Resources search

The impact of COVID-19 on disabled people in Northern Ireland

FITZSIMONS, Sean
O'NEILL, Emma
CRAWFORD, Alison
September 2020

Expand view

Key findings and recommendations are reported from an online survey published in April 2020 to gather the experiences of disabled people, their families and carers during the COVID-19 outbreak in Northern Ireland. The survey went live on April 1st 2020 and closed on April 30th 2020.  Over 400 survey responses were received, including over 1300 written statements. 

Key findings are reported in the areas of: social care; physical health; mental health and emotional wellbeing; carers; accessing food and medicine; accessing information; employment and training; social security benefits and community support

Disability and conditional social security benefits : Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, special issue, vol. 25, no.2, June 2017

GEIGER, Ben Baumberg
Ed
July 2017

Expand view

This special issue of the Journal of Poverty & Social Justice has two aims. Firstly to provide new evidence on the implementation and impacts of conditionality for disabled benefits claimants in order to provide an empirical foundation for the contested claims on both sides of this debate and secondly to prompt further research in this area. 

Article titles in this issue are:

  • Benefits conditionality for disabled people: stylised facts from a review of international evidence and practice
  • Does sanctioning disabled claimants of unemployment insurance increase labour market inactivity? An analysis of 346 British local authorities between 2009 and 2014 
  • Consequences of activation policy targeting young adults with health-related problems in Sweden and Denmark
  • Assessment of work ability in competing strands of social insurance: the German case 
  • Welfare conditionality and disabled people in the UK: claimants' perspectives
  • The bedroom tax in the Supreme Court: implications of the judgment 

Improving lives. The work, health and disability Green Paper

October 2016

Expand view

Employment rates amongst disabled people reveal one of the most significant inequalities in the UK today: less than half (48%) of disabled people are in employment compared to 80% of the non-disabled population. Despite a record-breaking labour market, 4.6 million disabled people and people with long-term health conditions are out of work leaving individuals, and some large parts of communities, disconnected from the benefits that work brings. People who are unemployed have higher rates of mortality and a lower quality of life. This green paper sets out the nature of the problem and why change is needed by employers, the welfare system, health and care providers, and all of us. Proposed solutions are set out  and views requested. (Consultation now closed)

04101608 10/16 

Rethinking the work capability assessment

BAUMBERG, Ben
et al
March 2015

Expand view

This report outlines the key research findings about the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) criteria of the Employment Support Allowance (ESA), a means tested benefit for those who are unable to find work in Britain. It presents the state of the UK’s existing assessment and then describes how seven key countries systematically assess incapacity, and the lessons these countries provide for reforming the WCA in the UK

Nonparametric estimation of a compensating variation : the cost of disability

HANCOCK, Ruth
MORCIANO, Marcello
PUDNEY, Stephen
December 2013

Expand view

This paper proposes a nonparametric matching approach to estimation of implicit costs based on the compensating variation (CV) principle. The paper aims to introduce the matching approach, compare its properties with those of the conventional indirect parametric approach, and demonstrate its application in an important policy area. The authors apply the method to estimate the additional personal costs experienced by disabled older people in Great Britain, finding that those costs are substantial, averaging in the range £48-61 a week, compared with the mean level of state disability benefit (£28) or total public support (£47) received. Estimated costs rise strongly with the severity of disability. The authors compare the nonparametric approach with the standard parametric method, finding that the latter tends to generate large overestimates unless conditions are ideal, and recommend the nonparametric approach

ISER Working Paper Series, No. 2013-26

Benefits stigma in Britain

BAUMBERG, Ben
et al
November 2012

Expand view

This report presents the results of a research study assessing the impact of stigma and other social influences on applying for benefits in the UK

Independence, choice and control : DLA and personal mobility in state-funded residential care|Volume 1 : report

THE LOW REVIEW
2011

Expand view

This report focuses upon: how the mobility component of DLA is being used by care home residents and the impact of the loss of this benefit; funding arrangements for meeting personal mobility needs between local authorities and care home providers; and responsibilities of care home providers in relation to the mobility needs of residents. Over 800 submissions from individuals, local authorities and providers were provided , and six oral evidence sessions were held for the compilation of this report
The executive summary and report are available in both word and pdf formats
Oral and written evidence is contained in volume 2 available on the website

Disabled children : a legal handbook

BROACH, Steve
CLEMENTS, Luke
READ, Janet
2010

Expand view

This handbook aims to empower disabled children and their families through a greater understanding of their rights and entitlements in England and Wales. It is useful reading for the families of disabled children, their advocates and lawyers, voluntary and statutory sector advisers, commissioners, managers and lawyers working for public authorities, education, social and health care professionals, students and academics

NI 54 : services for disabled children

SOLUTIONS4INCLUSION
May 2007

Expand view

This factsheet describes how an indicator for services for disabled children will be developed in the UK. The indicator will be based on an achieved sample of a minimum of 200 parents of disabled children in each local area using surveys. The survey will be used to calculate a national baseline indicator and produce a report. Details are provided for the associated toolkit, reports and related project links

A review of income transfers to disabled and long term sick people in seven case study countries and implications for South Africa

WHITWORTH, Adam
WRIGHT, Gemma
NOBLE, Michael
April 2006

Expand view

This resource examines seven international case studies of state income maintenance policies for individuals who are disabled or long-term sick in order to analyze the current debates in South Africa surrounding the Disability Grant. The countries are: India, Mexico, USA, UK, Sweden, Netherlands, and Canada. The purpose is to provide an overview of the various benefits and the nature of social security coverage for disabled people and chronically sick individuals in each country. This work would be useful for anyone with an interest in social protection, public policy and disability

Disabled people in refugee and asylum seeking communities

ROBERTS, Keri
HARRIS, Jennifer
2002

Expand view

This study was done to assess the situation of disabled refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, in terms of numbers, country of origin, and their situation regarding access to social and welfare services and housing. Recommendations are made for social care and refugee practitioners in the UK

Alleviating poverty and building citizenship in South Africa through social security : what lessons from the UK experience?

VAN NIEKERK,, Robert
et al
2001

Expand view

This report consists of briefing papers submitted to the Committee of Inquiry into Social Security Reform in South Africa that addressthe system of social security in South Africa and identifies plausible options for reform. It borrows recommendations from the system of reform occurring in the UK, and where appropriate, also provides other international examples. This work would be useful for anyone with an interest in poverty reduction and welfare reform

Using a home care agency : a question and answer guide for disabled people

BRACKING, Stuart
COWAN, Ross
1998

Expand view

These guidelines, produced by the Gateshead Personal Assistance Pilot Project, provide considerations for disabled people when looking for home care services. Different aspects are mentioned such as how to find an agency, administrative work and staff management.
Although this guide has been written for the situation in the UK, it also gives a more general overview of home care for disabled people

Solutions4inclusion

Expand view

This is an online tool providing UK local authorities and their partners with inspiring examples of technology enabled services that are improving the lives of disadvantaged people. It aims to help local partnerships share innovative ways to meet Local Area Agreement targets and improve performance against the National Indicators. It also provides examples of projects in the UK that use technology to enhance social inclusion

EFC publications : disability country profile 2012

EUROPEAN FOUNDATION CENTRE (EFC)

Expand view

This resource presents the national level European country reports that examine the effect of the economic crisis, and its consequences in terms of austerity measures, on the rights and status of people with disabilities. In particular, the reports focus on the impact on the delivery of social services and income supports and allowances particularly aimed at people with disabilities

E-bulletin