John Pring, who runs the Disability News Service, publishes his weekly news round-up of the happenings in the disability world the past week.
• The government has been defeated by peers again on its welfare reform bill, this time over a proposal that was set to punish disabled people in social housing who have spare bedrooms.
• New figures show the Crown Prosecution Service is making good progress in prosecuting disability hate crimes successfully, say disabled activists.
• The disability movement is mourning the loss of one of its “quiet leaders”, Stephen Bradshaw, the first director of the user-led Spinal Injuries Association.
• The only London 2012 venue built solely for the Paralympics has been completed, just as organisers marked 200 days to go until the games begin.
• A ruling by the court of appeal has left disabled air passengers with no protection from discrimination during their flights, the equality watchdog has warned.
• Pilot schemes that will give direct payments to disabled students so they can choose their own support should be a “fantastic” opportunity for them to flourish in mainstream further education, say inclusive education campaigners.
• Campaigners have handed the government a letter signed by hundreds of user-led organisations and disabled activists, in an effort to save the Independent Living Fund.
• Activists have told MEPs that “austerity” measures are undermining disabled people’s right to independent living across Europe.
News provided by John Pring at www.disabilitynewsservice.com
Disability News Service (DNS) is run by John Pring, an experienced journalist who has been reporting on disability issues for more than 15 years.
