Tens of thousands of disabled people have lost all of their out-of-work disability benefits this week, thanks to new rules brought in by the government through its controversial Welfare Reform Act. The act introduced a new one-year time limit on claiming […]
Paralympian fears Sun damage at London 2012, after ‘appalling’ headline
One of Britain’s leading Paralympians has led fierce criticism of the Sun newspaper for running front-page headlines that mocked the speech difficulty of the new England football manager, Roy Hodgson. Reaction to the story – and particularly the headline, “Bwing on […]
UN convention is ‘breathing life’ into international fight for rights
The UN disability convention is breathing new life into grassroots disabled people’s organisations across the world, leading Commonwealth figures have heard. They were at a meeting in central London held to mark the fourth anniversary of the UN Convention on the […]
Sex, farmers and mobile phones mean success for seventh blogging day
Disabled bloggers have posted their views about topics as diverse as sex, special education, assistive technology and the barriers facing disabled farmers, as part of the seventh annual Blogging Against Disablism Day (BADD). The annual event, which took place on 1 […]
Leveson inquiry ‘has sidelined disability’
Disabled activists who want to give evidence about newspapers that have stirred up hostility towards claimants of disability benefits appear to have been sidelined by the Leveson inquiry into press standards. Disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) – including Inclusion London, the UK […]
DWP stays silent on DLA cuts advice from councils
The government has refused to say what advice it has received from local councils and the Department of Health (DH) about the wider impact of its sweeping cuts to spending on disability living allowance (DLA). Concerns about the knock-on effects of […]
Self-advocacy pioneers still struggling for survival despite 21-year track record
A pioneering self-advocacy organisation this week celebrated the publication of a booklet that charts its 21-year history. Central England People First (CEPF) – originally known as Northants People First – was set up in 1990, and has always been run and […]
Exhibition pictures a world of sporting inspiration and inclusion
A new exhibition of photographs is showcasing the power of sport to inspire both disabled and non-disabled children and highlighting the achievements of a key London 2012 international programme. The exhibition in London shows how the International Inspiration “sports legacy” programme […]
New review of Longcare Survivors
New review of Longcare Survivors: The Biography of a Care Scandal, my book on the Longcare abuse scandal. Review is by Louise Wallis, the campaigns officer for the charity Respond, which works with people with learning difficulties who have been abused. The […]
Disabled people sidelined as Sainsbury’s picks Paralympic torchbearers
Concerns have been raised about how members of the public are being chosen to take part in the Paralympic torch relay – a major event in the lead-up to this summer’s London 2012 games. LOCOG, London 2012’s organising committee, is preparing […]