Over the years we've campaigned for accessible public transport, the official recognition of British Sign Language, saving the Independent Living Fund and keeping rail ticket offices open.
At the moment we are actively campaigning for accessible housing and against the use of an algorithm that unfairly targets disabled people.
Accessible housing for all
The Government wants to change the way houses, shops, roads, and public buildings like schools are built - but they've left out disabled people again! The changes they want don't mention accessibility, adapted housing, or decent transport.
We've worked with other disabled people's organisations in Greater Manchester to put together a response telling them what we want. We say that any rules on planning must
- Explicitly include accessible housing
- Say that all new housing should be at minimum adaptable for wheelchair users
- Say that 10% of all new houses should already be adapted for wheelchair users before their rented out or sold.
- Remove any suggestion that accessible housing is ‘exceptional’ or should be planned differently from other types of housing.
- Make councils come up with inclusive design codes – covering the accessibility of public space, active travel policies, etc.
- Make councils form Highway Access Groups with disabled residents.
- Recognise that Disabled Facilities Grants (DfGs) are failing, and that waiting times must be cut and awards increased.
- Make councils/regional authorities keep databases of the accessible housing in their areas (both social and private-rented).
- Set rules for the accessibility of green spaces.
- Commit to younger people’s right to independent living, and take action to support young disabled people moving for work or study.
Challenging unfair algorithms
We've been working with Foxglove Legal to bring a legal challenge against the Department of Work and Pensions about potentially discriminatory algorithms they use to tackle benefit fraud.
Like many legal challenged, it's a long ongoing process and we will provide updates when we can.