Disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) have responded warily to a string of new appointments to key posts in the coalition’s first ministerial reshuffle. Maria Miller, the much-criticised minister for disabled people, who has become the new culture secretary, will be replaced by […]
MP calls for inquiry into police protest violence
An MP has called for an inquiry into the “violence” of police officers against disabled activists who took part in a protest at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The Labour MP John McDonnell made the call during a Commons […]
Inspectorate and watchdog could intervene in disabled prisoner’s health ordeal
Health experts from the prisons inspectorate are set to visit a disabled man whose life is at risk after being denied – his family say – the 24-hour care he needs for a serious health condition. The Equality and Human Rights […]
Disabled claimants feel ‘persecuted’ by WCA system, say MPs
A disabled Labour MP has delivered a passionate appeal for the government to fix the “fundamental” problems with its “fitness for work” assessment. Dame Anne Begg who chairs the Commons work and pensions committee, was speaking in a Commons debate for […]
London 2012: LOCOG ‘has let disabled people down’ on accessible info
London 2012 organisers have repeatedly refused to provide information for disabled visitors to the Olympic Park in accessible formats, Disability News Service (DNS) can reveal. Ron Newman, co-ordinator of the London 2012 disability advocate group (DAG) – set up to support […]
COMMENT: Putting their bodies on the line for precious metal
If it didn’t quite match Team GB’s Super Saturday in terms of precious metal, the third day of competition demonstrated what Britain’s Paralympians will put their bodies through for a chance to win a medal. Perhaps most striking was powerlifter Jason […]
London 2012: Activist finds helpline less than helpful
A prominent disabled activist has criticised organisers of the London 2012 Paralympics after telephone helpline staff were unable to tell her if there was an electricity charging point for her powerchair anywhere on the Olympic Park. Ruth Bashall said the helpline […]
COMMENT: Day two brings sublime sporting skill, and heartbreak
They were two moments of sporting emotion each of them the result of raw talent, years of dedication to their craft, and a refusal to accept defeat. The first spine-tingling moment came on Friday afternoon, just after 4pm, as the ParalympicsGB […]
London 2012: Disabled leader left ‘humiliated’ by opening ceremony treatment
A leading disabled activist was left “humiliated” and “incensed” after she was twice interrupted by London 2012 staff while watching the Paralympic Games opening ceremony to be told her guide dog was a health and safety hazard. Sue Bott, director of […]
London 2012: Only one in 50 opening ceremony volunteers was disabled
London 2012 organisers have admitted that only one in 50 of the volunteers who took part in the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games was a disabled person. The ceremony has been widely-praised, particularly for the performance of its 73 professional […]