DISABLED PEOPLES' DIRECT ACTION NETWORK - PRESS RELEASE
DISABLED CAMPAIGNERS - RESISTING POLITICAL INCAPACITY AND DEMANDING AN END
TO HARASSMENT
ACTION: Disabled Campaigners are planning to protest against the DWP
(Adelphi House, 1 to 10 John Adams Street, WC2) at lunchtime today (17th
April).
We will be delivering a letter for James Purnell (Work and Pensions
Secretary) and will be requesting a meeting with him.
DISABLED CAMPAIGNERS - RESISTING POLITICAL INCAPACITY AND DEMANDING AN END
TO HARASSMENT
ACTION: Disabled Campaigners are planning to protest against the DWP
(Adelphi House, 1 to 10 John Adams Street, WC2) at lunchtime today (17th
April).
We will be delivering a letter for James Purnell (Work and Pensions
Secretary) and will be requesting a meeting with him.
WE ARE SICK OF: Politicians who attack minorities - perceived as easy
targets - for public spending cuts.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: Do as we say, or risk losing benefits.
OUR RESPONSE: We call on all Disabled Claimants to defend their needs, and
DWP Staff / Trade Unions not to cooperate with this harassment of Disabled
People.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: They want to re-test all claims for IB (Incapacity
Benefit).
OUR RESPONSE: Claimants are already regularly tested in relation to their
claims through questionnaires and physical assessments by Benefits Agencies
/ Medical Services.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: Replace "Sick-Notes" with "Well-Notes".
OUR RESPONSE: This cynical exercise won't halt discrimination against
Disabled People in the work place, or increase our chances of employment. It
will however, force more Disabled People into poverty.
PRESS CONTACTS:
DAN Press Officer for this Action:
Mike Higgins (0114 225 8676 /
danpress@blueyonder.co.uk)
Live on the Action:
Barry Schaufer (07508 634 228)
Nick Saunders (07956 682 830)
Pictures from the Action by:
Sid Baility (07951 050 153)
Hugh Hill ( hughiehill@hotmail.com)
Mozaz (Indymedia: 07816 572 505)
Some affected IB claimants:
Clair Lewis (07970 959 791)
Colin Revell (07518 350133)
Stella Ryan (07904 935 413)
RELATED POINTS / ISSUES:
. A one-off assessment only gives a snapshot of a Disabled Claimant's
condition at that moment.
. Welfare Reform ignores the reality of invisible and fluctuating
impairments and contributes to discrimination against all Disabled People.
. Political and media coverage suggesting there has been a significant
increase in IB claims since the 1980s is misleading. IB was actually
introduced in 1995.
. A much higher percentage, than previously, of Disabled People are now
living in the community and claiming benefits, rather than being
institutionalised.
. A "long hours / short breaks" work culture makes it harder for Disabled
People to cope with employment. Rather than attacking Disabled People as
work-shy and lazy, the government could provide incentives which change
workplace culture to encouraging flexi-time or working from home for
example.
. There is a lack of access to meaningful workplace education and training.
This leads to many Disabled People lacking qualifications, job skills and
therefore decent jobs with adequate incomes.
. Instead of attacking Disabled People, the Government should prosecute
employers who repeatedly break the law by discriminating against Disabled
People
. For more details about the background to DAN's concerns, see the leaflet,
which we will be distributing at today's event.
__._,_.___
targets - for public spending cuts.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: Do as we say, or risk losing benefits.
OUR RESPONSE: We call on all Disabled Claimants to defend their needs, and
DWP Staff / Trade Unions not to cooperate with this harassment of Disabled
People.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: They want to re-test all claims for IB (Incapacity
Benefit).
OUR RESPONSE: Claimants are already regularly tested in relation to their
claims through questionnaires and physical assessments by Benefits Agencies
/ Medical Services.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: Replace "Sick-Notes" with "Well-Notes".
OUR RESPONSE: This cynical exercise won't halt discrimination against
Disabled People in the work place, or increase our chances of employment. It
will however, force more Disabled People into poverty.
PRESS CONTACTS:
DAN Press Officer for this Action:
Mike Higgins (0114 225 8676 /
danpress@blueyonder.co.uk) Live on the Action:
Barry Schaufer (07508 634 228)
Nick Saunders (07956 682 830)
Pictures from the Action by:
Sid Baility (07951 050 153)
Hugh Hill (
hughiehill@hotmail.com) Mozaz (Indymedia: 07816 572 505)
Some affected IB claimants:
Clair Lewis (07970 959 791)
Colin Revell (07518 350133)
Stella Ryan (07904 935 413)
RELATED POINTS / ISSUES:
. A one-off assessment only gives a snapshot of a Disabled Claimant's
condition at that moment.
. Welfare Reform ignores the reality of invisible and fluctuating
impairments and contributes to discrimination against all Disabled People.
. Political and media coverage suggesting there has been a significant
increase in IB claims since the 1980s is misleading. IB was actually
introduced in 1995.
. A much higher percentage, than previously, of Disabled People are now
living in the community and claiming benefits, rather than being
institutionalised.
. A "long hours / short breaks" work culture makes it harder for Disabled
People to cope with employment. Rather than attacking Disabled People as
work-shy and lazy, the government could provide incentives which change
workplace culture to encouraging flexi-time or working from home for
example.
. There is a lack of access to meaningful workplace education and training.
This leads to many Disabled People lacking qualifications, job skills and
therefore decent jobs with adequate incomes.
. Instead of attacking Disabled People, the Government should prosecute
employers who repeatedly break the law by discriminating against Disabled
People
. For more details about the background to DAN's concerns, see the leaflet,
which we will be distributing at today's event.
__._,_.___
e-mail:
Comments
Hide the following 2 comments
The Letter being handed in by DAN today to the DWP
17.04.2008 13:56
We are here today; because we are SICK & TIRED of the negative propaganda
used by Governments and Ministers to scapegoat Disabled People for the
purposes of Public Spending Cuts.
We want a meeting with James Purnell, here - today. We will not leave until
we have this meeting with an accountable public servant - who has chosen to
use his position (as Work and Pensions Secretary) to perversely attack
Disabled People for political gain.
James Purnell, we are not here for your convenience - or that of other
public servants. We want answers from you for your un-ethical and
discriminatory behaviour towards us, and the many thousands of Disabled
People who's lives your out-dated prejudice will adversely affect.
Politicians have repeatedly attacked Disabled People who claim Incapacity
Benefit, rather then dealing with inequality. Arbitrary figures - like 1
million off this benefit by 2015 - highlights that this is a number
crunching exercise. It cynically glosses over the reality of our prospects
for employment, equality or fair treatment in the job market, while
answering need with threats of poverty.
While you (James Purnell) continue down this discriminatory path, the social
consequences for us will remain that of perceived social outcasts and valid
targets for attack. You and your government's questionable methods are
socially divisive and have no place in a civilised society.
Yours sincerely,
D.A.N
Colin Revell
e-mail:
colrev@hotmail.co.uk
Homepage:
http://The Letter being handed in by DAN today to the DWP
Adelphi House; Corporate Occult Centre?
07.10.2009 09:55
There have been some odd events held there.
There are a number of interesting features in this area which are worth noting.
More information is available on the related website.
Video:
Website:
Caz
Homepage:
http://www.lifeinthemixtalk.com/?p=3305