CAMPAIGN


06 Disabled voices mater


Sam Taylor, NUJ campaigns and communications officer, reflects on essential guidance for journalists.


T


he Disabled Members’ Council (DMC) has published reporting guidance as the UK government continues


to pursue welfare reform at pace. Te advice urges journalists


to counter harmful, inaccurate narratives and to critically examine the political motivations behind proposals. Government rhetoric surrounding


welfare reform has focused on ‘geting disabled people into work.’ But many disabled people do work, and most of those who don’t work would if they had the opportunity. Te fundamental problem – which cuts do not address – is that disabled people are oſten systemically excluded from employment due to lack of access and discrimination. Tere are also disabled people who can’t work and should not have to sacrifice their health for fear of stigma, sanctions, and poverty. Understanding the social model of disability is key to scrupulous reporting. Tis framework recognises that people are primarily disabled by social and structural barriers. In the NUJ’s submission to the ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper, members consistently highlighted the hostile environment disabled people face. Many pointed out that further welfare


cuts would be devastating aſter over a decade of austerity. “Disabled people fight a thousand batles every day just to survive,” said one member. Following significant pressure and protest from disabled peoples’ organisations, trade unions, and revolting MPs, the government offered various last-minute concessions ahead of the second reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. Tis included the removal of changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) criteria. PIP will now be subject to a separate review by Stephen Timms, social security and disability minister, that will be “co- produced” with disabled people.


“It’s a political choice to atack our rights. We are not their easy target.” Natasha Hirst, DMC chair


Despite concessions, the


government’s welfare reform will still cause considerable harm. Te bill proceeds with the plan to use PIP as the sole assessment for all disability benefits. Tis means that PIP would


also function as a work capability assessment – even though it is not an out-of-work benefit. Tere are also restrictions on new claimants, uncertainties over income protection for disabled people who can’t work, and numerous proposals that require consultation and impact assessments before undergoing parliamentary scrutiny. Te UN Commitee on the Rights of Disabled People, which last year found that the UK government had breached disabled people’s human rights, has raised a series of questions about the amended proposals, highlighting these concerns.


Te DMC encourages journalists to


reflect the experience and expertise of disabled people in their reporting. Te welfare system is complex and hard to navigate but community groups and disabled people’s organisations can provide a wealth of information - including research, statistics, quotes and interviewees - that contributes to balanced coverage. Disabled people have a right to


dignified work and a right to life. As Natasha Hirst, DMC chair, said at the TUC’s Disabled Workers’ Conference: “It’s a political choice to atack our rights. We are not their easy target.”


Read the DMC’s updated guidance in full.


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