A letter written to the Guardian was published along with several others addressing the new Minister for Disabled people, Justin Tomlinson. read the full piece here. 

• The gap between the rhetoric of the new minister for disabled people, Justin Tomlinson, and the true impact of his government’s policy on disability employment support is staggering. Tomlinson says: “I am pleased that recognising disabled people’s abilities and providing support to enable them to realise their aspirations is higher up the agenda than ever before.” The reality for deaf and disabled people is one where we are increasingly held back from fulfilling our potential, particularly within the field of employment, as a direct result of changes to government policy. On 12 March the DWP published proposals to limit spending on Access to Work, the government’s very successful disability employment support programme. The impact of this will be to set a cap on ambition, restricting the aspirations of deaf and disabled people with anything but minimal support needs and barring people from certain jobs and careers, not because they don’t have the skills but because they have an impairment. Meanwhile, employment rates for disabled people are still below the 2007 figure. We would urge the new minister to think again.
Geraldine O’Halloran Co-founder, StopChanges2ATW

Tracey Lazard Inclusion London

Jenny Sealey Artistic director, Graeae Theatre Company

Ellen Clifford Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC)

Nicky Evans Secretary, National Union of British Sign Language Interpreters