Campaigners warn that people with disabilities are losing rights due to government cuts
- 18 Jun
Over a 100 charities have signed a letter that has said decades of advances for people with learning disabilities could be lost.
Charities are concerned that the rights of people with learning disabilities to live independent lives are slipping due to government cuts to benefits and social care, reports the Guardian.
A letter sent to the Guardian, signed by over 100 charites and Lord Brian Rix, president of Mencap, has said that the shrinking welfare state risks leaving people housebound and cut off from communities and work.
The letter stated: “Campaigners fought for over 60 years so people with a learning disability can make their own choices in life and be part of mainstream society, however I fear we are about to go backwards on decades of hard-fought victories which secured disabled people’s rights and inclusion in society. I have seen great strides since the 1950s, when I was advised to ‘put away and forget’ my late daughter Shelley, who had Down’s syndrome. However, expected £12bn cuts to social security, combined with huge reductions in funding for local government, and therefore social care, is causing fear and anxiety among the 1.4 million people with a learning disability and their families in the UK. Support through welfare and social care allows people with a learning disability to leave their homes, be active in the community and seek employment. For family carers, it recognises their vital role, and supports their immense contribution to loved ones and to society. I, and other campaigners, feel if we make the wrong decisions now, we threaten the basic rights of disabled citizens in a way that no civilised country should be willing to contemplate.”
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “As we work to get the overall benefits bill under control, we will always operate on the very clear principle that we will protect the most vulnerable.”
What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions
Related articles
- 10 Sep
Young people with learning disabilities more likely to be abused
A group of children’s charities have said that young people with disabilities have the “same vulnerabilities” as all young people but face extra “barriers” to getting protection or support,...
- 07 Sep
Success for a disability sport programme
The programme ran for three weeks and included multi-sport camps at Aberdeen Sports Village, reports the Mearns Leader. Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education, Learning and Leisure Committee...
- 21 Jul
Hartlepool to open a disability centre
Work has begun on the Hartlepool Borough Council project which aims to provide the Centre for Independent Living on the site of the current Havelock Centre in Burbank, reports The Hartlepool Mail.It...
- 14 Jul
Reform for care of adults with learning disabilities criticised for being slow
Following the care home abuse scandal at Winterbourne, Sir Stephen Bubb headed a review into care home abuse, which was published in November, reports the BBC.England's chief nursing officer said...
- 11 Jun
Concern over disability benefits following council change
On the 30th of June a £500m Independent Living Fund will be in the control of local authorities, leaving people fearing how the benefit allowance for disabled adults will be affected, reports the...
- 21 May
Victims of disability hate crime are being let down
Police, prosecutors and probations services have failed to bring in need change over the past two years, a report by the Criminal Justice Inspectorate has found, reports the BBC.The CPS, police and...
- 08 May
New initiative to support young people with disabilities
Liberty Staffordshire Community Interest Company have been developed to maximise opportunities for young people due to growing concern they could be left isolated following the withdrawal of...
- 05 May
How technology is helping people with disabilities
At the exhibit people presented all-terrain wheelchairs, adapted smartphone for people whose fingers can't cope with normal devices, wheelchairs that allow the user to become level with the people...
- 01 May
Charities call for action on accessible housing
Leonard Cheshire Disability charity has told The Yorkshire Post that the lack of housing which is accessible for people with disabilities must become and election issue and is calling for the...
- 01 May
Worcestershire to hold a Learning Disability Day
The day will be held on Wednesday 10th June at King George V Community Centre in Ash Avenue, Brickfields, Worcester and is free for everyone to attend between 10am till 3pm, reports Worcester...
Responding to the DWP Consultation: Housing Benefit Reform - Supported Housing "It was well-run, in a good location, and very useful. I've only one suggestion; as the session went on it would perhaps have been useful for bullet points of general agreement about what should be in the sector response to be displayed and added to as the session went on, maybe on a flip chart. Regarding your response paper, I particularly like the answer you give to question 9. In fact the general: "if it ain't broke don't fix it" response could be pushed harder." M.P. - Adref Ltd
