Paralympics Protest Action

Disabled campaigners are planning a week of action during the Paralympic Games to protest at the way people claiming sickness and disability benefit are treated by the company responsible for carrying out the work capability assessments.

Paralympic sponsor, Atos Healthcare, has come under fire for its handling of the work capability assessments, which they carry out for the Department of Work and Pensions.  The protest has been organised by disability group, Disabled People Against the Cuts (Dpac), which claims Atos’ sponsorship of the games is “inappropriate”.

Right to Protest

Atos Healthcare tests around 11,000 incapacity benefit claimants a week, using the work capability assessment.  MPs have criticised the company for their approach, saying they have wrongly denied thousands of disabled people benefits.

Paddy Murphy, from Dpac, said: “We are challenging Atos and the assessments in the courts, in parliament, online, on the streets and now at the Paralympics.  The work capability assessment must end now.”

A spokeswoman for Atos said it supported people’s right to protest, commenting: “Atos are very aware that work capability assessments can be stressful for those involved and this is why we strive to make sure the assessment service we provide is as highly professional and compassionate as it can be.  We do this through a constant programme of training and education for our staff.”

Britain’s most famous Paralympian, Tanni Grey-Thompson, has warned that disability benefit cuts would take vital day-to-day financial support away from many disabled people, including athletes.