WITNESSES TO THE HOLOCAUST

Conference will recall the horrific events of the Holocaust and the millions of lives that perished as the Nazis pursued mass genocide. This included people with disability that were put to death because of their disability. Their story should never be forgotten. The Holocaust began as early as July 1933, when the Nazis passed a […]

REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS AND SICKNESS ABSENCE POLICIES

Conference is concerned that the failure of some employers to make reasonable adjustments to sickness absences procedures is preventing an increasing number of Disabled Members from being able to access essential medical treatment. The usual process of informal and formal sickness hearings often culminating in a formal warning that includes the threat of dismissal is […]

ACCESS TO WORK

The Access to Work (AtW) programme is designed to provide disabled people with practical support to stay in employment. However, there have been significant problems with the scheme’s operation. Conference notes that the Work and Pensions Select Committee has concluded that the scheme helps “only a minority of the people it could benefit” and that […]

HOMEWORKING

Conference notes the increased drive, in both the public and private sectors, to close workplaces and centralise operations. Frequently this leads to increasingly length, both in time and distance, and difficult commutes to work. This impacts disproportionately negatively on disabled workers. At the same time, continuing and rapid advances in information and communications technology have […]

FORCED ACADEMISATION AND DISABLED PEOPLE

Conference is concerned that although the government has officially “revised its intentions” to force all schools to become academies this is still their intention. The government says “all schools will be made to convert where the local authority can no longer viably support them where a critical mass of academy schools exists.” Underperforming schools and […]

EQUALITY ACT AND DISABLED PEOPLE

Conference following a suggestion by Baroness Thomas of Winchester, herself disabled, the House of Lords appointed a post-legislative scrutiny committee to look at the impact of the Equality Act 2010 on disabled people. The Committee’s remit was to consider: • Why change was needed; • If the Act has been successful; • If the Government […]

IMPACT OF MENOPAUSE ON DISABLED WOMEN

Conference the menopause affects women in many different ways; and just like periods, it is something rarely discussed. We know that the menopause effects different ages and last for different periods of time. The symptoms can be very different from one woman to the next. There are at least 34 recognised different symptoms for example: […]

ACCESS TO HOUSING FOR YOUNG DISABLED LGBT PEOPLE

This conference believes that many Disabled LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender) people are unaware of their rights with regards to accessing suitable housing. This conference notes that the current governments attack on Housing Benefit for young people disproportionately affects young disabled LGBT people, forcing them into unsuitable accommodation. The Albert Kennedy Trust reported in […]

ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

That this Conference notes with great concern the cuts that have been made across the different regions in the UK to socially necessary bus services by local authorities and the impact that this has on disabled people and their ability to access vital public services. We also note the move towards more unstaffed stations, thus […]

END THE EXTRA FINANCIAL BURDEN PLACED ON THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSON

This conference instructs the NDMC and calls upon the NEC (National Executive Council) to use any means at the disposal to ensure that the unfavourable situation that exists against blind and partially sighted people who use a tablet or similar device to access “text to speech” is ended. The market has spotted a gap in […]

SUPPORTING BLACK MEMBERS WITH DYSLEXIA AND DYSPRAXIA

Conference notes that Dyslexia/Dyspraxia are the most common causes of reading, spelling and writing difficulties. 1 in 10 people are estimated to experience these problems. Research shows that Black people are disproportionately affected. Dyslexia goes beyond reading/writing difficulties. The issues faced by Black Members are often misdiagnosed as performance related. Managers are quick to initiate […]

SUPPORTING BLACK MEMBERS WITH SICKLE CELL, THALASSEMIA AND LUPUS

Conference notes that Sickle Cell, Thalassemia and Lupus disproportionately affect Black people, who may have increased bouts sickness, hospitalisation, infection and associated illness. These absences often trigger disciplinary & capability procedures. We call on the National Disabled Members Committee to: 1. review existing literature and add references to Sickle Cell, Thalassemia and Lupus where not […]

TRADE UNION ACT AND DISABLED WOMEN ACTIVISTS

Conference welcomes the successful campaigning by UNISON which has led to the Trade Union Act not being as draconian as was originally intended, however, its implementation will still have a massive impact on UNISON’s ability to organise in the work place, facilities time and our equalities work. Being activists in our union without dedicated facility […]

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL

Conference recognises that many disabled women are not aware if a disability leave policy exists in their workplace or how to make use of it if one should exists. Currently sick leave due to disability being inappropriately classified as sickness absence can lead to disabled women facing disciplinary or capability action. Although disabled women may […]

REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS V INCAPABILITY PROCEDURES

Conference notes that many employers have introduced Capability Procedures which are designed to make it easier to terminate contracts on the grounds of either ill-health or performance. We believe these procedures are disproportionately targeted against disabled workers. Conference notes, with concern, that reasonable adjustments are never exhausted and in some cases are not considered at […]