Disabled People Against the Cuts are holding a demonstration in Birmingham on

Sunday 18th September

Assemble at 11am Granville Street, B1 1JW  Continue Reading

Its not too late to have your say on the Government’s plans to refor Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
The Government plans to get rid of DLA and replace it with something called Personal Independence Payment or PIP.
Under the PIP everyone will have a medical – if it is a medical based on the work capability assessment (ESA) it may cost a lot more than it saves, as many people successfully appeal the refusal of benefits.
The move away from mobility and towards “getting around” is likely to mean many wheelchair and scooter users will no longer get mobility help, which may have a huge impact on their ability to get an adapted car.
There are big changes, so have your say!

You can comment using an online form, or download a document from the Government website here>>
The website also has information in Easy read and BSL video.
Your comments must be recieved by 14th february.
If you want to add your voice to our response to the proposals, contact one voice with your comments by 10th February

The Government has published a new Big Society strategy document on thier plans for the role, of charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises – ie organisations like One Voice that are part of the “Third Sector” You can see the document  here>> .

The aim of the strategy is to support and strengthen our sector, in line with the Big Society agenda.

The consultation document asks questions like:

What support might your organisation need to become more resilient?
Are there ways that expert intervention can support areas which are lacking social capital to improve local relationships and develop a stronger civil society?
The consultation closes on 6th January 2010

There is not, as yet, any Plain English or Easy Read version of the Consultation document.

Gordon Brown wanted to be “fair” about benefits, but he brought in Employment Support Allowance – the main purpose was to get disabled people off expensive incapacity benefit and into cheap unemployment.
But that isn’t enough un-fairness for the Conservative led coalition government: their new definition of fair seems to be to introduce medical assessments for DLA by doctors who work for the Benefits system – we already have that – benefits doctors go out and visit disabled people and decide they shouldn’t get the benefits. Continue Reading

A British Diplomat praised for her work promoting disability rights as a diplomat in Poland, has had her new posting as Britain’s deputy ambassador to Kazakhstan revoked, after Foreign Officie officials decided that her deafness makes it too expensive for her to work abroad.
The Equality and Human Rights commision is taking up her case.
But this signals an interesting approach by a Government that – in oppositiion, said that disabled people’s equality was safe in their hands.
Overcoming disabling barriers can be expensive, but the Disability Discrimination Act looks at the resources of the organisation when deciding whether the cost of removing barriers or providing aids and adaptations, is prohibitive and can be refused.
It seems a clear indication of the Government’s continued intention for poorer and “less equal” groups to bear the main burden of the Government cuts.
After all, a Government that is still paying MP expenses for TVs, up to £24,222 for rent/housing costs, an annual Communications Allowance of £10,400, and up to £37,281 to each MP for staff costs.
Readers may also remember an item in the news that foreign secretary William Hague was employing 3 Special Advisors, but apparently, paying for the lip speakers that Jane Cordell uses to do the job she was selected for is too expensive.
The EHRC must win this case, or the hard won rights of Disabled people to live and work as equals will have been effectively repealed.

We are at a period where there are likely to be lots of changes proposed or carried out by Governments that will have a big impact on disabled people’s lives: from getting a job, to benefits, to the care system, the impact of genetic research etc.
So it’s a good time to make sure your voice is being heard, and one of the easiest ways of doing this is to make sure you vote.
It is not to late to register for a vote – you have until April 20th, so call up the Council electoral services, and get registered to have a say!
When you are registered check back to ur website to find out how all the Wolverhampton candidates have answered the 10 questions we put to them from disabled citizens.
The answers we have received will be on this website from 22nd April, so make sure you come and have a look!

The Government has launched its new white paper on plans for a National Care Service.

The white paper comes after wide consultation with many people including disabled people in wolverhampton who came to our 3 consultation meetings to have their say and be part of our submission to the Government>>

They seem to have moved from their original position – opposite to the funding of the health services – that only individuals who need care will pay for it – taking notice about what many disabled people’s groups have said on the matter.

Minister Andy Burnham said:

“I feel very strongly that this is a responsibility we must all help to shoulder. And it’s clear from what we have heard from the thousands of people who have given us their opinions on this over the past twelve months, that people agree. That’s why we know that the fairest way to help everyone who is affected by a serious disease, illness or disability is for us all to pay into a system so we get free care when we need it.”

You can download your own copy of the white paper here>>

The Government has some draft regulations out to consultation.
these regulations will decide when people will be moved from Incapacity Benefit to Employment Support Allowance.

These regulations allow for the transition to begin in October 2010. It will start with a small test to make sure it works administratively, as the plans mean that in full swing up to 10,000 people per week will be transferred.
Most people will be transferred from February 2011 and all people who were on Incapacity Benefit will be on Employment Support Allowance, or off benefits and in work by the end of March 2014 according to the Governemtn plans.

you cannot appeal your transfer.

You can have a say about the transfer rules in the Government’s consultation, up to February 8th.
You can get the consultation papers and have a say by visiting the social security website>>>