Disability News round-up, week ending 10 February 2012

From Disability News Service (DNS), John Pring

§  Coalition MPs who play leading roles in disability-related parliamentary groups – but still voted to slash disabled people’s benefits – have been accused of hypocrisy.

§  Disabled peers believe they could still help to secure improvements to the welfare reform bill, despite their anger and frustration with the government over how it has handled the legislation.

§  One in five disabled people’s organisations in London faces closure in the next year because of cuts to their funding, according to a new report.

§  Work and pensions ministers have been told that their rhetoric on disability benefits is fuelling an atmosphere of hatred and hostility towards disabled people.

§  Colourful public murals that show disabled people’s hopes and joys, as well as the continuing barriers they face in their lives, are being unveiled across the country.

§  The Supreme Court has been hearing a “landmark” community care case that could have huge implications for disabled people who receive support from their local council.

§  The Office of Fair Trading has taken action against a leading stairlift company following a study into “unfair business practices” across the mobility aids market.

§  Disabled campaigners have welcomed the decision to reverse some of the cuts to station staff made last year by the body that runs London’s tube network.

§  Lawyers and Deaf and disabled people’s organisations have come together to find new ways of using the legal system to defend disabled people’s rights, inclusion and quality of life against public sector cuts.

§  The government must take action to close the widening gap between the care and support needs of disabled and older people, and the funds available to meet those needs, according to an influential committee of MPs.