Disability news - latest stories

Welfare reform amendments rejected by House of Commons

3rd February 2012

Recent suggested amendments to the welfare reform bill have been overturned in the House of Commons. The coalition government won seven key votes in the Commons, reinstating the original proposals into the legislation and rejecting any changes suggested by peers. It aims to cut 280,000 disabled people from receiving out of work benefits, while half a million people with disabilities will now be ineligible for a benefit designed to help them with the higher cost of living experienced by many disabled Britons. read more »

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Employers 'inadvertently discriminating against deaf workers'

2nd February 2012

While employers are becoming more familiar with the barriers disabled workers face, some conditions are being focused on more than others. Disabled adjustments can often mean wheelchair-accessible, taking access to work in a very literal sense. However, other disabilities such as deafness or hearing problems may not always receive the same the same levels of consideration, according to Sherine Krause, managing director of external engagement at Action on Hearing Loss. read more »

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Mental health 'still has stigma attached in the workplace'

1st February 2012

Prejudice still exists in the workplace for people with mental health issues, according to an expert. Despite a series of recent media campaigns from charity group Mind, Dr Rick Norris, a chartered psychologist and author of Think Yourself Happy, claims that employers are still apprehensive about offering work to people with mental health problems. Dr Norris argues that older people with mental health issues tend to face more discrimination when applying for jobs as "employers are more likely to give younger people the benefit of the doubt. read more »

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Pictures sought for Scope rebranding

31st January 2012

Disability charity Scope is asking disabled people, their friends and families to submit pictures and words to help them with their rebranding efforts. Scope's new logo has been compiled from a number of simple drawings, each of which is designed to reflect their hopes, dreams, ambitions and aspirations. The redesign is part of the London-based charity's new living brand, designed to incorporate a series of words and pictures to show different peoples' futures and how they require a creative and collective effort to ensure they become a reality. read more »

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Disabled travel app created for smartphones

31st January 2012

Disabled workers commuting around London can now access information and advice about their journey thanks to a new smartphone app, the BBC reports. The Ldn Access app gives details of step-free access, disabled toilet facilities and ramps at thousands of venues across the capital and was created by July 7th survivor Daniel Biddle. Mr Biddle lost his legs, spleen and left eye after a bomb exploded on his tube train in the 2005 attacks, leaving him severely disabled. read more »

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Rod Liddle's attack on disabled benefit fraud 'widely condemned'

31st January 2012

Rod Liddle's article in the Sun concerning disability benefit fraud has prompted widespread condemnation. In the piece, Mr Liddle jokes that he made becoming disabled a new year's resolution, claiming it has become easier to claim incapacity and disability benefits than in the past. read more »

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Franchise targets the disabled travel market

30th January 2012

A franchise operation has been formed to target the disabled travel market, according to Travel Weekly. The project has been set up by The Travel Network Group and is a joint venture with Gloucester-based Accessible Travel and aims to serve a market it believes is often overlooked by the industry. Initially the franchise will operate in Bath and Bristol and hopes to improve travel opportunities for disabled tourists. read more »

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Record numbers of disabled people using railways

30th January 2012

New figures show that a record number of British disabled people are using the nation's railways, the BBC reports. Statistics from the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) have revealed that the number of journeys made by passengers with Disabled Person's Railcards has more than trebled over the past 15 years. At least 130,000 disabled cardholders now use the railways thanks to their discount of one-third off most journeys. read more »

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Fear govt cuts will hit disabled workers in Scotland

27th January 2012

Ongoing government cuts are proving a real setback for work towards the social and economic inclusion of disabled employees in the UK. Disabled workers at a Remploy factory in Scotland are facing an uncertain future, after a report recommended bringing funding to support is cut in favour of helping workers find mainstream employment. Speaking to the Daily Record, workers at Remploy's Leven factory expressed their concern about the implications of the proposals. read more »

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Perth railway station to become more accessible

26th January 2012

Disabled commuters in Perth could find it easier to travel to and from work thanks to a new footbridge being proposed for the railway station.

A new application has been submitted by Network Rail to Perth and Kinross Council outlining a blueprint for a footbridge connecting platforms one to four.

The bridge is to be accessible by both stairs and lifts, meaning that it can easily be used by all rail passengers. read more »

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