Ending the Institutionalisation of Disabled People

Changing Perspectives has been campaigning against the institutionalisation of disabled people. We are concerned that the UK law does not protect disabled people against being locked up in institutions such as psychiatric hospitals. Disabled people do not have a right to choice and control over their own lives.

We are also concerned about the raising numbers of disabled children going into psychiatric care because Governments keep on failing to provide the support that disabled people need to have a great life. 

Want to know more? Click here to know more about Free Our People Now Campaign

International Human Rights

As part of my UKDPC's Policy and Campaigns role I was a member of the campaign team that secured UK Government signing and ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

My evidence on behalf of Changing Perspectives and Alliance for Inclusive Education has been included in the Reclaiming Our Future Alliance and Inclusion London UNCRPD Shadow Reports 2017,  2022 and Evidence.

Our evidence led to the UNCRPD monitoring Committee making recommendations in changes in UK Abortion, Education and Mental Health law and policy required so that UK Government can support disabled peoples human rights.
UNCRPD Monitoring Committee Concluding Observations from UN Periodic review of UK.

The UNCRPD's monitoring committee during 2017 used various suggestions in ROFA's shadow report as recommendations to how Government can uphold disabled peoples human rights. We are working with the Disabled and Deaf People's Forum (DDPO) and other similar organisations to keep the pressure on Government to comply with their UNCRPD human rights obligations. 

Changing Perspectives is waiting for the UNCRPD Monitoring Committee to review UN Government's progress in upholding disabled peoples' human rights that was meant to happen during 2022.

UK Civil Rights

Changing Perspectives was established before disability-related discrimination became unlawful, when service providers could still openly display signs that said 'Disabled people are not welcome.

I oversaw several successful campaigns that led to the incorporation of the Rights of disabled people with learning difficulties into equality legislation: such as The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) and Equality Act (2010) and Community Care (direct payments) Act (1996).

Disabled People with learning difficulties began to have increased and stronger entitlements to live independently in their community, free from being treated unfairly or in a discriminative manner. Changing Perspectives was an active member of Rights Now, a coalition of disability organisations that were lobbying for anti-discrimination legislation.

Inclusive Education Campaign Work

We cannot expect to have an inclusive society unless we have an inclusive education service that welcomes all, and where both disabled and non-disabled pupils and students play, learn, work together and relate to each other.

I am the former Policy and Campaigns Coordinator for the Alliance for Inclusive Education which promotes and campaigns for the rights of disabled pupils and students to inclusive education, including apprenticeships.

I oversaw the ongoing campaign to make Government's Education laws consistent with disabled pupils and students human right to inclusive education, as set out in UNCRPD Article 24.

If you want to view my work including the most recent SEND Review click SEND Review.

Beginning and End of Life Issues Campaign work

The way we are viewed by healthcare professionals has a profound impact on the way in which society treats disabled people. So, their attitudes around embryo selection, genetic editing, abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide can consequently impact on how disabled people's lives are valued by society.

Right to Life 

Heidi Crowter's court case

The court case involves challenging the UK Abortion Laws on disability discrimination and human rights grounds.

We have supported Heidi Crowter's legal action. The court case involved challenging the UK Abortion Laws on disability discrimination and human rights grounds in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

One page what the court case is all about

The judges said that the Abortion Act does not breach disabled peoples' human rights.

High court and court of appeal court judgements

We took a lead in supporting people with learning difficulties to have a voice whilst the court case continued.

This included Heidi speaking to the judges during the Court of Appeal hearing. Heidi speaking to the Court of Appeal court judges.

We will continue to support change in Abortion Act so that all foetuses are treated equally under the law.
We supported the 2025's Abortion Act change which stops women from being criminalised for ending their own pregnancies.

End of Life Issues

Disabled People with learning difficulties are much more likely than others to die from treatable health conditions.   Covid-19 pandemic highlighted widespread and illegal use of Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) notice for People with learning difficulties with treatable health conditions.

Any laws allowing staff to end our lives instead of providing treatment for disabled people including those with learning difficulties is disability discrimination.

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

We are a Not Dead Yet member.   We are against the Assisted Dying Bill. 

They have information about the Assisted Dying Bill in easy read.

People with learning difficulties have not had their voices heard on why we are against assisted dying bill.  This must change.

Our letter to the Jewish Chronicle

We continue to work with like-minded campaign groups such as Disabled and Deaf Peoples Organisations forum, Disabled People Against Cuts and Not Dead Yet campaigns in campaigning against legislation, policies and initiatives that attempt to undermine our equal right to life.