Highlights from last week – disability organisations not invited to present oral evidence at the Leveson inquiry, government plans to slash disability benefits, a video profile of ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius, and Obama’s support for gay marriage and why UK should join in too.
Several disabled people’s organisations, including Inclusion London and the Disability Hate Crime Network, submitted evidence to the Leveson inquiry arguing that disabled people have been targeted by newspapers in an orchestrated way. However, the Leveson inquiry decided not to invite any disability organisation or disabled person to present oral evidence. Disabled people are often portrayed as ‘benefits fraudsters’ and ‘scroungers’ by newspapers and this misrepresentation now seems to be having its intended effect with a rise in the climate of suspicion, hostility and abuse towards disabled people.
With this also comes the news that half a million people are set to lose their disability benefits under government plans. The work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, said he was determined to introduce radical reforms to disability allowances that could slash the annual cost by £2.24bn. Around 500,000 people in the UK who receive disability living allowance (DLA) could no longer be eligible for the replacement personal independence payment (PIP) under the plans
Meanwhile, Oscar Pistorius, popularly known as ‘Blade Runner’, looks all set to become the first person to compete in both the Olympics and the Paralympics in London 2012. Pistorius, who has a double amputation, is the world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 metres events and runs with the aid of Cheetah Flex-Foot carbon fibre transtibial artificial limbs. In a video profile on the Guardian, he talks about growing up in South Africa and his lucky breaks in rugby.
Finally, one of the biggest news stories from last week – US President Barack Obama finally extends his support to gay marriage. The gay rights activist, Peter Thatchell, calls upon UK to join the global trend towards gay marriage. Thatchell writes, “Despite his pledge of equal marriage rights, Cameron is, thus far, refusing to end the ban on heterosexual civil partnerships and the ban on religious same-sex marriages by faith organisations that wish to conduct them.”
Did we miss out news that you would like to see on the blog? Write to Equality.and.Diversity@lse.ac.uk.
