Category Archives: disability

Why digital exclusion is a social care issue

October 16, 2012   Carers, disability, mental health, Older care

As our society becomes increasingly digitalised, figures reveal a large proportion of those not online have a disability or are elderly

 

A large proportion of those not online are elderly.

Next year the welfare system will undergo an overhaul as universal credit is introduced. The benefit, replacing six others, includes a new requirement to apply for benefits online. With millions of people having never used the internet, however, it raises the question of how those not online will manage.

Universal credit is just one example of how, as our society becomes increasingly digitalised, those who are not online are at risk of becoming excluded. And it’s not just a case of people opting not to be online.

This year there were 3.91 million disabled adults who had never used the internet, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. This is just under half of the 7.82 million adults who had never used the internet. Ian Lyons, from the Shaw Trust, which supports disabled and disadvantaged people live more independently, says many websites are not accessible for people with a disability.

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Doing services differently report is launched

October 13, 2012   Carers, charities, disability

 Local innovations for Disabled
Support worker with older disabled person

 

Scope and independent think-tank nef have launched a new report called Doing services differently: local innovations for disabled people. We hope it will spark a new conversation with and between councils and charities, on how we can work together to deliver the support disabled people want, in order to lead the lives they value.

Councils and charities alike are facing unprecedented budget cuts coupled with increasing demands for services. A big challenge for both sectors is to understand how services can support disabled people at a time when cuts are the main driver of change.

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Wrong that carers feel hidden and neglected

October 9, 2012   autism, Carers, disability, mental health

The government’s care minister says more must be done to help young adults who look after unwell or disabled relatives.

 

Norman Lamb was quizzed for Newsbeat by 18-year-old Pippa Haines from Southampton, who’s been a carer since she was four.

The Liberal Democrat said: “You should be open about it [caring], proud of it, and supported in doing it.

“We’ve got to escape from this sense that you feel hidden and neglected.”

Pippa took a list of points to the minister that were raised by young adult carers in Radio 1 Stories: Keeping Mum, broadcast on Radio 1 on 8 October.  Rebekah Clark, 21, with disabled older sister Ashleigh

She told him the list “includes more support in schools and colleges”.

‘Incredible burden‘

He replied: “We’ve established a £127m fund which goes to colleges and further education, to support learning. Young carers can apply for that.

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