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”
Category Archives: AFFINOTUK
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 #DisabilityPrideMonthBlogs – We are hosting #OTalk on Tuesday 11th July 2023 – Spotting and Challenging Ableism #BeAnAbleOTUKAlly
July is Disability Pride Month and it is nearly two years since the AbleOTUK affinity group popped into existence. Today’s #OTalk is being hosted by the group on how to spot and challenge ableism and continue to #BeAnAbleOTUKAlly Do check out our previous chats here: 18th August 2020 https://otalk.co.uk/2020/08/11/otalk-18th-august-2020-occupational-therapy-and-ableism/ 26th July 2022 These introduce theContinue reading “@AbleOTUK #DisabilityPrideMonthBlogs – We are hosting #OTalk on Tuesday 11th July 2023 – Spotting and Challenging Ableism #BeAnAbleOTUKAlly”
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.”
#TeamCPOT takeover for #WorldCPDay 6th Oct 2022
Georgia and Rachel are both some of the founding members of AbleOTUK, last year in October the hosted a twitter campaign to explain ways they do occupations differently because of the impact of their cerebral palsy. This year they have sought out other occupational therapists with lived experiences of cerebral palsy, from around the world,Continue reading “#TeamCPOT takeover for #WorldCPDay 6th Oct 2022”
AbleOTUK Campaign Blog
Deaf awareness month September 2022 September was International #DeafAwarenessMonth, witch included International Week of Deaf People from 19-25 September and World Deaf Day on 27 September. Throughout the month @SusanGriffiths5 one of AbleOTUK founders shared her lived experiences on our social media platforms. Here is what she created and shared. We would love you toContinue reading “AbleOTUK Campaign Blog”
AffinOT 