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Disabled people have spoken this week of clinging onto their independence by their fingernails, because of a drastic and worsening shortage of personal assistants (PAs). The shortage appears to be caused by a combination of continuing low wages, the Covid pandemic […]
The human rights watchdog is threatening to take legal action against the government for failing to “go far enough” in its plan to cut the number of disabled people inappropriately detained in secure hospitals. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) […]
Recruiting a personal assistant (PA) has become harder since the start of the pandemic, with many disabled people giving up hope of ever finding someone suitable to provide their care and support, according to a new survey. The survey, which was […]
A House of Lords committee has been told how the “huge barrier” created by social care charges is forcing disabled people into poverty. Andy McCabe, who himself uses council-funded support, told the adult social care committee that the charges being demanded […]
One of the most influential figures in the European independent living movement has told peers how the use of personal assistants has given him “a life, a job” and the ability to contribute to society. Dr Adolf Ratzka was giving evidence […]
Devastated disabled campaigners have vowed to continue their fight against care charges, after parliament ignored their concerns and passed a government bill that will fail to protect most working-age disabled people from the “catastrophic” costs of their care. The House of […]
The boss of a leading disabled people’s organisation has told peers of the need for a change in “mindset” about adult social care provision that appears automatically to view disabled people as “dependent”. Ian Loynes, chief executive of Spectrum Centre for […]
Disabled people have told a House of Lords committee that the social care system needs to enable those who need support to “live an ordinary life”. Sue Bott, Andy McCabe and Tricia Nicoll were giving evidence to the Lords social care […]
A disabled peer has called on disabled people and their organisations to pressure MPs to back proposals on social care charging that could make a real difference to the life chances of younger people who rely on care and support. Baroness […]
Disabled activists have warned that it is only a matter of time before the government’s failure to address the “unprecedented” social care crisis results in the deaths of service-users. They spoke out after new figures from the Association of Directors of […]