Over the last few years the department of Work and Pensions have started making big changes to policies and procedures that help disabled people gain and then keep employment. Who qualifies for this help from the various projects is no longer a question of whether you are a disabled person or not, but also what […]
Conference motions
West Midlands Region is very concerned that members have to take Annual Leave to cover a phased return to work or attend medical appointments or treatment sessions. We therefore ask this Conference to call upon the National Disabled Members Committee (NDMC) to work with the National Executive Council (NEC) & Labourlink to lobby Parliament to […]
This Conference is concerned that the recession is having a disproportionately large impact on disabled workers. Unemployment is predicted to increase to almost three million by 2010 and disabled workers are particularly at risk when unemployment rises. Increased unemployment for disabled workers can lead to social divide, increase the prospect of discrimination due to unfair […]
There are a number of schemes in place which many Employers sign up to that would, if followed, be of great advantage to disabled workers. For these schemes to work effectively, it is essential that disabled workers must be allowed to self nominate and work in partnership with the Employers and scheme organisers to ensure […]
Conference agrees that both the Disability Discrimination Act and the Public Sector Equality Duty have advanced the cause of reducing discrimination against disabled workers in the workplace. However, not all forms of disability are apparent to any other person except the individual directly affected. Workers with non apparent disabilities, whether mental health, physical or other […]
Conference notes that a recent report entitled ‘Promoting Safety and Security of Disabled People’ published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission showed that disabled people are at greater risk of being victims of targeted violence and hostility. The report stated that disabled people are four times more likely to be a victim of crime, […]
Conference notes that on 8 June 2009 th UK Government ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This means that the UK is now legally bound by the Convention. The Convention is the first human rights treaty of the 21st Century, re-affirming disabled people’s human rights and signalling a further […]
Conference welcomes a more accessible and inclusive UNISON Website. Conference requests that the National Disabled Members Committee work with the ‘Webmaster’ to look at different access mediums and that British Sign Language as well as text to speech interpretation is included in the access options available to our members. BSL as well as text to […]
This Conference notes that many disabled people are unemployed and find it difficult to obtain work. Some employers, particularly those in the Private Sector, see disabled people as an ‘expensive’ choice due to the need for access arrangements. The current economic climate means that it is now even more likely that employers will not take […]
This Conference welcomes the introduction of Direct Payments for disabled and older people which has taken place over the past few years, along with the recent pilots of Individual Budgets which increase choice and control for disabled and older people over the services they receive. However, we are concerned that there are insufficient safeguards to […]
Conference notes that HIV/AIDS is an issue for all of UNISON members not just disabled members or LGBT members. However, Conference is aware that there are a number of LGBT members affected by HIV/AIDS – be it living with HIV or knowing someone close to them who is living with HIV. Conference is concerned that […]
This Conference is concerned that Deaf members do not get reasonable adjustments to carry out their work. We need time allowed to organise things such as arrange to get interpreters, deal with invoices, fill in claim forms that should be included in work hours to reduce stressful/frustrated on deaf members. We find that some Deaf […]
Conference welcomes the introduction of Equality Reps pilot project and believes that it will be fundamental in raising awareness of the equality duties at branch level. Conference also welcomes the announcement in the Equality Bill of the extension of the promotions of the positive duties to include sexual orientation and gender re-assignment. Conference therefore believes […]
Conference welcomes the Equality Representatives initiative that will enable work to be continued in supporting black disabled members and other members facing multi-discrimination. The Black Disabled Members Caucus welcomes the equality representatives initiative which will further enable UNISON equality work to continue in supporting black and disabled members facing multi-discrimination. We call upon National Disabled […]
Conference notes that one in 20 women experience changes to cervical cells which could lead to cancer and that 900 women die of cervical cancer in England each year. Conference acknowledges that early detection can prevent cervical cancer developing in 75% of cases and that cervical cancer has no symptoms until it is quite advanced […]