Disabled people are providing growing evidence that councils across the country are cutting the support they need to live independently. Disability News Service has spoken to a succession of disabled people who say that their local authorities are cutting support packages. […]
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Police twice failed to investigate sex assault allegations
A police force twice failed to investigate claims that a woman had been sexually assaulted, because officers decided she was making the allegations up as a result of her mental health condition. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) concluded this week […]
High-speed broadband ‘could transform lives’
Super-fast broadband services could “transform” the lives of disabled and older people, according to a new report. The report, prepared for Ofcom’s advisory committee on older and disabled people, says that so-called “next generation” broadband could help disabled people access education, […]
Government backs calls for simpler, clearer social care laws
The government has backed calls for new, simpler laws on social care to replace the current “piecemeal” state of the legal framework. The Department of Health (DoH) was responding to a public consultation by the Law Commission on reform of social […]
Minister gives first estimates for IB reassessments
The government has given its first estimate of the number of people claiming long-term incapacity benefit (IB) who they expect will be found “fit for work” when reassessed using a controversial new test. The work capability assessment (WCA) was introduced for […]
‘Deep concerns’ over Ofsted’s SEN review
Inclusive education campaigners have raised “deep concerns” about crucial parts of a review of the special educational needs (SEN) system by the education watchdog. Ofsted’s review which was commissioned by the Labour government, points to “widespread weaknesses” in provision for disabled […]
Euthanasia protest will mark opposition to ‘very dangerous’ bill
Disabled anti-euthanasia campaigners are to stage a protest outside the Scottish parliament, as a committee of MSPs hears evidence on a proposed bill that would legalise assisted suicide in Scotland. The end of life assistance (Scotland) bill would allow those “whose […]
Housing benefit cuts ‘will push disabled people further into poverty’
Government cuts to spending on housing benefit are likely to increase homelessness among disabled people and push them further into poverty according to a disabled people’s pressure group. The Local Housing Allowance Reform Group (LHARG) spoke out in evidence submitted to […]
Fewer employers aware of DDA, says government report
Awareness of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) among employers has fallen since 2006, according to a new government report. The report, Organisations’ Responses to the Disability Discrimination Act, says the number of employers who were aware of the recruitment and employment […]
Campaigner’s hate crime files are just ‘tip of the iceberg’
A leading activist has submitted evidence of 68 violent deaths of disabled people – and more than 500 other potential disability hate crimes – to a major national inquiry into disability-related harassment. Reports of the crimes were collected over just three […]