Accessible screening tool piloted by NHS England includes braille instructions and a better guide for stool sample Thousands of blind or partly sighted people could find it easier to participate in bowel cancer screening from home owing to a new NHS tool aiding accessibility. The standard test used to screen for bowel cancer requires an at-home stool sample in a tube, which is sent off and examined for any possible cancer signs ..read more

Defence secretary makes statement after 270,000 payroll records belonging to members of Britain’s armed forces been exposed to hackers Reeves says Labour has a vision for the country. Stability will be change, she argues. I know – warm words are not enough. I do not underestimate the challenges we face. But I am so ambitious for our country. I know the huge potential found all across Britain and the constraints that are holding that potential back are not immutable forces. They require vision, courage, and responsible government. Vision – to pursue a different approach, drawing on new economic ..read more

Readers respond to a piece by Adrian Chiles about his experience with blind and partially sighted walkers Adrian Chiles asked his blind guide if he was aware of any charity that paired blind people with those who would like to walk with them (How do you describe the view to someone who can’t see? I couldn’t even do justice to a canal towpath, 1 May). He says: “I hope no blind person is missing out on the simple joys of a good walk for the want of guides who may themselves be missing out on the chance to see the world better.” He may be interested to learn that the Winslow District Ramblers’ Gr ..read more

Education minister doubles down on need for states to do more for students with a disability, in the wake of Guardian Australia investigation Why are Australian schools failing children with disabilities? – podcast How the rise of autism and ADHD fractured Australia’s schools Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast The education minister, Jason Clare, has said the next national agreement on school reform will be tied to improved outcomes for students with disabilities, amid a split with the states over increased funding levels. “I want students with disabili ..read more

Threatening to withdraw personal independence payments will only ramp up stress on unwell people The best thing that can be said about the latest proposals from ministers to reform disability benefits is that they are unlikely ever to come to fruition. A consultation closes in late July, so the work and pensions secretary, Mel Stride, can be expected to announce changes in the autumn. Given the imminence of a general election, however, any new policies on benefits should be viewed as fodder for a manifesto rather than a programme for the current government. They will be driven by desperation t ..read more

The number of disabled students recognised as needing greater learning support has grown to almost 1 million nationally. But these children are increasingly being suspended from schools, including some as young as five years old. Investigative reporter Sarah Martin explains to Jane Lee how Australia’s education system has reached crisis point Read more ..read more

Concerns aired that tickets were falling into the wrong hands Club to work with United’s Disabled Supporters’ Association Manchester United are to tighten up identification spot-checks to ensure tickets for disabled fans do not fall into the wrong hands. The club have stressed that their No 1 priority for disabled supporters is to ensure only the appropriate people enter designated areas after a report in the Daily Mail claimed some fans were guilty of falsely gaining entry into disabled sections to watch matches, particularly away from home ..read more

This is not an easy fix, but our schools should be safe places where students grow and learn together Australia has a global reputation for high quality education. But inclusion for children and young people with disability in all that education can offer is something we aren’t getting right. This is not an easy fix – not all schools are resourced or welcoming to students with disability. Families of students with disability often find themselves exhausted by how much they must advocate to have their child understood and have their needs met. This can lead to feeling as if mainstream schools a ..read more

My son spent his high school years isolated in the library or watching YouTube videos. Am I angry? Absolutely. Do I blame his teachers? I don’t Analysis: Why the Guardian is investigating the deep failings in Australia’s school system If you are a parent of a school-aged child with a disability, you already know that the system is broken. You likely feel helpless, judged, and as though you are failing your child. I want to assure you that you’re not, but the education system is failing them. My 17-year-old son Alex* spends his days at home. He wants to get a job, but is going to need a lot o ..read more

Exclusive: Survey finds schools have reallocated as much as $1bn from other areas to support children with disabilities in past year Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast Principals and teachers say funding to support students with disabilities is “woefully inadequate”, with schools diverting resources from other areas of their budgets to meet their needs. A new national survey of 15,000 principals and teachers reports that just 11% of principals feel they have sufficient resources to support the educational needs of students with disabilities. Sign up for ..read more