Disability And Accessibility In The News

Four stories from across the UK…

• UN Report: ‘Grave’ disability rights violations under UK reforms

A UN report concluded that UK welfare reforms have led to “grave and systematic violations” of disabled people’s rights. The UN Committee on the Rights of Disabled Persons (CRPD) found that policy change had “disproportionately affected” disabled people and that disable persons continued to be portrayed in a negative light. Read the full story.

• Train operators join forces to improve accessibility

Train operators TransPennine Express (TPE) and Northern teamed up with disability groups in an inaugural Inclusivity Forum to discuss how to improve the accessibility of trains and stations across the North and into Scotland. At the forum, attendees put forward ideas on how the 44 new trains planned for 2018-2020 can be better equipped for disabled customers. Read the full story.

• Premier League ‘not inclusive’ for disabled fans, says Lord Holmes

Lord Holmes, a leading equality campaigner and nine-time Paralympic swimming champion, has told MPs that the Premier League lacks a “culture of inclusivity” for disabled fans and that legal action against clubs and the Premier League remains an option. Read the full story.

• Opinion: Culture change holds the key to reducing the disability employment gap

Lloyds Banking Group’s Judith Butler explains how businesses can make their workforce more representative of their customers by fostering an inclusive culture. Read the full story.