A disabled MP is attempting to introduce new legislation that would extend free travel concessions in England to disabled people who use community transport services. Paul Maynard, the Conservative MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, said extending the concessionary scheme was […]
Protesters block buses over danger of shared spaces
Campaigners have highlighted the dangers of controversial “shared space” street developments by blocking buses outside a railway station, as part of an international day of action. The protest in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, was led by blind and partially-sighted people, but included […]
DPO hopes funding will turn volunteers into employees
A disabled people’s organisation has secured £300, 000 of National Lottery funding to support disabled young people into volunteer placements. The three-year Including Disabled Volunteers project aims to provide workplace experience that will make it easier for young people to move […]
NCIL, RADAR and Disability Alliance members approve merger
Three of the country’s leading disability organisations have agreed to merge within months. Members of the National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL) RADAR and Disability Alliance (DA) backed the merger at separate annual general meetings held over the last fortnight. The […]
Labour’s new shadow set to take on Tories over benefits rhetoric
Labour’s new shadow minister for disabled people looks set to spearhead a stronger line from the opposition over offensive government rhetoric on the “abuse” of disability benefits. Anne McGuire was announced as Labour’s new shadow minister for disabled people this week, […]
Tabloid’s Motability story leads to fresh watchdog complaints
Disabled people and disability charities have complained to the press watchdog after a national newspaper suggested there was widespread abuse of the Motability car scheme. The Mail on Sunday (MoS) claimed that more than 3, 000 families of people with attention […]
Fury over sensitive benefits forms opened by Royal Mail staff
Disabled people have expressed outrage after learning that benefits claim forms containing confidential and highly personal information are being opened by Royal Mail staff in a south London sorting office. Following a series of Freedom of Information Act (FIA) requests by […]
Young athletes will mirror Paralympians’ quest for gold in 2012
Some of the UK’s most talented young disabled athletes are to take part in Paralympic-style events in key London 2012 venues, just weeks before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. The events will run alongside those for non-disabled young people […]
Ticket office closures would add to transport access woes
The possible closure of hundreds of ticket offices would make it “nigh on impossible” for many disabled people to travel by train, MPs have heard. The closure of 675 ticket offices was recommended in a report by Sir Roy McNulty, which […]
Anti-stigma campaign secures £20 million
The mental health anti-stigma campaign Time to Change has secured £20 million in funding over the next four years. The campaign, run by the charities Mind and Rethink, has been awarded £16 million by the government, in addition to £4 million […]