Introduction – independent living in a time of austerity

We start with an apparent dichotomy – the demand to advance disabled people’s right to independent living yet having to do so in the context both of the financial climate we are in and increasing demand for ever more scarce resources as we all live longer lives.

Many of us may disagree with the economic and other policies of the Government in Westminster and their impact at local level – that they are cutting too far, too fast...

In 2013 we should call for legislation to protect and promote independent living.

The Independent Living Strategy 2009 promised that government would review the case for such legislation ‘if sufficient progress has not been made against the outcomes by 2013’.  The strategy enjoyed cross Party support. There can be little doubt that this test has been met.  Moreover, on many of the outcomes the picture is one of regression.

The final report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ (JCH...

Once upon a time Britain led the way in promoting rights and independence for disabled people. That was the country I grew up in; I remember the horror when conditions for disabled children in foreign orphanages were exposed, pitiful little bundles of bones often tied to their cots, staring vacantly at their bars and walls, wizened like ancient beings who'd seen nothing but cruelty their entire lives. 

I remember ramps being built, institutions shut down, rights being created, laws being ma...

Today, 3 December, is the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.  Observed since 1992, the day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and build respect for the dignity, rights and well-being of disabled people around the world.  It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of disabled people in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.   Marking this year’s international day, the UN Secretary Gene...

What are we to make of the fact that only 35 of the 1000 ex-employees of recently closed Remploy factories have so far found new employment?

Liam Byrne deduces that it is a consequence of the lack of jobs in the economy and therefore the decent thing to do is to halt further closures.  

This would suggest that in a more buoyant economy the figure would be far higher. Yet there is little evidence that many more ex-factory workers found work following the closure of 28 factories under Labour ...