News & Blogs
Government sparks anger after weakening Equality Act duties
March 23, 2011
Ian Streets
A shock government move to weaken the rules on how public bodies must promote equality will make it harder for disabled people to challenge their policies and decisions, say campaigners.…
Read moreSEN green paper: Government set to remove rights to inclusion
March 10, 2011
Ian Streets
Parents will have fewer rights to have their disabled children educated in mainstream schools, according to government plans for reforming the special educational needs (SEN) system. The green paper, Support…
Read moreThe King’s Speech is ‘squashing urban myths about stammering’
March 2, 2011
Ian Streets
The Oscars success of the British film The King’s Speech is already helping to fight ignorance and dispel urban myths about stammering, say campaigners. The user-led British Stammering Association (BSA)…
Read moreConference’s key messages for Scottish government on accessible housing
March 1, 2011
Ian Streets
Disabled people who took part in a groundbreaking conference this week have suggested key ways to solve the chronic lack of accessible housing in Scotland. Disabled people, charities, housing professionals…
Read moreEmergency text scheme ‘should be compulsory’
February 24, 2011
Ian Streets
Mobile phone companies should be forced to sign up permanently to a scheme that allows disabled people to send text messages to the emergency services instead of dialling “999”, according…
Read moreMinister calls for council action on dangerous pavement parking
February 23, 2011
Ian Streets
Campaigners have welcomed new measures that should make it easier for councils to stop motorists risking the safety of disabled pedestrians by parking on pavements. Vehicles parked on pavements can…
Read moreProposals ‘will help more disabled people into parliament’
February 17, 2011
Ian Streets
The government hopes a new strategy will help more disabled people become local councillors and MPs. The £1 million-a-year package of six proposals includes a new Access to Elected Office…
Read moreEU action means new rights to bus and coach travel
February 17, 2011
Ian Streets
Disabled people have finally secured “important rights” to travel on buses and coaches across the European Union (EU), following two years of negotiations. The new EU regulation will guarantee non-discriminatory…
Read moreBlue badge reforms are ‘huge step forward’
February 14, 2011
Ian Streets
The government has announced major reforms of the blue badge parking scheme for disabled people – the first on such a scale since its launch 40 years ago. Councils will…
Read moreBBC wins radio rights to 2012 Paralympics
February 11, 2011
Ian Streets
The BBC has won the UK radio rights to broadcast coverage of the London 2012 Paralympics on its Radio 5 Live news and sports station. The BBC said it would…
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