BUDGET 2010 SHOWS NO RESPECT TO DISABLED PEOPLE.

Yesterday's budget may force those with disabilities to undergo a strict medical assessment.

Published: 23rd June 2010

Up until today we thought the new government weren't doing such a bad job. We knew the budget wasn't going to be a rosy one thanks to the economic mess our country is currently in at the moment. Taxes were raised, benefits were stalled, but one thing we are fuming about is the proposed changed to claiming disability living allowance in 2013.

The government, which ironically sees a leader with a dead son because he suffered with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, will be requesting that everyone who wishes to claim disabled benefit in three years time will need to undergo a strict new medical assessment.

Now, before our able-bodied readers start reasoning with us that there's many people in the UK claiming DLA under false potential we thoroughly agree, but surely, those registered disabled with genuine disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy etc. should be exempt by doctors feeling us up and hearing degrading comments towards our disability for the umpteenth times in our lives?

There's 2.9 million claiming DLA at the moment, this number has risen by three times since 1998. This is thanks to a majority of people, probably the elderly and without moving into Daily Mail territory - those who aren't UK citizens claiming benefit money thanks to a minor disability.

This has cause concern from two major charities. Richard Hawkes is the chief executive of Scope, he said...

"The proposal to introduce a new medical assessment for DLA appears designed purely to reduce the number of people eligible for this support. DLA is not a benefit, but a basic recognition that it is more expensive to live as a disabled person in our society."

The guys at MENCAP are also concerned that those with severely learning disabilities could loose out under the new assessment. Esther Foreman, the charity's campaigns had this to say about George Osborne’s heartless budget plans,

"We want to ensure that any medical assessment does not unfairly squeeze out people with a learning disability. These services are not a luxury but an essential part of their lives."

As we mentioned earlier, David Cameron lost his disabled son, Ivan to cerebral palsy complications. Surely the potato head we have governing our country at the moment will respect that those with genuine disabilities shouldn't be forced to attend rigorous and embarrassing medicals one again?

Related Links on ABLE2

Cameron backs special schools

10 Things you didn't want to know about...David Cameron

To find out more about other people and their disabilites which the Govenment can screw up check out our A-Z of Disability.