The government announced an increase of up to 60 per cent in the maximum funding for disabled students entering higher education in 2008. The highest allowance for non-medical helpers would increase from £12,420 in 2007-08 to £20,000 the following year for full-time students, and would rise from £9,315 to £15,000 for part-time students.
Source: Press release 4 July 2007, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (020 7215 5555)
Links: DIUS press release | NUS press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Jul
A report examined the potential problems of Jobcentre Plus telephony systems for customers with specific communication barriers. The majority of customers in the study group felt that telephony either brought about or exacerbated their communication barriers, and preferred to use face-to-face methods of contact.
Source: Carolyn Hay and Ashfa Slater, The Use of Jobcentre Plus Telephony and Face-to-face Contact Services by Customers with Specific Communication Barriers, Research Report 446, Department for Work and Pensions (0113 399 4040)
Links: Report | Summary | DWP press release
Date: 2007-Jul
A survey found that almost two-thirds (61 per cent) of disabled people had struggled to board a flight, and more than one-third (37 per cent) had experienced negative attitudes from staff on board flights and at airports.
Source: Now Boarding: Disabled people?s experiences of air travel, Leonard Cheshire (020 7802 8204)
Links: Report | Leonard Cheshire press release | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Jul
A report set out the role of healthcare professionals in helping to break down barriers to improved healthcare outcomes for disabled patients.
Source: Disability Equality within Healthcare: The role of healthcare professionals, British Medical Association (020 7387 4499)
Links: Report | BMA press release | DRC press release
Date: 2007-Jun
A report provided a large-scale systematic review of the travel needs and choices of different social groups, and the mobility barriers they faced.
Source: Evidence Base Review on Mobility: Choices and barriers for different social groups, Department for Transport (0870 1226 236)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Jun
The Concessionary Bus Travel Bill was given a second reading. The Bill was designed to provide free off-peak local bus travel for pensioners and disabled people.
Source: Concessionary Bus Travel Bill [HL], Department for Transport, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 14 May 2007, columns 401-446, TSO
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard
Date: 2007-May
A report highlighted concerns about continuing obstacles faced by disabled people to using financial services, and in particular difficulties in using the new 'Chip and PIN' security system for cash and credit cards.
Source: Spending Power? Disabled people's experiences of accessing and spending their money, Leonard Cheshire (020 7802 8204)
Links: Report | Leonard Cheshire press release
Date: 2007-Feb