There are a number of Parliamentary inquiries looking into how coronavirus is affecting different groups of people. Disabled people’s experiences need to be heard as a group disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and how the government has handled it. Each inquiry covers different angles depending on the remit of the Committee undertaking it.
You can submit your experiences directly or through DPAC by emailing mail@dpac.uk.net.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) inquiry into coronavirus
Closing date: 16 April
Purpose: to hear about how coronavirus is affecting people who need to rely on the benefits system.
For more information: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/130/dwps-response-to-the-coronavirus-outbreak/
To fill in their survey for individual benefit claimants go to: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=nt3mHDeziEC-Xo277ASzSjmyhv4Lz8tPuToBKZcY2O9UNVJNRzM0M1E1RVk3U0EzWkRDR1czQ1U3Ri4u
MPs launch online survey into coronavirus and access to food
Purpose: As part of its inquiry into food supply during the Coronavirus pandemic, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee is inviting the public to share their experiences of accessing food during the outbreak.
Closing date: 5pm 28 April
For more information see: https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/environment-food-and-rural-affairs-committee/news-parliament-2017/mps-launch-survey-coronavirus-chairs-comments-19-21/
To fill in the survey go to: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=nt3mHDeziEC-Xo277ASzSsdf6aRbb_hHi61kcnJ3-KJUOFFXNEhLSDlFTUZaQzU1TlNEWVkwUVhHUC4u
Women and Equalities Committee Coronavirus (Covid 19) inquiry
Purpose: to hear about the different and disproportionate impact that the Coronavirus – and measures to tackle it – is having on people with protected characteristics under the Equality Act.
Closing date: 30 April
For more information go to: https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/women-and-equalities-committee/news-parliament-2017/coronavirus-covid-19-inquiry-aunched-19-21-/
To find out about submitting evidence go to: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/227/coronavirus-and-the-impact-on-people-with-protected-characteristics/
In May a High Court judge ruled Birmingham council’s plans were unlawful under the Disability Discrimination Act and these cutback plans were put on hold. This is a fantastic victory but will only be the start of the fight back necessary. To build on this campaigners from Disabled People Against Cuts, Birmingham City Unison, West Midlands Social Work Action Network, Right to Work campaign and Birmingham Against the Cuts have launched a joint campaign.
There will be a month of action in July against austerity measures in Birmingham to coincide with the first UK monitoring report of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Activities will include a lobby of the first full council meeting since the election at 5pm on 5th July in Victoria Square and a public meeting on 
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