Darlington AssociationDAD Newsletter
Break Through!
October 2010
Contents
Information in Other Formats
Welcome
Dates for your Diary
DAD news
Christmas Lunch
Fairer Contributions Feedback Meeting
Carers’ Rights Day – Know Your Rights
Independence and Choice for All
Jobs Fair
Measuring DAD’s Impact
Equality Act – what does it mean for you?
National News
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Proposed changes to DLA assessments – ‘Don’t Cut Us Out’
Co-op Holidays
Local News
Parents’ Forum
D1GITS
Disabled Parents’ Group
Boiler Checks
Anna Mencel is the HE-AT adviser based at Age UK.
Community Care Advice
NHS Wheelchair Service Seeks New Members
Changing Places Changing Lives
Scooter Safety
Information in Other Formats
If you need this newsletter in another format, such as audio or large print, please contact Jane Woodward, based at DAD office in Horsemarket.
Telephone 01325 489999
Fax 01325 488188
Email jane@darlingtondisability.org
If English is not your first language and you would like more information, contact our Head Office by telephone on 01325 489999.
Welcome
Darlington Association on Disability (DAD) began as a charity in 1986. Our aim was to bring disabled people together through regular meetings and social events as well as provide a personal support service using volunteers. We set out to influence planners locally and campaign for improved services. Since we started we have grown and now have ten projects. We continue to grow as all of our projects expand and evolve. We maintain our position as a focal point for services and support and our expertise is valued by the Local Authority and Health as well as by disabled people locally.
Dates for your Diary
• Annual General Meeting, Thursday 18th November, Dolphin Centre
• Fairer Contributions Meeting, Thursday 25th November, Dimensions, West Lodge
• Carers’ Rights Day, Friday 3rd December, Fire Station Community Rooms
• Christmas Lunch, Thursday 9th December, Dolphin Centre
DAD news
Annual General Meeting
We are pleased to announce DAD’s AGM on Thursday 18th November in the Dolphin Centre, Central Hall. Doors open at 10am, for 10.30am start. This year we will focus on Your Rights as disabled people and carers to welfare and equality.
Christmas Lunch
DAD invites members, volunteers and staff to our Christmas Lunch on Thursday 9th December in the Dolphin Centre, Central Hall. We will be meeting at 12 noon, dining at 12.30pm prompt. If you would like to reserve places please contact us for a menu and booking form. Spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Call into the DAD Head office in Horsemarket, telephone 01325 489 999 or email: margaretg@darlingtondisability.org
Fairer Contributions Feedback Meeting
Following the meeting DAD held on 14th June with members on our response to the Council’s Fairer Contributions Policy, we are holding a second meeting. Taking place on Thursday 25th November, 10am at Dimensions, we will feedback on changes to the Fairer Contributions Policy and what these changes mean for individuals assessed as eligible for social care services.
For more information please contact Jane Woodward at DAD head office in Horsemarket, telephone 01325 489 999, email: jane@darlingtondisability.org
Carers’ Rights Day - Know Your Rights
Do You Support a Family Member Or Friend? DAD will be promoting National Carers’ Rights Day on Friday 3rd December. The theme this year is ‘Know your rights’. Come along to Darlington Fire Station Community Rooms,
St. Cuthbert’s Way, 1pm to 3.30pm to find out your rights as a carer. There will be information stands, refreshments and a talk about new rights for carers under the Equality Act. For more information about the event contact Clair in DAD Carers’ Support Service, telephone 01325 357 533 or email: clair@darlingtondisability.org
Independence and Choice for All
DAD has produced a new booklet outlining all our services, with key information and contacts; a handy guide to have at your fingertips! Please pass the booklet onto family, friends, neighbours and spread the word about DAD! It is also available in large print, electronic and audio CD formats. If you have any queries about the booklet, please contact Jane at DAD head office in Horsemarket. Telephone Jane on 01325 489 999 or email: jane@darlingtondisability.org
Jobs Fair
DAD had a very successful round of staff recruitment in the summer, with over 100 people attending our jobs fair. As a result, we have employed five new members of staff, the majority of whom have personal experience as a disabled person or carer. This is very important to us to ensure that wherever possible people involved in DAD understand, first hand, the issues that affect disabled people and carers. Reducing the barriers to employment that disabled people and carers face is also a high priority for DAD. We encourage anyone who may be interested in seeking employment to talk to us about the opportunities that may be available.
Measuring DAD’s Impact
The Government are making national and local changes which are likely to affect disabled people and carers. In order to make plans for the future we want to find out:
• What, in DAD, is important to you and why.
• What difference DAD has made to your life.
• What else you would like us to do.
You may be asked by DAD staff if you could contribute to this in some way. However, in order to give everyone an opportunity to have their say we would like you to complete the attached questionnaire in Word format and return it to us. It is really important that we get as many views as possible so please take a few minutes to let us know what you think.
Equality Act – what does it mean for you?
Since 1st October, disabled people and carers have new rights. DAD will be offering a number of briefing sessions and workshops over the coming months aimed at individuals. The first of these will be held for carers on Carers’ Rights Day, 3rd December. For more information on the Equality Act, or advice if you think you have experienced disability discrimination or because of your association with a disabled person, contact Jane Woodward at DAD head office in Horsemarket. Telephone Jane on 01325 489 999 or email: jane@darlingtondisability.org
National News
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a new international human rights agreement that:
Disabled people have the same rights as everyone else to freedom, respect, equality and dignity.
Brings together all our basic human rights in one place.
Describes what government has agreed to do to make these rights real.
The Convention was created because often our human rights are not respected and we face many barriers to inclusion in society. It requires government to take action to remove barriers and give disabled people real freedom, dignity and equality. We can use it in lots of different ways to make sure our rights are respected and to get a better deal.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is working hard to raise awareness of the Convention among disabled people, legal advisers and public bodies. They have produced a guide so that you can find out:
What your human rights are and how they are protected.
What difference the Convention could make to your life.
How you can use the Convention to challenge injustice and improve services.
For more information and to download a copy of the guide, visit the website of The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). www.equalityhumanrights.com or contact Jane Woodward at DAD. Telephone Jane on 01325 489 999 or email: jane@darlingtondisability.org
Proposed changes to DLA assessments – ‘Don’t Cut Us Out’
In the last edition of Break Through, we reported about changes to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) assessments. In response to the proposed changes to assessments, the Chief Executive of Scope, Richard Hawkes, issued the following statement:
“Since the Budget announcement, we have been inundated by disabled people who are greatly distressed that eligibility for DLA will be determined by a medical assessment from 2013. We’ve already seen the consequences of medical assessments introduced for the Employment Support Allowance (ESA) where the underlying aim to achieve targets and cut costs left many disabled people worse off. We do not think that introducing a medical test for DLA is at all ‘fair’. It demonstrates a complete failure to recognise how DLA works and how it provides vital support in disabled people’s daily lives. Disabled people cannot afford to continually draw the short straw and have the support, which they have already had to fight so hard for, used as an economic escape route in a bid to cut costs.”
Scope has launched a campaign called ‘Don’t Cut Us Out’. There is a dedicated space on the Scope website and through social networking website Facebook, where you have the opportunity to have your say. By voicing your concerns and telling Scope how you feel about the Government’s spending plans, you’ll help make sure Scope continues to fight effectively to stop spending cuts pushing disabled people into poverty. Scope can also keep you posted on all the latest developments in the debate. Visit the Scope website www.scope.org.uk for more details.
If you have questions about the changes to DLA or other welfare and benefit changes, you can contact Scope Response, telephone 0808 800 3333 or email response@scope.org.uk
Just a reminder…the changes to DLA assessments do not affect you if you are due to reach state pension age before 6th April 2014.
Co-op Holidays
The Co-operative Travel has launched a new tailored service aimed at disabled travellers. They launched the service after a survey conducted via ‘Tourism for All’, showed that 84% of respondents didn’t believe high street travel agents understood the needs of disabled travellers. In addition, 77% did not think they were catered for by the high street. Despite this, just under two thirds of respondents would still consider booking a holiday with a travel agent. For more information about the survey visit www.tourismforall.org.uk
The Co-op has trained staff from 40 branches UK-wide to ensure that they are up-to-speed with all aspects of holidays for people who require specialist travel. They are also working with tour operators catering for disabled people. Products include:
Holidays for both blind/visually impaired and sighted travellers.
• A wide range of exciting holidays accessible for customers with reduced mobility.
• Adaptive skiing holidays suited for disabled people and their families.
• Group holidays with dedicated guides skilled in communication with people with hearing impairments.
The specialist branches have clear access, power assisted doors, portable hearing loops and visual alarms. In the future, the aim is to provide training and better access across the entire network of 410 branches. For more information, telephone 0845 266 9228 or visit the website of Co-operative Travel www.co-operativetravel.co.uk
DAD Information Service can also provide information about holiday options. Phone Sheila on 01325 489 999 or email: sheila@darlingtondisability.org
Local News
Parents’ Forum
Carers of Disabled Children in Darlington (CDCD) 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 meets regularly. If you would like to know more contact DAD on 01325 489 999.
DIGITS
Darlington’s 1st Group In It Together Support (DIGITS) is a user led group for all parents/carers of disabled children aged 0 to 19 years. Weekly drop in sessions run every Tuesday in term time 10am to 12noon, starting on Tuesday 2nd November, at DAD, Enterprise House. For more information, telephone Di on 07929908702.
Disabled Parents’ Group
DAD has set up a group that provides disabled parents somewhere to get together socially, support each other, get information and advice, campaign and raise awareness. If you would like to attend, or for more information, phone our DAD office at Enterprise House on 01325 360 524.
Boiler Checks
Delays with fixing broken boilers could cause chaos this winter unless people take action and check their boiler now. The HE-AT partnership is urging local older people to have any repairs done before the cold snap sets in to avoid joining the long queue for repairs this winter.
Anna Mencel is the HE-AT adviser based at Age UK.
“For older people, protection against the cold is vital. The problem is that many people only realise their central heating isn’t working properly when the first cold spell arrives and then have to join the queue to get it fixed”.
Any older or disabled person who is concerned about keeping warm this winter should contact HE-AT at the Age UK office, 9 Clarks Yard, Darlington, phone 01325 357 345 or email advice@ageukdarlington.org.uk or call Age UK Advice on freephone 0800 169 65 65.
Community Care Advice
Clark Willis Law firm is one of the few specialist firms in the local area contracted to the Legal Services Commission (LSC). They can represent clients using public funding and work is generally free.
Community Care law deals with many different issues and usually involves clients who are elderly, vulnerable or ill. Clark Willis can provide advice on paying for care, both in the home and in a care setting. This can cover situations where clients believe they have to sell their property in order to fund their own care or appealing decisions where they are not happy with an assessment. They can also provide advice and assistance in relation to Local Authority or private care home closures, including procedures that should be followed and ways of challenging closures. They also offer advice for carers. For more information telephone Clark Willis on 01325 745 687.
NHS Wheelchair Service Seeks New Members
In the last edition of Break Through, we reported that the NHS Wheelchair Service in County Durham and Darlington is revamping its user group and is seeking new members. We have had little response. Are you a NHS wheelchair user or the carer of someone who is? Would you like to represent other users and discuss the local wheelchair service and voice current issues? Please contact Gordon Pybus for more details at DAD office in Horsemarket, phone 01325 489999, or email: gordon@darlingtondisability.org
Changing Places Changing Lives
Thousands of disabled people need Changing Places toilets. Without these facilities, families have to change the person they care for on a cramped and dirty toilet floor. The alternative is to limit outings to a few short hours, or to not go out at all. The Changing Places campaign has seen more than 100 Changing Places toilets set up across the country. Changing Places toilets are different to standard accessible toilets for disabled people, with extra features and more space to meet those needs. Each Changing Places toilet provides:
• A height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench.
• A tracking hoist system, or mobile hoist if this is not possible.
• Adequate space in the changing area for the disabled person and up to two carers.
• Wide tear off paper roll to cover the bench.
• A large waste bin for disposable pads.
• A non-slip floor.
Visit the Changing Places campaign website for more information. www.changing-places.org
Darlington has a Changing Places toilet in the Dolphin Centre. It is open from 6.30am to 11.30pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 11.30pm Saturday and Sunday. Gordon Pybus, Chair of DAD said: “It’s excellent that we have this resource for disabled people in Darlington.” To register and get a key fob to use the facility, contact Ray Vassallo, Dolphin Centre, telephone 01325 346 850.
Scooter Safety
DAD can offer advice if you are thinking about buying or hiring a scooter or wheelchair. We can also explain the rules of the road to both new and experienced users of mobility equipment to keep you and others safe. For further information visit the Shopmobility page on our website or telephone Joanna on 01325 489 999 or email: shopmobility@darlingtondisability.org