A Roundup Of The Last Fortnight!

Firstly, we ask you to sign Pat Onion's petition (CarerWatch) - we know there are many petitions about just now but we have to keep momentum going: Stop and review the cuts to benefits and services which are falling disproportionately on disabled people, their carers and families.

• The World Health Organisation urged Governments around Europe to act on the measles outbreak :  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8932117/WHO-Europe-must-act-on-measles-outbreak.html

• Our girl Anna Kennedy brought out a new DVD recently, which featured in a Sun article after a wonderful success story:  http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/health/health/3985693/Dance-taught-autistic-Shannon-to-speak.html

• (you can buy the DVD here: http://www.annakennedyonline.com/step-in-the-right-direction/)

• Scottish ministers were urged to think about new laws to soften the "significant" impact of planned changes to the UK benefits system: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-16074234

• Learning disability units found lacking in wake of Winterbourne View scandal: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/dec/08/learning-disability-services-lacking-winterbourne-view?fb=native&CMP=FBCNETTXT9038

• The proposed cuts to the disability elements in the new Universal Credit were voted through by a majority of two votes. This will see many thousands of families struggle with the many extra expenses with possibly half the money they currently get: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/parents-of-disabled-children-furious-at-cuts-to-allowances-6275831.html 

• On the subject of benefits, do you know what the new rates will be as of April 2012? Here's the run-down as published by the DWP last week: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/benefitrates2012.pdf

• We would be really grateful if you would add your name to one more petition, started by Anna Kennedy: Improved support for children and adults with autism who are victims of anti-social behaviour and bullying.

We wish you all a very Merry and Happy Christmas!

Campaign Manager: Carole Rutherford

Administrator: Teresa Catto-Smith

PR: Anna Kennedy

Info Officer: Mavourneen Moore