Thanks to your letters to candidates in the run up to the election asking them to be an accessible MP, 114 candidates signed up to the pledge and 18 of these are now MPs.

This is a fantastic response and now we need to make sure that these MPs and the newly elected Government are going to stick to their promise to be accessible to their disabled constituents.

We would like to hear your questions for the new Government. What would you like to see them doing for disabled people and how can they make sure that they are an accessible Government? Click here to share your views on what you think their key priorities should be
<http://www.LCDisability.org/lists/lt.php?id=ZEoIBA0NBwAEGQAHAUoBDQYEAw%3D%3D>
.

We will be passing on your comments to the new Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP and will publish some of your comments on our website. Your questions and comments will also help us to shape our campaign plans over the coming months.

You can view information about the new Government and check out a list of possible issues you might want to ask them a question about on the My Vote My Say webpages
<http://www.LCDisability.org/lists/lt.php?id=ZEoIBA0NBwAFGQAHAUoBDQYEAw%3D%3D>
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Best wishes
 

Warm words, but what about the action?

In the run up to the election no doubt you will have seen or heard about the TV debate among the three main UK party leaders. Yes, each leader talked about carers. But we didn't hear a lot of solid promises of action. For that to happen we have to keep up the pressure.

As you know we'll be sending a message to whoever wins the election saying that It's time for the next government to support carers.

And here's why:

The main carers' benefit is worth just £1.52 an hour, well short of the minimum wage of £5.73. (and even less than that if you're retired, disabled or on a low income).

The social care system is in crisis with carers  paying a heavy price  - no money, no breaks, and many forced to give up work.

We know there's a recession but carers are saving the economy £87 billion year. It makes no economic sense to push carers to the point of collapse.

What have we achieved so far?

All 3 main UK parties acknowledged carers in their manifestos. Now all 3 leaders have talked about carers in their speeches. We know it's just words at the moment but it's worth remembering that it didn't happen at all in 2005. It's happening now because people like you are taking action and together we are starting to get the message through.

What can you do that will make a difference? 

1. Send us a slogan for our virtual protest
Carers can't always take to the streets, so we're making it possible for you to have your voice heard.

Read our campaign blog ( http://ctt-news.org/74C-4G4Z-1WAQGQ-2FVX5-0/c.aspx )  and join the virtual protest by sending us a photo

2. Talk to your prospective parliamentary candidates about carers
Let them know how caring impacts on your life and what needs to change.

Find out who they are by typing in your postcode at ( http://ctt-news.org/74C-4G4Z-1WAQGQ-2FVX4-0/c.aspx ) 

Get tips on how to campaign. more...
( http://ctt-news.org/74C-4G4Z-1WAQGQ-2FVX3-0/c.aspx )

Give your candidates a copy of our policy manifesto. more...
( http://ctt-news.org/74C-4G4Z-1WAQGQ-2FVX2-0/c.aspx ) 

3. Have your say.
Local newspapers, local radio, TV, blogs and websites - everyone is talking about the election. Take part in the debates and phone-ins. Write a letter or leave a comment. Talk about carers. This is an issue every person in the UK should care about.

4. Join us
Carers UK is made up of carers just like you. You're already supporting us, so why not go one further and join! more...
( http://ctt-news.org/74C-4G4Z-1WAQGQ-2FVX1-0/c.aspx ) 

Thanks for supporting our campaign. With your help we can make a difference for carers. 
 

Guide Dogs Campaigns Update – April 2010

Welcome to the latest Guide Dogs’ Campaigns Update. Since the election was called at the beginning of April, we cannot actively campaign at present, although there has still been a lot of exciting news to report. 

Talking Buses

After the election was called, all EDMs finished and we are thrilled to announce that the ‘Talking Buses’ EDM got 232 signatures, ranking it 7^th out of all EDMs put down in that session.  This is now the most signatures for an EDM that Guide Dogs has ever received, and given the fact that the motion was only down for just over 3 months, is an amazing result.

 We could not have achieved such a great result without the support of everyone who took the time to go onto the website and write to their MP.  Thank you to everyone who did so and supported this campaign.  After the election, we will be re-tabling the EDM, so we will need that support to ensure we get a similar level of support when the new parliament returns in mid-May.

 Just before the election was called, Guide Dogs held a reception at the House of Commons on Talking Buses.  More than 50 MPs, along with civil servants, bus manufacturers and charity representatives attended and discussed the campaign.  It was a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness and gain support for the campaign.

Say NO to Shared Streets

After being given permission to proceed with our judicial review over the development at Exhibition Road, we are still waiting for an available court date for the case.  We hope to be able to provide you with further information in the next update.

Guide Dogs have recently released some research into the impact of shared surface streets on blind and partially sighted people.  In a survey of over 500 blind and partially sighted people, it was revealed that 9 out of 10 participants interviewed said that they had concerns about using shared surface streets, with 6 out of 10 avoiding these streets or very reluctant to use them.

We are currently producing the report in all alternative formats and will be sending it out to local authorities and other interested organisations.  Electronic copies of the report will available on our website shortly – please email campaigns@guidedogs.org.uk if you would like a copy.