Disability in depth

BBC News Online looks at some of the issues connected to disabled access to health, social services and education.

Disability and the internet

Disabled people are using the internet in greater and greater numbers. Some say that, for people with mild autism, it is as significant as sign language for the deaf.

• Disabled in internet first
  
• The practicalities of getting online

Disability and society

Discrimination against people with learning difficulties is still common, despite greater awareness of disability issues as a result of high-profile public campaigns. They have also suffered as a result of cutbacks in council budgets.

• Call for global disability campaign
• Disabled hopes dashed over community care
• Elderly disabled face care lottery
• Disabled denied housing choice

Disability and health

Autism has hit the headlines over a study claiming a link with the mumps, the German measles and measles vaccine. Experts say the link is not proven. BBC News Online looks at this and other health stories on autism.

• MMR: a needless dilemma?
• Immune link to autism Autistic children 'let down'
• Tuning in to genius
• Disabled young adults 'missing out' on care

Disability and education

Standards in special schools for the disabled are rising, according to government reports. Parents are also taking matters into their own hands and pushing for improvements.

• Special schools' rising standards
• Parents open own school for autistic