On 26 June 2025, following growing unrest among Labour MPs and widespread public concern, the UK Government announced a significant U-turn on its proposed welfare reforms. These reforms, originally outlined in the “Pathways to Work” Green Paper, aimed to reshape how Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit (UC) are awarded.Continue reading “Not Good Enough: Why AbleOTUK Still Opposes the Welfare Reform Bill Despite Government U-Turn”
Author Archives: @OT_rach
Living with Crohn’s Disease as an Occupational Therapist: Managing Condition and Career
Hi, I am Andrea. I am a newly qualified OT after having a career change. I currently work in a home rehab community team. I live with multiple chronic illnesses/ invisible disabilities, including Crohn’s disease with a permanent stoma and type 1 diabetes. As World Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Day approaches on 19th May, IContinue reading “Living with Crohn’s Disease as an Occupational Therapist: Managing Condition and Career”
AbleOTUK stands in solidarity with the trans community.
We are deeply concerned by the UK Supreme Court ruling that redefines the legal meaning of “woman” and “man” under the Equality Act 2010 to refer solely to “biological sex assigned at birth” — language we know is deeply uncomfortable, but is being used in legal terms. This ruling has serious implications not only for legal protectionsContinue reading ” AbleOTUK stands in solidarity with the trans community.”
Occupation at a Cost: The Hidden Trade-Offs Disabled People Make to Stay in Work
Following the open letter we published last week and today’s budget announcements, we have issued the following further statement. You can read our open letter here: https://affinot.co.uk/2025/03/21/open-letter-from-ableotuk-opposing-cuts-and-calling-for-co-production-to-tackle-the-real-barriers-faced-by-disabled-people/ Occupation, Sacrifice System: What Do I Have to Give Up to Work? In occupational therapy, we speak often about the value of occupation – its role in providingContinue reading “Occupation at a Cost: The Hidden Trade-Offs Disabled People Make to Stay in Work”
Open Letter from AbleOTUK: Opposing Cuts and Calling for Co-Production to Tackle the Real Barriers Faced by Disabled People.
We, as members of AbleOTUK, a network of occupational therapists with lived experience of disability, write to express our deep concerns regarding the recent announcement by Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, regarding reforms to the benefits system. We strongly oppose any cuts to disability benefits, which will further marginalise disabled peopleContinue reading “Open Letter from AbleOTUK: Opposing Cuts and Calling for Co-Production to Tackle the Real Barriers Faced by Disabled People.”
17th July 2023 – @AbleOTUK #DisabilityPrideMonthBlogs What could the lived experience bring to the occupational therapy profession? – Rachel Booth-Gardiner @OT_rach #BeAnAbleOTUKAlly
This is the third blog posted by us during Disability Pride Month – please also see others Acknowledgement – This is a personal experiences piece of writing, throughout this blog I will use the term disabled/disability by this I mean any condition that has a physical, emotional, psychological or learning impact on how a personContinue reading “17th July 2023 – @AbleOTUK #DisabilityPrideMonthBlogs What could the lived experience bring to the occupational therapy profession? – Rachel Booth-Gardiner @OT_rach #BeAnAbleOTUKAlly”
@AbleOTUK UK Disability History Month Twitter Campaign #UKDHM #UKDHM22 #BeAnAbleOTUKAlly
Every day during UK disability history month AbleOTUK tweeted resources and information to celebrate, we also join up with @Makedaisychains on Instagram, below is s summary of what we shared. AbleOTUK changed our logo thought out the month Alt text – Image of AbleOTUK logo for Disability History Month Purple background, in the center a whiteContinue reading “@AbleOTUK UK Disability History Month Twitter Campaign #UKDHM #UKDHM22 #BeAnAbleOTUKAlly”
Disability History Month Blog – Employment, disability, health and wellbeing by @GeorgiaVineOT
Georgia Vine, Occupational Therapist and Founding Member of AbleOTUK shares her experiences of employment, disability, health and wellbeing. I’m Georgia, I’m a disabled occupational therapist who has cerebral palsy. I was so excited to qualify in 2021 and couldn’t wait to enter the working world of occupational therapy. Yet, this wasn’t as easy as itContinue reading “Disability History Month Blog – Employment, disability, health and wellbeing by @GeorgiaVineOT”
Disability History Month Blog Post by @nataliehixy #BeAnAbleOTUKally – Anyone can become disabled. Anyone, anytime.
In December 2008 I was planning my dream wedding for that July, only 7 months away. I was working full time in a job I wasn’t totally happy in, but it paid the bills. I was not expecting to be about to become permanently disabled and lose my job. I had been experiencing pain inContinue reading “Disability History Month Blog Post by @nataliehixy #BeAnAbleOTUKally – Anyone can become disabled. Anyone, anytime.”
UK Disability History month – a month in which the struggles of disabled people are remembered, and victories celebrated. 16th November – 16th December 2022
Written by Rachel Booth-Gardiner. One of the founding members of AbleOTUK Rachel Booth-Gardner explains what disability history month is and why we should celebrate it. It has taken me a long time to feel comfortable with my identity, but I would describe myself as an occupational therapist who is neurodivergent, born with Cerebral Palsy (rightContinue reading “UK Disability History month – a month in which the struggles of disabled people are remembered, and victories celebrated. 16th November – 16th December 2022“
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