DPAC Report on UK Disability History Month launch, London.

Report on UK Disability History Month launch. London Posted: 26 Nov 2011 03:07 PM PST   22nd November : A  poignant, funny , political evening in Mander Hall launches UK Disability History Month 2011. Nina Franklin, NUT President, told the meeting of 60 disabled people and their allies that she identified as a disabled person, how important UKDHM was to raise awareness, to support the  struggle for equality disabled people face and to remind us of the abuses of the past,  which are unfortunately still continuing. Nina told of how privileged she had been to take part in a school trip to Auschwitz where the Nazi killing programme of disabled people was symbolised by the Black Triangle. This has been reclaimed by the UKDHM Logo. Ellen Goodey, a 29 year actor/poet, musician, trainer and office worker  with Down’s Syndrome told the meeting about her life and said ‘it was only possible because she had attended mainstream nursery, primary, secondary, college and university and been included’. Richard Rieser (UKDHM Coordinator) told the meeting that we must learn the lessons of the struggles of the past by disabled people, which have led to the current improved position and mobilise to defend what we have got with our allies, now that we are subject to attacks in our livelihood and ideologically in the press and by Government.  More than 50 events and exhibitions were taking place throughout the UK in the month. Barbara Lisicki recounted how the Direct Action Network won struggle for accessible busses. Maresa Mackeith,  a-non verbal, English graduate, presented her inspiration by C18th disabled women poets like Mary Lepour, Mary Chandler, Marry Scott and Ann Lesley and how she and a group of 9 other non-verbal young people have set up Quiet Revolution to get equality for non-verbal young people. Ruth Bashall, a lesbian and disability rights activist, talked of the increase in hate crime both domestic and in the street to disabled people highlighted by the recent EHRC Report Hidden in Plain Sight, which clearly was a result of the economic policies leading to a minority of people scapegoating disabled people. Lucy Mason, who has brittle bones contrasted her  life to her mother who has the same condition. Her mother had not gone to school in 1950’s/1960’s, until she was 14, and then was sent to residential boarding school where she got an education but was not equipped to deal with life. Lucy had gone although inclusive school and was now a youth activist empowerment trainer working all round the world. Tony Crosby from Heritage Lottery Fund said they had already given grants of £4.5million for groups of disabled people to discover their history and called for more applications. A letter was read out from Penny Beschizza of British Deaf Association committing the BDA to support UKDHM from 2012. The evening was rounded up by Laurence Clarke- a ‘stand up’ comedian who operates from his wheelchair who told the audience if they can’t understand him ‘that’s tough’ as he has cerebral palsy. Laurence talked about the embarrassment and ignorance he and his disabled wife had in the NHS as they prepare for their first and now second child and had us in stitches over the ridiculous attitudes that some medical professionals HAVE.  rlrieser@gmail.com www.ukdisabiliotyhistorymonth.com Report by Richard Rieser

ATOS –Festive Month of Action- December 3rd and December 16th, London Posted: 26 Nov 2011 01:44 PM PST As part of December’s month of festive action against Atos and the benefit cuts, disabled people, benefit claimants and supporters will be demonstrating outside the Paralympic Goal Ball test event being held at the Olympic Park in Stratford on Saturday 3rd December from 2pm. Atos are the French IT firm responsible for carrying out the government’s Work Capability Assessment which has led to tens of thousands of sick and disabled people being forced into poverty after being stripped of essential benefits.  Despite the process being dubbed unfit for purpose and an increasing number of suicides due to the stressful and vicious health testing regime, this form of assessment is to be extended to everyone on some form of disability or health related benefit. When not bullying disabled people Atos are also the official IT partners of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Join us to ensure that Atos do not receive one ounce of positive publicity from this role, as they champion their support for disabled athletes with one hand whilst destroying the lives of of disabled and sick benefit claimants with the other. On December 3rd, International Disabled People’s Day, protesters will be gathering outside the entrance of the Olympic Park in Stratford at the Paralympic Goalball test event.  Join us from 2pm and let’s show the world what Atos really think about disabled people. Bring banners, placards, noise! Travel to Stratford station (DLR, Central/Jubilee Lines, London Overground) and then follow the indications to the Olympic Park entrance via Westfield Stratford City shopping centre. The route from the station to the entrance of the Olympic Park is approximately 600 metres. Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/events/313266012034394/ A Real Victorian Christmas Party and Picnic at Triton Square Friday 16th December – 2pm Triton Square , London NW1 Join us at the home of poverty pimps Atos for a Christmas Party to celebrate the continuing struggle against disability deniers Atos. As part of the month of festive action against Atos and the benefit cuts, disabled people, benefit claimants and supporters will be visiting French IT company Atos’ gleaming corporate headquarters to celebrate the real Victorian Christmas being inflicted on hundreds of thousands of sick and disabled people this Christmas. As Atos CEO Keith Wilman tucks into his organic tax-payer funded Christmas turkey, hundreds of thousands of sick and disabled will be spending Christmas terrified a letter from his company may land on their doorstep demanding that they attend one of Atos’ notorious ‘Work Capability Assessments’.  These flawed tests have led to tens of thousands of sick and disabled people being forced into poverty after being stripped of essential benefits. Despite the process being dubbed unfit for purpose and an increasing number of suicides, due to the stressful and vicious health testing regime, this form of assessment is to be extended to everyone on some form of disability or health related benefit. Join us on Friday 16th December at 2pm as we continue the struggle against the unending war on benefit claimants and disabled people.  We will not pay for their crisis. Bring scabies, TB, rickets, begging bowls and child labour*.  Peelers not invited. *Also banners, placards, food to share, leaflets, noise. Atos are based at Triton Square , less than five minutes walk from Warren Street and Great Portland Street tube stations and less than ten minutes from Euston. Main Month of Action event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/122853381158514/ More details: http://benefitclaimantsfightback.wordpress.com/