Changes to #PiP affecting those with mental health issues

 

CarerWatch are outraged that once again the Government is proposing changes to Personal Independence Payment (PiP).   

These changes would affect over 160,000 people with mental health problems.

We are extremely anxious of the knock on effect this would have to family carers in receipt of Carers Allowance for those affected. This double whammy would have grave consequences on the income of many families, that are already suffering with disproportionate cuts to benefits and social care.

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The struggle to make sense of changes in Scottish mental health legislation

Received from Fiona Sinclair   –   Autism Rights

Autism Rights has been campaigning for nearly 4 years to bring about
legislative change that could be about to happen this Wednesday (24th June) in the Scottish Parliament.

We want to take people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities out of the provisions of the Mental Health Act, which gives psychiatrists the power to `treat` people with ASD, just for autistic behaviours.

Would you be able to help us out?

The Mental Health Act is currently undergoing revision, through the Mental Health Bill, and we are backing several amendments, that would improve matters for people with ASD – and others – in the mental health system. These include an amendment by

*Reclaiming Our Futures* – Week of Action

Received from –

Disabled People Against Cuts,

Black Triangle,

Mental Health Resistance Network

and the WOW petition bring you:

*Reclaiming Our Futures*

Join this year’s week of action to protest against austerity, fight for our rights and celebrate disabled people

Our rights are being stripped away day by day, by the neo-liberal policies being imposed on us all by the Condems, leaving us without much hope for our futures – or our children’s.
We have been here before. Our history is littered with examples of how our community has come together when under attack to fight – and win. From the early campaigns of NLBDP (National League of Blind and Disabled People) through to the founding and manifesto of UPIAS (Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation) and on to DAN (Direct Action Network)- Now we have DPAC leading direct action and a host of other key grass root campaigns working towards reclaiming our rights and futures.

We have fought our corner over 3 centuries. And those fights have brought victories; the Independent Living Movement, our early CILs (Centres for Independent Living) and early active DPO’s (Disabled Peoples Organisations) and the significant rights for disabled people (which are now under attack).  They represent big victories, brought about by mobilizing in our communities around our common cause – and having the will and determination to see our demands met without compromising our rights. We have consistently united in anger and celebration.

DPAC Reclaiming our Futures Action

This Autumn, we are asking our community to come together in anger, and celebration again – and to unite around our demands.

We will be launching the UK Disabled People’s Manifesto setting out our vision of how the resources, structures and institutions of our society today can be re-designed to empower disabled people to take part in life on our terms. Disabled people are, and always will be, the experts on our lives and our self-determination. It will be a vision and practical plan that we can take forward in our communities, workplaces and lives to reclaim our futures.

In the build up to the manifesto launch, DPAC is

About the Judicial Review of the Work Capability Assessment

Press Release From the Mental Health Resistance Network

On 15 and 16 January 2013, the Upper Tribunal is due to hear a claim for judicial review brought by two disabled people supported by the Mental Health Resistance Network. They are arguing that the Work Capability Assessment discriminates against people with impaired mental, cognitive and intellectual functions (called “people with mental health disabilities” for short), and that the DWP should make adjustments to the Work Capability Assessment process to minimise the disadvantages that people with mental health disabilities face in being assessed for ESA.

The reason that the ESA process discriminates against people with mental health disabilities is

VIGIL TO SHOW SUPPORT OF APPLICATION FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF WCA‏

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THE MENTAL HEALTH RESISTANCE NETWORK WILL BE HOLDING A VIGIL OUTSIDE THE ROYAL COURTS OF JUSTICE ON FRIDAY 29 JUNE

On Friday 29 June there will be a hearing in the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand, London, where a judge will decide whether to grant permission for a judicial review of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) as it affects people with mental health problems. The WCA is being used to harass and remove benefits from people in mental distress, leading many to contemplate suicide: some, we believe, have already taken their own lives.

The MHRN is supporting the application for judicial review and is organising a vigil outside the court on the day. The vigil will be peaceful and will serve to show our solidarity with all people living with mental health difficulties who are in the firing line of Tory brutality.

We won’t know until the day before what time the case will be heard so we are asking people to arrive outside the courts at 11.00am on the 29th. Bring banners if you wish, but the vigil will be conducted in a spirit of respect for the court.

Please spread word of the vigil as widely as possible

 MHRN VIGIL

29TH JUNE 2012    TIME 11 a.m.

Venue – 

ROYAL COURTS OF JUSTICE

STRAND

LONDON

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** please sign Pat’s Petition

 Stop and review the cuts to benefits and services which are falling disproportionately on disabled people, their carers and families

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