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A lottery winner claiming benefits just does not feel right | Michael White

A lottery winner claiming benefits just does not feel right | Michael White

Our sense of fairness is being tested in all sorts of ways, and next month’s budget will test it even further Have you been following the story of Jean and Michael O’Shea, their £10m lottery win and the £6,000-a-year disability living allowance (DLA) that the couple still claim? Probably not, it’s far too interesting to be much of a broadsheet story. That’s what makes it a challenge at a time when our sense of fairness is being tested in all sorts of ways.

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Forget the Ricky Gervais ‘mong’ row, disabled people need action

Forget the Ricky Gervais ‘mong’ row, disabled people need action

The recent furore over the comedian’s use of the word mong obscures the real issues around disability rights and benefit cuts Ricky Gervais has now apologised for his use of the word mong on Twitter. The golden boy of comedy, who’s been responsible for some painfully truthful and funny representations of disability on TV in the past (think The Office and Extras), has listened to the debates by campaigners such as Nicky Clark and many others and has responded with an apology. So what can we learn from Mong-gate?

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Positive action schemes are not perfect – but they are making a difference | Kamilla Baiden

People who think such programmes are unfair need to appreciate the wider picture about minority backgrounds What is diversity? We hear it in the news on a daily basis: in education, the workplace, sport and the media

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The evidence is growing that the cuts are savagely targeting disabled people

The evidence is growing that the cuts are savagely targeting disabled people

A Papworth Trust survey is the latest to reveal grave concerns at the government’s handling and understanding of disability benefit reforms Earlier this year, Scope conducted a survey showing that of the proposed £90bn cuts, £9bn will fall upon disabled people . This week’s survey results from disability charity the Papworth Trust add to weight to claims that disabled people are the hardest hit

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Disabled people face abuse and threats of violence after fraud crackdown

Disabled people face abuse and threats of violence after fraud crackdown

Government tests to move thousands off Disability Living Allowance have led to verbal and even physical assaults against those on benefits, a survey has found Disabled people have faced greater hostility from the general public since the government launched its controversial benefits reforms, according to a survey by a leading charity. A majority said that they experienced hostility, discrimination or even physical attacks from strangers on a weekly basis and more than a third claimed the situation had become worse in the previous 12 months.

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We should not get too pious about MPs’ treatment of Paul Maynard | Michael White

We should not get too pious about MPs’ treatment of Paul Maynard | Michael White

Paul Maynard was tough enough to win his seat after three attempts, so he must be used to coping with hard feelings I wasn’t present in the Commons chamber when Paul Maynard, the new Tory MP for Blackpool North, was apparently mocked for his way of speaking . He was born with cerebral palsy. But I don’t think we should get too pious about the incident, as the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, is being encouraged to

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Deaf Teenagers Work With Professional Actor

A group of young deaf teenagers, who all wear cochlear implants, recently took part in a film making day, hosted by the Ear Foundation and run by professional actor Colin Wells, best known for his role as Johnno Dean in the long-running television drama series, Hollyoaks. Colin, whose daughter Rachael has a cochlear implant, owns [...]

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Charity in Search for New Trustees

Award winning Compass Disability Services are looking for new Trustees to help keep them pointing in the right direction. The Somerset-based charity, who were recently named Third Sector Employer of the Year at the South West Skills Awards ceremony, are seeking people with a range of skills who would be committed to their mission, values [...]

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Charity Marks 10th Birthday with new Apprenticeship Challenge

Disability charity Hertfordshire PASS celebrated its 10th anniversary by launching its 10 PASS Ten Challenge, which aims to find apprenticeships for 10 young disabled people before the end of the year. Set up 10 years ago to enable disabled people to live more independently through employment and self-directed support, Hertfordshire PASS runs WorkABILITY, a project [...]

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