Research has discovered that where you used to live could affect your child’s chances of being Autistic. The studies looked at children whose mothers had moved to the UK. From outside Europe too showed an increased risk of Autism in children whose parents had migrants from the Caribbean, Asia and Africa. The group with the […]
Conference motions
Conference notes with deep concern the extent black people experience common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Regrettably the recent government announcement on the future of Disability Living Allowance and the welfare system could lead to significant mental illness as the majority of disabled Black people remain socially deprived and economically disadvantaged. It […]
Conference is concerned about the lack of awareness of HIV and its impacts within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community (LGBT). HIV from the point of diagnosis to long term treatment is covered under the Disability Discrimination Act as a disability and there is widespread ignorance; 40% of gay men have HIV and are […]
Conference is concerned that disabled members may not be getting the opportunity to participate fully in policy and decision making processes. We are all aware of the new change in government and in particular the proposed cuts these will bring to public sector services. Where policies are developed or reviewed it is going to be […]
Conference agrees that Mr George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 22 June 2010, delivered a vicious attack on disabled workers when he said that all recipients of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) would be forced to undergo medical examinations to see if they would continue to receive DLA. Many disabled people are able to […]
The Queen’s speech, presented on 25 May 2010 introduced a new Welfare Reform Bill. The Government states that the main benefits of the Bill will be: ·‘Making the benefits system less complex ·Improving work incentives ·Getting the five million plus people languishing on benefits into work and out of poverty. ·Reducing the scope for fraud […]
Conference notes that the term ‘non apparent disability’ is a catch-all phrase that simply means that a person’s impairment or condition is not obviously apparent or visible. Around 70% of people who have a disability in this country have a hidden disability. Delegates will have work colleagues who are disabled but who are not immediately […]
This Conference is concerned that the lack of suitable vacancies and significant job losses in the public sector will make it more difficult for all disabled people and those who can no longer carry out their current duties even with reasonable adjustments to retain their employment. This Conference recognises that the use of an employers […]
Conference notes UNISON’s proud tradition and record of international work. Conference notes that disabled people are often left behind in the social reconstruction following conflict. This can happen when the reconstruction is linked to the Medical Model of Disability or the Professional Gift Model for delivery of services. Adherence to the Social Model of Disability […]
This Conference, like the rest of UNISON, will be shocked at the vicious cuts proposed to the public sector in particular in the community and voluntary sectors, by the Coalition Government. Major cuts in the budgets of the public sector will not fail to result in job losses. This Conference applauds the decisive leadership being […]
Conference is concerned that planned changes to the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) will force thousands of disabled people into poverty. The WCA is the medical assessment process for individuals claiming Employment and Support Allowance. It identifies how an individual’s health condition or disability affects their ability to work and plays an important role in determining […]
This conference notes Government proposals for severe public sector budget cuts and the already existing evidence that these cuts will affect discriminated against groups, including disabled people, particularly hard. There is also deep concern that many local authorities see cutting services specifically aimed to support disabled and older people as a soft target, thus taking […]
Both the Disability Discrimination Act and the Public Sector Equality Duty have helped to reduce discrimination against disabled workers in the workplace. With regard to career and job opportunities available to disabled people, the public sector is at the forefront of anti-discriminatory practice by granting an interview to any disabled candidate who fulfils all essential […]
Conference welcomes the decision by UNISON to introduce equality reps in the workplace. Conference believes that such a move will ensure a greater awareness of equality issues in the workplace and encourage a more proactive approach to ensuring that the bargaining agenda reflects the need to mainstream equality and prevent discrimination. The role of disabled […]
This Conference is alarmed that the new coalition government announced plans on 25 May for an immediate Academies Bill to allow more schools in England, including primaries and special schools, to be fast-tracked into academies. They will not have to consult with the local authority and it is unclear if there will even be any […]