Disabled activists have targeted the BBC to protest at its “biased” coverage of the impact of the government’s welfare cuts and reforms on disabled people. Campaigners from Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), Black Triangle and the Mental Health Resistance Network, working […]
Reclaiming Our Futures: Movement needs ‘recognisable voice’
Disabled people need a new national organisation that can provide a “recognisable voice” to challenge the government’s attacks on their rights according to a veteran disabled activist. Anne Rae, chair of Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People, said that the campaigners […]
Reclaiming Our Futures: Social model ‘still has crucial role’
Abandoning the “social model of disability” would mean “abandoning the struggle for a fairer and juster society”, according to a prominent disabled academic. Professor Colin Barnes one of the most significant figures in the development of the social model, told campaigners […]
Abused woman’s care nightmare as council slashes package
A disabled woman who needs 24-hour support has been told her care package will be cut to just three hour-long visits a day. The woman from east London, is still emotionally scarred and needed lengthy counselling after a previous care worker […]
Ministers silent after being caught ‘pulling lies out of thin air’
Ministers have refused to apologise after being caught “pulling lies and false information out of thin air” in a bid to justify their cuts to spending on disability benefits and services. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this week refused […]
Byrne’s speech reveals ‘major gaps’ in understanding of disability
A major speech on social security reform by Labour’s shadow work and pensions secretary has revealed “major gaps in his understanding” of the issues affecting disabled people, say campaigners. Liam Byrne, and his leader, Ed Miliband, have been criticised by disabled […]
DPAC praises ‘inclusive’ protest movement after fracking action
Disabled activists were among protesters who took part in this week’s high-profile anti-“fracking” direct action on the edge of a Sussex village. About a dozen members of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) took part in the protest, which saw activists chained […]
McVey calls on councils to smooth the way to accessible beaches
The minister for disabled people has written to every local authority in England to try to persuade them to do more to make their tourist hotspots more accessible. Esther McVey said she wanted councils to ensure that disabled people could enjoy […]
Sports world mourns Chris Hallam, ‘a pioneer and a legend’
The disability sports world is mourning the death of one of the pioneers of professional wheelchair racing, Chris Hallam. Hallam won medals in both swimming and wheelchair racing, and competed at four Paralympic games, in 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996, winning […]
Ministers ‘misuse’ figures to show UK ‘is world leader’ on disability spending
Work and pensions ministers have been making misleading use of international statistics in a bid to justify cuts to disability benefits and services, an analysis by Disability News Service suggests. Esther McVey, the Conservative minister for disabled people, has told MPs […]