Articles in Information

Articles in Euthanasia & Assisted Dying

A hand wearing a purple latex medical glove, holding a syringe with the plunger extended. The syringe is held in a way suggesting it is ready for injection into someone. The image is seen against a plain grey background.

BuDS Policy Position on Euthanasia & Assisted Dying

Ben Clark

BuDS has compassion for people suffering at the end of life and wants everyone to be able to experience a peaceful and dignified death. We recognise the spectrum of strong views held about the issue of ‘Assisted Dying’ or ‘Assisted Suicide’.

As a community of disabled people, BuDS strongly holds that the lives and wellbeing of disabled people are of equal value to that of non-disabled people. BuDS exists to uphold and defend the interests of disabled people. ‘Assisted Dying’ significantly affects the interests of disabled people, especially now that an Assisted Dying Bill is before the Commons, and BuDS therefore needs to engage with the issue and have a policy position on it. 

If you would like to jump straight to our policy position, you can do so using the menu below.

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A red graphic featuring a vibrating mobile phone with the words Emergency Alerts on the screen

Mobile Phone Emergency Alert – 23 April 2023

Ben Clark

On Sunday 23 April 2023 at 3pm, there will be a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts service. Many (but not all) mobile phones will make a loud siren-like sound, vibrate, and a test message will be read out to you. If your phone can receive alerts, you will still hear the test unless your mobile phone is completely turned off or is in flight mode. Compatible mobile phones set to silent will still receive the alert and make noise. Read on for more.

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A person wearing blue jeans, boots, and a tan coat, walking in a park with a white stick held out in front of them. The white stick has two red stripes.

To The Edge of Despair and Beyond

Janneke

Written by Siobhan Meade

Disclaimer: this is a personal blog by a BuDS member. The views expressed are personal, and don’t necessarily represent those of BuDS or our Trustees.

24 years ago, I heard five words that will haunt me forever, “you’re never going to see again”.

This is how an Ophthalmologist at a Kent hospital broke the news to a distraught 16 year-old girl, who’s one remaining optic nerve finally gave up the ghost and snapped after I walked into a door at school.

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The statue of Justice atop the Old Bailey courthouse in London.

What Is The Equality Act 2010?

Ben Clark

Overview

People are legally protected from discrimination in the workplace and in larger society by the Equality Act of 2010. 

The Equality Act 2010 replaced over 116 separate pieces of legislation with a simpler single piece of legislation. The 9 main pieces of legislation that were merged to create the new Act are: 

  • The Equal Pay Act 1970 
  • The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 
  • The Race Relations Act 1976 
  • The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 
  • The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003
  • The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 
  • The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 
  • The Equality Act 2006, Part 2 
  • The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 
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Cold Weather Warning – January 2023

Ben Clark

Buckinghamshire, like the rest of the UK, is entering another cold spell.

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – the organisation responsible for looking after Public Health in England – issued a level 3 Cold Alert on Monday. This means that severe winter weather is now occurring, defined as a mean temperature of 2°C or less and/or widespread ice or heavy snow.

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A screenshot of s. 66 of the Sentencing Act 2020

Proving An Offence Was Aggravated Within The Meaning Of s. 66 Of The Sentencing Act 2020

Ben Clark

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) guidance about whether an offence was aggravated within the meaning of s.66 of the Sentencing Act 2020 can be found below. This article was written by Olivia Hopwood, a law student, and verified and approved by a leading criminal law solicitor on behalf of BuDS. It is written mainly for professionals and practitioners, and some may find the language difficult to follow. If you need any help with this article, please contact us.

This article is intended as a supplement to a main article – read it here.

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A screenshot of s. 66 of the Sentencing Act 2020

S. 66 Sentencing Act 2020 – Case Law

Ben Clark

Case law relating to s. 66 of the Sentencing Act 2020 can be read below. This article was written by Olivia Hopwood, a law student, and verified and approved by a leading criminal law solicitor on behalf of BuDS. It is written mainly for professionals and practitioners, and some may find the language difficult to follow. If you need any help with this article, please contact us.

This article is intended as a supplement to a main article – read it here.

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Attitudes and Hate Crime Project: Victim Support Co-Ordinator

Ben Clark

Disabled people are sometimes subject to abuse, insults or physical violence because of their disability. BuDS’ Fair4All Attitudes & Hate Crimes project confidentially supports victims of disability hate incidents, helps them to report incidents to the police if they wish to do, and works to educate and campaign about disability hate crime.

The Fair4All Attitudes & Hate Crimes project is intended to be led and staffed by BuDS volunteers with the support of a part-time paid Disability Hate Crime Officer. A team of volunteers will support victims of hate incidents and crime with emotional support, practical information and, if the victim wants, reporting incidents to the police and going to court. This voluntary role is about managing this team of volunteers (as well as supporting victims if necessary).

This role would ideally suit someone with experience of supporting victims or people who have experienced tough times and/or managing teams of people.

To view the role description, click here:Download

To apply or express an interest, please email volunteering@buds.org.uk. To arrange an informal chat about the role, please e-mail simonec@buds.org.uk.

Attitudes and Hate Crime Project: Victim Support Volunteer

Ben Clark

Disabled people are sometimes subject to abuse, insults, or physical violence because of their disability. BuDS’ Fair4All Attitudes & Hate Crimes project confidentially supports victims of disability hate incidents, helps them to report incidents to the police if they wish to do, and works to educate and campaign about disability hate crime.

The Fair4All Attitudes & Hate Crimes project is intended to be led and staffed by BuDS volunteers with the support of a part-time paid Disability Hate Crime Officer. A team of volunteers will support victims of hate incidents and crime with emotional support, practical information and, if the victim wants, reporting incidents to the police and going to court.

This role would ideally suit someone with experience of supporting victims or people who have experienced tough times. Disabled people are particularly welcome to apply.

To view the role description, click here:Download

To apply or express an interest, please email volunteering@buds.org.uk. To arrange an informal chat about the role, please e-mail simonec@buds.org.uk.