View allAll Photos Tagged learningdisabilities
Joey Unwin, 23, who has severe learning disabilities, playing with a branch from his favourite Willow tree as his father Stephen Unwin follows whilst adjusting his face mask. Reunited after over three months of COVID 19 lockdown. The family see each other for the first time since early March for a 1.5 hour visit. St Elizabeth’s Centre, South End, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, UK. June 27, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Reunited after over three months, because of COVID 19 lockdown. The family see each other for the first time since early March for a 1.5 hour visit. Joey who has severe learning disabilities takes his family to the orchards on the grounds of St Elizabeths Centre, Much Hadham, UK. June 27, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Ben and Kelly
LD132
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
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Press L
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I've been feeling really lost and depressed past few months in terms of my career. I've been trying to hold on and stay still until it all ends. I've been praying a lot and I've been asking others to pray for me. And I've been trying to convince myself that my calling to work with people that have learning disabilities and mental health problems is a real thing. I specialize in complex and challening behaviour. I remember every person's face that I've ever worked with. I remember every person's smile. Their tears. Their grin when they've achieved something.. I also remember those people saying that I make them feel “normal”. I make them feel proud of themselves. And I just smile back and sometimes give a hug or a tap on the shoulder as a sign that I'm proud of them. I believe that those are the reasons why I do what I do for living..
Because I care. I care about the fact that God gave us all a purpose in Life. And that implies for EVERONE of us, also for those who have mental health problems and/or learning and physical disabilities.
Society is afraid to touch or to hug a disable person. People are scared. Scared of what?! Of other human beings that are physically or psychologically different?! But why...?
I understand how disable people feel. When you have a problem that is ongoing, eventually people turn away from you. They don't even ask how you're feeling anymore. Because they don't know how you'll react.
I've seen this advert on TV lately and I always stop whatever I'm doing and watch it all. It makes me think. It gives out a clear message about people with mental health problems and how society reacts to their illness. It might make you smile and it's good.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dTgAGeNRpw&feature=related
There's another video that might make you cry. But REMEMBER, this is so real and so true..
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwuv-19XJiY&feature=player_em...
I must be brave to admit that I really miss work.. My future is still hanging in terms of my career.. I have a NEED to help people but it's all put on hold.. I don't need people to LOOK 'normal' and 'be normal'... To me, EVERY face is beautiful. And I mean it. Every person's body, face and smile looks beautiful to me.
On Sundays at my community church I meet Karen. She's blind. And when I talk to her, I always look at her eyes. And I don't care that she can't see me back. Her faith amazes me.. She's such a strong person. And she's only been Christian for the last 4 years or so. When people are dropped in Life like Karen was, they normally turn away from God and become bitter. She did the opposite. She decided to THANK God for being alive and gave her Life to Jesus.
Like my Facebook Page:
Reunited after over three months of COVID 19 lockdown. Father and son see each other for the first time since early March for a 1.5 hour visit. Joey who has severe learning disabilities takes his father Stephen Unwin to the orchards on the grounds of St Elizabeths Centre, Much Hadham, UK. June 27, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
For all my friends who have got to know my children you will see that Bethan is growing up - and to us, her parents she is the most beautiful girl in the world - but more importantly she IS the most beautiful girl in the world as a person - I have not met a 14 year old who is so caring, considerate and loving - despite her difficulties - that is why I was really am disappointed in flickr today - once in a while there will be photographs on flickr that we all find distasteful - and flickr has a policy for you to send in the offending photo and they say they will deal with it - otherwise they say - ignore it - what is offensive to some is not to others - but I feel the way that some people depict people with a learning disability on fickr IS offensive and unacceptable - and when I see a photo that does this I tell the offender - in the most constructive way possible - some answer back most don’t - 3 did today - and it saddened me because they thought that their depiction of a person with a learning disability was ok - cool in fact - now I will as well as all of you not put up with racist remarks – neither will I put up with any bigotry and neither does flickr I am glad to say on the whole - but why o why do we allow pictures of people making faces or distorting features and then insinuating they are people down syndrome or autistic or learning disabled – thankfully most of the pictures we see are ones that have been put in by family and friends of people with a learning difficulty but I hate to see amongst them these terrible photos and I do hope flickr will do something about it - the best thing in our lives has been Bethan (and Dylan of course) she has taught us more about being good people than any other person – thanks for listening – I feel better now))
My very first OOB (out of bounds) image!
Nige you've got a lot to answer for......having checked out my contacts yesterday I discovered your OOB, followed the tutorial link & spent an entire day trying it out .......... & I had loads of work I should have done!!! (Thanks though, had a great day!!)
LD008-OOB
Samedho has autism, so for him to get that close to a total stranger means he must have found him really facinating!!
OIP16
I've run out of energy tonight so I thought I'd take a screen shot of something that has taken a lot of my energy on other occasions. I've written a blog since 2008 which is linked to my work as a teacher of young people with learning disabilities. I don't post so much now but keep it going along with a Facebook page. This is the link to my photography label on my blog:
studentswithlearningdifficulties.blogspot.co.uk/search/la...
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
WSHU Public Radio and the Farrington College of Education hosted “A Parent’s Experience with Learning Disabilities” with guest speaker Anne Ford, author and advocate, on October 24, 2018, at Sacred Heart University’s West Campus Farrington College of Education Dean Michael Alfano moderated the talk. Photo by Tracy Deer-Mirek 10/24/18
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Opportunities Fair and Beyond Art Exhibition
21 June 2012, New Bingley Hall, Hockley.
This free event was aimed at people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments, adults 65 or over, and all carers, to find out what services, support and opportunities are available to them. The exhibition also showcased artwork from people who have learning or physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, visual and hearing impairments and adults 65 or over.
Disability Rights Protesters outside Atos Origin HQ, London U.K. 09/05/2011
To kick-off the National Claimants Against Benefit Cuts's "Week of Action Against ATOS Origin", Disability rights campaigners, trade unionists and students demonstrated today outside the London HQ of Atos Origin to protest against the punitive medical testing of those claiming disability and sickness benefits. The new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has replaced Incapacity Benefit. Today's protest was the first of many protests this week in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Truro.
Speakers gave their often harrowing accounts of those who have had their lives devastated by this unfair process designed to accomodate the governments policy of slashing the Welfare budget by 20%. There are many reports of the terminally ill being declared fit for work only to die weeks later, and there was one testimony from one young woman whose disabled brother was left in so much distress after ATOS declared him fit for work (which he clearly wasn't) and having his benfits stopped that he hung himself.
Protesters are angry that in spite of well documented criticisms of the Work Capability Assessment by Professor Malcolm Harrington who was commissioned by the government to review the W.C.A. process, ATOS have again been awarded a £300 million contract by DWP to continue making these flawed assesments which have already ruined many disabled peoples' lives and has already led to several suicides. On appeal - which takes about a year, in which time people's lives can deteriorate massively - around 70% of ATOS Origin's deeply-flawed assessments by unsympathetic staff who are paid by results, are overturned, leaving us to wonder how much money is this actually saving, and what is the appeals process costing, and in the meanwhile how much profound harm is being done to disabled people, their carers and their families, all of whom are experiencing huge amounts of increased stress?
According to NHS Information Centre incidents of self-harm, attempted suicide and actual suicide have increased in recent years since the introduction of the Welfare Reform Programme 2007 and ATOS Origin Work Capability Assessment regime.
Even though the National Audit Office estimated that for the year 2009-2010 fraud costs 0.6% of DWP's budget - massively below the levels stated by Chancellor George Osborne in the Comprehensive Spending Review, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, added to the recent wave of media disability hatred by saying in the Sun newspaper on December 1st 2011 "We have managed to create a block of people in Britain who do not add anything to the greatness of this country..." and “They have become conditioned to be users of services, not providers of money. This is a huge part of the reason we have this massive deficit. We have had to borrow vast sums of money. We went on this inflated spending spree."
This truly offensive and unfair meme was immediately pounced upon and wielded by right-wing newspapers in the UK, especially the Daily Mail, the Telegraph and more recently the Daily Express, who have all mounted nasty editorial campaigns portraying the weakest, most vulnerable members of our society as nothing more than workshy scroungers. This vilification of the Disabled is rapidly turning back the clock on hard-fought-for Disability Rights, as these newspapers are tapping directly into the ready willingness of some people to physically intimidate and bully disabled people, especially those with mental impairments, and it is reported elsewhere that incidences of bullying against the disabled has increased.
For more information contact press liason Linda Burnip of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) on +441926 842253 or +447714 927 533
All photos © 2011 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce or reblog my images without my permission.
Disability Rights Protesters outside Atos Origin HQ, London U.K. 09/05/2011
To kick-off the National Claimants Against Benefit Cuts's "Week of Action Against ATOS Origin", Disability rights campaigners, trade unionists and students demonstrated today outside the London HQ of Atos Origin to protest against the punitive medical testing of those claiming disability and sickness benefits. The new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has replaced Incapacity Benefit. Today's protest was the first of many protests this week in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Truro.
Speakers gave their often harrowing accounts of those who have had their lives devastated by this unfair process designed to accomodate the governments policy of slashing the Welfare budget by 20%. There are many reports of the terminally ill being declared fit for work only to die weeks later, and there was one testimony from one young woman whose disabled brother was left in so much distress after ATOS declared him fit for work (which he clearly wasn't) and having his benfits stopped that he hung himself.
Protesters are angry that in spite of well documented criticisms of the Work Capability Assessment by Professor Malcolm Harrington who was commissioned by the government to review the W.C.A. process, ATOS have again been awarded a £300 million contract by DWP to continue making these flawed assesments which have already ruined many disabled peoples' lives and has already led to several suicides. On appeal - which takes about a year, in which time people's lives can deteriorate massively - around 70% of ATOS Origin's deeply-flawed assessments by unsympathetic staff who are paid by results, are overturned, leaving us to wonder how much money is this actually saving, and what is the appeals process costing, and in the meanwhile how much profound harm is being done to disabled people, their carers and their families, all of whom are experiencing huge amounts of increased stress?
According to NHS Information Centre incidents of self-harm, attempted suicide and actual suicide have increased in recent years since the introduction of the Welfare Reform Programme 2007 and ATOS Origin Work Capability Assessment regime.
Even though the National Audit Office estimated that for the year 2009-2010 fraud costs 0.6% of DWP's budget - massively below the levels stated by Chancellor George Osborne in the Comprehensive Spending Review, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, added to the recent wave of media disability hatred by saying in the Sun newspaper on December 1st 2011 "We have managed to create a block of people in Britain who do not add anything to the greatness of this country..." and “They have become conditioned to be users of services, not providers of money. This is a huge part of the reason we have this massive deficit. We have had to borrow vast sums of money. We went on this inflated spending spree."
This truly offensive and unfair meme was immediately pounced upon and wielded by right-wing newspapers in the UK, especially the Daily Mail, the Telegraph and more recently the Daily Express, who have all mounted nasty editorial campaigns portraying the weakest, most vulnerable members of our society as nothing more than workshy scroungers. This vilification of the Disabled is rapidly turning back the clock on hard-fought-for Disability Rights, as these newspapers are tapping directly into the ready willingness of some people to physically intimidate and bully disabled people, especially those with mental impairments, and it is reported elsewhere that incidences of bullying against the disabled has increased.
For more information contact press liason Linda Burnip of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) on +441926 842253 or +447714 927 533
All photos © 2011 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce or reblog my images without my permission.
Richard being interviewed by Helen Skelton from Blue Peter
LD436
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
The "stations" on the railway map were chosen by local children in a competition which ran during the summer, 2011
Disability Rights Protesters outside Atos Origin HQ, London U.K. 09/05/2011
To kick-off the National Claimants Against Benefit Cuts's "Week of Action Against ATOS Origin", Disability rights campaigners, trade unionists and students demonstrated today outside the London HQ of Atos Origin to protest against the punitive medical testing of those claiming disability and sickness benefits. The new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has replaced Incapacity Benefit. Today's protest was the first of many protests this week in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Truro.
Speakers gave their often harrowing accounts of those who have had their lives devastated by this unfair process designed to accomodate the governments policy of slashing the Welfare budget by 20%. There are many reports of the terminally ill being declared fit for work only to die weeks later, and there was one testimony from one young woman whose disabled brother was left in so much distress after ATOS declared him fit for work (which he clearly wasn't) and having his benfits stopped that he hung himself.
Protesters are angry that in spite of well documented criticisms of the Work Capability Assessment by Professor Malcolm Harrington who was commissioned by the government to review the W.C.A. process, ATOS have again been awarded a £300 million contract by DWP to continue making these flawed assesments which have already ruined many disabled peoples' lives and has already led to several suicides. On appeal - which takes about a year, in which time people's lives can deteriorate massively - around 70% of ATOS Origin's deeply-flawed assessments by unsympathetic staff who are paid by results, are overturned, leaving us to wonder how much money is this actually saving, and what is the appeals process costing, and in the meanwhile how much profound harm is being done to disabled people, their carers and their families, all of whom are experiencing huge amounts of increased stress?
According to NHS Information Centre incidents of self-harm, attempted suicide and actual suicide have increased in recent years since the introduction of the Welfare Reform Programme 2007 and ATOS Origin Work Capability Assessment regime.
Even though the National Audit Office estimated that for the year 2009-2010 fraud costs 0.6% of DWP's budget - massively below the levels stated by Chancellor George Osborne in the Comprehensive Spending Review, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, added to the recent wave of media disability hatred by saying in the Sun newspaper on December 1st 2011 "We have managed to create a block of people in Britain who do not add anything to the greatness of this country..." and “They have become conditioned to be users of services, not providers of money. This is a huge part of the reason we have this massive deficit. We have had to borrow vast sums of money. We went on this inflated spending spree."
This truly offensive and unfair meme was immediately pounced upon and wielded by right-wing newspapers in the UK, especially the Daily Mail, the Telegraph and more recently the Daily Express, who have all mounted nasty editorial campaigns portraying the weakest, most vulnerable members of our society as nothing more than workshy scroungers. This vilification of the Disabled is rapidly turning back the clock on hard-fought-for Disability Rights, as these newspapers are tapping directly into the ready willingness of some people to physically intimidate and bully disabled people, especially those with mental impairments, and it is reported elsewhere that incidences of bullying against the disabled has increased.
For more information contact press liason Linda Burnip of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) on +441926 842253 or +447714 927 533
All photos © 2011 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce or reblog my images without my permission.
Disability Rights Protesters outside Atos Origin HQ, London U.K. 09/05/2011
To kick-off the National Claimants Against Benefit Cuts's "Week of Action Against ATOS Origin", Disability rights campaigners, trade unionists and students demonstrated today outside the London HQ of Atos Origin to protest against the punitive medical testing of those claiming disability and sickness benefits. The new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has replaced Incapacity Benefit. Today's protest was the first of many protests this week in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Truro.
Speakers gave their often harrowing accounts of those who have had their lives devastated by this unfair process designed to accomodate the governments policy of slashing the Welfare budget by 20%. There are many reports of the terminally ill being declared fit for work only to die weeks later, and there was one testimony from one young woman whose disabled brother was left in so much distress after ATOS declared him fit for work (which he clearly wasn't) and having his benfits stopped that he hung himself.
Protesters are angry that in spite of well documented criticisms of the Work Capability Assessment by Professor Malcolm Harrington who was commissioned by the government to review the W.C.A. process, ATOS have again been awarded a £300 million contract by DWP to continue making these flawed assesments which have already ruined many disabled peoples' lives and has already led to several suicides. On appeal - which takes about a year, in which time people's lives can deteriorate massively - around 70% of ATOS Origin's deeply-flawed assessments by unsympathetic staff who are paid by results, are overturned, leaving us to wonder how much money is this actually saving, and what is the appeals process costing, and in the meanwhile how much profound harm is being done to disabled people, their carers and their families, all of whom are experiencing huge amounts of increased stress?
According to NHS Information Centre incidents of self-harm, attempted suicide and actual suicide have increased in recent years since the introduction of the Welfare Reform Programme 2007 and ATOS Origin Work Capability Assessment regime.
Even though the National Audit Office estimated that for the year 2009-2010 fraud costs 0.6% of DWP's budget - massively below the levels stated by Chancellor George Osborne in the Comprehensive Spending Review, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, added to the recent wave of media disability hatred by saying in the Sun newspaper on December 1st 2011 "We have managed to create a block of people in Britain who do not add anything to the greatness of this country..." and “They have become conditioned to be users of services, not providers of money. This is a huge part of the reason we have this massive deficit. We have had to borrow vast sums of money. We went on this inflated spending spree."
This truly offensive and unfair meme was immediately pounced upon and wielded by right-wing newspapers in the UK, especially the Daily Mail, the Telegraph and more recently the Daily Express, who have all mounted nasty editorial campaigns portraying the weakest, most vulnerable members of our society as nothing more than workshy scroungers. This vilification of the Disabled is rapidly turning back the clock on hard-fought-for Disability Rights, as these newspapers are tapping directly into the ready willingness of some people to physically intimidate and bully disabled people, especially those with mental impairments, and it is reported elsewhere that incidences of bullying against the disabled has increased.
For more information contact press liason Linda Burnip of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) on +441926 842253 or +447714 927 533
All photos © 2011 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce or reblog my images without my permission.
Disability Rights Protesters outside Atos Origin HQ, London U.K. 09/05/2011
To kick-off the National Claimants Against Benefit Cuts's "Week of Action Against ATOS Origin", Disability rights campaigners, trade unionists and students demonstrated today outside the London HQ of Atos Origin to protest against the punitive medical testing of those claiming disability and sickness benefits. The new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has replaced Incapacity Benefit. Today's protest was the first of many protests this week in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Truro.
Speakers gave their often harrowing accounts of those who have had their lives devastated by this unfair process designed to accomodate the governments policy of slashing the Welfare budget by 20%. There are many reports of the terminally ill being declared fit for work only to die weeks later, and there was one testimony from one young woman whose disabled brother was left in so much distress after ATOS declared him fit for work (which he clearly wasn't) and having his benfits stopped that he hung himself.
Protesters are angry that in spite of well documented criticisms of the Work Capability Assessment by Professor Malcolm Harrington who was commissioned by the government to review the W.C.A. process, ATOS have again been awarded a £300 million contract by DWP to continue making these flawed assesments which have already ruined many disabled peoples' lives and has already led to several suicides. On appeal - which takes about a year, in which time people's lives can deteriorate massively - around 70% of ATOS Origin's deeply-flawed assessments by unsympathetic staff who are paid by results, are overturned, leaving us to wonder how much money is this actually saving, and what is the appeals process costing, and in the meanwhile how much profound harm is being done to disabled people, their carers and their families, all of whom are experiencing huge amounts of increased stress?
According to NHS Information Centre incidents of self-harm, attempted suicide and actual suicide have increased in recent years since the introduction of the Welfare Reform Programme 2007 and ATOS Origin Work Capability Assessment regime.
Even though the National Audit Office estimated that for the year 2009-2010 fraud costs 0.6% of DWP's budget - massively below the levels stated by Chancellor George Osborne in the Comprehensive Spending Review, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, added to the recent wave of media disability hatred by saying in the Sun newspaper on December 1st 2011 "We have managed to create a block of people in Britain who do not add anything to the greatness of this country..." and “They have become conditioned to be users of services, not providers of money. This is a huge part of the reason we have this massive deficit. We have had to borrow vast sums of money. We went on this inflated spending spree."
This truly offensive and unfair meme was immediately pounced upon and wielded by right-wing newspapers in the UK, especially the Daily Mail, the Telegraph and more recently the Daily Express, who have all mounted nasty editorial campaigns portraying the weakest, most vulnerable members of our society as nothing more than workshy scroungers. This vilification of the Disabled is rapidly turning back the clock on hard-fought-for Disability Rights, as these newspapers are tapping directly into the ready willingness of some people to physically intimidate and bully disabled people, especially those with mental impairments, and it is reported elsewhere that incidences of bullying against the disabled has increased.
For more information contact press liason Linda Burnip of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) on +441926 842253 or +447714 927 533
All photos © 2011 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce or reblog my images without my permission.
A team of Fixers from Kent, tired of being ignored, stared at and interrupted, have helped create a poster campaign urging people not to treat those with disabilities differently.
The group from Orpington, who live in supported accommodation provided by Sanctuary Housing, all have learning disabilities and some of them use wheelchairs.
Led by 26-year-old* Holly Pace, their message is treat disabled people as you would want to be treated.
‘I feel like people aren’t aware of disabilities,’ says Holly.
‘So, we wanted to change that. I don’t think people understand what it’s like to be disabled.’
Each member of the group has had negative experiences which they believe to be as a result of able-bodied people being ignorant of their disabilities.
Read more about their Fix: bit.ly/1i4bo4m
For interviews and more information contact communications@fixers.org.uk call 01962810970. Please credit Fixers when using this image.
Psychotherapy and Counseling Services
68-22A Forest Ave, 1st Floor
Ridgewood, NY 11385
(917) 251-7437
Psychotherapyn@yahoo.com
I provide counseling for individuals, couples, and families by creating a positive and caring treatment environment based on specific needs of each client. Using integrative, dynamic, and interactive therapeutic process, I help the client overcome the existing problem, implement behavioral changes, and explore his/her potential more effectively in everyday life.
I am a licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of New York. I received Masters degrees in Mental Health Counseling and Psychology from the City College of New York/CUNY, as well as an MS in Clinical Psychology, with specialization in Psychoanalytic therapy.
I have flexible working hours and I am open to scheduling counseling sessions on the weekends and late evenings, as well as any emergency appointments, if needed. Call today to get your appointment, (917) 251-7437.
Working Hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
Payments Accepted: cash, check, credit cards
Opened Since: 2003
Twitter: twitter.com/PSYTCS
Two thousand and four. Pregnant. 21st week.
A phone call. Bad news. Life-changing. Bleak.
Midwife’s words: “I’m so sorry.”
Time stands still.
“Your baby has Down’s.”
Gut-wrenching chill.
But I learned all I could and chose life for you,
And now here you are seen running through
The station that sits at the very core
Of loopholes exploited and money galore.
These people who rush through this station past you
Are as sharp as tacks, but ignorant too.
They have no idea, they can’t possibly see,
The most fortunate person here is me.
Physio, hearing aids, battles on your behalf,
Operations, special school - but you do make me laugh.
Yes, you have your challenges, more than most others,
But what could compare,
Arms wrapped round my neck,
Whispered words “Love my mumma”?
Going through Canary Wharf station in London (the banking district), my young learning disabled son shot off quickly and I took this photo then ran after him!! I liked the way the overexposure and movement was captured, with him in the centre.
Disability Rights Protesters outside Atos Origin HQ, London U.K. 09/05/2011
To kick-off the National Claimants Against Benefit Cuts's "Week of Action Against ATOS Origin", Disability rights campaigners, trade unionists and students demonstrated today outside the London HQ of Atos Origin to protest against the punitive medical testing of those claiming disability and sickness benefits. The new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has replaced Incapacity Benefit. Today's protest was the first of many protests this week in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Truro.
Speakers gave their often harrowing accounts of those who have had their lives devastated by this unfair process designed to accomodate the governments policy of slashing the Welfare budget by 20%. There are many reports of the terminally ill being declared fit for work only to die weeks later, and there was one testimony from one young woman whose disabled brother was left in so much distress after ATOS declared him fit for work (which he clearly wasn't) and having his benfits stopped that he hung himself.
Protesters are angry that in spite of well documented criticisms of the Work Capability Assessment by Professor Malcolm Harrington who was commissioned by the government to review the W.C.A. process, ATOS have again been awarded a £300 million contract by DWP to continue making these flawed assesments which have already ruined many disabled peoples' lives and has already led to several suicides. On appeal - which takes about a year, in which time people's lives can deteriorate massively - around 70% of ATOS Origin's deeply-flawed assessments by unsympathetic staff who are paid by results, are overturned, leaving us to wonder how much money is this actually saving, and what is the appeals process costing, and in the meanwhile how much profound harm is being done to disabled people, their carers and their families, all of whom are experiencing huge amounts of increased stress?
According to NHS Information Centre incidents of self-harm, attempted suicide and actual suicide have increased in recent years since the introduction of the Welfare Reform Programme 2007 and ATOS Origin Work Capability Assessment regime.
Even though the National Audit Office estimated that for the year 2009-2010 fraud costs 0.6% of DWP's budget - massively below the levels stated by Chancellor George Osborne in the Comprehensive Spending Review, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, added to the recent wave of media disability hatred by saying in the Sun newspaper on December 1st 2011 "We have managed to create a block of people in Britain who do not add anything to the greatness of this country..." and “They have become conditioned to be users of services, not providers of money. This is a huge part of the reason we have this massive deficit. We have had to borrow vast sums of money. We went on this inflated spending spree."
This truly offensive and unfair meme was immediately pounced upon and wielded by right-wing newspapers in the UK, especially the Daily Mail, the Telegraph and more recently the Daily Express, who have all mounted nasty editorial campaigns portraying the weakest, most vulnerable members of our society as nothing more than workshy scroungers. This vilification of the Disabled is rapidly turning back the clock on hard-fought-for Disability Rights, as these newspapers are tapping directly into the ready willingness of some people to physically intimidate and bully disabled people, especially those with mental impairments, and it is reported elsewhere that incidences of bullying against the disabled has increased.
For more information contact press liason Linda Burnip of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) on +441926 842253 or +447714 927 533
All photos © 2011 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce or reblog my images without my permission.
Disability Rights Protesters outside Atos Origin HQ, London U.K. 09/05/2011
To kick-off the National Claimants Against Benefit Cuts's "Week of Action Against ATOS Origin", Disability rights campaigners, trade unionists and students demonstrated today outside the London HQ of Atos Origin to protest against the punitive medical testing of those claiming disability and sickness benefits. The new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has replaced Incapacity Benefit. Today's protest was the first of many protests this week in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Truro.
Speakers gave their often harrowing accounts of those who have had their lives devastated by this unfair process designed to accomodate the governments policy of slashing the Welfare budget by 20%. There are many reports of the terminally ill being declared fit for work only to die weeks later, and there was one testimony from one young woman whose disabled brother was left in so much distress after ATOS declared him fit for work (which he clearly wasn't) and having his benfits stopped that he hung himself.
Protesters are angry that in spite of well documented criticisms of the Work Capability Assessment by Professor Malcolm Harrington who was commissioned by the government to review the W.C.A. process, ATOS have again been awarded a £300 million contract by DWP to continue making these flawed assesments which have already ruined many disabled peoples' lives and has already led to several suicides. On appeal - which takes about a year, in which time people's lives can deteriorate massively - around 70% of ATOS Origin's deeply-flawed assessments by unsympathetic staff who are paid by results, are overturned, leaving us to wonder how much money is this actually saving, and what is the appeals process costing, and in the meanwhile how much profound harm is being done to disabled people, their carers and their families, all of whom are experiencing huge amounts of increased stress?
According to NHS Information Centre incidents of self-harm, attempted suicide and actual suicide have increased in recent years since the introduction of the Welfare Reform Programme 2007 and ATOS Origin Work Capability Assessment regime.
Even though the National Audit Office estimated that for the year 2009-2010 fraud costs 0.6% of DWP's budget - massively below the levels stated by Chancellor George Osborne in the Comprehensive Spending Review, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, added to the recent wave of media disability hatred by saying in the Sun newspaper on December 1st 2011 "We have managed to create a block of people in Britain who do not add anything to the greatness of this country..." and “They have become conditioned to be users of services, not providers of money. This is a huge part of the reason we have this massive deficit. We have had to borrow vast sums of money. We went on this inflated spending spree."
This truly offensive and unfair meme was immediately pounced upon and wielded by right-wing newspapers in the UK, especially the Daily Mail, the Telegraph and more recently the Daily Express, who have all mounted nasty editorial campaigns portraying the weakest, most vulnerable members of our society as nothing more than workshy scroungers. This vilification of the Disabled is rapidly turning back the clock on hard-fought-for Disability Rights, as these newspapers are tapping directly into the ready willingness of some people to physically intimidate and bully disabled people, especially those with mental impairments, and it is reported elsewhere that incidences of bullying against the disabled has increased.
For more information contact press liason Linda Burnip of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) on +441926 842253 or +447714 927 533
All photos © 2011 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce or reblog my images without my permission.
Disability Rights Protesters outside Atos Origin HQ, London U.K. 09/05/2011
To kick-off the National Claimants Against Benefit Cuts's "Week of Action Against ATOS Origin", Disability rights campaigners, trade unionists and students demonstrated today outside the London HQ of Atos Origin to protest against the punitive medical testing of those claiming disability and sickness benefits. The new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has replaced Incapacity Benefit. Today's protest was the first of many protests this week in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Truro.
Speakers gave their often harrowing accounts of those who have had their lives devastated by this unfair process designed to accomodate the governments policy of slashing the Welfare budget by 20%. There are many reports of the terminally ill being declared fit for work only to die weeks later, and there was one testimony from one young woman whose disabled brother was left in so much distress after ATOS declared him fit for work (which he clearly wasn't) and having his benfits stopped that he hung himself.
Protesters are angry that in spite of well documented criticisms of the Work Capability Assessment by Professor Malcolm Harrington who was commissioned by the government to review the W.C.A. process, ATOS have again been awarded a £300 million contract by DWP to continue making these flawed assesments which have already ruined many disabled peoples' lives and has already led to several suicides. On appeal - which takes about a year, in which time people's lives can deteriorate massively - around 70% of ATOS Origin's deeply-flawed assessments by unsympathetic staff who are paid by results, are overturned, leaving us to wonder how much money is this actually saving, and what is the appeals process costing, and in the meanwhile how much profound harm is being done to disabled people, their carers and their families, all of whom are experiencing huge amounts of increased stress?
According to NHS Information Centre incidents of self-harm, attempted suicide and actual suicide have increased in recent years since the introduction of the Welfare Reform Programme 2007 and ATOS Origin Work Capability Assessment regime.
Even though the National Audit Office estimated that for the year 2009-2010 fraud costs 0.6% of DWP's budget - massively below the levels stated by Chancellor George Osborne in the Comprehensive Spending Review, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, added to the recent wave of media disability hatred by saying in the Sun newspaper on December 1st 2011 "We have managed to create a block of people in Britain who do not add anything to the greatness of this country..." and “They have become conditioned to be users of services, not providers of money. This is a huge part of the reason we have this massive deficit. We have had to borrow vast sums of money. We went on this inflated spending spree."
This truly offensive and unfair meme was immediately pounced upon and wielded by right-wing newspapers in the UK, especially the Daily Mail, the Telegraph and more recently the Daily Express, who have all mounted nasty editorial campaigns portraying the weakest, most vulnerable members of our society as nothing more than workshy scroungers. This vilification of the Disabled is rapidly turning back the clock on hard-fought-for Disability Rights, as these newspapers are tapping directly into the ready willingness of some people to physically intimidate and bully disabled people, especially those with mental impairments, and it is reported elsewhere that incidences of bullying against the disabled has increased.
For more information contact press liason Linda Burnip of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) on +441926 842253 or +447714 927 533
All photos © 2011 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce or reblog my images without my permission.