Atos protest

Today is the International Day of People with Disability.

Not the best day for the university to allow ATOS (the people responsible for determining whether people are allowed disability benefits) to hold a recruitment drive on campus.

There was a protest organised by some students. They had this to say:

"Atos are a multinational IT company that provide health and "fit to work" assessments for the British Government in order to reduce the number of benefit claimants. They are plunging thousands of disabled people into poverty, or worse.

Atos are responsible for the worsening health of many due to stress and being forced into work when they're not physically able. It's leading to poverty as people are unable to do that work they're 'fit' for and support themselves and their families.

It's also leading to suicides due to the strain the Atos assessment and appeal process has on mental health. Many have died since they were found 'fit for work' by Atos. People are still dying, at a rate of around 70 people per week.

This suffering and these deaths are unnecessary. An awful lot of people are appealing and having those devastating decisions overturned. But even then they face a potential new capability assessment in a few months time.

For Exeter University to allow this company to be on campus is disgraceful in the first place. But this isn't any day they're recruiting on. It's a day where disabled people are being celebrated. It's also a day that many are using to remember those who have died as a result of Atos and this current government.

It is absolutely astounding that a University, especially one which is held in such high regard, is disrespecting so many."