Disability Living Allowance Campaign - we need your help

7 August 2008

We may be in the final stages of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) campaign and need your help. As you know, we have been working closely with Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) Ministers and Officials to find a solution to the current exclusion of people with severe sight loss from claiming the higher rate mobility component of DLA. After 18 months of discussions, officials have submitted a paper to Ministers making recommendations.

We know, from our meetings, that the changes can be made. We know that the Minister for Disabled People is keen that a solution is found. Whilst they make their decision, we need to ensure that the Government is reminded just how strongly you and your MP feel about this issue. It is absolutely vital that we keep pressure on the Government, we cannot allow them to delay making a decision nor can we let them think that we will 'go away'.

One way to do this is to encourage your MP to sign an Early Day Motion (EDM) supporting the campaign. EDMs are a statement that MPs can sign to show their support for a particular issue. You may remember that 253 MPs supported the last EDM. This was fantastic; more MPs than had ever before signed an EDM on an issue affecting blind people.

A group of MPs have tabled a new Early Day Motion (number 1982) calling on the Government to act urgently to end the unacceptable exclusion of blind people from the higher rate mobility component of DLA.

Please could you write to or contact your MP to ask them to support you by signing this EDM? Letters from constituents are more powerful than those from organisations. It may be that your MP signed the last EDM, if so that is great. We now need to let MPs know that detailed discussions took place, that the changes can be made, that Ministers have now received recommendations from officials and that now we are just waiting for the Government to make a decision. With your MP's help hopefully it will be the right decision.

To make it easy for you we have devised a draft letter for you to download and personalise.

Download draft letter to send to your MP (27 KB)

Or

If you would still prefer to write your own letter we have listed below some of the points you may choose to make. I would also urge you to give examples of the difference that receiving the higher rate mobility component of DLA would make to your life. It is important to make the letter personal, so that your MP better understands how important this is for you.

Tell your MP that:

• Despite facing some of the biggest barriers to independent mobility, blind people are being excluded from receiving the higher rate mobility component of DLA. Other groups of disabled people that are unable to get out and about independently and safely are able to claim the higher rate. This is totally unjust.

• You need your MP's help. You'd like them to support the campaign and to support you by signing EDM number 1982. You'd also like them to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to express their support and find out how the discussions on extending the eligibility criteria for the higher rate mobility component of DLA are progressing.

• Tell your MP what a difference being able to receive the higher rate mobility component of DLA would make to you.

• You'd like your MP to urge the Government to make the changes.

If you aren't able to write to your MP please do call their office, explain why you are calling rather than writing and ask them to support you by signing EDM number 1982 and by writing to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. You can reach your MP's office by ringing the Houses of Parliament on 020 7219 3000 and asking to speak to them.

If you aren't sure who your MP is or have any other queries please call Richard Holmes 020 7635 3013 or email Richard Holmes Alternatively, visit the 'They work for you' website , where you can find your local MP by typing in your postcode.

Letters to MPs should be sent to House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

As well as writing to your MP you can also campaign in your local area. We have drafted a letter for you to send to your local newspaper to help raise awareness of the issue and gain support in your area.

Download draft letter to send to your local newspaper (25 KB)

We would really appreciate it if you could send us copies of any replies that you receive from your MP or from the Secretary of State. This helps to monitor which MPs are supportive. Please send to Richard Holmes Action for Blind People 14-16 Verney Rd London SE16 3DZ

Lobby of Parliament

Please come along to the lobby of parliament to show the Government the strength of support for this campaign. If you want to speak with your MP please also write to him/her asking that they attend the lobby so that you can express directly to them your feelings of frustration at the Government's unwillingness to implement this change and the differences that would be made to you if they do.

Rally 11.30 - 13.30 Methodist Central Hall (Storey's Gate, Westminster)
- Refreshments provided. Lobby of Parliament 14.30 - 17.30 - Westminster Hall.

Assistance with transport is offered (by prior arrangement). Please contact the RNIB for further information about this on 0207 391 2096 or dlacampaign@rnib.org.uk

Further information will be added as we develop strategy for the day - watch this space.