The BBC has sparked anger and shock among disabled people after deciding to shut down internet messageboards that they say provided them with a “lifeline” and a “valuable and scarce resource”. The BBC said the decision to close the Ouch! messageboards […]
Ministers ‘helped stigmatise disabled people’
A government minister has been accused by fellow MPs of helping to stigmatise disabled people caught up in the programme to reassess long-term claimants of incapacity benefit (IB). But Chris Grayling the Conservative employment minister, blamed the tabloid press – and […]
Demonstration will ‘make a noise for inclusive education’
A major demonstration is set to take place in Westminster later this month to protest at the government’s anti-inclusion policies that campaigners say will reverse 30 years of progress on the education of disabled children. The day of action on 29 […]
Barriers facing one billion disabled people ‘are avoidable’
There are now more than a billion disabled people across the world, but many of the barriers they face are avoidable, according to a major new report. The World Health Organization (WHO) and The World Bank, which have published the report, […]
Society is ‘in denial’ about extent of hate crime
The government criminal justice system and even religious leaders must show leadership and finally take action over disability hate crime according to activists who attended the launch of a groundbreaking new book. In Scapegoat: Why We Are Failing Disabled People, published […]
Historic trike journey ‘will highlight importance of mobility’ to minister
A campaigning disabled people’s organisation is hoping its bid to recreate an historic journey across the Alps on a petrol-driven tricycle will highlight to a government minister the importance of providing mobility support to disabled people. Disabled Motoring UK (DM UK) […]
New autism bill ‘would improve services’
New laws proposed by an MP would lead to an improvement in services for people with autism, say autistic rights campaigners. The autism (quality standards) bill has been introduced by the Conservative MP Robert Buckland, who has a son with autism. […]
Research prompts call for government u-turn on benefits cut
The government should abandon plans to impose a time limit on claiming certain out-of-work disability benefits, say campaigners, after research showed only a tiny proportion of claimants are finding jobs. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) research showed that less […]
Panorama abuse scandal: Care regulator ‘is not fit for purpose’
Disabled people’s organisations and leading disabled activists say the care watchdog is “unfit for purpose”, following a BBC investigation into abuse at a private “hospital” for people with learning difficulties. Activists have also called for action to stop people with learning […]
Panorama abuse scandal: Council fails to explain long delay in action
A local authority was told that adults with learning difficulties were being abused at a private hospital more than seven months before the BBC screened an investigation into the scandal. South Gloucestershire Council, along with other agencies represented on the local […]