What is a Minister for Disabled People?

DPAC

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What is a Minister for Disabled People? Posted: 17 Sep 2011 01:01 PM PDT I recently learned that the Welfare Reform Bill – which is currently being debated in the House of Lords – was having the debate moved to a smaller not so disabled accessible committee room. Concerned about this I e-mailed the members of the House of Lords (some of whom are themselves disabled) – about getting the debate back in the House of Lords where disabled Lords and disabled members of the public would have access to debating or viewing the proceedings. Thinking on – it occurred to me that surely the minister for disabled people (Maria Miller mp) would be concerned that disabled people were not being able to access a bill that affects them substantially and directly and also surely it is her job to ensure disabled access – no matter what the bill. Thus I e-mailed Maria Miller at  maria.miller.mp@parliament.uk with this ‘Dear Ms Miller As minister for disabled I would like for you to ensure that the debate concerning the welfare reform bill remains accessible to the disabled many of whom will be hugely affected by the changes suggested within it. Please read this blog. http://thebrokenofbritain.blogspot.com/2011/09/urgent-appeal-for-action-now.html As a representative of the disabled community I am sure you would want us to have equal access – thank you for your help with this. Kind Regards’ the reply I received was ‘Maria Miller MP Basingstoke Thank you for your email, if you live within the parliamentary constituency of Basingstoke please make sure your message contains Full name Address, including Postcode Day time telephone number If you are contacting me in my capacity as Minister for Disabled People please resend your email to ministers@dwp.gsi.gov.uk’ and then later ‘Thank you for your email to Maria Miller MP. As the issues you raise relate to Maria’s responsibilities as Minister at the Department for Work and Pensions, I have forwarded your email to her Ministerial Office for attention. The email address to use for future reference isministers@dwp.gsi.gov.uk Kind regards Anastasia’ I then received a generic response from the dwp! Now how on earth and why on earth is a minister for disabilities job/post within the dwp? and is it not her job to ensure disabled access for all at the Houses of Parliament? The reply I got from the dwp, which does not address the point I raised regarding disabled access – but just goes on to wibble about ministers being too busy to reply – that this fits into their remit and a wibble about how all the changes in the WRB are good for the sick and disabled and carers are all great for us!!! lol!! I wish! The only results I can draw from this correspondence is that the minister for disabled people is not a minister for disabled people at all – but a dwp minister and that there is no minister for disabled people – not even for those disabled people in The House of Lords!!! Cross posted with thanks from Twisted News

DPAC OPENS TO MEMBERS! Posted: 17 Sep 2011 11:04 AM PDT Disabled People against Cuts (DPAC) opens to members and hosts first DPAC Conference in London DPAC is becoming more accountable by opening itself up to members and developing an election process for a new DPAC steering group. DPAC will be one year old on 3rd October 2011. They have hosted many protests against the condem regimes, cuts in local authority spending and their impacts, and against Atos and the WCA. DPAC has publicised and reported on the many issues that are affecting disabled people in the attacks led by the condem government. DPAC works from the framework of the social model and will continue to do so. Membership for individuals is free but DPAC suggests a donation to the cause, organisations of disabled people and allies of disabled people are also welcome to become members. DPAC funds go directly to campaigns, all those working with DPAC work for no fee using the knowledge and skills that DPAC needs to keep going. DPAC wants to open up membership and elect a steering group to take DPAC into the next phase of the fight against the attacks on disabled people. To find out about becoming a member please see our membership information: DPAC membership You can join online by going to:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFE5dmRsQVFVS29XYU13NFVWY3ExRHc6MQ or by downloading and returning one of the forms below: easy read membership  DPACMembershipForm DPAC Conference 29th October- London DPAC’s first conference will aim to develop the campaigns and areas that new DPAC members are priorities. It will give a chance for disabled people to come together to discuss the issues affecting them and develop solutions and actions. DPAC is pleased that a number of speakers have agreed to take part in this conference. They include Linda Burnip, co-founder of DPAC, Jon McArdle from Black Triangle, Tracey Lazard from Inclusion London, Julie Jaye Charles from Equalities National Council, Melanie Close from Disability Equality North West, Andrew Lee from People First (Self Advocacy)and journalist and presenter Mik Scarlet. The conference will also be the venue for the election process for the new DPAC steering group. Places will be limited to a first come first served basis so please book soon. There is a small travel allowance open to members only, again on a first come first served basis. DPAC would like to thank Stephen Hodgkins of Disability Lib for providing the conference venue, the Andrew Wainwright Reform Trust for travel finds and all those that have supported DPAC For more information about the conference or to fill in a booking form see below: conference flyer booking form