Open Letter sent from disability organisations 27 November 2023 (signatories updated 31 January To: Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol mayor@bristol.gov.uk Cllr Helen Holland, Cabinet member, Adult Social Care cllr.helen.holland@bristol.gov.uk Council officers: Mette.Jakobsen@bristol.gov.uk James.Mahood@bristol.gov.uk Hugh.Evans@bristol.gov.uk Emma Edwards, leader of the Green Group Cllr.Emma.Edwards@bristol.gov.uk Cllr Jos Clark – leader of the Lib Dem Group cllr.jos.clark@bristol.gov.uk OPEN LETTER Stop the proposed “Fair and Affordable Care” policy We oppose any cuts to social care which undermine disabled people’s survival; which threaten disabled/older people’s choice of where and how to live; and any increase in people being institutionalised. We support … Read more
Thanks to My London news and reporter Joe Coughlan, read Emma’s story below. WinVisible says: Our member Emma is severely disabled and won reduced care charges down to £4.19 a week, from £48.27, with our support. She is due a cash refund from Bromley Council. Bromley has privatised who decides care charges, so people have to deal with for-profit company Liberata, not directly-employed council staff. This approach is similar to privatised disability benefit assessments. Emma’s case is not resolved as the decision Liberata eventually made about Emma’s charges only applies from April onwards, and … Read more
Disabled mothers called for an end to the forceful removal of children from parents who are deemed “unfit” to be carers just because they have a disability, writes Frankie Lister-Fell. “If motherhood was inclusive, we wouldn’t be gathered here today”, Kelechi Chioba, member of WinVisible, said at a packed out meeting in Kentish Town last week, adding: “Everyone stigmatises you as a disabled person. They look at you and say ‘are you sure you can push a pram, in a wheelchair?’ Well why can’t you give me someone to push a pram for me, then? … Read more
Our Disabled Mothers’ Rights Campaign brings women with disabilities together to defend our rights to have a family and to keep our children. Easy Read about our campaign is here On 12 July, we launched the Disabled Mothers’ Rights Charter — read our six demands here. To endorse the Charter, contact us at mumsrights@winvisible. org Media coverage: Social services in the spotlight over disabled mothers — The Canary New campaign calls out discrimination against disabled mothers — Nadja Camden New Journal report
Launch of the Disabled Mothers’ Rights Charter Wed 12 July 2023 1- 3pm Easy Read info In person and on Zoom – register free here – contact us if support needed for online registration, or just come along on the day. Contact us if you need childcare. At Crossroads Women’s Centre, 25 Wolsey Mews, London NW5 2DX Map Bus or overground to Kentish Town Thameslink or Kentish Town West. Note: Kentish Town tube is closed – we’re demanding that a lift be installed! Disabled mothers speak out and launch our Charter of Rights: The Disabled … Read more
Disabled people are paying “a tax on disability” by being forced to fund soaring care charges out of their benefits as the cost of living pushes care users into financial crisis . . . [WinVisible] said some disabled women are being coerced into sex by acquaintances after turning to them for care because they couldn’t pay care charges.
WinVisible and the Disabled Mothers’ Rights Campaign are part of a campaign by 40 disability organisations across England, co-ordinated by Inclusion London. Together, we have put out a joint statement, Austerity Kills, ahead of the government’s financial announcement by chancellor Jeremy Hunt this Thursday. Take action today! Write to your MP to call on them to speak out and press for increased benefits and support services – use model letter which emails direct to your MP. See the press release: https://www.inclusionlondon.org.uk/campaigns-and-policy/act-now/austerity-kills-press-release/ Facts and figures: https://www.inclusionlondon.org.uk/campaigns-and-policy/act-now/austerity-kills-policy-briefing/ Contact WinVisible for more info. We remember: Lillian Oluk and … Read more
The underlying reason why abuse happens at home is the lack of proper financial recognition of caring work for both unwaged carers, family and friends, and low-paid carers who are themselves exploited; and because those of us who need care, disabled women especially, are deprived of income and resources and so have lower status.