John Pring who runs the Disability News Service publishes his weekly news round-up of the happenings in the disability world the past week.
• London 2012 organisers have failed to explain why wheelchair-users can no longer book tickets for this month’s Paralympics through the official website.
• Disabled people’s organisations that helped Atos Healthcare win a new government contract to assess claimants of disability benefits have asked the much-criticised company not to reveal their identities.
• Two British Paralympians have called on Royal Mail to reconsider its decision to issue just six stamps to celebrate home gold medals at London 2012.
• Two disabled people’s organisation that are set to help outsourcing giant Capita test claimants of disability benefits have pledged to withdraw their support if the assessments are not carried out in a “fair, open and clear way”.
• A major international disability arts and human rights festival set to take place during the London 2012 Paralympics has had to be cancelled, after the venue where it was being staged was forced into administration.
• People with learning difficulties have called on MPs to act over fears that the latest report into the “brutal” institutional abuse of disabled people will again fail to prevent future scandals.
• Disabled experts who have worked with the designers of a new “black cab for London” say they hope it will improve accessible transport in the capital.
• Four years ago, at the Beijing Paralympics, it was Matt Skelhon’s Mohican haircut that drew most of the media attention, despite his gold medal. But this time, at London 2012, he has decided to go “incognito”.
• When Kate Murray competes in the Paralympic archery event at London 2012, the venue will revive some happy childhood memories.
• A table-tennis star has spoken of her hope that London 2012 will finally bring public recognition of the sporting talents of Britain’s Paralympians.
For links to the full stories, please visit Disability News Service.
Disability News Service (DNS) is run by John Pring, an experienced journalist who has been reporting on disability issues for more than 15 years.
