Rightful Lives
@rightfullives.bsky.social
A UK based creative campaign and community focussed on the Human Rights of Autistic people and people with Learning Disabilities.
www.rightfullives.org.uk
www.rightfullives.org.uk
For #HumanRightsDay, our admin, Dr Dawn Cavanagh, talks about her recent research into human rights in secure hospitals. Are there any? Listen here 👇
youtu.be/o8G4DGV6q54
youtu.be/o8G4DGV6q54
Human Rights in Secure Hospitals
YouTube video by Rightful Lives
youtu.be
December 10, 2025 at 10:32 AM
For #HumanRightsDay, our admin, Dr Dawn Cavanagh, talks about her recent research into human rights in secure hospitals. Are there any? Listen here 👇
youtu.be/o8G4DGV6q54
youtu.be/o8G4DGV6q54
“This is how every single person like me suffered at those institutions.”
An Autistic Artist
An Autistic Artist
October 11, 2025 at 12:50 PM
“This is how every single person like me suffered at those institutions.”
An Autistic Artist
An Autistic Artist
In our latest blog, Alexis Quinn discusses her five top PBS bugbears, their impact on people and practical solutions for staff 👇
rightfullives.org.uk/blog/top-fiv...
rightfullives.org.uk/blog/top-fiv...
June 5, 2025 at 10:29 AM
In our latest blog, Alexis Quinn discusses her five top PBS bugbears, their impact on people and practical solutions for staff 👇
rightfullives.org.uk/blog/top-fiv...
rightfullives.org.uk/blog/top-fiv...
“One family member told us that they didn’t always feel their relative was safe and staying on the Mitford Unit actually made them feel worse.”
Even the so-called specialist units can’t get it right it seems.
www.cqc.org.uk/press-releas...
Even the so-called specialist units can’t get it right it seems.
www.cqc.org.uk/press-releas...
CQC publishes report on service run by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust - Care Quality CommissionFacebookTwitterYouTube
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a report on wards for people with a learning disability or autistic people, run by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, followin...
www.cqc.org.uk
May 26, 2025 at 5:12 PM
“One family member told us that they didn’t always feel their relative was safe and staying on the Mitford Unit actually made them feel worse.”
Even the so-called specialist units can’t get it right it seems.
www.cqc.org.uk/press-releas...
Even the so-called specialist units can’t get it right it seems.
www.cqc.org.uk/press-releas...
Reposted by Rightful Lives
Subscribe to #AnnaFreud newsletter to be the first to see new animation with @aquinnunbroken.bsky.social
We are passionate about neuro-diversity informed practice and we are asking professionals to un-think and re-think about seclusion and long term segregation
www.annafreud.org/training/hea...
We are passionate about neuro-diversity informed practice and we are asking professionals to un-think and re-think about seclusion and long term segregation
www.annafreud.org/training/hea...
March 22, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Subscribe to #AnnaFreud newsletter to be the first to see new animation with @aquinnunbroken.bsky.social
We are passionate about neuro-diversity informed practice and we are asking professionals to un-think and re-think about seclusion and long term segregation
www.annafreud.org/training/hea...
We are passionate about neuro-diversity informed practice and we are asking professionals to un-think and re-think about seclusion and long term segregation
www.annafreud.org/training/hea...
Reposted by Rightful Lives
Really pleased to have collaborated with such brilliant thought leaders to critique the idea that enforced isolation (LTS) can be therapeutic. Our new paper suggest solitary confinement has no place in modern health care. 1/4
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Long-term segregation and seclusion for people with an intellectual disability and/or autism in hospitals: critique of the current state of affairs: commentary, Quinn et al | The British Journal of Ps...
Long-term segregation and seclusion for people with an intellectual disability and/or autism in hospitals: critique of the current state of affairs: commentary, Quinn et al
www.cambridge.org
March 24, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Really pleased to have collaborated with such brilliant thought leaders to critique the idea that enforced isolation (LTS) can be therapeutic. Our new paper suggest solitary confinement has no place in modern health care. 1/4
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Rightful Lives
With ministers ‘on resignation watch’, welfare cuts could be make or break for Keir Starmer
www.independent.co.uk/voices/nhs-e...
www.independent.co.uk/voices/nhs-e...
With ministers on resignation watch, welfare cuts could be make or break for Starmer
Liz Kendall, work and pensions secretary, is next week expected to announce savings of £5bn a year. Sound the alarms, writes John Rentoul
www.independent.co.uk
March 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
With ministers ‘on resignation watch’, welfare cuts could be make or break for Keir Starmer
www.independent.co.uk/voices/nhs-e...
www.independent.co.uk/voices/nhs-e...
Reposted by Rightful Lives
Reposted by Rightful Lives
My daughter created this image to depict how she felt going to school as a dual heritage autistic person... and why, in the end, she refused to attend. Heartbreaking. #EBSA
March 11, 2025 at 7:32 PM
My daughter created this image to depict how she felt going to school as a dual heritage autistic person... and why, in the end, she refused to attend. Heartbreaking. #EBSA
In case you haven’t seen it yet, here is the video of the webinar about the Mental Health Bill that we co-hosted with Oliver Lewis at Doughty Street Chambers last week.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM53...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM53...
A deep dive into the Mental Health Bill 2024 - Autism and learning disability
YouTube video by Doughty Street Chambers
www.youtube.com
March 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM
In case you haven’t seen it yet, here is the video of the webinar about the Mental Health Bill that we co-hosted with Oliver Lewis at Doughty Street Chambers last week.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM53...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM53...
Reposted by Rightful Lives
A wonderful evening hosted by @doughtystreet.bsky.social on the impact of the forthcoming Mental Health Bill. What happens with the removal of learning disability & autism when there’s no community provision?
March 4, 2025 at 8:49 PM
A wonderful evening hosted by @doughtystreet.bsky.social on the impact of the forthcoming Mental Health Bill. What happens with the removal of learning disability & autism when there’s no community provision?
Rightful Lives is co-hosting an event on 4th March at Doughty Street Chambers. It will look at the implications of the Mental Health Bill for autistic people and people with learning disabilities. Why not come along!
www.doughtystreet.co.uk/event/deep-d...
www.doughtystreet.co.uk/event/deep-d...
A deep dive into the Mental Health Bill 2024
A deep dive into the Mental Health Bill 2024Detention and treatmentThursday 27th February 2025 | 18:00 - 19:30Location: Online via ZoomIn the second webinar of this series Sophy Miles and Elizabeth Cl...
www.doughtystreet.co.uk
February 25, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Rightful Lives is co-hosting an event on 4th March at Doughty Street Chambers. It will look at the implications of the Mental Health Bill for autistic people and people with learning disabilities. Why not come along!
www.doughtystreet.co.uk/event/deep-d...
www.doughtystreet.co.uk/event/deep-d...
Trauma in the Name of Treatment. We can vouch for that…
www.madinamerica.com/2025/02/trau...
www.madinamerica.com/2025/02/trau...
Trauma in the Name of Treatment: Multiple Studies Confirm Adverse Experiences in Psychiatric Hospitalization
A comprehensive review of psychiatric hospitalizations reveals widespread harm, from coercion to retraumatization, challenging the dominant narrative of therapeutic intent.
www.madinamerica.com
February 3, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Trauma in the Name of Treatment. We can vouch for that…
www.madinamerica.com/2025/02/trau...
www.madinamerica.com/2025/02/trau...
Reposted by Rightful Lives
Dear Government. Forcing more & more disabled people into poverty does not save the taxpayer money.
What did you think disabled people do with money? Stash it under the mattress?
It goes back into the economy.
Cold, malnourished people become very ill & cost the NHS a fortune.
Please get a grip.
What did you think disabled people do with money? Stash it under the mattress?
It goes back into the economy.
Cold, malnourished people become very ill & cost the NHS a fortune.
Please get a grip.
January 27, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Dear Government. Forcing more & more disabled people into poverty does not save the taxpayer money.
What did you think disabled people do with money? Stash it under the mattress?
It goes back into the economy.
Cold, malnourished people become very ill & cost the NHS a fortune.
Please get a grip.
What did you think disabled people do with money? Stash it under the mattress?
It goes back into the economy.
Cold, malnourished people become very ill & cost the NHS a fortune.
Please get a grip.
Reposted by Rightful Lives
🚨 BREAKING: We are delighted to share that our client
@ellenclifford.bsky.social has won her case against the DWP over an unlawful consultation held on reforms tightening the #WorkCapabilityAssessment.
These reforms would lead to over 400,000 people being worse off by at least £416 a month.
@ellenclifford.bsky.social has won her case against the DWP over an unlawful consultation held on reforms tightening the #WorkCapabilityAssessment.
These reforms would lead to over 400,000 people being worse off by at least £416 a month.
January 16, 2025 at 2:33 PM
🚨 BREAKING: We are delighted to share that our client
@ellenclifford.bsky.social has won her case against the DWP over an unlawful consultation held on reforms tightening the #WorkCapabilityAssessment.
These reforms would lead to over 400,000 people being worse off by at least £416 a month.
@ellenclifford.bsky.social has won her case against the DWP over an unlawful consultation held on reforms tightening the #WorkCapabilityAssessment.
These reforms would lead to over 400,000 people being worse off by at least £416 a month.
Reposted by Rightful Lives
Our gentle reminder that there's ~ 2 million autistic ppl in the UK. Research shows we are less likely to commit crime than other ppl, on average.
Having an autism diagnosis is irrelevant to whether they are a criminal. It's like saying, "They have size 8 feet - let's fear all ppl with size 8 feet"
Having an autism diagnosis is irrelevant to whether they are a criminal. It's like saying, "They have size 8 feet - let's fear all ppl with size 8 feet"
January 20, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Our gentle reminder that there's ~ 2 million autistic ppl in the UK. Research shows we are less likely to commit crime than other ppl, on average.
Having an autism diagnosis is irrelevant to whether they are a criminal. It's like saying, "They have size 8 feet - let's fear all ppl with size 8 feet"
Having an autism diagnosis is irrelevant to whether they are a criminal. It's like saying, "They have size 8 feet - let's fear all ppl with size 8 feet"
Reposted by Rightful Lives
'There's no better way to show Sammy’s legacy and worth than by giving others opportunities he'd have excelled in'
Patricia Alban tells @samcarlisle.bsky.social about her creative son @communitylivingmagazine.com - new articles next week.
Also @maryohara1.bsky.social @georgejulian.bsky.social...
Patricia Alban tells @samcarlisle.bsky.social about her creative son @communitylivingmagazine.com - new articles next week.
Also @maryohara1.bsky.social @georgejulian.bsky.social...
December 31, 2024 at 10:11 AM
'There's no better way to show Sammy’s legacy and worth than by giving others opportunities he'd have excelled in'
Patricia Alban tells @samcarlisle.bsky.social about her creative son @communitylivingmagazine.com - new articles next week.
Also @maryohara1.bsky.social @georgejulian.bsky.social...
Patricia Alban tells @samcarlisle.bsky.social about her creative son @communitylivingmagazine.com - new articles next week.
Also @maryohara1.bsky.social @georgejulian.bsky.social...
Reposted by Rightful Lives
#Oliverscampaign
This powerful new animation has been co-designed co-produced with autistic people & people with a learning disability It is aimed at helping staff and employers across health & social care to understand Oliver's Training & why it is so vitally important
youtu.be/ouhKSOGm49g?...
This powerful new animation has been co-designed co-produced with autistic people & people with a learning disability It is aimed at helping staff and employers across health & social care to understand Oliver's Training & why it is so vitally important
youtu.be/ouhKSOGm49g?...
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism
YouTube video by NHS England Workforce, Training and Education
youtu.be
December 21, 2024 at 9:47 PM
#Oliverscampaign
This powerful new animation has been co-designed co-produced with autistic people & people with a learning disability It is aimed at helping staff and employers across health & social care to understand Oliver's Training & why it is so vitally important
youtu.be/ouhKSOGm49g?...
This powerful new animation has been co-designed co-produced with autistic people & people with a learning disability It is aimed at helping staff and employers across health & social care to understand Oliver's Training & why it is so vitally important
youtu.be/ouhKSOGm49g?...
Our statement regarding a paper published in the British Journal of Psychiatry
rightfullives.org.uk/blog/stateme...
rightfullives.org.uk/blog/stateme...
Statement re paper published in the British Journal of Psychiatry – Rightful Lives
rightfullives.org.uk
December 17, 2024 at 11:59 AM
Our statement regarding a paper published in the British Journal of Psychiatry
rightfullives.org.uk/blog/stateme...
rightfullives.org.uk/blog/stateme...
Reposted by Rightful Lives
#HumanRightsDay
Not all people are seen as fully human, with little recognition that rights are relevant to proper care, support, advocacy - and an everyday life.
Reminder here, inc @learningdiseng.bsky.social @cchangescotland.bsky.social @rightfullives.bsky.social
www.bihr.org.uk/our-work/our...
Not all people are seen as fully human, with little recognition that rights are relevant to proper care, support, advocacy - and an everyday life.
Reminder here, inc @learningdiseng.bsky.social @cchangescotland.bsky.social @rightfullives.bsky.social
www.bihr.org.uk/our-work/our...
Human Rights Day 2024: Open Letter | BIHR
Read our letter to the Prime Minister and political leaders, signed by over 70 organisations from across the UK.
www.bihr.org.uk
December 10, 2024 at 11:45 AM
#HumanRightsDay
Not all people are seen as fully human, with little recognition that rights are relevant to proper care, support, advocacy - and an everyday life.
Reminder here, inc @learningdiseng.bsky.social @cchangescotland.bsky.social @rightfullives.bsky.social
www.bihr.org.uk/our-work/our...
Not all people are seen as fully human, with little recognition that rights are relevant to proper care, support, advocacy - and an everyday life.
Reminder here, inc @learningdiseng.bsky.social @cchangescotland.bsky.social @rightfullives.bsky.social
www.bihr.org.uk/our-work/our...
Reposted by Rightful Lives
This grim article shows why institutionalised abuse of people with learning disabilities & autistic citizens drags on. Evidence is clear: long term segregation is harmful. This is a squalid example of a profession protecting its own back & not caring about patients www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Long-term segregation and seclusion for people with an intellectual disability and/or autism in hospitals: critique of the current state of affairs | The British Journal of Psychiatry | Cambridge Core
Long-term segregation and seclusion for people with an intellectual disability and/or autism in hospitals: critique of the current state of affairs
www.cambridge.org
December 11, 2024 at 8:35 PM
This grim article shows why institutionalised abuse of people with learning disabilities & autistic citizens drags on. Evidence is clear: long term segregation is harmful. This is a squalid example of a profession protecting its own back & not caring about patients www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Rightful Lives
#Oliverscampaign
I fully stand by @BaronessHollins & this report
PLEASE SHARE
Baroness Hollins' final report: My heart breaks - solitary confinement in hospital has no therapeutic benefit for people with a learning disability and autistic people
www.gov.uk/government/p...
I fully stand by @BaronessHollins & this report
PLEASE SHARE
Baroness Hollins' final report: My heart breaks - solitary confinement in hospital has no therapeutic benefit for people with a learning disability and autistic people
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Baroness Hollins' final report: My heart breaks - solitary confinement in hospital has no therapeutic benefit for people with a learning disability and autistic people
www.gov.uk
December 7, 2024 at 5:33 AM
#Oliverscampaign
I fully stand by @BaronessHollins & this report
PLEASE SHARE
Baroness Hollins' final report: My heart breaks - solitary confinement in hospital has no therapeutic benefit for people with a learning disability and autistic people
www.gov.uk/government/p...
I fully stand by @BaronessHollins & this report
PLEASE SHARE
Baroness Hollins' final report: My heart breaks - solitary confinement in hospital has no therapeutic benefit for people with a learning disability and autistic people
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Rightful Lives
Heart breaking.
This human rights scandal just goes on and on...
Imagine losing your daughter to brain cancer and then your grandson, who is struggling with the loss of his mother, to a bloody hospital.
Please BBC News show this lady some respect. 'Granny' FFS 😡
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This human rights scandal just goes on and on...
Imagine losing your daughter to brain cancer and then your grandson, who is struggling with the loss of his mother, to a bloody hospital.
Please BBC News show this lady some respect. 'Granny' FFS 😡
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I hope I live long enough to get my autistic grandson out of hospital
Dorothy Lafferty says doctors long ago agreed her grandson does not need to be cared for in hospital.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 3, 2024 at 7:59 PM
Heart breaking.
This human rights scandal just goes on and on...
Imagine losing your daughter to brain cancer and then your grandson, who is struggling with the loss of his mother, to a bloody hospital.
Please BBC News show this lady some respect. 'Granny' FFS 😡
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This human rights scandal just goes on and on...
Imagine losing your daughter to brain cancer and then your grandson, who is struggling with the loss of his mother, to a bloody hospital.
Please BBC News show this lady some respect. 'Granny' FFS 😡
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...