Four of the seven leading political parties have backed calls for all MPs to have constituency offices that are accessible to disabled people. Despite public announcements professing support for making it easier for disabled people to participate in politics, the Conservatives […]
access
High hopes for new card access scheme
A user-led disability consultancy has launched the first national card designed to ensure that disabled people can let service-providers know their specific access needs with the minimum of fuss. Nimbus hopes that its Access Card – launched this month, and costing […]
Second minister shamed over inaccessible constituency office
A second government minister responsible for promoting equality has been accused of an “unacceptable” failure to run a constituency office that is accessible to disabled people. Last month, the Conservative minister for disabled people, Mark Harper, refused to answer a string […]
Minister hides truth over office access
The disability minister has refused to say whether he has taken any measures to remove access barriers that could prevent disabled people visiting his constituency office. Disability News Service (DNS) revealed earlier this month that Mark Harper had been accused of […]
Harper dodges questions over delays in closing assessment centre
The minister for disabled people is facing awkward questions over why he has delayed responding to concerns about the government’s pledge to close an inaccessible assessment centre. Mike Penning promised in June that the government would shut the centre used by […]
Tory peer asks government to ramp up access
New legislation proposed by a disabled peer would force public buildings such as shops and restaurants to install a ramp if the steps outside their entrances were six inches or less in height. The Tory peer Lord Blencathra, a wheelchair-user, drew […]