Guest post from Chris Welch who is campaigning for the law to be enforced to stop people using disabled parking spaces when they shouldn't.
The Fabian Women's Network invited Disability Rights UK to send someone along to their event to discuss and debate "Disability, Let's Talk About The Barriers", so I went, and I did.
Last week we submitted evidence to the snappily-titled 'fifth independent review of the work capability assessment' - the fifth and final review of the process determining if sick and disabled people are awarded Employment and support allowance (ESA) while they are unable to work.
The last time I went to see a GP I had to explain what a learning disability was. I don't think that I should have to do that - all doctors should have an understanding about it. It can be scary enough going to hospital without worrying about whether my doctors even understand about my learning disability. I have been working as a volunteer for Mencap for 20 years, and I am shocked and saddened that so many people with a learning disability die avoidably every year.
introduction of 'turn up and go' assistance at London train stations could be moving a step closer. Transport for All have written to the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) to urge them to listen to the views of older and disabled passenger and introduce 'turn up and go' assistance at rail stations in London. ATOC recently commissioned a survey into stations where disabled people do not pre-book their journeys as recommended.
Deep unease with the way the Department for Work and Pensions responded to an evidence-based review (EBR) of proposals to improve the Work Capability Assessment has been expressed this week by a group of charities and patient groups - who had called for the descriptors to be changed so they better suit the needs of people with fluctuating and progressive conditions.
