Press releases Promoting the Belfast Statement on Mental Health and Deafness 5 February 2024 – Brian Symington was honoured to speak about the ‘Belfast Statement on Mental Health and Deafness’ at February’s International Congress earlier this month. Government’s disability action plan is ambitious, but ‘proof will be in the pudding’ 5 February 2024 – The government’s new Disability Action Plan aims to make ‘the UK the most accessible place in the world’. A third of disabled people forced to cancel Christmas because they can’t afford it 7 December 2023 – A third of disabled people will be forced to cancel Christmas this year, as they struggle to cope with unbearable costs Disabled people celebrated at national charity’s 20th annual awards 23 November 2023 – The incredible achievements of people living with complex disabilities were put centre-stage at the Sense Awards 2023, as the charity crowned 13 winners. One in two disabled people to use ‘Warm Spaces’ this winter in desperate bid to save on energy bills 1 November 2023 – One in two disabled people plan to spend the coming months in community spaces to stay warm. Samantha Renke to host prestigious charity awards ceremony in its 20th year 19 September 2023 – Samantha Renke, the broadcaster, speaker, author and disability advocate, will host Sense’s annual awards ceremony. Family carers of disabled people struggle to get a break, leaving many burnt out, new research reveals 27 July 2023 – New research, published by Sense, has laid bare the pressure on carers looking after disabled family members. Combatting loneliness and the cost-of-living crisis are top priorities for disabled people 11 July 2023 – Loneliness remains one of the greatest issues facing disabled people, with more than half of people with complex disabilities in the UK feeling lonely. New charity scheme to help thousands of parents to connect and play with their disabled children 28 June 2023 – Sense’s new early intervention service will support thousands of children with complex disabilities and their families in England. Sense Hub Loughborough opens, offering specialist support and activities to disabled people in the East Midlands 18 May 2023 – The major community centre in Loughborough will deliver specialist support and services to people with complex disabilities and their families. Not a single jobcentre offers tech to help disabled people find work 27 April 2023 – Disabled jobseekers across Britain are being failed by a lack of adequate support and equipment, new research shows. One in five families caring for a disabled family member to cancel Christmas celebrations 9 December 2022 – A fifth of families that care for a disabled family member say they will not celebrate Christmas this year, due to the cost-of-living crisis. Sense awarded £2.2 million by Sport England 28 November 2022 – Sense will expand its programme of sport and physical activity provision, working with local partners to run accessible activities. Disabled people’s achievements celebrated at nineteenth annual Sense Awards 24 November 2022 – The charity Sense held their nineteenth annual Sense Awards on Thursday 24 November, celebrating the achievements of people with complex disabilities. New study shows the extent to which disabled people were struggling before the cost of living crisis 19 October 2022 – A new study shows why disabled households are so exposed to rising costs. Sense announces emergency financial support for disabled households 25 August 2022 – A thousand families living with a loved one with complex disabilities will receive a £500 grant from Sense. Sense responds to Beyoncé re-recording song omitting offensive lyric 1 Aug 2022 – “Beyoncé has a history of championing inclusivity, and we’re happy that she’s listened to feedback and agreed to rerecord the lyric.” Disability charities write to future PM hopefuls calling for greater financial support for disabled people 25 July 2022 – 50 disability charities have written to the two remaining candidates in the race to become the next leader of the Conservative party. Rising costs in the UK push more than half of disabled households into debt 22 June 2022 – New research reveals disabled people and family carers are at breaking point, with more than a third now skipping meals to save money. Government needs to ensure measures go beyond the immediate crisis 26 May 2022 – Sense responds to the one-off disability cost of living payment announced by the Chancellor. Deaf teen, who inspired over 80,000 Brits to learn sign language in lockdown, is back – in animated form! 15 March 2022 – Sense Sign School is launched to coincide with Sign Language Week. One in two local authorities in England fail to employ specialist teachers to support children with sight and hearing loss 10 March 2022 – Half of all local authorities fail to employ any multi-sensory impairment (MSI) teachers. “We’re being left behind” – Over 38,000 people call for disabled voices to be heard on Covid 21 February 2022 – On the day Government announce that all Covid restrictions will end in England, new research shows that 7 in 10 disabled people believe they are being left behind. Delays to the public Covid inquiry will anger disabled people 31 January 2022 – Over 40,000 people have already signed Sense’s petition calling for disabled people to be heard at the public inquiry. Call for more disability representation on television, as new research highlights the impact of Strictly finalist Rose Ayling-Ellis 13 December 2021 – One in five (21%) of the public say they are now interested in learning British Sign Language. More than two thirds of family carers say their mental health has got worse during the pandemic 12 November 2021 – Nearly two thirds (62%) of carers have had to take on additional caring responsibilities because of support cuts during the pandemic. Prime Minister recognises Birmingham teen’s volunteering with ‘Points of Light’ Award 12 October 2021 – 16-year-old Tyrese Dibba, who is disabled, got over 80,000 people learning sign language during lockdown. Disabled people want the Covid Inquiry to investigate their experiences, as new research highlights the impact of the pandemic 8 September 2021 – 77% of disabled people say the Inquiry must investigate what has happened to them, and if it doesn’t fear the same mistakes will happen again. New research raises fear that disabled people will be left behind as UK reopens 15 June 2021 – Many disabled people say they are fearful to go out in public, with one in two (56%) concerned about their health. Disabled people must be a focus of Covid inquiry 12 May 2021 – Almost two thirds (61%) of disabled people say that there should be an inquiry into the support disabled people received during the pandemic. Fear of mental health crisis as loneliness rises dramatically amongst disabled people 25 February 2021 – Almost two thirds (61%) of disabled people are now chronically lonely, rising to 7 in 10 (70%) of young disabled people. Sense calls for Government to act as data shows nearly six out of every 10 Covid deaths are disabled people 11 February 2021 – “Disabled people are three times more likely to die from Covid-19 than non-disabled people.”