EFD disability news - Global

Scope to launch £20m bond programme

EFD — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:00:00 +0000

Disability charity Scope is piloting a £20 million bond programme that it hopes will generate complementary funding for its operations.

Finance raised through the Scope Bond Programme will be used to expand fundraising programmes and open new charity shops to provide more long-term sources of income.

Through a partnership with Investing for Good, a specialist social finance intermediary, Scope will become one of the first charities in the UK to enter the capital markets.

Disability benefit and sickness systems 'need urgent reform'

EFD — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 12:05:00 +0000

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has called on governments around the world to revise their disability benefit and sickness systems to help disabled people find jobs.

According to the body's Sickness, Disability and Work: Breaking the Barriers report, disability welfare represents ten per cent of public social expenditure in the majority of OECD nations - twice the cost of unemployment benefits before the recession.

Work capability assessment 'does not account for mental health conditions'

EFD — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:38:00 +0100

A number of charities have come together to campaign against the work capability assessment (WCA), which they believe does not take into account mental health conditions.

Led by the Papworth Trust, the consortium also claims that assessors lack adequate training, with Suzanne Mildinhall of Workwise calling the system "wholly inadequate for mental health", the Bury Free Press reports.

Bruno: Anyone can experience mental health problems

EFD — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:18:00 +0100

Heavyweight boxer Frank Bruno has claimed anyone can experience psychological problems, regardless of their profession.

The British fighter, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder seven years ago, suggested his mental health illness was harder to face than his opponents in the ring, as he was always able to prepare in advance for the latter.

"It can happen to anyone - milkmen, lawyers, even boxers," the famous sportsman remarked. "Some people don't want to know you anymore ... They delete you, rub you out."

Canada ratifies UN disability treaty

EFD — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:59:00 +0000

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been approved in Canada.

Under the agreement, people with disabilities will be afforded the same privileges and civil liberties as other citizens, the country's foreign affairs minister, Lawrence Cannon, said.

"Ratification of this convention underscores the government of Canada's strong commitment to this goal," he remarked.

National chair of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities Marie Claire agreed, stating that it is a historic occasion for individuals in this demographic.

Disabled employees to benefit from new US ad campaign?

EFD — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:46:00 +0000

The plight of disabled employees in the US is being highlighted through a new humorous national advertising campaign.

Targeting recruiters, the ads will encourage individuals to Think Beyond the Label regarding people who have disabilities, the New York Times reports.

In one commercial, a disabled employee in a wheelchair suggests colleagues that could also be branded "different", such as badly-dressed workers being described as "fashion deficient", while loud staff may suffer from "volume control syndrome".

Channel 4 secures Paralympic Games coverage

EFD — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:43:00 +0000

Channel 4 has been selected as the UK broadcaster for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

By delivering over 150 hours of coverage for the event, Channel 4 - a member of the Employers' Forum on Disability - is set to provide the largest amount of Paralympic Games footage in British television history.

Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) Sebastian Coe said the additional focus will help to raise awareness of equality.