As I stared at the steps leading to the restaurant, I ran through a mental list of the summer. The lift that was too small for a wheelchair, the "accessible" spa hotel that had a spa that was not accessible, the terrace ramp that led nowhere. The polite but awkward apologies from the unfortunate staff member always followed and I always played my part politely, awkwardly accepting them.
The past few years has seen the publication of a number of national reports which have highlighted the often poor response to people with learning disabilities by health services, ('Death by Indifference', 'Healthcare for all' 'Six Lives' investigation) which led to a number of key recommendations for improvement, including the need for reasonable adjustments in primary care services.
A Liberal Democrat government would establish a mental health research fund to support the development of new cutting-edge mental health treatments, Nick Clegg has announced.
Think Different Think Equal Campaign 01 August 2014 The European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) is launched a series of four videos entitled "Think Different, Think Equal" to empower and raise awareness about the rights of disabled people in Europe. Developed by a group of young disabled people from fifteen European countries, the video campaign explores the concept of intersectionality and helps young disabled people understand and embrace their multiple identities. Its goal is to build young people's capacity to identify and respond to discrimination by knowing their rights and the protections available, as well as to encourage self-advocacy.
Has a disability forced you to leave your job in the last 2 years? Are you enthusiastic to return to work but need help? The 7 Families Initiative is a project designed to help 7 individuals (and their families) who have been forced out of their jobs due to disability or ill health and are now facing financial hardship. By offering financial support (by way of a donation), advice and access to services 7 Families will give participants the chance to relieve some of the financial burden, access rehabilitation service or retrain in order to return to ultimately return to work in some capacity.
Parts of the UK'sdisability benefits system require a "fundamental redesign" because flaws in the process are so "grave", a report by MPs has said.
