The government could face another high court challenge as a result of its spending cuts, this time over new rules that will make it harder for poorer disabled people to gain further education (FE) qualifications. The rules, introduced by the Skills […]
Paralympic cyclist in ‘critical’ condition after collision with ‘hit-and-run’ van
A gold medal-winning Paralympic cyclist was in a critical condition in hospital this evening after a collision with a van while training. Simon Richardson, who won two gold medals and a silver at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, has been left with […]
Seven Atos doctors under investigation
Seven doctors employed by the company that carries out controversial “fitness to work” tests for the government are being investigated by the General Medical Council (GMC). At least one of the doctors has been the subject of more than one complaint, […]
Police and council ‘investigated’ scandal hospital concerns six times
Police and council officers had at least six chances to investigate concerns about the safety of disabled people in a private “hospital” in the two years before the abusive regime was finally exposed by the BBC. The Panorama investigation uncovered serious […]
New work support rules ‘forcing PAs to seek minicab licences’
New government guidance will make it even harder for disabled people to use a key employment support scheme to find and keep work, according to a new report. The Essex-based disabled people’s organisation ecdp compiled the report after being contacted by […]
London set for glorious showcase of Paralympic sport
Some of the world’s top disabled sports stars will be in London next month to showcase what the Paralympics has to offer, less than a year before the 2012 games take centre stage in the capital. International Paralympic Day, on Thursday […]
Figures undermine government’s case for DLA cuts
New official figures have undermined one of the government’s key justifications for reforming and slashing spending on a vital disability benefit. The disability living allowance (DLA) statistics were only passed by the government to selected newspapers this week and led to […]
Cuts to bus services are raising access barriers, say MPs
Extensive cuts to bus services are making it harder for disabled people to access employment, education and voluntary work, according to a new report by a committee of MPs. The transport select committee said the cuts to rural, evening and weekend […]
Disabled activists use petitions website to make their point
A string of disability-related petitions are among the hundreds lodged on a government website in its first few days. The idea of the e-petitions website is to provide an “easy” way to “influence government policy”, with petitions securing more than 100, […]
Atos forced to investigate after employee’s ‘parasites’ comment on website
Two employees of the company that carries out the controversial “fitness for work” tests for the government have been caught making offensive comments about their disabled customers on a social networking website. Atos Healthcare, the company that conducts the work capability […]