Access to voting

Conference is concerned that it is becoming increasingly difficult for disabled people to participate in the election process. While disabled people have always needed to overcome barriers to be able to vote the government seems determined to make it virtually impossible. The Conservative government’s changes to the voter registration system, including individual voter registration, and […]

Reasonable Adjustments – Reasonable for Whom?

The two legal frameworks that are supposed to ensure reasonable access to employment, shops, business, services and public buildings, for those with disabilities, are- • The Equality ACT 2010 • The Building Regulations (2004 edition, incorporating 2010 and 2013 amendments) Approved Document M This Conference is aware that this legislation is not allowing us the […]

Disability Hate Crime must be treated as Hate Crime

Conference is rightly proud of UNISON’s record of fighting Disability Hate Crime. We campaigned to raise awareness of Disability Hate Crime, for better reporting systems and fairer media coverage. We campaigned for disabled people to be treated as reliable witnesses and for more support for victims and witnesses. The police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) […]

An Ageing Population and Workforce: Diminishing Health and Disability

Conference, as we know, the Equality Act 2010 protects people within specified protected characteristics groups, including disability, from direct and indirect discrimination as well as harassment or victimisation arising from a disability. Some health conditions have automatic recognition under the Act while others have a twelve month qualifying period having lasted or expected to last […]

Supporting disabled people to stand for election

Conference is concerned that in the twenty-first century it is still almost impossible for disabled people to stand for elected office or pursue careers in the field of politics. For disabled women the barriers are exacerbated by societal sexism and misogyny. Almost 30% of people old enough to vote are disabled yet less than 2% […]

Flexible working

Conference notes that the right to request flexible working was extended to all employees in 2014. However, the experience of reps and members within the energy sector is that many employers are only prepared to agree to flexible working patterns for certain groups of staff, and then only on limited terms. Further, new shift working […]