Disability

Benefits and Poverty

October 11, 2018 0

Anger and dismay after Labour back-tracks on pledge to scrap universal credit

Labour has infuriated its own disabled members by backtracking on a public pledge by the shadow chancellor that the party would scrap universal credit if it won the next general election. John McDonnell drew widespread praise when he told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday that universal credit was a “shambles” and “iniquitous” and added:

Crime

October 11, 2018 0

Police work on disability hate crime is ‘unacceptable’, say watchdogs

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The work of police officers on more than half of their disability hate crime investigations has been found to be “unacceptable”, according to a new report by two watchdogs. The joint inspection by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) is the third attempt

Human Rights

Theresia Degener chair of the committee, sits, talking, behind a name plate saying T Degener

October 11, 2018 0

Watchdogs’ concern over government refusal to act on UN rights reports

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Four equality and human rights watchdogs have heavily criticised the government for its failure to address the serious concerns raised in a “damning” UN report on the rights of disabled people across the UK. A year on from the report by the UN’s committee on the rights of persons with disabilities (pictured), in which

Arts, Culture and Sport

David Dimbleby waving his hands and smirking

October 11, 2018 0

Anger after minister and BBC undermine ‘silent applause’ reasonable adjustment

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A disabled activist has lodged complaints with the government and the BBC after the broadcaster’s flagship current affairs programme Question Time mocked the idea of using “silent applause” to make political events more accessible for autistic people. BBC Question Time (BBCQT) panellists were asked if they agreed with steps taken by the University of

Benefits and Poverty

Mik Scarlet doing yoga in his wheelchair

October 11, 2018 0

DWP ignores concerns from disabled people who shun activity over benefit fraud fears

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has refused to offer a solution to disabled people who say they are fearful of taking more exercise in case they have their support cut or are branded benefit cheats. A new report by the disability sports organisation Activity Alliance found that four-fifths (83 per cent) of

Employment

October 11, 2018 0

British Council tries to dodge Equality Act, after signing up to Disability Confident

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The government-funded organisation responsible for promoting the UK’s culture and education abroad is asking an employment tribunal to allow it to dodge its duty – under the Equality Act – not to discriminate against disabled people. The British Council is attempting to argue that English teacher Emily Frisby is not entitled to protection under

Arts, Culture and Sport

A smiling man in a flat cap holding a harmonica

October 4, 2018 0

Harmonica charity confesses to 16 years of discrimination

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A disabled musician is threatening legal action after he was told by a charity organising its annual international harmonica festival that he would have to be carried in his wheelchair up and down a flight of stairs if he wanted to attend. The National Harmonica League (NHL) is set to hold its International Festival

Employment

Declan McSweeney holding a notebook and pen, talking to Brian Cowen

July 5, 2018 0

Call for media action after news agency’s shorthand ‘discrimination’

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A disabled journalist is calling for action to address widespread discrimination in the media industry after a news agency told him he had not been interviewed for a job because he did not have a qualification in shorthand. Declan McSweeney has tried several times to apply for posts with Mercury Press in Liverpool –

Arts, Culture and Sport

Natasha Hirst and Phoebe Kemp in front of a hall full of delegates

May 31, 2018 0

TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference: Project Diamond’s flaws lead to boycott

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Three unions are boycotting a scheme that aims to monitor the number of disabled people and other minorities working in the broadcasting industry, because of its failure to release a detailed breakdown showing figures for individual programmes. Delegates at the TUC disabled workers’ conference in Bournemouth heard that the flaws in Project Diamond meant

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