RUGBY DISABILITY FORUM
Chair:
Meeting Held at Hamilton House on Tuesday 27th June 2006 at 10am.
1 Present:
2 Presentation by Jane Carter on Disability, Illness, Sensory and Community Service (DISCS).
Jane Carter - DISCS
DISCS has a: Birth – 3 year old, home visiting service and is working with families who have Disabled Children. There is an Autism Team, various parent groups and parent network groups.
DISCS works closely with OT’s to provide advice on aids and adaptations and has been working with local authorities on improving access to swimming pools.
DISCS has set up Wheelchair line dancing, a Boccia fun day and is
working with a Sports development officer.
Pat Tate Learning And Behaviour Support Services (LABSS)
01788 338130
This service is mainly funded by the schools who buy in the services of LABSS. Many of the children supported may have learning and behavioural needs. Work with the whole school looking at their policies and procedures to ensure that children with LABSS are supported appropriately and that and issues are detected early.
Low confidence is a real issue and early detection and provision of support can address this and all workers have MA in dyslexic provision qualifications
In school support needs to be provided on a daily basis so LABSS provides training for the school and individual staff members so that they can provide individual support to children with the aim to increase the resilience of disabled children.
Gloria asked about the experiences of disabled children at lunchtimes breaks etc.
Pat stated that these times are observed and schools can spend some of their allocated budget on supporting children during these times.
Jean asked, “what links with County Music Association?”
DISC works very closely with the Countywide Music Association and recruits music therapy teachers.
Martin asked whether the service works with the parents in terms of supporting children as there is an issue around whether some conditions are hereditary?
Pat stated that it is often the case that parents identify with their children’s experiences and had similar experiences themselves growing up but without the support available.
Joanne asked about support for Polish & Portuguese communities?
Good links with translation services.
Jack – After school leaving age?
County transitions service – planning needs to start early – new post transitions coordinator to help coordinate support through a new pilot service to address this issue specifically.
All schools are buying in the LABSS scheme in Rugby
3
Presentation by
Paul demonstrated the capability of the Forum’s laptop and broadband connection and the way in which a program called MSN Messenger can enable forum members to join Forum meetings remotely if they have a computer and an internet connection.
It was agreed that David would add all members who have an e-mail address to the contact list of the Forum’s messenger service on the Forum laptop.
4
Apologies:
5 Correspondence:
Phone call from Robin Richter: TCC, (Town Centre Company) are trying to sort out the accessibility of all eating places in the Borough. Trying to create a ‘food guide’ for the web listing all of the eateries in the Borough.
Gold, Silver and Bronze levels will be awarded and this process has already been started from a cleanliness and health perspective. Members of the forum were asked to contribute by assessing each of the eateries from a Disability access perspective.
It was voted upon and agreed that the Forum would facilitate this process. TCC to supply lists and facilitate printing.
Rugby CVS – RDF have been invited to become affiliated to the Rugby CVS at a cost of £11.00 per year.
This was agreed.
Training
David has details of various NVQ training available – contact David for details on 01788 544991.
Help @ Home service: £11.50 per hour contact David for details
Sue Gibney: WCC Equalities officer
Sue has sent a form to the group asking all members to complete them for the County wide Disability Equalities Strategy
Nick Moore RBC has sent a form which members filled in at the meeting. This can also be filled in online.
6 Matters Arising: Ran out of Time
7 Parking & Taxis - JL
See attached report.
8 Other Reports:
Local Area Agreements - DF
David circulated a report on Local Area Agreements, Disability is not mentioned anywhere in the Government guidance being issued to Local Authorities.
11 Any Other Business: -
Joanne Roberts (Rugby Library) informed everyone that the guide ‘Walking on Wheels –50 Wheel Friendly Trails in Scotland’ is now in stock. See Review (attached)
Next Meeting – Tuesday 25th July 2006
If you no longer want minutes sent to you, please phone John on 01788 533796