The government has been heavily defeated in the House of Lords over plans to remove legal aid for benefits appeals. An amendment to the legal aid, sentencing and punishment of offenders bill means legal aid will now be retained for the […]
Paralympians need a disability rights education, says Tanni
Britain’s best-known Paralympian has suggested that more should be done to “educate” the country’s elite disabled athletes about some of the real-life challenges facing other disabled people. Baroness [Tanni] Grey-Thompson, who has played a leading role in the Lords in the […]
Paralympians need a disability rights education, says Tanni
Britain’s best-known Paralympian has suggested that more should be done to “educate” the country’s elite disabled athletes about some of the real-life challenges facing other disabled people. Baroness [Tanni] Grey-Thompson who has played a leading role in the Lords in the […]
High access standards at London 2012 ‘must be maintained’
The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics are a “massive opportunity” to improve permanently the accessibility of the capital, according to Britain’s greatest Paralympian. Baroness [Tanni] Grey-Thompson said she believed the standard of accessibility during the Olympics and Paralympics would be high. […]
‘Care crisis’ lobby reaches two-thirds of MPs
Disabled people have explained why they travelled from across England to take part in a mass lobby of parliament calling for fundamental reform of the social care system. More than 1, 000 disabled and older people attended the lobby, organised by […]
Public bodies are breaching disabled people’s rights, says watchdog
Local authorities, health bodies and police forces are frequently breaching the human rights of disabled people, according to a new report by the equality watchdog. The review by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) of how public bodies in England […]
Commons makes equality pledge to disabled staff and visitors
The body that runs the House of Commons has pledged to improve access for disabled visitors to parliament. The new House of Commons Diversity and Inclusion Scheme, developed in line with Labour’s Equality Act, sets out a strategy for the next […]
Inspired folk dancers receive 2012 seal of approval
A project that adapts traditional English folk dances for wheelchair-users has been recognised by organisers of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Folk in Motion has been granted an Inspire mark, official 2012 branding that recognises innovative and exceptional projects […]
Independent living inquiry: Baroness Campbell says government must act
The government must act quickly to avoid destroying disabled people’s hard-earned right to independent living, according to the disabled peer who has played a key role in a year-long parliamentary inquiry. Baroness [Jane] Campbell was the member of the joint committee […]
Independent living inquiry: Government reforms ‘putting rights in danger’
The government’s welfare reforms and cuts to disability benefits and services are putting disabled people’s right to independent living at risk, according to a new report by peers and MPs. The joint committee on human rights report warns of a “significant […]