DAD Newsletter

Break Through!

October 2009

Welcome

Now in its 22nd year, Darlington Association on Disability was established in 1986 with an aim to bring disabled people together through regular meetings and social events and to provide a personal support service. By coming together as individuals and through member organisations, DAD set out to influence planners and to campaign for improved services. Two decades on the organisation continues to evolve. From its conception DAD has been led by disabled people, so please get involved.

Annual Event and Diary Dates

We are pleased to announce DAD's annual general meeting, taking place on Thursday 19th November in the Dolphin Centre, doors open from 10am. There will be a variety of information stands set up from various organisations and talks from guest speakers including Vidar Hjardeng, Equalities Lead of ITV, and Mark Humble, Head of Transformation at Darlington Borough Council. Unfortunately there will be no Access Awards this year.

Big Care Debate Friday 23rd October, Dolphin Centre

Megga Monster Bash Saturday 31st October, Cleveland Social Club

Parents Forum Saturday 14th November

Christmas Lunch Tuesday 15th December, Dolphin Centre

If you need this newsletter in another format, such as electronic, audio, large print or Easy read, please contact Rosie Watson , at DAD office in Horsemarket.

Telephone 01325 489999, Fax 01325 488188 email: rosie@darlingtondisability.org

The Big Care Debate

This summer the government released the long-awaited Green Paper on adult social care, ‘Shaping the Future of Care Together’, and launched a public consultation on how the current care and support system will be reformed, with the aim to form a National Care Service.

One of the main areas of debate is around the way the system is funded. Currently it is means tested around a threshold of £23,000. For people who don't have this much, funding is provided by the local authority. Those who are above the threshold must pay themselves.

There are three main options for how the service will be funded. In the Green Paper report they are described in comparison to the average cost of care being around £30,000 and are based around the idea that everyone should contribute towards care, except for those who cannot afford to do so.

The first proposal is the Partnership model, where the cost of care is shared between the individual and the state, with people paying around £20,000 or £22,500 and getting a quarter to a third of their basic care and support costs paid by the state. The Partnership model could be build upon with an Insurance model where people would have the option to pay around £20,000 to £25,000 to be protected, which can be paid in a variety of ways. Alternatively the Comprehensive model would have a compulsory insurance for everyone over 65. This would mean people paid less, around £17,000 to £20,000.

Accommodation costs such as lodgings and food are excluded from these estimates. Currently accommodation costs are blamed in particular for people being forced to sell their homes. However, in the new proposals people will be able to defer these costs until after their deaths. More information on the Big Care Debate can be found on the website www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk where you can read the Green Paper in full, leave comments and fill in a questionnaire.

The public consultation is running through to November with regional debates taking place around the country. DAD will be hosting a Big Care Debate event. It will take place 10am - 1pm on Friday 23rd October in the Central Hall of the Dolphin Centre. People will be able to share their views on the proposals and contribute to the consultation. Anyone is free to attend, but if you are planning on coming along we'd like to hear from you so we can get an idea of attendance. Call Kate on 360524 or email kate@darlingtondisability.org

Hate Crime Reporting Centre

Hate Incidents and Crimes are generally reported straight to the police, however, if you would prefer not to, or need support you can now report any hate incident/crime against a disabled person through DAD during office hours, 9:30-5, Mon-Fri.

A hate incident is any incident which may or may not constitute a criminal offence, which is perceived to be motivated by prejudice or hate against disabled people.

For example:

• Name calling

• Verbal abuse

• Harassment

A hate crime is a hate incident which does constitute a criminal offence, and again is motivated by prejudice or hate against disabled people.

For example:

• Attacks

• Physical abuse

• Graffiti

Who can report a hate incident or crime?

• The victim

• A witness

• Any other person who knows or believes a hate crime/incident has taken place

Why report it?
The third party reporting system allows you to report a hate incident/crime to the police through DAD by giving us as little or as much information as you wish. All reports are kept confidential. By reporting it you will enable the police to act upon such incidents and also build up patterns of behaviour and areas within the community where hate incidents/crimes are being committed, enabling them to allocate resources more effectively.

If you would like to report a hate incident/crime or for more information, please call into the DAD offices in Horsemarket, telephone Joanna or Gordon on 01325 489999 or email joanna@darlingtondisability.org

DAD Christmas Lunch

DAD is inviting members, volunteers and staff to our Christmas Lunch on Tuesday 15th December at the Central Hall of the Dolphin Centre, entrance via Bull Wynd. We will be meeting at 12 noon to dine at 12.30 prompt. The price is £16 per person, there will be a small subsidy of £1 for DAD members, volunteers and staff.

If you would like to reserve your place, contact Head Office for a menu order form please. Please use one order form per person. Full payment of £15 per person is required when you return your order form by Friday 27th November 2009. Please make cheques payable to DAD. Friends are welcome, but they will need to pay the full price of £16.00.

DAD is unable to provide transport, however if you wish to arrange to share accessible transport, or would like a lift to and from Horsemarket, we will endeavour to help. You can return your menu by post to Margaret Grange, DAD, 20-22 Horsemarket, Darlington DL1 5PT or by hand to a member of staff in the DAD office. Please book early to avoid disappointment. We hope you can join us this Christmas.

Parents' Forum

The CDCD - Carers of Disabled Children in Darlington - has recently put together its first newsletter. The group is run by parents, for parents and aims to bring parents together through term-time events and forums to share information, concerns and ideas. The steering group runs every three weeks, and the third forum event of the year is planned to take place on 14th November . If you would like to know more contact DAD on 01325 489999.

Emergency 999 Text

A national pilot is taking place for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired to text the emergency services on 999 from their mobile phones. You need to register your phone for this service, either by going to the website at www.emergencysms.org.uk or by texting REGISTER to 999 and following the instructions. If the pilot is successful the service will be launched in 2010.

Darlington PACT

DAD is a member of Darlington police's Disability PACT. (Partners and Communities Together) Other organisations that have a representative include Darlington Mind, Mencap, the Gateway Club, Dimensions UK, Community Support for Deaf/Blind and Darlington Borough Council's Learning Disabilities Team.

The remit of the PACT is to address policing issues that are related to disability, for example the obstruction of drop curbs and pavement by vehicles, anti-social behaviour around disability organisations, and cyclists riding on pavement.

DLD Live Website

Darlington Learning Disability Live website launched earlier this year. Produced by the Darlington Learning Disability Partnership Board, it is intended to be a clear and easy way for people in Darlington to access advice and information. The site is at www.dldlive.org.uk

Transport Survey

DAD is seeking funds to commission an independent survey on how disabled people access public transport. Many people experience difficulties getting around and a survey is needed to identify what the problems are and what the solutions could be. This survey will cover all forms of transport for all disabled people regardless of their impairment.

Wheelchair Services

Gordon Pybus continues to be chair of NHS South Durham Wheelchair services and would like to hear any comments or suggestions for improvements regarding the service from wheelchair users or carers.

DAD Website

If you are a veteran surfer or have just joined the World Wide Web why not visit DAD's website at www.darlingtondisability.org. As well as information on organisation's work the site contains an online Information Guide, a recruitment page for internal and Direct Payments vacancies, an explanation about the Social Model of Disability, and a link to www.wheelygood.org Darlington's own accessibility Town Centre map.

Project focus

In each edition of our newsletter we will look at one of DAD's projects in more detail. In this edition we will cover the Carers' Support Service.

Carers' Support Service

A carer can be anyone who provides unpaid care and support to a partner, family member or friend who couldn't get along without support due to illness or disability. They often don't consider themselves carers as they are looking after someone they love, but the care they provide is reported to save the country around £87 billion each year. Despite this, carers often struggle financially, as many are unemployed in order to provide full-time care and Carers Allowance is one of the lowest benefits at around £53 a week.

Launched in 1994, the Carers' Support Service provides information and support to the many carers within the Darlington borough. This includes one on one support, either face to face or over the phone. The service can signpost carers to helpful services that they may not have been aware of, offer benefit checks and provide a listening ear. There is a wealth of information available, factsheets for carers and a regular newsletter available to anyone wishing to register with the service.

In addition to this the Carers' Support Service runs several support groups for carers including a relaxation group, a coffee afternoon for mental health carers and a group for carers of people with dementia and Alzheimer's. The Carers' Support Service can be contacted by phone on 01325 357533 or by email at patricia@darlingtondisability.org

Megga Monster Bash

DAD's annual ‘Megga Monster Bash’ Halloween party takes place Saturday 31st October, from 7.30pm to 11pm at the Cleveland Social Club, Neasham Road. Fancy dress is preferred, with a prize for the best adult and child costumes. There will be a disco, games and tombola. Tickets are available from DAD's main office next to the Dolphin Centre, £3 for an adult and £1.50 for children under 16.

How you can support us

Become a member

DAD is a user-led organisation and a registered company. By becoming a member you can support and influence our work. Membership is free and is open to disabled people and non-disabled people who actively support the mission and aims of DAD. As a member of the company you receive an invitation to general meetings, opportunities to attend other ‘member only’ events and social events and most importantly have voting rights. If you already receive support or information from DAD you automatically become a non company member and will receive this newsletter.

Volunteer with DAD

Without its volunteers DAD would not be able to operate. Every year DAD relies on the valuable work delivered by over 60 regular volunteers across all of its projects. In addition DASH play services annually recruits and trains an additional 40-50 volunteers to support its holiday playschemes.

The Access Interest Group makes a difference for disabled people in Darlington by highlighting good practice around access issues both physical and attitudinal, raising concerns with planners and monitoring public access across the town. The Access Interest Group is always looking for peoples views on access issues, email gordon@darlingtondisability.org

Make a donation

Visit our page on the justgiving website www.justgiving.com/dad to make a secure online donation. The page also allows you to follow our fundraising activities and sponsor an activity. You can also make a donation by calling in to any of DAD's offices.

Get involved in fundraising

Raise funds for DAD by organising a fundraising activity or taking part in one of our events. If you have a good idea for raising money or have some time to spare to help with an event, please let us know.

Recycle

DAD can raise much needed funds by collecting and recycling ink cartridges and mobile phones. The main office in the market place has a box near the door to receive your donation.

For more information on any of the above contact 01325 489999, fax 01325 488188