Winners of Darlington 2007 Access for All Award

Archived 24th April 2008

There were two winners of the Darlington Access for All Award 2007, who were presented with their awards by the Mayor of Darlington, Cllr Marian Swift and Richard Collinson, Darlington Borough Council's Building Control Manager at a ceremony staged by Darlington Association on Disability in partnership with Darlington Borough Council on Thursday 22nd November 2007. Darlington Civic Theatre won the award for large organisations and Skerne Park Children's Centre/Parkside Nursery were the winners of the award for smaller organisations.

The judges were impressed with all the finalists and awarded a Highly Commended to J & P Travel and a Commended to Lloyds TSB (Skinnergate), Barclays Bank (Cockerton) and Branksome Social Club.

The awards were made to the business or organisation that has demonstrated a commitment to ensure that their building or open space is accessible to all and that their organisation's culture embraces accessibility in all of its forms.

This is a lot more than ramps at doorways or minimum building requirements; it's about improving access for all disabled people by eliminating physical and attitude barriers. This award is to recognise a business or organisation that has taken that extra step.

Equipment Presentation

Archived 7th March 2008

On Monday 19th November 2007 Shopmobility was formally presented with new equipment by Cllr David Lyonette, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, the new equipment which included two electric scooters and two manual wheelchairs was funded by Darlington Borough Council.

Shopmobility has been open since December 1993 and is provided by Darlington Association on Disability in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, the service provides the free loan of Electric Scooters and wheelchairs for anyone with a mobility impairment to shop and use the facilities of Darlington Town Centre independently.

Gordon Pybus, Chair of Darlington Association on Disability said “Once again we are extremely grateful to Darlington Borough Council for the funding to purchase this equipment, the feedback we get from Shopmobility customers on how much they rely on the scheme for accessing the Town Centre demonstrates the importance of good quality and reliable equipment.”

Photo of New Equipment Presentation

(Mrs Pounder and Joanna accepting the scooters from Cllr Lyonette)

The Disability Debate

Archived 19th November 2007 (Due to be re-written soon)

The Disability Rights Commission DRC is launching a major new initiative - The Disability Debate. The discussion paper: 'Shaping the future of equality', sets out what the DRC believe are some of the major issues facing disabled people in 2005, and the potential challenges of the future. Over the summer they will host a series of 'debating points' covering issues such as risk, welfare and work, the role of professionals in disabled people's lives, and whether it is still right that some disabled people live, learn and work in places which separate them from the wider community. They will also provide opportunities for disabled people to discuss the issues directly with those with the power to bring about change. For more go to Disability Debate website: www.disabilitydebate.org

Great North Walk

Archived 3rd August 2007

Kim (Volunteer) and Geraldine (Recruitment Support Worker) both completed the Great North Walk on Sunday 15th July and all sponsorship money received is being kindly donated to D.A.D. Please visit their Justgiving page to make a donation and for more information.

Ken's 10,000 Steps

Archived 4th July 2007

Ken Hill is raising money for Darlington's carers as a forerunner to Carers' Week. On June 3rd he walked 10,000 steps (roughly three miles) with colleagues Pauline Gill, Pat Thompson and Rob Bateman. Further details on how to still sponsor Ken and help reach the £500 target are on the latest Carer Support Service Newsletter or go direct to Ken's Justgiving page.

Winner of Access for All Award

Archived 15th June 2007

(Mayor of Darlington, Cllr Eleanor Lister presenting Access for All Award to The Education Village.)

Representatives from The Education Village, winners of the Darlington Access for All Award 2006, were presented with an award by the Mayor of Darlington, Cllr Eleanor Lister at a ceremony staged by Darlington Association on Disability in partnership with Darlington Borough Council. The Award which is made to the business or organisation that has demonstrated a commitment to ensure that their building or open space is accessible to all and that their organisation's culture embraces accessibility in all of its forms.

The judges felt the Education Village building, ethos and staff attitude all fitted the criteria needed to be a worthy winner.

Thirty-five nominations were received and judging was not easy. The judges were impressed with all the finalists and awarded a Highly Commended to the Civic Theatre, Forum Music Centre, Coleridge Centre and the Childcare Centre at Darlington College all who had demonstrated that it takes more than an accessible building to deliver an accessible service for disabled people.

‘Let's all Play!’ Inclusive Play Training Course

Archived 15th June 2007

Introduces the principles of inclusion, teaches the basics of inclusive play and suggests a variety of games that can be used and adapted for all children.

Who is this training suitable for?

Playworkers, holiday scheme workers, volunteers, childcare and youth workers etc.

Length of training: 5 hours

Level of training:

Endorsed by Skills Active at introductory level. Provides some knowledge towards Playwork NVQ Level 2.

Cost of training: FREE

Dates & Venue:

Thursday 07th June 07 - Blackwell Meadows Rugby Club

Saturday 16th June 07 - Blackwell Meadows Rugby Club

If you feel that attending the Let's all Play training would be beneficial to yourself and your setting, please read on....

‘Let's all Play!’ is an introduction to inclusive play

The course aims are:

• Develop student confidence

• Increase student knowledge of games

• Introduce the principles of inclusion

• Offer ways of overcoming barriers to inclusion in the workplace

Objectives:

Students will understand the principles of inclusion. The course looks at the social model of disability, the assumption and values of play, legislation and language and explores ways to overcome possible barriers to inclusion through games. It includes confidence building for new and inexperienced Playworkers, volunteers and occasional workers as well as a team building opportunity for organisations with large staff teams who seek to include disabled children in their settings.

The rights of disabled children to access local play provision are becoming more widely recognised and accepted as good playwork practice. Many children's play and leisure services are more confident to offer inclusive provision but still recognise that face to face play workers, particularly volunteers, occasional and short term workers may lack confidence and knowledge in relation to inclusion.

Additionally there is an ongoing increase in demand from the playwork profession for games and practical play activities that reflect inclusiveness.

Kids NDD has developed Let's all Play as an introductory inclusive playwork training course. Endorsed by SkillsActive at Entry Level, it also has links to National Occupational Standards related to the NVQ Level 2 (these are outlined on the certificate the student receives after the course has taken place).

Each participant will take away from the course:

• Let's all Play! Workbook to refer to when back at setting

• Kids NDD PIP News and support materials

Equality and Diversity Conference

Archived 24th May 2007

DAD is holding an Equality and Diversity Conference on Wednesday 23rd May 2007, 9.30am - 4.30pm in the Central Hall of the Dolphin Centre, Horsemarket, Darlington.

The conference which will cover the 6 equality strands, is free of charge to partners in the voluntary sector and aims to:

• raise awareness of equality issues, particularly in relation to working in the voluntary sector.

• identify actions that voluntary organisations can take in the short and longer term to improve equality for employees and service users.

• identify issues that voluntary sector organisations in Darlington could work on together to improve equality.

DAD is organising the conference as part of its commitment to the Gold Star Exemplar Programme, which is a national initiative to promote and share good practice in recruiting and supporting volunteers from marginalised and under-represented groups. DAD has been awarded funding from Gold Star for its positive work with disabled people.

Wheelygood is an Award Winner

Archived 28th March 2007

The Wheelygood website, www.wheelygood.org, was recently nominated for the Institute of Highways and Transportation (IHT) Accessibility Award 2006, sponsored by MRC McLean Hazel. This award recognises improvements in accessible transportation services and infrastructure to the benefit of disabled people.

D.A.D. is pleased to announce that they were the winners of the award.

The site, which was developed in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, is an interactive map providing full accessibility information on the central area of Darlington, including wheelchair accessible routes, audio loops, and access to shops, businesses and public buildings.

The Criteria for the award was:

Understanding the needs of different users.
Usage levels and behavioural effects of the service/infrastructure.
Benefits to users (including increased mobility and safety).
Implementation (management, operation, communications).
Objectives met.
Innovation.
Best value and cost-benefit.
Compatibility with the surrounding environment / situation.
Sustainability.

Judges comments from the IHT:

"All three short listed entries are excellent initiatives that represent best practice and deserve to be widely copied. Any one of them would be a worthy winner. But after much deliberation, the assessors decided on the Darlington Association for Disability and Darlington Borough Council entry for the whole package of activities, from physical improvements to accessibility in the town centre and on the routes to the centre. Also commendable is their operation of the steadily growing Shopmobility scheme that is evolving to match the requirements of its users and the provision of a wide range of information on accessibility on the website, www.wheelygood.org (though the pun could have cost them the award!). The site is really easy to use and informative - we encourage you to try it for yourself."

Picture of Chris Thwaites, Project Co-ordinator at DAD receiving the IHT Award from Martin Bell

A picture of Chris Thwaites, Project Co-ordinator at DAD receiving the award from Martin Bell.