Join UPDATE

Become an Update member today and get access to special information resources...more

News

Government caught out on DLA statistics... again 19 Dec 2011
Serious doubts have emerged about crucial statistics used by the minister for disabled people to justify the government’s sweeping disability living allowance (DLA) reforms. Maria Miller ... more

Disability movement mourns Vic Finkelstein, Father of the social model 15 Dec 2011
The disability movement is mourning the death of one of its pioneers, an academic and anti-apartheid campaigner whose work “transformed people’s understanding of disability” and ... more

Government's £1 billion ESA headache 15 Dec 2011
The government will be forced to spend an extra £1 billion a year, after over-estimating how many people would be found “fit for work” through ... more

So-called 'fit man' dies shortly after ATOS assessment 15 Dec 2011
Larry Newman attended a work capability assessment in March 2010, when a degenerative lung condition made it impossible for him to go on working in ... more

Visually impaired? Join this social network to help fight back against the cuts! 08 Dec 2011
UPDATE are pleased to publish a letter from Amanda Burt of the RNIB asking for anyone with a visual impairment to join an electronic social network to ... more

Focus on mission over money, urges Barnardos director 06 Dec 2011
Charities need to focus on their mission rather than money at times of economic difficulty, according to the Scottish director of one of UK’s biggest charities. ... more

Mobility component u-turn: Government accused of 'incompetence' 06 Dec 2011
The government has been accused of “incompetence” after it finally abandoned plans to remove mobility support from disabled people in residential homes. The decision was ... more

DPOs set to submit evidence on media hostility to Leveson Inquiry 28 Nov 2011
At least three disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) plan to submit evidence to a major inquiry to draw its attention to how some newspapers are stirring ... more

DAN sends message to coalition: We are coming for you 28 Nov 2011
The radical disabled people’s network DAN (Direct Action Network) has warned the government to expect an imminent return to the kind of high-profile, non-violent, direct action ... more

Hate crime linked to newspaper stories of fraud and 'scroungers' 28 Nov 2011
Disabled activists have linked the conviction of a man who called his disabled neighbour a “benefit scrounger” to hostile stories and comments that have come ... more

Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland launch new advice line 23 Nov 2011
The CHSS Advice Line has reached its’ 16th birthday and the nurses have answered over 32,000 calls since we opened in 1995! In response to ... more

Benefits appeals system 'on brink of collapse' 21 Nov 2011
Thousands of ill and disabled people have become trapped in a revolving door of medical assessments and appeals at a cost of £80m, with many ... more

Government 'pandered to Daily Mail' over work test stats 14 Nov 2011
MPs have accused the government of “pandering to the Daily Mail” over the issue of incapacity benefit reform, after it published a misleading press release ... more

As cold weather approaches UPDATE produce four new factsheets to help 11 Nov 2011
With Winter appraoching, UPDATE have produced four new factsheets to help service users with staying warm, fuel payments and heating costs. The government has no plans to extend ... more

Big Society is a toxic brand in Scotland 07 Nov 2011
Two third sector leaders have lambasted the UK government’s Big Society concept, classing it as “toxic” and claiming it carries “too many negative connotations” for Scots. ... more

Access to Work figures underline worrying downward trend 31 Oct 2011
Government figures have revealed alarming new evidence of a slump in the number of disabled people granted funds to make their workplaces more accessible. The ... more

The latest news on ESA and DLA 28 Oct 2011
Latest update on Employment Support Allowance The time allowed to complete and return an ESA50 questionnaire form is being slashed from 6 weeks to 4 weeks, ... more

The Hardest Hit rally, Edinburgh 25 Oct 2011
On Saturday October the 22nd, almost a thousand people from across the disability community and across Scotland attended a rally in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens.  The ... more

What are the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a SCIO? 24 Oct 2011
TC Young Solicitors give their take on the new legal entity of a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). Since April 2011, existing unincorporated charities have been ... more

Tabloid Motability story leads to fresh watchdog complaints 17 Oct 2011
Disabled people and disability charities have complained to the press watchdog after a national newspaper suggested there was widespread abuse of the Motability car scheme. ... more

NCIL, RADAR and Disability Alliance members approve merger 17 Oct 2011
Three of the country’s leading disability organisations have agreed to merge within months. Members of the National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL), RADAR and Disability ... more

CPS launches 'full review' of NHS abuse scandal failure 10 Oct 2011
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has launched a “full review” of its failure to prosecute any of the NHS staff accused of abusing 18 disabled ... more

This could be the biggest disability rally in Scotland - ever! 06 Oct 2011
When: Saturday 22 October 2011, 11:00am Where: Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh EH2 2HG We hope to stage the biggest rally led by disability organisations ever ... more

Labour conference: Disabled activist shames 'flustered' Miliband 03 Oct 2011
A prominent disabled activist has launched a highly critical attack on Labour leader Ed Miliband during a televised question and answer session over his failure ... more

The portrayal of mental illness on TV 30 Sep 2011
Following Ceri Rees' 'uncomfortable' audition on last week's X Factor, should the portrayal of mental illness on television be improved? Simon Cowell may no longer be ... more

Disabled members help overturn LibDem welfare policy 23 Sep 2011
Disabled Liberal Democrats have helped force a major change to their party’s policies on welfare reform, and the use of “fitness for work” tests to ... more

Activists propose 2012 Paralympics boycott over IPC's Atos links 19 Sep 2011
Furious disabled activists are proposing a boycott of next year’s Paralympic games in London, over links between the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the company ... more

The Hardest Hit: Action and events planned for the 22nd of October 16 Sep 2011
The Hardest Hit march and rally in London on 11 May was an outstanding success. Around 8,000 people turned up to march and lobby their ... more

Inclusion Scotland: 'Your Country Needs You!' 12 Sep 2011
The Scottish Government and Inclusion Scotland want to increase the number of disabled people working on a public body in Scotland. Therefore we are holding ... more

Paralympic Comittee President calls for an end to use of term 'disabled' 12 Sep 2011
The British head of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has defended his suggestion that the 2012 Paralympics should be used as a stepping-stone towards stopping ... more

Lead Scotland takes on new services 09 Sep 2011
You may be aware that Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities became insolvent in April this year and is sadly no longer in operation. ... more

Advocacy round up: New services, new tenders and new conferences. 05 Sep 2011
  Advocacy Highland Conference Advocacy Highland are holding an Advocacy Conference and are delighted that our guest speakers are John O’Brien and Tom Kohler. Inverness, 23 September. ... more

New wave of protests to target 'fitness to work' company 30 Aug 2011
Disabled activists are planning a new wave of protests aimed at the company paid to carry out controversial “fitness to work” tests on behalf of ... more

Most social workers have seen abuse in residential care 24 Aug 2011
Eight out of ten social workers have witnessed abuse in adult residential care homes, a British Association of Social Workers (BASW) survey has discovered. The eight-week ... more

Atos doctors under investigation could be struck off 17 Aug 2011
Twelve doctors employed by the firm that is paid £100m a year to assess people claiming disability benefit are under investigation by the General Medical ... more

UPDATE writes to the Government 16 Aug 2011
In June last year UPDATE wrote to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and to the office of the Prime Minister, voicing our concerns that the incoming Government's plans ... more

Figures undermine government's case for DLA cuts 15 Aug 2011
New official figures have undermined one of the government’s key justifications for reforming and slashing spending on a vital disability benefit. The disability living allowance ... more

Atos forced to investigate after employee's 'parasites' comment on website 15 Aug 2011
Two employees of the company that carries out the controversial “fitness for work” tests for the government have been caught making offensive comments about their ... more

Self-advocates break new ground with internet broadcast 08 Aug 2011
Disabled activists have used a ground-breaking internet broadcast to call on self-advocacy organisations to return to their campaigning roots and fight for their local communities. They ... more

The Blackwood Foundation's new site goes live 02 Aug 2011
The Blackwood Foundation is proud to announce that 'Bespoken' is live at last! Bespoken is a new site that lets you share insights and promotes innovation. ... more

Scottish Government offers a free audit to information and advice providers 01 Aug 2011
The Scottish Government is pleased to be able to extend the offer of a free audit to any agencies who are considering applying for accreditation against the ... more

MPs write angry letter to ATOS 29 Jul 2011
The MPs who make up the Work and Pensions committee are deeply unhappy with ATOS, the multinational corporation who carry out the unpopular and controvertial medical test for ... more

What is the new 'Personal Independence Payment' (PIP)? 28 Jul 2011
The UK Government has released a draft of the Assessment Regulations that will outline the way people will be assessed for the new 'Personal Independence ... more

Delay to welfare reform bill gives campaigners more time 25 Jul 2011
Campaigners have welcomed the government’s decision to postpone the next parliamentary stage of its controversial welfare reform bill. The bill has already passed through the Commons ... more

DPOs boycott charities' 'independent' review of mobility needs 25 Jul 2011
Disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) are to boycott a review set up by two of the big disability charities into one of the most controversial parts ... more

New disabled airport guide 22 Jul 2011
Parkat, an airport parking comparison website, have just published a disabled airport guide which overs a wide range of accessibility issues and concerns within airports which ... more

Abuse allegations company suspends four staff at second institution 18 Jul 2011
The company at the centre of allegations of abuse of disabled people at a private hospital has suspended four members of staff at another of ... more

Careers education 'is failing many disabled students' 18 Jul 2011
Careers education is failing many young disabled people, and other disadvantaged groups, according to a new report from the equality watchdog. The Equality and Human ... more

Disabled people need individualised support in work 13 Jul 2011
Disabled people want the opportunity to work in all sectors of the economy. But some of us will need extra support, writes Liz Sayce, chief ... more

Whizz-Kidz demand action on NHS wheelchair provision for disabled children 13 Jul 2011
Whizz-Kidz is calling on the government to Fast Forward reform of NHS wheelchair provision for disabled children and young people. This will ensure that all ... more

Online ATOS 'register of shame' published 06 Jul 2011
A new online 'register of shame' has been published on the internet by an independent disability organisation, targeting unpopular benefits assessment company, ATOS Healthcare. It ... more

Protesters bring grim warning on school inclusion to Westminster 04 Jul 2011
Scores of disabled activists and allies have staged a Westminster protest against government plans that they believe would cause the country to slide back towards ... more

Charities attack UK Welfare Reform bill 27 Jun 2011
A coalition of over 40 of Scotland’s leading charities, unions and faith groups, has called on Scottish MPs to ensure the UK government’s Welfare Bill ... more

Blackwood Foundation launch new social media site 27 Jun 2011
Last autumn the Blackwood Foundation travelled the length and breadth of Scotland talking to disabled and older people about design, technology and independent living, and ... more

SCVO calls for investigation into UK Work Programme 27 Jun 2011
A MAJOR complaint about two private companies that have won multi-million pound contracts to help unemployed people in Scotland back to work has been made ... more

Peer's new bill could unlock freedom to relocate 20 Jun 2011
A disabled peer is set to introduce her own “portability” bill into the House of Lords, in a bid to persuade the government to unlock ... more

Change in the law to help victims beat rape odds 17 Jun 2011
Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is to introduce laws to help rape victims who have "the odds stacked against them". He contradicted UK justice minister ... more

New book examines scapegoating of disabled people 17 Jun 2011
A new book has been published that examines the bullying and anti-social behaviour that disabled people often suffer. 'Scapegoat - Why We Are Failing Disabled ... more

Research prompts call for government u-turn on benefits cut 06 Jun 2011
The government should abandon plans to impose a time limit on claiming certain out-of-work disability benefits, say campaigners, after research showed only a tiny proportion ... more

Panorama abuse scandal: Care regulator 'is not fit for purpose' 06 Jun 2011
Disabled people’s organisations and leading disabled activists say the care watchdog is “unfit for purpose”, following a BBC investigation into abuse at a private “hospital” ... more

Big society tsar gives up post 30 May 2011
The man leading the Westminster government’s “big society” project, is to leave his post after less than a year. Lord Wei, dubbed the big society tsar, ... more

LGBT groups welcome Kirk's 'historic' move 30 May 2011
Charities working to achieve equality and justice for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community have welcomed the historic move by the Church of Scotland ... more

Help review and support the Independent Living Programme 24 May 2011
The Scottish Government has asked ODS Consulting to review the Independent Living Programme. This programme promotes independent living for disabled people. By independent living we ... more

MP asks Atos bosses why their company is 'feared and loathed'. 23 May 2011
Bosses at the company that carries out “fitness for work” tests for the government have been asked by MPs to explain why their organisation is ... more

New factsheets for Members: sources of assistance for the Third Sector 20 May 2011
UPDATE have just released three new Factsheets FREE to Members, detailing sources of help, support and assistance for third sector organisations across a wide range of areas. These new Factsheets include ... more

Sector bodies to deliver Community Jobs Scotland 16 May 2011
A NEW scheme to provide thousands of jobs for young people in the third sector could start within weeks, following the election of the first ... more

The Hardest Hit march 16 May 2011
Anger at government no-show as more than 10,000 march. Disabled people have expressed their anger after no-one from either of the coalition parties was willing to ... more

GPs alarmed at new alcohol statistics 11 May 2011
ALCOHOL was a factor in more than 5,500 consultations in general practices in Scotland during one day in April, according to the British Medical Association ... more

First blind MSP elected to Holyrood 11 May 2011
The next session of Holyrood will see the first ever blind MSP take his seat in the Scottish parliament. The SNP’s Dennis Robertson took Aberdeenshire ... more

The Scottish Accessible Information Forum call for volunteers 05 May 2011
Can you help us with our work? The Scottish Accessible Information Forum, (SAIF), is recruiting for new volunteer members. SAIF is a Scottish Government funded advisory ... more

New film on disabled welfare cuts 28 Apr 2011
"The Broadest Shoulders" In October 2010 the coalition Government announced public sector cuts of £81 billion, including £18 billion cuts to benefits. Whilst the rich avoid £120 ... more

Jobcentre staff given weekly targets to reduce claimants 20 Apr 2011
The Guardian newspaper has recently discovered that Jobcentre staff around the country have been given weekly targets, having to refer a certain number of claimants ... more

Staff of equality watchdog set to strike over cuts 19 Apr 2011
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) staff are set to stage a one-hour walkout over drastic cuts to the organisation’s budget, after voting in favour ... more

Protesters call on Daily Mail to 'stop the lies' about benefits claimants 19 Apr 2011
Disabled activists have demonstrated outside the offices of the Daily Mail to protest about the newspaper’s “disablist” and “defamatory” coverage of the government’s push to ... more

Parties lay their cards on the table for May elections 13 Apr 2011
THREE of Scotland’s political parties released their manifesto this week, revealing various policies that could impact on Scottish society over the next four years. In relation ... more

Suicide group in 'old age' euthanasia row 13 Apr 2011
A SCOTTISH euthanasia group has defended its role in the death of a pensioner who decided to end her life despite not being terminally ill. Nan ... more

Response to consultation on DLA reform 11 Apr 2011
Government ignores disabled people’s concerns on DLA reform The government has refused to listen to the voices of thousands of disabled people who raised concerns over ... more

New disability information for Scotland website! 30 Mar 2011
UPDATE is delighted to launch its new website and database this week, thanks to funding provided by the Clothworkers Foundation and Awards for All Scotland.   Free ... more

Disability Grants 23 Mar 2011
Julia Tyrell is a mother of a 15 year old with cerebral palsy. Her experiences have inspired her to create a new wesbite for disabled ... more

Events

Scams Awareness Month - May 2013 31 May 2013
This month Citizen Advice Bureau and Trading Standards are working together to raise awareness of scams and how to stop them. The purpose of scams awareness ... more

Scottish Mediation Centre training: Representing a Client in Mediation (various dates and locations) 24 Oct 2013
Training will take place in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen This course is designed for solicitors, trade union representative and advocates. The training will provide an introduction ... more