad who will compete in two months’ […]
Disabled artists fear ‘lazy’ journalists could disappoint at London 2012
Leading disabled artists and commentators have raised concerns about how journalists will report on the high-profile disability arts and sport set to take place this summer around the London 2012 Paralympics. The Headlining Disability: Arts Sports, Disability and the Media seminar […]
Teather defends pledge to ‘remove the bias towards inclusion’
A Liberal Democrat minister has defended the coalition’s controversial commitment to “remove the bias towards inclusion” in disabled children’s education. Sarah Teather, the children and families minister, was speaking to Disability News Service about her plans for reforming the special educational […]
Councils ‘behaving like ostriches’ over social care cuts
Local authorities have been accused of “burying their heads in the sand” over cuts to adult social care after admitting that spending will fall by nearly £900 million this year. A new report by the Association of Directors of Adult Social […]
Transport for London admits step-free budget will plunge to zero
London transport bosses have finally admitted that they plan to invest nothing in projects aimed solely at improving step-free access to the capital’s tube network over the next three years. Last week, Transport for London (TfL) was unable to explain why […]
Heathrow wheelchair ordeal raises London 2012 questions
A leading activist has accused airline staff of ignoring the needs of disabled passengers at Heathrow just weeks before thousands of Paralympic athletes and other disabled visitors will flood through the airport. Julie Newman, acting chair of the UK Disabled People’s […]
Activist’s death highlights ‘cruelty’ of ‘fitness for work’ rules
Anti-cuts campaigners have paid tribute to a disabled activist who died last week after fighting for two years against the injustice of the government’s “fitness for work” assessment regime. Karen Sherlock died on 8 June just a fortnight after she was […]