UK DISABILITY UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT NEWS

UK DISABILITY UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT NEWS

Over recent years, more and more of us are taking an interest in politics. Events such as the Scottish Independence Referendum and now Brexit negotiations have shown how important politics are on day to day life. For anyone affected by disability rights and Government welfare, recent political activity is worth keeping a very close eye on.

In 2007 the UK was signed up to a UN Convention protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. In simple words, there is now a basic level of support available to all disabled people in the UK. The Government agreed on these standards with the UN and promised to maintain them. However, disability organisations have been concerned that recent governmental reforms are adversely affecting disabled peo ple. Numerous organisations carried out their own reports and studies to assess the impact of these policy changes. The UN was paying attention and its committee was called into action to investigate. Over the last year, the 'UN committee on the rights of persons with disabilities' (CRPD) has revealed the findings of two separate investigations. Both reports highlight important changes for the disabled p opulation of the UK, many of whom rely on the Government for protection and assistance. Spinal Life Scotland have taken care of all the heavy reading for you and we are here to focus on some of the key talking points.

The report was heavily critical in many areas of reform including sanctions on employment and support allowance, assessments into suitability to work and neglecting the fact that waiting on assessment results caused "anxiety and psychological strain". Stressing the importance of recent changes, UN committee chairwoman Theresia Degener claimed the situation was a "human ca tastrophe" and that the "evidence was overwhelming". Some more examples of recent welfare reform you may be familiar with include more stringent conditions to qualify for social care and changes to the criteria for PIP application. In relation to these changes, the report stated that they "hindered disabled people's rights to live independently and be included in the community". One more striking stateme nt in the report was that UK welfare reforms led to "grave and systematic violations" of disabled persons rights. Very strong words from the UN that could suggest Persons with disabilities have reason to be concerned. Continued on page 4

EDINBURGH AIRPORT UPDATE Continued from page 3 The findings led to the current Government coming under fire. Debbie Abrahams, the shadow work and pensions secretary claimed that the report confirms the Government is "failing sick and disabled people" while Mike Lambert, freelance journalist, wrote in the Guardian that the report was a "catalogue of shame". In response, the work and pensions secretary Damian Green (pictured below) dism issed the report. He claimed the findings demonstrated an "outdated view of disability which is patronising and offensive". He drew attention to £50bn spent each year supporting the sick and disabled. Damian Green also highlighted the quality of that support, claiming that the report failed to recognise the "wide range of tailored and effective support on offer". The report also points to failure of UK l aw to recognise the rights of disabled children to inclusive schooling. This subject was covered by article 24 of the convention and the current situation is unacceptable for the UN committee chairwoman. She points out that "article 24 is not about a choice. It is about a right to inclusive education". Overall, the report contained a total of 60 recommendations that would bring the UK closer to meeting th e standards they agreed to. The Government is not obliged to act on these recommendations and on the whole is disappointed that the report "does not accurately reflect the evidence we gave the UN". Considering the committee is more concerned about the UK than any other country in its 10 year history, it seems that the UN and the UK government have very different ideas when it comes to acceptable care fo r those with disabilities.

The Government claims the report “fails to recognise all the progress we have made to empower disabled people on all aspects of their lives.” One year after being heavily criticised, Edinburgh airport has been praised for improving services for passengers with mobility issues. Their hard work and focus has been awarded with a jump in classification from 'poor' to 'good'. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) assesses the top 30 airports in the UK every year. It was delighted with the progress at Scotland's busiest airport. They have spent the year prioritising changes that will make flying a more relaxing experience for those needing assistance. Taking steps like hosting an open day, investing in new equipment, improving facilities and training dedicated staff paid off with the reclassification. Elsewhere in Scotland, Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick and Inverness managed to achieve a 'very good' ranking. This is great news for passengers in Scotland as only 6 out of all 30 airports were awarded this classification. Aberdeen and Sumburgh airport on Shetland joined Edinburgh in providing 'good' assistance to passengers with mobility issues. WHAT IS WELFARE REFORM? This is when the Government attempts to change the social welfare system. Recent examples include: • Changing PIP application • Sanctions on employment and support allowance • Changing assessments into suitability to work • New conditions to qualify for social care

UK DISABILITY UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

Over recent years, more and more of us are taking an interest in politics. Events such as the Scottish Independence Referendum and now Brexit negotiations have shown how important politics are on day to day life. For anyone affected by disability rights and Government welfare, recent political activity is worth keeping a very close eye on.

In 2007 the UK was signed up to a UN Convention protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. In simple words, there is now a basic level of support available to all disabled people in the UK. The Government agreed on these standards with the UN and promised to maintain them.

However, disability organisations have been concerned that recent governmental reforms are adversely affecting disabled people. Numerous organisations carried out their own reports and studies to assess the impact of these policy changes. The UN was paying attention and its committee was called into action to investigate.

Over the last year, the 'UN committee on the rights of persons with disabilities' (CRPD) has revealed the findings of two separate investigations. Both reports highlight important changes for the disabled population of the UK, many of whom rely on the Government for protection and assistance.

Spinal Life Scotland have taken care of all the heavy reading for you and we are here to focus on some of the key talking points.

The report was heavily critical in many areas of reform including sanctions on employment and support allowance, assessments into suitability to work and neglecting the fact that waiting on assessment results caused "anxiety and psychological strain". Stressing the importance of recent changes, UN committee chairwoman Theresia Degener claimed the situation was a "human catastrophe" and that the "evidence was overwhelming".

Some more examples of recent welfare reform you may be familiar with include more stringent conditions to qualify for social care and changes to the criteria for PIP application. In relation to these changes, the report stated that they "hindered disabled people's rights to live independently and be included in the community".

One more striking statement in the report was that UK welfare reforms led to "grave and systematic violations" of disabled persons rights. Very strong words from the UN that could suggest Persons with disabilities have reason to be concerned.

The findings led to the current Government coming under fire. Debbie Abrahams, the shadow work and pensions secretary claimed that the report confirms the Government is "failing sick and disabled people" while Mike Lambert, freelance journalist, wrote in the Guardian that the report was a "catalogue of shame".

In response, the work and pensions secretary Damian Green (pictured below) dismissed the report. He claimed the findings demonstrated an "outdated view of disability which is patronising and offensive". He drew attention to £50bn spent each year supporting the sick and disabled. Damian Green also highlighted the quality of that support, claiming that the report failed to recognise the "wide range of tailored and effective support on offer".

The report also points to failure of UK law to recognise the rights of disabled children to inclusive schooling. This subject was covered by article 24 of the convention and the current situation is unacceptable for the UN committee chairwoman. She points out that "article 24 is not about a choice. It is about a right to inclusive education".

Overall, the report contained a total of 60 recommendations that would bring the UK closer to meeting the standards they agreed to. The Government is not obliged to act on these recommendations and on the whole is disappointed that the report "does not accurately reflect the evidence we gave the UN".

Considering the committee is more concerned about the UK than any other country in its 10 year history, it seems that the UN and the UK government have very different ideas when it comes to acceptable care for those with disabilities.

WHAT IS WELFARE REFORM?

This is when the Government attempts to change the social welfare system. Recent examples include:

• Changing PIP application

• Sanctions on employment and support allowance

• Changing assessments into suitability to work

• New conditions to qualify for social care