New government proposals to “shake up” the scrutiny of adult social care have failed to mask growing concerns that the coalition is planning to postpone the long-awaited reform of care and support funding. Paul Burstow, the Liberal Democrat care services minister […]
Tanni’s Lords bid to derail cuts to disability benefit falls just short
A disabled peer has failed by just two votes to overturn plans that will see a steep cut in financial support for many families with disabled children. Baroness [Tanni] Grey-Thompson told peers the measure in the welfare reform bill would halve […]
Discrimination advice cut will be ‘catastrophe’ for disabled people
Government proposals to remove funding from organisations that provide expert legal support for discrimination cases will have a “catastrophic” impact on disabled people experts have warned. The Government Equalities Office (GEO) has quietly published its response to a consultation on plans […]
Welfare reform bill ‘could breach human rights’
A committee of MPs and peers has suggested that parts of the government’s controversial welfare reform bill could breach disabled people’s human rights. The joint committee on human rights (JCHR) – whose members include the disabled peer Baroness [Jane] Campbell – […]
Disabled student barred from using accessible parking space
A university has prevented one of its disabled students from using an accessible parking space that was allowing him to carry out vital work experience, and has now painted over the bay’s markings. Teesside University in Middlesborough tried to force music […]
DWP snubs Hardest Hit’s Christmas greeting
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has turned away disabled activists who wanted to deliver a campaigning Christmas card on behalf of 23, 000 people who signed a petition calling for urgent changes to the welfare reform bill. Representatives from […]
Justice for David Askew ‘highly unlikely’, despite coroner’s verdict
Police are unlikely to reopen their investigation into the death of a disabled man who had suffered a hate crime ordeal lasting nearly 40 years, even though a coroner has ruled that he was unlawfully killed. David Askew, who had a […]
Independent Living Fund delay ‘is violation of rights’
Many of the country’s leading disabled activists have accused the government of “a total ignorance” of how a lengthy delay in deciding the future of the Independent Living Fund (ILF) is affecting thousands of disabled people. Maria Miller, the minister for […]
Baker applauded for £40 million rail access boost
A transport minister has announced new funding of nearly £40 million to improve access to Britain’s railway stations. The funding is part of the 10-year Access for All programme launched in 2006 to provide accessible, step-free routes at 148 key stations, […]
Movement mourns father of social model
The disability movement is mourning the death of one of its pioneers, an academic and anti-apartheid campaigner whose work “transformed people’s understanding of disability” and laid the basis for what became known as the “social model”. Vic Finkelstein’s ideas influenced a […]