York Disability Rights Forum

As twitter/x has changed, we've been less active on this platform. You can still find us on Facebook or Instagram (@YorkDRF), or sign up as a member or ally for up to date info - ydrf.org.uk/join

Man at risk of choking died after being served food at York Hospital, coroner finds yorkpress.co.uk/news/25749308.… @YSTeachingNHS

DWP cuts are coming as 750,000 people set to see support halved by 2029 2026 is the year that the DWP Universal Credit Act changes come into force - and immediately, some claimants will see support slashed thecanary.co/uk/analysis/20…

We won ! For 10 months First insisted they had done nothing wrong then just days before the hearing they negotiated a settlement. Delighted I was able to help Ellen get the outcome she deserved. Another victory for disability rights over discriminatory service❗️ 👏👏👏🙌

Glasgow Disability Alliance CEO Tressa Burke turns down MBE because disabled people "are being demonised, dehumanised & scapegoated for political choices and policy failures by consecutive govts." theguardian.com/world/2025/dec…

Huge congratulations to @RachaelMaskell on being awarded campaign of the year by Parliament Politics for her resistance to cuts to Personal Independence Payments & UC health element. Thank you for having the backs of disabled people every year #CareNotCuts

Ongoing absence of Dial & Ride in York ‘an open wound’ yorkmix.com/ongoing-absenc… @flickhwilliams #York

My challenge to the Council has made the paper. The usual ableists in the comments accusing me of ‘hateful speech’ & screeching ‘what about disabled bus users’. They seem to have missed all my advocacy for same, including recent article about rising access refusals 🙄🥺

Thank you @johnpringdns for writing about my research findings! I'll also be talking about my research on #BlueBadge encounters at an online event on 12 Dec, 12-1pm, alongside guests @Christiane Link and Anjna Patel MBE from @DisMotoringUK Register here: @b024cacf-dede-4241-a15c-3c97d553e9f3" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">events.teams.microsoft.com/event/20a4a6ee…

The council is proposing a 24-hour Disabled Person's (Blue Badge) parking spot on Blake Street, York yorkpress.co.uk/news/25669442.…

Front page of the printed edition again. Comments from disabled people are the most interesting. One writes she was refused owing to a dog in a pet stroller in the wheelchair space❗️’Bus full’ is often cover for driver didn’t ask other passengers to vacate the ♿️space.

I’ve shared the access refusal data with the Press. First left 140 wheelchair users at the side of the road in 9 months, but never mind hey, that’s apparently only 0.001% of journeys so let’s console ourselves with that 🙄 First is an operator with an attitude problem 🧵

This Council NEVER LEARNS‼️NO exemptions to bus gates for taxis or Blue Badge holders❗️Continues to act as though the Public Sector Equality Duty doesn’t apply to it.🤬Doesn’t understand necessity for ‘at the door drop off’. Punishment for people who cannot make ‘modal shift’

Private cars set to be banned from driving through major York city centre street yorkpress.co.uk/news/25632367.…

BBC News - Views sought over buses-only plan for York city centre streets bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

URGENT Disabled people of York, please be aware that City of York Council are currently undertaking the latest unmet demand survey for taxis in the city which they haven’t publicised. I stumbled across it by accident. Closes 7th December docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI… @YorkDisability @YorkDRF

If they are allowed to opt for only a single wheelchair space this will have a knock on effect when @YNYCombined authority catches up & gets to bus franchising. If WYCA get away with one ♿️that will set the standard & we’ll have an uphill battle for better.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority is now consulting on design of new buses for Weaver franchise. So if you want to see 2 wheelchair spaces plus flexible space for prams/rollators/shoppers vote option C 👍 yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/onboardbuses

"All the people who will be inconvenienced by this awful convoluted access will just grow and grow." Disability rights activist @flickhwilliams has called for a better route through York Station to the York Central development.

York Disability Week programme 2025 now available! #York #Disability #IDDP2025 sites.google.com/view/iddpyork/…

Opening time of York Christmas Market could be pushed back by 30 minutes yorkpress.co.uk/news/25593348.… @MakeItYork @CityofYork