News

Bus Access breakthrough, DWP silent on benefit claim system, Praise for TfL, Fitness to work test improvements.

Submitted by Phil on 7th May 2013 - 11:11

As I write this a man is lying underneath my powered wheelchair trying to fit a new left hand motor because the old one has developed a sort of nervous ticking noise. Very reminiscent of the days when most children rode around on Raleigh bikes and shoved a lolly stick into the back wheel spokes in order to make a similar clicking sound! The trouble with this annoying noise on a powered chair is that you can’t creep up on anyone and you spend all day on tenterhooks waiting for the chair to breakdown.

Atos pay out, Smith and McVey use misleading figures, Judicial review on PIP, Atos second to Capita

Submitted by Phil on 14th Apr 2013 - 18:18

Hello to all. First a big thank you to those of you who not only read my recent post but also took the trouble to comment. Let’s hope the article moves the discussion about employment and disabled people on a little.

This week it’s back to normal with a quick paragraph from me followed by the news. So here goes.

Disability at Work - A Different Approach

Submitted by Phil on 25th Mar 2013 - 13:13

For nearly thirty years I, and many others have provided disability equality training designed for, and targeted at line managers, HR professionals and other interested individuals. Given that most people acquire their impairments during their adult lives an important emphasis has been placed on helping employers and managers become more confident when managing disability in the workplace.

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Topical Stories for 26th February

Submitted by Phil on 26th Feb 2013 - 11:11

It has been sometime and apologies for the silence. Lots going on at the moment. I’m trying to setup a powered wheelchair football team for severely disabled youngsters linked to Ware FC so if you know any let me know. I’ve written a book with a long time colleague and friend Dave Rees. Should be published on May 1st I’ll keep you posted. I’m working on a paper, which critiques our recent approach to who should have disability equality training. I intend to publish it here in the next blog. Apart from that not a lot going on really.

Labour's integration plans, Portas high street review and access, McVey invites ridicule, ESA claimants not fit for work, Benefits cap will be law,

Submitted by Phil on 27th Jan 2013 - 16:16

I’ve just spotted snowdrops shoots in my garden and some flowering Hellebore in one of the tubs, this is remarkable given they were all under six inches of snow a few days ago. So spring is clearly on its way and with it comes that sense of renewal and optimism. The country might be going to “hell in a handcart” but good old Boris Johnson London’s Mayor suggests we should “talk things up” and be a bit more optimistic. Easy to say when you’re the Mayor but not quite so easy if you’re watching your services and benefits being drastically reduced.

Motability refuses to lobby, Academies may undermine, Disabled Peers defend watchdog, Government silent on PIP, DWP silent over ILF consultation.

Submitted by Phil on 17th Jan 2013 - 16:16

How was your Christmas? Nice food, nice gifts, family reunions, all sweetness and light? Well that’s what it looks like in the movies.

Another year and it’s likely to be a tough one. 2013 began for me with a cataract operation; this is usually pretty routine, anaesthetic drops, snip, tug, and job done in fifteen minutes. If only! Mine took an hour and involved stitches and other scary things. The following day a trip to Moorfields to check all was well and it is, thank goodness.

DWP covers its tracks', Fatal impact of cuts, ILF closure update, Paralympic funding success, Threat to accessible housing, Hate crime law review.

Submitted by Phil on 22nd Dec 2012 - 12:12

So here it is again the Christmas holiday. All your cards written? Presents bought and wrapped? What about the mountain of food, all safely in the fridge? Telly programmes researched and the record button on standby? New Year resolutions contemplated and in draft? Post and milkman tipped! Lager left for the dustman? So what has been forgotten? Oh! Yes Peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind.

Have a happy time and think of those for whom Christmas won't be quite so jolly.

Coalition packs equality duty review with friendly faces; Budget benefit cuts are ‘serious threat’ to independence; ODI silence; Anger over Workfare Scheme; English Heritage reveals a time and a place for disability history; UN’s international day

Submitted by Phil on 9th Dec 2012 - 14:14

Have you ever heard of Geocaching? Neither had I until fairly recently. Put simply millions of people across the world hide little containers with inexpensive items inside them. They post the coordinates on a geocaching website and then using a mobile phone or other GPS device we can all look for them.  It turns an ordinary country walk into a treasure hunt. Once you find "the treasure" you post a message on the website which the cache owner sees.

Leveson offers hope in fight against hostile newspapers, DWP report suggest Work Programme has failed, Government picks Tory to chair care watchdog, App could ‘revolutionise’ mobility assistance, Air passenger wins right to sue, Paralympians’ golden year.

Submitted by Phil on 30th Nov 2012 - 13:13

Hello once again and let me begin by apologising for the lack of news for the last two or three weeks. Some of you will be aware that I've now taken over as chair of Disability Rights UK. The organisation is the result of a merger between the National Centres for Independent Living, Disability Alliance, RADAR and SKILL. As a result I've had to carry out a whole range of different activities which has meant I’ve had little time to put the blog together.

ATOS accused, Equality Watchdog review risks, Cuts lead to fewer coach trips, New rights for volunteers? £300 million boost for specialised housing, Winterbourne hate crime confusion, Minister offers little hope re cuts.

Submitted by Phil on 6th Nov 2012 - 14:14

Our dog Blake is terrified on Bonfire night. He’s a total disgrace to the Labrador breed, after all he’s supposed to be a gun dog and should associate loud bangs with excitement and retrieving etc.  Instead Blake tries to get behind or inside the flat screen TV, he shuts himself in the toilet and then eats the door or he is sometimes found tunnelling under the beds. We’ve tried a number of remedies. Calming collars, desensitising CD’s and this year diazepam a drug well know to people with mental health conditions!

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