Hardest Hit in Nottingham

Lats night was the final planning meeting in Nottingham for the Hardest Hit campaign which takes to the streets this Saturday. Nottingham's campaign event will be held in the Old Market Square, outside the Council House form 12 noon. If you are in Nottingham do go along and support this excellent campaign which is highlighting the cuts imposed on disabled people by the government.
Not in Nottingham on Saturday? Hardest Hit are also having an event in Birmingham's Victoria Square, again starting at midday.

Disability Forum Focus

The Midlands TUC Disability Forum has published its' first enewsletter and this is now available on the TUC website here: http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-20150-f0.cfm?regional=6

The newsletter has information relating to World Mental Health day, which falls today. It also highlights The Hardest Hit campaign, which is having two rallies in Nottingham and Birmingham on 22nd October, and has information on our Forum.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary, Rob Johnston said, "

Our Disability Forum is keen to campaign publicly on issues so that the voice of working disabled people can be heard on issues that directly affect them – but will also have resonance with many more disabled people in our society.

This edition has been produced specifically for World Mental Health day, which falls today, 10^th October. Hundreds of thousands of people at work face ignorance, prejudice and stigma because of mental health problems. Even more – who are both able and willing to work – cannot get a job if they have or have had a mental health problem because of discrimination by employers. This goes on even though it is illegal under the Disability Discrimination Act. Our Forum is keen to see Mental Health issues in the workplace taken seriously.

Midlands TUC Disability Forum enewsletter

Our Disability Forum is publishing a special newsletter on Monday to coincide with World Mental Health Day. Look for it at: http://www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/regions_info_midlands.cfm. The newsletter also has information on plans for the Hardest Hit campaign events in both Nottingham and Birmingham.

Birmingham Hardest Hit rally

Disabled people, their friends, family and supporters from across the region will gather in Birmingham city centre on 22 October 2011 to protest against cuts to disability benefits and services. We need you to join us and help make our voice heard.
We will gather in Birmingham city centre to protest against Government cuts to disability benefits and services. This is one year on from the comprehensive spending review, which revealed the Government’s intention to slash public spending.
Venue: Victoria Square, outside the council house for the rally.
WHEN: 22 October 2011, at 12:00pm for a 12:30pm start.

Disabled people, those with long-term conditions and their families are being hit the hardest by cuts to the benefits and services they need to live their lives.
Many are living in fear of cuts to essential benefits including Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The total cuts will mean an estimated £9billion loss to disabled people and their families’ incomes in the UK over the next four years, on top of cuts to many local care and support services.

Sign up for the campaign at: Email westmidlands@hardesthit.org.uk

Or phone 01905 740 500
Find out more info at http://www.hardesthit.org.uk/
Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/thehardesthit
or using #hardesthit on Twitter

The Hardest Hit – Defending Disabled People's Futures

The UK Disabled People's Council have launched  The Hardest Hit campaign – for details visit www.ukdpc.net  . Please promote amongst your network and ask them to do the same.
To register your place on 11 May, please go to http://tinyurl.com/69g643x
Join us for a march, lobby of Parliament and rally on 11 May.

The March
Thousands of disabled people as well as family and friends will be marching to express solidarity and anger at the cuts threatening our benefits, services, jobs and rights.

The march will take us past the Houses of Parliament and we will make sure that MPs and Peers hear our collective voice and understand our message.

The Lobby After the march many of us will be lobbying our MPs as the Welfare Reform Bill reaches a critical stage in the House of Commons.
We will be sharing our stories, making sure that Parliamentarians understand the combined impact of the cuts on our lives and futures.
Crucially, we will be challenging MPs to vote against policies that will push us further into poverty and isolation.

The Rally
On the afternoon of the march we will meet in Methodist Central Hall to hear from disabled people about the deep unfairness of the cuts for their lives and futures.
We will also listen to politicians from the main political parties to find out how they plan to uphold the rights, equality and participation of disabled people as promised in the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

Where and When
We will gather for the march from 11.30 on the Embankment by Horseguards Avenue.
It will start at 12.30 and take in Victoria Embankment, Bridge Street, Parliament Square, Millbank and finish in Dean Stanley Street at around 13.30.
We expect the lobby to take place in Westminster Hall and to run between 14.30 and 17.30. Everyone hoping to see their MP during the afternoon is encouraged to write in advance to get an appointment.
The rally will take place in Methodist Central Hall (close to the Houses of Parliament) with speeches between 15.00 and 15.30.
What do you need to do?

•Come along on 11 May and bring your family and friends! We hope for at least 10,000 people on the march.
•Register by clicking on register here to let us know that you’re coming and what access needs you have.
•If you’re planning to lobby your MP, write to request a meeting. You’re much more likely to get to see them if you do.
•If you want to come to the rally, book a place and register here. Space is limited!