Biggest ever lobby of Parliament by blind and partially sighted people

17 October 2008

On 15 October 2008 over 1,500 people lobbied Parliament about the DLA campaign; this was the largest ever lobby of Parliament by blind and partially sighted people.

Campaigners from around the UK travelled to Westminster to show the Government their anger that whilst it says it understands our arguments and is sympathetic to our aims it is unable to make a commitment to extend eligibility to claim the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance to people with severe sight loss at this time.

The Government was left in no doubt about the strength of feeling amongst campaigners. Many MPs met with constituents. Some have subsequently signed Early Day Motion 1982, increasing the number of signatories to 228. Jonathan Shaw MP, recently appointed Minister for Disabled People, addressed the Lobby. It was clear that Jonathan Shaw supports the principle of extending the higher rate mobility component of DLA to people with severe sight loss. The issue now seems to be around how the change would be made and when the Government would be in a position to implement it.

However, we must not let this issue slide, we have to ensure that as many of the MPs who are able to do so sign the Early Day Motion and that our MPs do all that they can to support people with severe sight loss. We are nearing the end of the current Parliamentary Session and have more national and local campaign activity planned for the new session that starts after the Queen's Speech on the 4th December 2008.

If you would like more information or to be added to our DLA Campaign Supporters database to receive updates on the campaign please contact 020 7391 2096 or email: DLAcampaign@rnib.org.uk