Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialJohn Furlong @john-furlong.bsky.social · 15hUpdate: the LGA has appealed the decision. Listing window in FTTJan- Mar 2027. 011
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialJohn Furlong @john-furlong.bsky.social · 07/09/2026The LGA has been told by the ICO to release the names of the two local authorities that provided modelling data for the LGA's claim that tightening home to school eligibility criteria would lead to a 15% reduction in costs to councils. More info: cerebra.org.uk/legal-rights...cerebra.org.ukHome to School Transport – the Local Government Association ordered to hand over data - CerebraOn 2 July last year, the Local Government Association published a report on the future of home to school transport. It predicted spending by councils was going to ‘soar’ and would reach nearly £2 billion by the end of 25/26. The report recommended scrapping the current statutory right to transport… 112
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialChris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Brexit revisited. Unscheduled post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog on why Burnham's conference speech was a significant development in the Brexit saga, the questions and concerns it raises, and why it might come to be seen as a historic moment: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2026/09/brex... 28632
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialFrances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 02/10/2026It’s important to note “those with the most severe and debilitating disabilities would not lose any money.” But we know too often state tests are not accurate in judging “severe”, just as we know people with less severe conditions still face vast expenses and discrimination. 716534
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialFrances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Disability doesn’t care how old you are. Specialist food is no cheaper if you’re 19. Employers don’t lose their prejudice if you’re 21. This is blatant intergenerational inequality from Labour. Younger disabled people of all severities deserve better. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comKey disability benefit for young people may be axed under major welfare changesExclusive: Plan under discussion involves intensive support to help young people into employment 24600258
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialScribbler Pen @scribblerpen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026The more you read this, the more it beggars belief. Do politicians and civil servants think disabled young people get magically un-disabled (and un-discriminated against) if you take away social security? That cutting Motability would help get them to work? How? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comKey disability benefit for young people may be axed under major welfare changesExclusive: Plan under discussion involves intensive support to help young people into employment 66139
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialDmitry Grozoubinski @explaintrade.com · 01/10/2026I wrote a little something about how we should better separate the legitimacy of the challenges people are experiencing from the legitimacy of what they're then holding up as the solution to those problems. dmitryopines.substack.com/p/on-legitim...dmitryopines.substack.comOn Legitimate ConcernsProblems, Policies and How To Parse Them 48224
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialStephen Unwin @stephenunwin.bsky.social · 02/09/2026If you haven’t read Beautiful Lives, please do! Seems to be making quite a stir. It’s in paperback too! 0136
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialCaroline Bowen, Speech-Language Pathologist 🇦🇺🇳🇿🌻 @carolinebowen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026🆓🔓 @tricmc.bsky.social Thomas Choo Heard Ng 2026 ASK Does More Speech Tx Lead to ⬆️ Results in CAS? doi.org/10.1111/1460... ANSWER Tx for CAS is 🎉 effective & leads to moderate generalisation; more weeks of tx lead to stronger gains than fewer weeks of tx. 🦋 #bskySPEECHIES 🧒 #childSPEECHdis #apraxiadoi.orgDoes More Speech Therapy Lead to Better Results in Childhood Apraxia of Speech? A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of the Available EvidenceBackground In recent years there has been a significant increase in the number and quality of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) treatment research published. Much of this research has focussed on es..... 055
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialJay Rosen @jayrosen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Can't think of any reporter who speaks for me more than this guy— a Canadian. "Hundreds of hours immersed in Trump’s rhetoric has given me some insights and personal opinions about the nature of his lying, how it is received by the public and how it is covered..." www.cnn.com/2026/09/27/p...cnn.comI started fact-checking Trump 10 years ago. Here are 15 things I’ve learned | CNN PoliticsTen years ago this month, in my old job as Washington correspondent for the Toronto Star, I started what I believed would be a quick little side project: fact-checking underdog presidential candidate ... 15317104
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialGail Myerscough @gailmyerscough.co.uk · 29/09/2026I’m Gail, a one woman (and a feline assistant) business, based in Manchester. I create prints, homewares, T-shirts & cards inspired by midcentury design, music and architecture. Have a look gailmyerscough.co.uk 5136106
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialPrasad Jallepalli, MD, PhD @prasad.bsky.social · 29/09/20265 potatoes cubed is still 5 potatoes because potatoes are root vegetables 833604909
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialTits McGee @scientits.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Video making/editing question: am I right in thinking it's not really possible to convert a horizontal video into a vertical video without losing some of the resolution? Or is there a way you can crop to vertical that will keep the high quality horizontal video that I have? Hope that makes sense! 854
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialAlexa Wilson @alexadwilson.bsky.social · 29/09/2026They'll be no retiring for M and I. We'll be caring 24/7 for E and T now they've both left education and moved to what passes for social care in this country. #autism #FragileX #epilepsy 161
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialJoshua Rozenberg @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Consumers who ask an AI assistant to recommend a solicitor risk being directed to firms that have been fined by their regulator or even shut down, a report says today. It was researched by Blind Justice UK, a charity that seeks to improve access to justice. rozenberg.substack.com/p/need-a-goo...rozenberg.substack.comNeed a good lawyer?Don’t use AI unless you know how to ask searching questions 0177
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialEmma Wilkinson @emmajourno.bsky.social · 29/09/2026I regularly ask pharmacists about medicines shortages and it’s basically now normal to spend hours every day dealing with it… www.theguardian.com/society/2026...theguardian.comHospitals in England hit by shortages of common drugs such as paracetamolNHS trusts also report disruption to supplies last winter of co-codamol and blood pressure medication ramipril 112
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialSpecial Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 29/09/2026NEW POST: A council's "improvement journey"? How determined SEND parents catalogued the trail of their LA’s unlawful behaviour www.specialneedsjungle.com/central-bedf... 034
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialSpecial Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 24/09/2026On SNJ Today: The DfE awarded itself a surprisingly positive Child Rights Impact Assessment for its #SEND Proposals. But that was before the full scale of the assault on rights was known. @tanialt.bsky.social says the CRIA must be repeated—independently www.specialneedsjungle.com/dfe-must-rep... 077
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialFrédéric Moreau @goodclimate.bsky.social · 28/09/2026This is very, very good. 37139
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialJennifer Shin - WTAF @jennifershin.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Wakefield was a fraud who engaged in deliberate data falsification. Investigations revealed that he had altered patient medical histories, fabricated data, and reported false onset times. He lost his license to practice medicine in the UK in 2010. www.immunize.org/clinical/vac... 771297719
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialCarl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 27/09/2026Four days ago, a scientist was surprised by the news that Anthropic discovered new virus genes for making DNA. He says he’s been studying them for years—and feeding his data to Anthropic’s AI as part of his own research. Coincidence? Here’s my story. nyti.ms/3VSWaycnyti.msDid Anthropic’s A.I. Really Make a Scientific Discovery on Its Own? (Gift Article)An expert at the University of Copenhagen said his team had been sharing its research with the company’s A.I. model, Claude, and that its new finding matched their work. 892122874
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialDr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 27/09/2026I sincerely hope the @departmentforedu.bsky.social & @ambitioninstitute.bsky.social amend the slides and evidence summary quickly before too much confusion is caused to both the facilitators who will be presenting the training and those attending. 072
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialDr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 27/09/2026I will be explaining these concepts in my portion of the RCSLT webinar on accessible language in education & assessment at 4pm tomorrow afternoon. This is free, so anyone who is unclear on these concepts is welcome to attend, sign up here: www.rcslt.org/events/a-col...rcslt.orgA collaborative approach to accessible examinations - launch of the fourth edition of Language of Examinations | RCSLT 143
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialDr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 27/09/20265. the statement in the evidence summary that “Language includes both verbal and non-verbal communication” needs to be reversed. Communication includes verbal and signed languages and non-verbal communication. Communication is broader than language, not the other way round. 172
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialDr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 27/09/20264. communication does not only refer "to the social use of language", it is much broader than that. Communication refers to the transfer of ideas, messages, etc through a range of methods (not only through language, but also through non-verbal communication including signs, symbols, pictures etc). 162
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialDr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 27/09/20262. speech is not just "generating sound" (consider clapping or laughing) 3. facial expressions, gestures and body language are not examples of "non-verbal language", but rather of "non-verbal communication". Non-verbal languages are sign languages like British Sign Language 182
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialDr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Very concerned by errors in definitions of key terms in new @departmentforedu.bsky.social training on speech, language & communication www.gov.uk/government/p... 1. speech sound disorders don't include voice quality (@sharynnemcleod.bsky.social & Graham Daniel 2017 misquoted)gov.ukSEND training for schools: speech, language and communicationTraining materials on strategies for supporting pupils with speech, language and communication needs in mainstream schools. 21514
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialJim Waterson @jim.londoncentric.media · 27/09/2026Does anyone know any Kurdish freelance journalists based in the UK? 31628
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialCarl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 26/09/2026Does my Speak-n-Spell feel pain when I type O-U-C-H? The jury is out. Philosophers and neuroscientists say that's fucking stupid, but I called a guy from the Center for Pretending that Household Electronics Are Sentient and he said there's no way to know for sure. 5843431192
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialHelen Barnard @helenbarnard.bsky.social · 26/09/2026A clarification: 👬People on Universal Credit 👬Workers 👬Taxpayers Are not distinct groups. c4/10 of those on UC work, many will pay NICs, some also income tax. Everyone pays VAT. Most people pay council tax. Thank you for your attention to this matter. 14817
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialPrivate Eye Magazine @privateeyenews.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Yes, it's that time again when the Fascism scene returns to London and this year black is very much in vogue. From the new Private Eye, in shops now. 10376146
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialHannah Fearn @hannahfearn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Weirdly specific question, but do I know any primary school teachers in Oxfordshire on here? 104
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialDr_Aust_PhD @draustphd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Grim joke here is that it was pretty much like this before the announcement. E,g, spent 2 yrs arguing w boy's primary school trying to get them to refer him for assessment. Resisted by them at every turn (££). In the end went via GP. A yr wait, then assessment took >1 yr. And so on. 152
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialSpecial Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 25/09/2026We covered the suspension of referrals some time ago. Some NHS ICBs in England have now gone a step further, imposing a two-year minimum wait for ADHD and autism assessments. www.theguardian.com/society/2026... theguardian.comNHS bodies in England impose two-year minimum wait for ADHD and autism assessmentsPatient groups decry ‘scandalous’ delays as four integrated care boards take step due to soaring demand for diagnoses 045
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialFrances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 24/09/2026As I lay in bed with PEM, always grateful to my colleague @georgemonbiot.bsky.social for helping bring M.E. into mainstream attention. The way people with M.E. are ignored and actively harmed by medics who have been trusted to help them is a hidden scandal. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comAbandoned, dismissed and gaslighted: there is no excuse for the way ME sufferers have been betrayed | George MonbiotChanges in guidance and science seem to have little impact on millions of devastated lives. It’s a social crisis playing out behind closed doors, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot 719056
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialStephen Collins @stephencollins.bsky.social · 24/09/2026#TBT to this from 2012 in honour of Michael Gove starring as an invasion-battling leader in Sky's new show The Wargame. If you don't know what or who this comic is about... just count yourself lucky and scroll on, no worries. 29532101
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialDr Zubaida Haque @zubhaque.bsky.social · 24/09/202685% of UK adults think free, independent advice should be an essential local service. 89% agree that getting advice early can stop problems getting worse. That support needs to be matched by investment in the advice services people rely on. Read our new research @adviceuk.bsky.social bit.ly/4d44EIF 0146
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialOver There @coreilly.bsky.social · 23/09/2026‘Chambers, taking questions for Taoiseach Micheál Martin, said the Government wanted to “continue to support people to remain in their family homes for as long as possible”.’ Interpretation — they want family carers to care until we drop!! #Disability #Carer #Speirgormirishtimes.comAgeing parents of adults with disabilities say: ‘I hope they go before me’TD highlights ‘cruel and heartless’ crisis management system to provide residential care only after parent’s death 377
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialTim Harford @timharford.ft.com · 23/09/2026"They should have thrown away their graphs and hired a science-fiction writer." as.ft.com/r/0e69b26e-1...as.ft.comThe problem with P(doom)Predicting AI catastrophe has gone mainstream with predictable consequences 3276
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialJessica Valenti @jessicavalenti.bsky.social · 22/09/2026I don’t even know what to say anymore jessica.substack.com/p/her-baby-h... 40951323
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialSpecial Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 22/09/2026NEW POST: Research: SEND case officers are LAs’ “human shield” gatekeepers. But parents shouldn’t have to be their own key workers www.specialneedsjungle.com/send-casewor... 225
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialSpecial Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Over 54,000 people have signed the petition to protect disabled children’s rights. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 There are 27 days left to get to 100,000. Has everyone in your house signed? Friends? Family? Neighbours? Colleagues? Remember children can sign too. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76... petition.parliament.ukPetition: Protect legal right to support for children with SENDA petition created by a British citizen or UK resident. You can share this petition if you agree with its message. 11620
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialjon christian @jonchristian.net · 17/09/2026NEW: We spent months investigating a little-known media startup called Brown Brothers Media, which buys legit news sites and turns them into AI-powered zombie content farms What blew my mind was its traffic -- it appears to be getting more readers than NPR or CBS News futurism.com/artificial-i...futurism.comHow Three Brothers Built an AI Slop Empire by Buying Legitimate News Sites and Turning Them Into Zombie Content Farms That They Say Get 50 Million Page Views per MonthBrown Brothers Media is a media empire raking in millions of clicks with AI, fake writers, and plagiarism. 401323689
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialSpecial Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 16/09/2026NEW POST: New research finds the Government’s #SEND National Conversation “performative”, lacking pathways for young people’s inclusion: www.specialneedsjungle.com/research-gov... #sendreform #SaveSENDLegalRights 034
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialMichael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 06/09/2026However much you hate British media, it is not enough www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09... 13758081209
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialCath Haddon @cathhaddon.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Really helpful piece by @sirjjkc.bsky.social for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on the tricky question of how and when retrospective legislation is appropriate and what it it might mean for the legislation currently in Lords on political donations. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/retr...instituteforgovernment.org.ukLegislating for the past: What is retrospective legislation and when is it ok? | Institute for GovernmentWhat is meant by “retrospective” legislation, and can it ever be acceptable? 02316
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialKelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Nurses and staff were sleeping on shift and falsifying reports… and it cost this young man his life. If you’ve ever wondered why disabled people are terrified of being forcibly committed or placed in an institution… this is why. www.bbc.com/news/article...bbc.comStaff slept while patient killed at NHS mental health unitInquest hears how Rolando Torres-Pena, 22, was able to strangle and kill Hugo Flint-Cahan on a hospital ward in east London. 110742
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialMr D Brian @dbrian2.bsky.social · 14/09/2026How did we get here? 142
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialBarbara Rich @barbararich.bsky.social · 14/09/2026I am selling the desk I had in chambers in London WC2. It’s a William IV mahogany partners’ desk with 4 drawers, size 134 cm w x 97 cm l x 70 cm h. I used AI to tidy up the photo background but the desk is as seen. Please DM me or request a FM from me if you’re interested in buying it 61722
Reposted by @sp1ngirl.bsky.socialrob witts (undead era) @robwitts.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Win the undying love of your colleagues by showing them how to turn off AI in Acrobat Reader! helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/desk...helpx.adobe.com 023