According to charities, public abuse of disabled people is on the rise . Four readers tell their stories Isobel Glenelg, posts as IsobelGlenelg Having no visible signs of disability (unless you count an almost permanent pain-induced grimace) has its drawbacks. In the early days of my blue badge ownership, I was often glared at disapprovingly.

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Comment is free readers on … negative attitudes towards disability | The people’s panel

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We don’t deny the rich the right to use the NHS or state schools, so why should we deny them help dressing and eating? Hostility towards those on disability benefits has been on the rise this week, evidenced by the reports of increased public abuse towards the disabled, and the outcry regarding the lottery-winning couple who still claim disability benefits. These outpourings of venom betray an ignorance about what any disabled person goes through on a daily basis – loss of privacy, independence and dignity, for example – as well as a total inconsistency in views on social welfare.

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Who ‘deserves’ disability benefits? Everyone in physical need | Madeline Lewis

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Warnings over the unfairness of cuts to child benefit and other payments are simply being ignored by the government David Cameron recently went on the record to acknowledge that his plans to snatch child benefit from higher-earners could create rough justice around the edges – edges he is keen to get smoothed. The first thought this stirs is the stark contrast between the prime minister’s concern with top-rate taxpayers and the abject disregard for the millions of poorer households who will be hit by wider social security cuts.

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Slashing benefits is a breeze when you disregard the detail

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Charities say the focus on alleged benefit fraud has caused an increase in abuse of disabled people. We want to hear your story Charities have warned that the government’s focus on alleged fraud and over-claiming to justify cuts in disability benefits has caused an increase in resentment and abuse directed at disabled people.

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Write for us about … negative attitudes towards disability | The people’s panel

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Charities say the focus on alleged benefit fraud has caused an increase in abuse of disabled people. We want to hear your story Charities have warned that the government’s focus on alleged fraud and over-claiming to justify cuts in disability benefits has caused an increase in resentment and abuse directed at disabled people. Scope’s regular polling of people with disabilities shows that in September two-thirds said they had experienced recent hostility or taunts – up from 41% four months before

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Write for us about … negative attitudes towards disability | The people’s panel

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David Cameron’s cuts have barely got going yet. That’s the frightening truth about austerity While Tory and Lib Dem MPs were contemptuously rejecting all seven Lords amendments to the welfare reform bill on Wednesday, I was at a credit union in London’s East End, listening to low earners and unemployed people struggling to save small sums to avoid loan sharks. Admirable, but little protection from a tidal wave of cuts heading their way

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The welfare reform bill will incentivise people: to turn on David Cameron | Polly Toynbee

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Letters: The benefits of a civilised society

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MPs must listen to Lib Dem members before they vote on the Lords amendments to the bill: the soul of the party is at stake “To build and safeguard a fair, free and open society where no one is enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.” Those are the words that appear on the membership card of every single member of the Liberal Democrats, spelling out the fundamental values we believe in. As a Lib Dem, I appeal to our MPs to remember those values this Wednesday when they vote on the Lords’ amendments to the welfare reform bill . If they do not then I fear that the soul of our party could be heading to a very dark place.

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If Lib Dems can’t influence this welfare bill, why are we in coalition? | George Potter

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Tax avoidance group forges alliance with disability campaigners in marked strategic shift to stage day of mass civil disobedience The direct action group UK Uncut has joined disability activists to plan civil disobedience against the welfare reform bill in London this weekend, which they say will bring chaos to the centre of the capital. Saturday’s action, billed as “hugely daring and disruptive” , is a shift for UK Uncut from previous action against alleged corporate tax avoiders, such as occupying stores run by Vodafone and the Arcadia retail group. It is forming alliances with campaigners against specific spending cuts it views as being, in part, the direct consequence of reduced tax receipts

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UK Uncut joins fight against welfare reform bill

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The DWP has published its impact assessment of the effects of the benefit changes today. What does the data say? • Get the data Government proposals to cut benefits are wending their controversial way through parliament, but what is the data behind this story?

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Benefit cap impact assessment: get the key data

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Audi apologies after turning away disabled driver

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As a teacher of young people with learning difficulties, I believe it’s a matter of conscience that their needs – and rights – are met Since graduating from university, I have worked in a further education college in inner London teaching students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities aged between 16 and 21.

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It saddens me to see young, vulnerable people having their lives made harder | Peter Halstead

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Plans to replace disability living allowance amount to an assault on disabled people’s independence and equality Having been a member of the Conservative party since 1992 and a councillor from 2006, I decided to relinquish both of those positions in 2011. A big decision but one that I decided to make because of the government’s endless attacks on disabled people and their right to independence and full equality.

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I left the Conservative party over its attacks on disabled people | Ollie Flitcroft

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House of Lords rejects Lady Grey-Thompson’s proposal for pilot scheme before disability allowance cuts are introduced The government fought off a fresh challenge to its controversial welfare reform bill on Tuesday night, when peers rejected a proposal to delay the full introduction of slashed new disability payments after ministers offered concessions. As the cabinet hardened its tactics by agreeing to overturn a series of defeats in the House of Lords last week, a cross-party group of peers failed to introduce a pilot scheme before a new regime for disability allowances can be fully introduced. Peers voted by 229 to 213, a government majority of 16, to reject an amendment tabled by Lady Grey-Thompson, one of Britain’s most successful disabled athletes, after the government warned her plan would cost £1.4bn.

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Welfare reform bill delay blocked as coalition wins vote against amendment

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Welfare is out of control. This government faces tough choices, but helping those most in need is at the heart of our proposals Coming into office we knew that radical strategies were needed to reform our broken welfare system

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Our welfare reforms will help create a sustainable, fairer system | David Freud

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