Scottish police receive thousands of reports after new hate crime law
London, UK Reuters Scottish police said on Wednesday they had received more than 7,000 online reports of offences in the first week since the introduction of a new hate crime law that opponents say could curb free speech and waste police time. The law, brought in by a devolved government controlled by the centre-left pro-independence […]
Shattered: Catholic community confronts its founder’s lies
NICOLE WINFIELD, of Associated Press, reports on the fallout from revelations surrounding the conduct of the late founder of L’Arche, Jean Vanier…
“Not just the ramp”: Worship spaces need more accessibility
HOLLY MEYER, of Associated Press, reports on how churches and other worship spaces in the US are responding to the needs of the less-abled…
Europe names world’s first disabled astronaut
Paris, FranceReuters The European Space Agency on Wednesday named the first ever “parastronaut” in a major step towards allowing people with physical disabilities to work and live in space. The 22-nation agency said it had selected former British Paralympic sprinter John McFall as part of a new generation of 17 recruits picked for astronaut training. […]
Essay: Five ways the metaverse could be revolutionary for people with disabilities
In an article first published on The Conversation, researchers VANJA GARAJ, JOHN DUDLEY and PER OLA KRISTENSSON, look at the potential of the metaverse to introduce life-changing benefits for disabled and older people, as well as developing solutions to improve its accessibility and inclusivity…
Disability access: 10 ways to make your worship space less ableist
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to ending ableism, but disability activists from across different faiths spoke with KATHRYN POST, of Religion News Service, about where religious communities can start…
The Interview: Amy Kenny, author of ‘My Body Is Not a Prayer Request’
KATHRYN POST, of Religion News Service, speaks to Amy Kenny, author of My Body Is Not A Prayer Request’, who says her body, too, is made in the image of the Divine and isn’t anything to be ashamed of…
Essay: Disabled people are being left out of COVID recovery. Here are five ways to change that
UK-based researcher VERA KUBENZ, in an article first published on The Conversation, outlines how people with disabilities can be helped to participate in the post-COVID recovery…
People with disabilities more likely to die from COVID-19 and living in a “perfect storm” of inequality and injustice, report says
Updated 4.30pm (AEDT)Sydney, Australia The COVID-19 pandemic has created a “perfect storm” of inequality and injustice for people with disabilities around the world, with a new report saying half the people who contract the virus and die are people with a disability. Those living with disabilities have experienced poorer health outcomes during the pandemic, increased […]
“Space is for everyone”: Europe’s Space Agency to hire first disabled astronaut
Berlin, GermanyReuters The European Space Agency hopes to hire and launch the world’s first physically disabled astronaut and several hundred would-be para-astronauts have already applied for the role, ESA head Josef Aschbacher told Reuters. The 22-member space program has just closed its latest decennial recruitment call for astronauts and received 22,000 applicants, Aschbacher said. “We […]