Immigration Laws - They Disable Us!
Message from: Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP)
GMCDP Conference & 2003 AGM
A conference for disabled refugees, migrants and immigrants - and all
those opposed and subject to immigration controls
Saturday 8th November 2003
'Le Meridien'
Victoria & Albert Hotel
Water Street
Castlefield
Manchester, M3 4JQ
Why we need this conference
There exist two movements in this country. One is the movement of
disabled people against the social and political system that disables us.
The other is the movement against racism and particularly against
immigration controls. The aim of this conference is to begin to unite these
struggles. For far too long the fact has been ignored that many of those
subject to the racism of immigration controls are disabled people.
What the conference will discuss and organise against
* Fundamental to both immigration control and the oppression of disabled
people is the false and reactionary science of eugenics - the idea that the
country/the nation/the state will only be healthy when there is removed from
it "the unfit". A recent example of eugenics in action has been the call by
the Tory Party that there should be compulsory testing for HIV before entry
is allowed into the UK.
* A frequent lie spread by governments is that hospital treatment is free
to all at the point of delivery. However since 1982 those people without the
"correct" residency status have been denied free treatment. This affects
those who have been through the mental health system as well as those with
physical impairment and/or learning difficulties. The Labour Party have
proposed that free hospital treatment be restricted even further - on the
grounds that the country is being overwhelmed by "health tourists". One
consequence of this is that hospitals have become spies for the Home Office
in their investigation of immigration status.
* Entry to this country or leave to remain here is denied to anyone
considered to be a "burden on public funds" - which effectively denies stay
to disabled people unable to work.
* Many welfare benefits are denied to disabled people without full
immigration status - such as Disability Living Allowance.
* Since 1999 disabled people without full immigration status have been
excluded from most community care legislation - such as the right to meals
on wheels, direct payments, night-sitter services or in some circumstances
home adaptations.
* Asylum-seekers are now subject to a modern "poor law" whereby they can
be forced to live wherever the Home Office decides at an income below that
of social security. Disabled asylum-seekers are in a particularly vulnerable
situation.
* Disabled people, like everyone else subject to immigration controls, are
liable to deportation.
* Carers subject to immigration controls have no right to come or stay
here.
Agenda:
12 to 1pm Registration & lunch
1 to 4pm Conference & Workshops
4.30 to 5.30pm GMCDP 2003 AGM
5.30 to 8.30pm Buffet/entertainment
Workshops - Details of workshops and a booking form will be sent out
with the final AGM mail-out on 23rd October 2003.
The conference will be followed by the Annual General Meeting of the
Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People, which itself will be
followed by a cabaret performance of art and poetry by disabled people
affected by immigration controls.
For more information about the conference please contact:
Mike Higgin
0161 273 5155, Mobile 0796-856060 or
Email [log in to unmask]
Fax: 0161 273 4164
For information about the AGM, venue or access requirements contact:
Thelma Tomlinson
0161 273 5154 Speech and Text or Email [log in to unmask]
Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
BEVC
Aked Close
Ardwick
Manchester
M12 4AN
0161 273 5153
[log in to unmask]
Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
(Established in 1985, we are an organisation OF disabled people; that is,
controlled by disabled people. Only disabled people can be on the Management
Committee and vote at meetings, and GMCDP employs only disabled workers.)
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~gmcdp/
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