News

More than a third (37 per cent) of UK workers believe disability is still a barrier to career progression, despite anti-discrimination legislation. In a study commissioned by PMI Health Group, part of Willis Towers Watson, nearly one in five (17 per cent) 1 also claimed employers fail to make adequate provisions to accommodate their, or their colleagues’, disabilities. “Companies have ... Read More »

A new report setting out both the “concerns and opportunities” for disabled people in the aftermath of Brexit has been released by leading disability charity Papworth Trust. The 64-page document, entitled ‘Brexit – What next for disabled people?’, aims to raise awareness of the various issues coming out of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union in June. Social ... Read More »

Wheelchair-Fencer, Dimitri Coutya took on Tough Mudder on Saturday in aid of disabled children in Africa. On Saturday 24 September, ParalympicGB fencer Dimitri Coutya, took part in the West Sussex Tough Mudder challenge. Arms, legs and wheels took on the gruelling SAS-style military course together with 10,000 others. 18-year old Dimitri returned from the Rio 2016 Paralympic games just days ... Read More »

Study by disabled people’s charity reveals need for small changes from all to create lasting difference With memories of the most successful Paralympic Games of all time still fresh in everyone’s mind, a quiz designed to engage non-disabled people in a light-hearted conversation about respect for disabled people revealed that a majority of non-disabled people had no problem using facilities ... Read More »

National disability charity, Sense, has responded to the news that the Labour Party intends to launch an early years taskforce looking into childcare provision and early-years learning. The taskforce, announced by shadow education secretary, Angela Rayner, as part of this year’s Labour Party Conference, will aim to ensure that all children and parents have access to quality, affordable childcare. Sense, ... Read More »

More and more frequently parents are having to be increasingly creative in keeping their children safe from night-time wandering as stair gates are climbed and locks are undone.  If you have a child with no danger awareness, night-time wandering can have a serious impact on health and well-being not only for the individual concerned but for the family / carers, ... Read More »

For the first time in the UK, a short-film has been launched to raise awareness of the world’s most common inherited neurological condition Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT). Launched at Westminster, it aims to spread the word about the condition all over the UK because so few people have heard of it, including many health and social care professionals. The film has been ... Read More »

8 year-old Whitney was born with cataracts that slowly clouded both of her eyes. Her family couldn’t afford surgery to have them removed.  Thanks to disability charity CBM, Whitney has now undergone a sight saving operation.   Whitney lives with her mother and her two siblings in a village North of Uganda´s capital Kampala. Before the operation Whitney had not been ... Read More »

Specialist tour operator, Accessible Travel, launches an extended programme of barrier free coach holiday for 2017 Following the success of their 2016 trip to Amsterdam, Accessible Travel, the specialist tour operator for disabled travellers, is pleased to announce the launch of an extended programme of accessible coach holidays for 2017 including trips to Germany’s Rhineland, Austria and the Scottish Highlands. ... Read More »

Ceremony & Cocktail Party on 5 October at Lutyens Blue Badge Style  have announced the shortlist for their third annual Blue Badge Style Awards, plus their new sponsors, news organisation Thompson Reuters. The Blue Badge Style Awards recognise the effort that stylish hotels, restaurants and bars have made to attract guests with disabilities. The shortlist includes venues from Brancaster to Bristol, Edinburgh ... Read More »

by Philippa Willits Disabled people face discrimination in many areas of their lives. There are access issues with shops and restaurants, even hospitals and health care centres, there is disability discrimination in the employment market, and disabled people can also face prejudice from the people around them. Access to housing can be limited, it can be difficult to access customer ... Read More »

Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and social enterprise company Light Bulb Arts are encouraging teachers and outdoor educators to be more adventurous in the woodlands with the launch of a new woodland activity book for children with autism and severe and complex learning difficulties. FCS and Light Bulb Arts which delivers a range of art classes in Edinburgh, based on sound ... Read More »