New Social Security benefit cap to hurt hundreds of thousands, including disabled people.

[crossthebreeze]

There was, for a time, an alternative, "we can't march". I can't find it now on google, maybe somebody else can.

The nearest thing to this happening soon is the DPAC #RightsNotGames Online Action from 9.30pm Wed 7th September and all of Thursday 8th September - though its not specifically about the benefit cap, it is part of the DPAC week of action which does include action around disability benefits and "No More Claimant Deaths":

The online day will begin on the evening of Wednesday 7th September to coincide with the Paralympic opening ceremony at 9.30pm going on till half past midnight (UK time)

We are not against the Paralympics, or Paralympians, indeed we wish them all success. But we want to remind spectators who are using social media that the vast majority of disabled people are not paralympian or superhuman, we’re people trying to live our lives to the fullest in spite of the barriers that society puts in our way.

We’ll be unveiling a new online app which will enable a whole new way of campaigning online. We are not going to unveil the tool itself but you can prepare to join in when it is revealed on Wednesday evening. (see below)

As well as the new tool there will be a traditional DPAC Twitterstorm and for the first time we’ll also be campaigning on Facebook (details of the tweetlist, hashtags and how to take part in the Facebook protest will be released nearer the day)

All of these activities will begin at the start of the Paralympic opening ceremony and continue throughout Thursday 8th September or until you wear your computers, smartphones and tablets out.

So what about the new tool ?
Not going to say too much about it now, except to say that its going to be an entirely new way of campaigning online and of enabling disabled people to project our own viewpoint out to the online world.

It was developed by Ben Redgrove and Arjun Harrison-Mann with support and input from DPAC, and we hope that many of our members and supporters will enjoy using it.

So how do you take part in using it?
If you want to take part, we would like you to take a video selfie of yourself, saying why we need rights for Deaf and Disabled People and what rights you think are needed.

If you can get a sheet of paper or card with the hashtag #RightsNotGames written clearly on it into he picture it would be great (don’t worry if you can’t)

The selfie should take less than one minute 30 secs (you can say a lot in that time, try timing yourself speaking for a minute) and then email it to RightsNotGames@gmail.com

Here are some youtube videos that give hints and tips for taking a good video selfie here and here

You can see a list of all the events for the week September 2016 DPAC Week of Action- September 4th-10th. #RightsNotGames​

 

[treelover]

Greebo


Not by me you haven't,


my main point, ad infinetum, is where are our allies?, the many who now regularly turn up for all sorts of protests

 

[Orang Utan]

Greebo


Not by me you haven't,


my main point, ad infinetum, is where are our allies?, the many who now regularly turn up for all sorts of protests

they just don't care about disabled people. yeah that must be it.

 

[treelover]

No, thats not true, but its certainly not a priority, lives are being lost, i really shouldn't have to keep saying this.

 

[Orang Utan]

do you really think it's the fault of the activists though?

 

[treelover]

No, but the many many sick and disabled people think to an extent they have been abandoned.

anyway, DPAC are now on FB, much more visible, lets see how many allies they get, especiually for the No More Claimants Deaths event.

 

[Pickman's model]

No, thats not true, but its certainly not a priority, lives are being lost, i really shouldn't have to keep saying this.

But what do you do about it? Do you think other people should substitute themselves for you? As far as I'm aware all you do on this issue is moan about it here.

 

[treelover]

I was wondering when you would turn up, you know fuck all what i am doing, or more salient what i have done, you live in london, try and get to the protest.

 

[treelover]

Yesterday in the Salford online, an article was published about another diabetic JSA claimant, David , who was “illegally” and repeatedly sanctioned. By illegally, it has to be understood that there was no grounds to sanction David, but it was still sanctioned and left without money for 4 weeks. During this period, he was unable to control his diabetes, because he had no money for food. This caused diabetic ulcers which became infected and he had to have a leg amputated. All his sanctions were eventually overturned, but it was too late[iii].

#NoMoreClaimantDeaths DWP #sanctions are hurting and killing people. » DPAC

FFS

 

[Pickman's model]

I was wondering when you would turn up, you know fuck all what i am doing, or more salient what i have done, you live in london, try and get to the protest.

yet you won't tell me what you do on the issue so there's no reason why I should know.

 

[equationgirl]

Greebo


Not by me you haven't,


my main point, ad infinetum, is where are our allies?, the many who now regularly turn up for all sorts of protests

Respectfully, treelover, your posts come across as 'you're all lazy, go and do a protest' sometimes and as much as I wish I could, I just fucking can't, even on a good day I'd be suffering the side effects for a good couple of weeks and right now I have to conserve what energy I have for a house move coming up.

Please recognise your pleas for others to protest because 'you've done your share' are not helpful.

 

[treelover]

It is not aimed at people on here, not on people who have comittments, etc, its focused on the people who do have the resources and frequently do turn up for the many events, especially in London, there was one last week.

Its a really baffling phenomenon, this lack of support for some of the most vulnerable in the U.k, which i just cannot work out. I welcome a courteous and informed discussion on it.

 

[equationgirl]

FFS

I feel obliged to point out it's incredibly unlikely that diabetic ulcers go from inception to amputation in 4 weeks - most patients with such ulcers have them for anything up to 2 years before amputation. Are your sure the details of that article are correct? I have no doubt the poor chap was sanctioned, no behaviour seems to trivial for a disproportionate sanction these days.

 

[equationgirl]

It is not aimed at people on here, its focused on the people who do have the resources and frequently do turn up for the many events, especially in London, there was one last week.

You're having a go at people who do go to protests?

This is a bit confusing...

 

[treelover]

I question their priorities.

 

[Pickman's model]

You're having a go at people who do go to protests?

This is a bit confusing...

His list of targets is eccentrick.

 

[equationgirl]

I question their priorities.

You don't know what their priorities are. How then are you in a position to judge them?

 

[crossthebreeze]

I feel obliged to point out it's incredibly unlikely that diabetic ulcers go from inception to amputation in 4 weeks - most patients with such ulcers have them for anything up to 2 years before amputation. Are your sure the details of that article are correct? I have no doubt the poor chap was sanctioned, no behaviour seems to trivial for a disproportionate sanction these days.

The Salford Online article/facebook stuff from Salford UCRC say David had repeated sanctions over an unspecified period which meant that he couldn't control his diabetes when he couldn't buy food, and this caused ulcers which became infected and he had to have his leg amputated - the same Salford Online article mentions Simon Milne who won his appeal against when had his JSA stopped for 4 weeks and so was unable to buy food, so I think that's where the 4 weeks comes from.

 

[equationgirl]

The Salford Online article/facebook stuff from Salford UCRC say David had repeated sanctions over an unspecified period which meant that he couldn't control his diabetes when he couldn't buy food, and this caused ulcers which became infected and he had to have his leg amputated - the same Salford Online article mentions Simon Milne who won his appeal against when had his JSA stopped for 4 weeks and so was unable to buy food, so I think that's where the 4 weeks comes from.

Ulcers tend to be caused by damage to the feet rather than uncontrolled diabetes. If his diabetes was uncontrolled that wouldn't help matters, but that alone is not likely to have caused the ulcers. Otherwise everyone with uncontrolled diabetes would develop ulcers which just isn't the case.

 

[Orang Utan]

Ulcers tend to be caused by damage to the feet rather than uncontrolled diabetes. If his diabetes was uncontrolled that wouldn't help matters, but that alone is not likely to have caused the ulcers. Otherwise everyone with uncontrolled diabetes would develop ulcers which just isn't the case.

blimey, you'd make a good ATOS employee

 

[equationgirl]

And you have not answered my question about how you feel in a position to judge the priorities of others when you know nothing about them, treelover.

You seem to be relying upon sensationalist details of cases - each case is horrific enough without using sensationalist inaccuracies and when people find these inaccuracies all it does is detract from the issues at hand.

I don't know whether you paraphrased from multiple sources or others have written poor articles, but it weakens the point being made.

 

[equationgirl]

blimey, you'd make a good ATOS employee

Fuck you.

This was my research area, and i 'd appreciate an apology for such a nasty comment - nowhere have i stated I disbelieve the story, only certain inaccurate aspects of the reporting.

 

[inva]

You don't know what their priorities are. How then are you in a position to judge them?

is it that controversial to say the left doesn't make a priority of this stuff? When you look at the numbers turning out for Corbyn rallies or chucking money at the Labour Party it can be pretty depressing in comparison.

They can do what they like with their time and money obviously, and it's up to them what their priorities are (also in fairness one off rallies are very different to longer term campaigns) but it's easy to feel isolated and like we're fending for ourselves as benefits claimants/the disabled when suffering all these attacks on our living standards. And many of us are isolated enough as it is.

 

[crossthebreeze]

is it that controversial to say the left doesn't make a priority of this stuff? When you look at the numbers turning out for Corbyn rallies or chucking money at the Labour Party it can be pretty depressing in comparison.

They can do what they like with their time and money obviously, and it's up to them what their priorities are (also in fairness one off rallies are very different to longer term campaigns) but it's easy to feel isolated and like we're fending for ourselves as benefits claimants/the disabled when suffering all these attacks on our living standards. And many of us are isolated enough as it is.

I agree - I think its more helpful to look at the lack of solidarity from organised groups: for example most trade unions (excluding Unite since Unite Community was set up) have been shockingly slow to address issues around benefits and disability benefits in particular - not making the links that anyone now in work could become a claimant through redundancy, illness or disability or caring responsibilities, and that many low-paid and disabled workers rely on benefits, and that benefit cuts are being used to undermine pay and conditions across the board. Save the NHS groups have often been bad at linking cuts to the NHS to cuts to benefits and social care, and how these triple cuts impact on disabled people and carers. Yet I have stood with disability and claimants activists and groups on many Save the NHS marches, PCS picket lines, and Junior Doctors rallys (and attended meetings etc) - but haven't seen much in the way of solidarity the other way (or explicit acknowledgement of the solidarity given in by inviting speakers from claimants/disabled peoples/carers/anti-benefit cuts groups).

I think more general criticisms about lack of solidarity have to be tempered by acknowledging that a lot of people are knackered from the (often vital) campaigns they are already doing, or from just surviving under capitalism, or have limitations on their participation.

 

[treelover]

One significant thing maybe, DPAC have been invited to the Corbyn event in Liverpool occurring at the same time as Conference..

 

[inva]

I agree - I think its more helpful to look at the lack of solidarity from organised groups: for example most trade unions (excluding Unite since Unite Community was set up) have been shockingly slow to address issues around benefits and disability benefits in particular - not making the links that anyone now in work could become a claimant through redundancy, illness or disability or caring responsibilities, and that many low-paid and disabled workers rely on benefits, and that benefit cuts are being used to undermine pay and conditions across the board. Save the NHS groups have often been bad at linking cuts to the NHS to cuts to benefits and social care, and how these triple cuts impact on disabled people and carers. Yet I have stood with disability and claimants activists and groups on many Save the NHS marches, PCS picket lines, and Junior Doctors rallys (and attended meetings etc) - but haven't seen much in the way of solidarity the other way (or explicit acknowledgement of the solidarity given in by inviting speakers from claimants/disabled peoples/carers/anti-benefit cuts groups).

I think more general criticisms about lack of solidarity have to be tempered by acknowledging that a lot of people are knackered from the (often vital) campaigns they are already doing, or from just surviving under capitalism, or have limitations on their participation.

yep, totally agree with that. It's all very well for me to criticise of course but I fully admit that I'm not in any position to do much myself either. And it is hard to know the best strategy, and what the weakest points of these measures are where we might have the most success, or if that's even feasible.

Some have been brilliant too, as individuals and groups, so there is some really good work happening and some links made. Also, although it's not so much in challenging the cuts, but I have to rely a lot on support from others, even those who I know are quite anti benefits and all that, so there are people out there who are willing to help and go out of their way for us even if it's not in an activist sense. And that at least can help to increase a feeling of resilience and greater strength to resist for ourselves. Just feeling like you're not on your own is a start when you're looking at the esa form that's come in the post or whatever.

 

[equationgirl]

is it that controversial to say the left doesn't make a priority of this stuff? When you look at the numbers turning out for Corbyn rallies or chucking money at the Labour Party it can be pretty depressing in comparison.

They can do what they like with their time and money obviously, and it's up to them what their priorities are (also in fairness one off rallies are very different to longer term campaigns) but it's easy to feel isolated and like we're fending for ourselves as benefits claimants/the disabled when suffering all these attacks on our living standards. And many of us are isolated enough as it is.

It's not controversial but I don't think it's helpful -the left is not a single entity, it's lots of different people all with different and competing priorities.

Some can do more than others, some probably should do more, others can't do as much as they would like for a number of reasons.

Better links between groups would be great and this is where social media is helpful. I support more through social media than I do physically because social media allows that participation.

 

[inva]

It's not controversial but I don't think it's helpful -the left is not a single entity, it's lots of different people all with different and competing priorities.

yeah, that's fair. It's frustration really at the end of the day isn't it? I also think part of the problem is the way the left has disappeared from working class communities generally. Rather than having the kinds of embedded structures that help to make visible what needs doing and what's effecting people it's almost like what remains of the left sort of floats about on the surface and that seems an obstacle to practical solidarity and to these issues being linked up.

Some can do more than others, some probably should do more, others can't do as much as they would like for a number of reasons.

Better links between groups would be great and this is where social media is helpful. I support more through social media than I do physically because social media allows that participation.

Yeah, same really. I wonder if we could use it better somehow, I always feel pretty ineffectual - I suppose because you can't really cause the kind of disruption that's probably needed.

 

[existentialist]

blimey, you'd make a good ATOS employee

Given the (justifiably) rough ride ATOS and their ilk get on here, that's a pretty bloody awful accusation to make.

Especially since what equationgirl seems to be currently involved in doing is to temper some of the more frantically uncontrolled rhetoric with some actual facts. That doesn't remotely make her part of the Dark Forces, and it's a cheap shot to imply that it does.

 

[existentialist]

And you have not answered my question about how you feel in a position to judge the priorities of others when you know nothing about them, treelover.

You seem to be relying upon sensationalist details of cases - each case is horrific enough without using sensationalist inaccuracies and when people find these inaccuracies all it does is detract from the issues at hand.

I don't know whether you paraphrased from multiple sources or others have written poor articles, but it weakens the point being made.

Facts don't matter when The Cause Is Noble.