DPAC: Bad News for Disabled - How the Newspapers are Reporting Disability

Bad News for Disabled People – How the Newspapers are Reporting Disability Posted: 28 Nov 2011 04:30 PM PST Inclusion London commissioned the Glasgow Media Group and the Strathclyde Centre for Disability Research to carry out a study to analyse changes in the way the media are reporting disability and how it has impacted on public attitudes towards disabled people.  In carrying out the study they compared and contrasted media coverage of disability in five papers in 2010-11 with a similar period in 2004-5 and ran a series of focus groups.  The study found:  There has been a significant increase in the reporting of disability in the print media with 713 disability related articles in 2004-5 compared to 1015 in a comparable period in 2010-11.   This increase has been accompanied by a shift in the way that disability is being reported and there is now increased politicisation of media coverage of disability in 2010-11 compared to 2004-5;  There has been a reduction in the proportion of articles which describe disabled people in sympathetic and deserving terms, and stories that document the ‘real life’ experiences of living as a disabled person have also decreased. Some impairment groups are particularly less likely to receive sympathetic treatment: people with mental health conditions and other ‘hidden’ impairments were more likely to be presented as ‘undeserving’.  Articles focusing on disability benefit and fraud increased from 2.8% in 2005/5 to 6.1% in 2010/11.  When the focus groups were asked to describe a typical story in the newspapers on disability benefit fraud was the most popular theme mentioned.  These articles are impacting on people’s views and perceptions of disability related benefits.  The focus groups all claimed that levels of fraud were much higher than they are in reality, with some suggesting that up to 70% of claimants were fraudulent.  Participants justified these claims by reference to articles they had read in newspapers.  This strength of fraud as a tabloid theme conflicts with the reality of levels of incapacity benefit fraud and focuses public perceptions of responsibility for Incapacity Benefit levels on claimants rather than problems in lack of labour market demand, economic policies or discrimination. There has been an increase in the number of articles documenting the claimed ‘burden’ that disabled people are alleged to place on the economy –  with some articles even blaming the recession itself on incapacity benefit claimants; Articles that explore the political and socioeconomic context of disability are rare as are articles that explore the impact that the proposed cuts will have on disabled people. There was a decrease in references to discrimination against disabled people or other contextualising issues; There has been a significantly increased use of pejorative language to describe disabled people, including suggestions that life on incapacity benefit had become a ‘Lifestyle Choice’.  The use of terms such as ‘scrounger’, ‘cheat’ and ‘skiver’ was found in 18% of tabloid articles in 2010/11 compared to 12% in 2004/5. There were 54 occurrences of these words in 2004/5 compared to 142 in 2010/11. These changes reinforced the idea of disabled claimants as ‘undeserving’.  Disabled people are feeling threatened by the changes in the way disability is being reported and by the proposed changes to the their benefits and their benefit entitlements.  These two are combining and reinforcing each other. Get the full report here: bad news for disabled people

DPAC: Mass Strike Action on November 30th

Mass Strike Action on November 30th Posted: 27 Nov 2011 02:24 PM PST On Wednesday over 3 million public sector employees will take strike  action together but the only legal reason unions can strike on November  30th is over planned changes to their pensions. We know that for the vast  majority of public sector employees the coming strike is really about much  wider issues. It is a strike to save our services from privatisation and  ultimately destruction by the millionaire government who currently hold power. The patterns of welfare abolition we are now seeing in the UK follow those  seen in the US, Canada,Australia, and other parts of northern Europe. The  first targets of these abolition programmes being uninsured benefits, such  as Income Support and income-related IB and ESA, followed closely by the  abolition of entitlement to contributory benefits which people are entitled  to through paying national insurance contributions. The final target of  welfare abolition is pensions, both those of public sector workers and state  pensions which are disgustingly already amongst the lowest in Europe. Even though state pensions are amongst the lowest in Europe this  government have moved to further reduce the amount people have  to live on in later life by changing pensions indexation from RPI to  CPI knocking 15% off the value of pension in average retirement.  This too will be the case with benefit up-ratings in the future and  we already know that Osborne is planning to renege on benefit  uprating next year arbitrarily changing the link between benefit rates  and inflation rates. DPAC are asking anyone who can to support their local strikes on  Wednesday and or anyone who can’t to contact David Cameron and  Nick Clegg to say they support the strike.  You can contact David on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DavidCameron Or log on to send him an email at:  http://email.number10.gov.uk Or you can telephone David on: 020 72193475 Nick Clegg can be found on facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/nickclegg Or you can email him at:  nick.clegg.mp@parliament.uk Tell them why you want to help get rid of them and what their policies  are doing to your life. In London disabled people will be at Triton Square  on the morning of the November 30th from 8.30am where we’ll be joining  the PCS picket line outside Euston Tower and will no doubt be paying  Atos a visit.  Keep an eye on the website or facebook page for more details:  http://www.facebook.com/events/122853381158514/ And for post-strike excitement the following day on December 1st: We have Ian Duncan Smith, butcher of benefits venturing out to  meet protesters 1st December – 5.30pm-6.30pm LSE Campus, Aldwych WREXHAM;  Assemble at Queen’s Square 11.30am, march to rally at Little Theatre  12.30 pm. Protest at Iain Duncan Smith’s LSE Talk.  Millionaire Iain Duncan Smith  wants you to join his army of unpaid workers.  Come and expose his doublespeak!

Complaint to BBC sent on the 10th November Posted: 27 Nov 2011 01:57 PM PST The following is a letter of complaint to BBC led by Mad Pride and  supported by the other signatories We are writing to complain about a lack of balance in the BBC’s coverage  and programming in relation to the government’s proposals for welfare  reforms and benefits, and their implications. Disabled people, unwaged carers, trade unions, low-paid workers and  unemployed people have raised serious concerns about ‘mandatory  work’ programmes that force people on benefits to work without pay.  These pose a direct threat to the basic minimum wage, restrictions  on working hours  and rules on unfair dismissal, and therefore to the  pay and conditions of people in paid work. These implications have not  even been mentioned, let alone been properly aired. Instead we have a torrent of programmes aimed at stigmatising and  demonising benefit claimants by highlighting benefit fraud, especially  for incapacity benefit (“Britain on the Fiddle”, Panorama 3 November)  and the ‘feckless’ who supposedly don’t want to work.  An impact of this wholly disproportionate misrepresentation of claimants  as frauds and scroungers by some sections of the media has been cited  as a direct cause of a reported increase in assaults and other abuse on  disabled people, and to appearances parallel The Department of Work and  Pensions own  propensity for distortion, itself criticised for the way it has  released misleading figures and statistics that have been used to feed this  biased propaganda. Reality here is for the best part skewed by the BBC. Rates of fraud for  disability benefits are the lowest – 0.3% to 1.9% — and are insignificant  compared to the low amounts people are expected to live on, and the  billions in under-claimed benefits.  People who can work should be entitled  to a reasonable living wage and decent and safe working conditions. http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd2/fem/fem_oct09_sep10.pdf http://www2.lse.ac.uk/newsAndMedia/news/archives/2006/ BritishGas_householdUnderclaiming.aspx Many disabled people are not able to work. Many fear they will be wrongly  ruled ‘fit for work’ by the revised ‘work capability assessment’ that has  been much criticised. And for the many made unemployed through no fault  of their own by the effects of the economic downturn – or passed over to  unemployment benefit via assessment! - they now face being forced into  ‘mandatory’ work with no pay. Our very real and legitimate concerns are not being aired. We have not  been given an opportunity to make ourselves heard and understood. Is it right that the BBC is part of this propaganda? Should a publicly-funded  body engage in what is tantamount to the promotion of hate crime? The BBC’s charter says it must show proper balance in its reporting and  programming and should not be politically biased. It seems to us that there  has been no proper balance and that the programmes aired show a political  bias to promote and defend the government’s welfare reform, while hiding  the views of those who will be directly affected by them. We insist on our right to have our concerns properly heard and we demand  the right to a full and effective ‘right to reply’ to help to counter the weight  of the prejudicial propaganda put out by the BBC. Disabled benefit claimants, unwaged carers and unemployed people are also  licence payers, and we have as much right as people who are in paid  employment to have a say in the content and conduct of the BBC. We look forward to a response to start a process by which BBC Directors  and programme makers can redress this current bias as soon as possible.  This is a matter of urgent concern for thousands of people who have been  barely managing to survive and are now faced with destitution or worse. Claire Glasman- WinVisible Ellen Cifford – Disabled People Against the Cuts Joanna Long – Boycott Workfare Dave Skull -Mad Pride Johnny Void -Benefit Claimants Fight Back Andy Greene – Islington Disabled People Against the Cuts Paul Smith – Atos Vic tims Group Richard Rieser- Co-ordinator UK Disability History Month Warren Clarke – Boycott Workfare

The response received from the BBC goes as follows:

We have received a wide range of feedback about this programme and feel it is 

worth highlighting that considerable correspondence to us has been generated 

by online lobby activity. Bearing in mind the pressure on resources, the response 

below strives to address the majority of concerns raised but we apologise in 

advance if not all of the specific points you have mentioned have been answered 

in the manner you prefer. Please be assured we have raised your concerns with 

the programme and have done our best to issue a substantive response.

Panorama’s ‘Britain on the Fiddle’ looked at a number of issues surrounding public 

sector fraud, including benefit fraud, the nature and extent of the unlawful 

subletting of council properties, the issue of identity fraud and the misuse of blue 

badges. The programme also followed the work of some local authority fraud 

investigators and by doing so revealed how time consuming and costly inquiries 

into suspected fraud can be.

The programme made it clear that fraud effectively takes money from all of us, 

especially those in genuine need. On benefit fraud, including incapacity benefit 

specifically, the programme stressed that most people on benefits really need 

them and don’t cheat the system.

Far from concentrating on the economically deprived, the programme featured, 

for example, the case of a man claiming benefits to pay for a council flat whilst 

owning and running a pub business many miles away – travelling between both 

destinations in a luxury car.

Furthermore, the film featured fraud investigators tackling the misuse of blue 

badges. Many people have since written to Panorama to express their gratitude 

to the programme for highlighting the problem which causes them distress and 

much inconvenience.

We don’t agree that the cases featured in our film were extreme or were not 

broadly indicative of instances of benefit fraud. That is not the experience of the 

local authority fraud investigators who were kind enough to allow us to film their 

work. Dr Mark Button, from the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies said in the 

programme:

“I think a lot of organisations are not realistic about the levels of fraud that they 

face because in any organisation there are large levels of fraud that are 

undetected. So if they rely on detected levels of fraud they are not getting the 

picture of the levels of fraud within their organisation.”

Emphasising this, it is important to note that just recently the Audit Commission 

released its most up to date figures for detected fraud against local government 

which explains that these figures are only the tip of a very large iceberg.

We believe the programme explored a subject which is clearly in the public 

interest and did so in a fair and impartial manner.

Thanks again for taking the time to contact us.

Kind Regards

BBC Complaints

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/