It was only when my wife became a wheelchair user (with me as her carer) that I became really clear on the needs for wheelchair access; luckily, apart from its front entrance our home is relatively OK for wheelchair use, but that was more luck than design. So, the decision to slacken off requirements for a high standard of accessibility as a proportion of all homes built is a saddening backwards move by a govt. that continues to makes such moves. #disability #politics

the Guardian

Disabled people in England ‘betrayed’ by cuts to new-build accessibility targets

Campaigners decry plan to reduce requirement for improved standards from 100% down to 40% of new homes

Many of the Palestine Action linked hunger strikers are on remand, so while incarcerated have yet to be actually convicted of the crime they're accused of... while those accused of other crimes, notably rape or violence are left to roam free while the slow moving justice system delays their trials, the PA accused are left to use the one pressure prisoners can deploy; using their bodies as a battleground! David Lammy & Keir Starmer's indifference is appalling! #politics #PalestineAction

The UK's Independent Public Advocate (IPA) has now been appointed. Cindy Butts has taken up a role that will see her act as an advocate (officially recognised) for groups seeking political responses to their plight (or experiences). On one level (knowing how important advocating for patients in the NHS is) this looks like a good move, but its one person, and politicians may well now try to damp down other advocacy groups & 'suggest' they use the IPA instead? #politics

the Guardian

Delays to justice after disasters such as Grenfell are ‘stain on society’, says new victims advocate for England and Wales

Cindy Butts says she’s determined to stop victims being forced to investigate for themselves after state failings

The Govt. has now launched it strategy to work against violence against women & girls, and helpfully Sophie King-Hill (UBirmingham) offers an overview of what it entails: 1. A major societal shift for men and boys - seeing VAWG as a public health-like issue; 2. Starting early to prevent problem behaviour - focusing on young men & boys to change attitudes early; 3. A ‘relentless pursuit of perpetrators' and; 4. Support for survivors... #women #VAWG #politics

The Conversation

Violence against women and girls: four key takeaways from a strategy that aims to change society

The goal is to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.