Issues that affect Disabled People

•  Government signs up to the optional protocol to the un convention on rights of disabled people

Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People has stated that Disabled people will have the opportunity to take their case to the UN if they feel their rights have been breached.

The Convention itself reaffirms that disabled people have - and should be able to enjoy - their human rights on an equal basis with non-disabled people. The Optional Protocol builds on this by establishing two additional procedures in respect of implementation and monitoring of the Convention. This includes an avenue that will enable individuals, who feel their rights have been breached, to bring petitions to the UN Committee, set up to monitor implementation of the Convention.

•  What should accessible toilets consist of?

If you have ever wondered what an accessible toilet should be like have a look at this information provided by Salford university and merseyside travel.  http://www.accesscode.info/buildings/6_9b.htm  For other design considerations look at  http://www.accesscode.info/buildings/6.htm

• Petition and campaign on Welfare Reform Act, read this message from Helen Dearman of RNIB

 MPs to vote on DLA issue,

I'm pleased to be able to give you exciting news, hot off the press, about the Parliamentary activity on the DLA Campaign planned for the next few months.

 We are at a crucial parliamentary stage of the campaign.  In February and March MPs will have the chance to debate and vote on the changes to DLA for which we are campaigning.  We will need the support of as many MPs as possible and need your help to persuade them to vote the right way, to put into action the support that so many of them have expressed.  With the help of MPs we will be trying to add clauses to the Welfare Reform Bill to allow people with severe sight loss to claim the higher rate mobility component of DLA.

 To stand any chance of success we will need to persuade our MPs that this is their opportunity to really demonstrate their support for you and for the campaign.  This will be the first chance that MPs have to vote on this issue.  We must do all that we can to ensure that they support us, particularly as so many MPs have written to Constituents to say that they are disappointed by the Government's position and want to know if there is anything else that they can do to help.  There is!  

As well as supporting the DLA amendment to the Welfare Reform Bill, we also need MPs to sign up to a new Early Day Motion (EDM 340) tabled on the last day of Parliament in December.   As you know, the last EDM (1982) finished at the end of November.  EDM 340 reflects the current position, welcoming the statement from the Minister for Disabled People and the support from the Opposition Parties.

 We need you to write to your MP about the EDM and about the Welfare Reform Bill.  We have attached a draft letter to MPs on which you may choose to base your letter, adding your own experience etc.  We have also attached a template letter for those people who would prefer to just add their name and address and their MP's name.  If you are unsure who your MP is or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 7391 2123.  Please also forward us copies of replies from your MP to DLA Campaign, RNIB, 105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE.

 Kind regards,  Helen Dearman Campaigns Officer RNIB

More Issues later... watch this page (if you have a relevant issue contact Dave Nichols at BCIL)