A committee of MPs has criticised campaigning charities for not doing more to promote the “opportunities” offered by the government’s controversial reassessment of incapacity benefit claimants, and for “fuelling anxiety” among disabled people. The report, from the work and pensions committee, […]
The ‘Hardest Hit’ are set to protest across the UK
Disabled people across the UK are being urged to take part in a series of protests across the country against cuts to services and benefits. The local and regional protests will take place this autumn as a follow-up to May’s hugely […]
Silent threat of electric vehicles ‘must be curbed’
Car manufacturers must be forced to adapt their near-silent electric vehicles so they no longer pose such a serious threat to the safety of blind pedestrians, say campaigners. A new report for the government downplays the risk caused by quiet electric […]
Care watchdog defends failure to uncover abuse evidence
The care regulator has defended the failure of its own inspectors to uncover evidence of serious abuse at a private “hospital” for people with learning difficulties. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) faced serious questions this week after it published its report […]
DPOs boycott charities’ ‘independent’ review of mobility needs
Disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) are to boycott a review set up by two of the big disability charities into one of the most controversial parts of the government’s welfare reform bill. Leonard Cheshire Disability (LCD) and Mencap announced this week that […]
Concern over replacement of ODI director
The government has replaced the disabled director of its Office for Disability Issues (ODI) with a non-disabled civil servant, without advertising the post externally. Tim Cooper is moving to a new job as chief executive of Advance, a supported housing and […]
DPO funding is welcomed, but is still a ‘drop in the ocean’
The government has launched a scheme designed to support the growth of local disabled people’s organisations (DPOs). Maria Miller, the minister for disabled people, was at West of England Centre for Inclusive Living in Bristol to launch the programme, which was […]
Disabled women ask court to force council to think again over cuts
Two older disabled women have this week taken their fight against council cuts to care and support to the high court. Lawyers for the two women have argued that Lancashire County Council breached the Disability Discrimination Act by failing to take […]
Protest demonstrates anger over council’s McDonald court win
Activists were set to stage a protest this evening over the treatment of a disabled woman denied the night-time care she needs by her local authority. The Supreme Court caused outrage earlier this month when it ruled that Kensington and Chelsea […]
Government omits hate crime murder measures from sentencing bill
The government has failed to fulfil its pledge to end the glaring disparity between sentences for disability and other hate crime murders. Someone found guilty of a race hate murder, or one based on hostility to religion or sexuality, faces a […]