Archive - Apr 2012

Scope has submitted its response to the Government’s consultation on the assessment for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which will replace Disability Living Allowance next year.

Earlier this year, the Welfare Reform Bill became an Act and this means that all the changes to welfare benefits set out in the Bill will become law. Some changes like the time-limiting of Employment and Support Allowance have already come into effect; others, like the abolition of DLA and the introduction of PIP won’t happen until next year.

Last December, Scope called on supporters to join our campaign to Save Legal Aid for disabled people.

It’s one of Scope’s ambitions to be completely inclusive. This means that we work hard to make sure that disabled people from all backgrounds have the same opportunities as everyone else.

But in the past it’s been difficult to support disabled people from ethnic minority communities, as there’s been very little research done to find out what kinds of support are needed, and how it can best be provided.

While disabled people have a vital contribution to make to public and political life, they are significantly under-represented throughout our political system. The reality is that Parliament is nowhere near reflecting the proportion of disabled people in the UK, and local government reveals a similar story in terms of the level of under-representation.

Five months ago when asked for our dreams and aspirations for the future as part of Scope's re-brand, I contributed this (designed by my colleague David Hibberd) representing a wish for more 'balance-able' footwear. As someone whose impairment means I can't grip with my toes or balance well, most glamorous shoes fall off my right foot or make me trip over.