Current campaigns – act now

Current independent living campaigns need to consider refocusing their messages to capture what has become a central issue, the increasing threat of institutionalisation for anyone needing care; we must not only be critical of cuts to services but also the availability of institutionalised services. Guest blog from Simone Aspis.

Every year thousands of people unnecessarily die from cold homes. On the 21st November, the eve of the release of the latest excess winter deaths statistics, Fuel Poverty Action and a wide range of disability and poverty organisations delivered a letter to Ofgem about their proposed “safeguard” cap on energy tariffs.

A Disabled person with support from Inclusion London and other Disability charities is bringing a challenge to the unfair and discriminatory way those with psychological distress are treated by the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) rules.

Take stock of the key barriers to independent living that Disabled people who use adult social care services face. The day will aim to assess how far the situation has deteriorated in the last year and also to explore a shared vision for an independent living support system that can truly uphold our rights.

Please send us your experience of the ESA or PIP assessment or your experience of waiting for an assessment by the 8 November. Suggestions to improve the assessment process are also welcome.   

Guardian article about Kamil Ahmad, a Disabled asylum seeker who was murdered in 2016. “Last year, the UN accused the government of “systematic” violations of disabled people’s rights. In August this year, a UN representative described the situation as a “human catastrophe”. Kamil’s death is one horrific part of this bigger picture.”

Newly published research has found evidence of significant problems with the Government’s disability employment support programme Access to Work. Inclusion London’s report “Barriers to Work” will be launched in Parliament on 24 October alongside a comprehensive list of recommendations from the campaign #StopChanges2AtW on ways to improve Access to Work and reduce the adverse impacts that changes to the scheme are currently having.

Anne Novis, Chair Inclusion London and Independent Advisor to the Metropolitan Police comments on the recent figures released by government, which reveal an increase in hate crime.

Today over 65 Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations, campaigns and mental health professionals sent the following letter to the Prime Minister. Dear Prime Minister, We are writing to urge a reconsideration of the decision to appoint Professor Simon Wessely to lead the independent review of the Mental Health Act as announced at the Conservative Party […]

National Hate Crime Awareness week is 14-21 October 2017.  We stand with charities from across the equality spectrum, and all victims of hate crime, to ask for equal treatment before the law.