News
Warcs Race Equality Partnership is holding a Rugby Consultation Forum
Tuesday 23rd March 2010
6pm - 8pm
Venue: Rugby West Indian Association
St Peters Road
Rugby
Warwickshire
CV21 3QP
The consultation forum focus is:
Policing and Community Forums
Representatives from a range of local public agencies will be in attendance:
Workshops will be facilitated by;
Warwickshire Police & Warwickshire County Council
This is Your chance to have Your say...
To register your place please contact:
Telephone: 01926 314644
Get poster at www.wrep.org.uk
RDF member's supportive talk on mental illness
Gordon Boyle has some realistitic and encouraging words for those suffering from depression and allied problems and for their friends and families. For full text on line or download 26k 2pp
Get Learning this Autumn!!
Theres something for everybody in the exciting range of courses round Rugby from Adult and Community Learning including:- British Sign Language (several venues)
A host of computer/I.T. skills
Languages including English (also basic Maths)
An array of Craft skills
Personal Development with Meditation, Relaxation "Reaching Your Full Potential"
Musical themes include Beginners Harp
More detail from the Brochure Call 01926.736502
e-mail rugbyacl@warwickshire.gov.uk
Available at Rugby Library and Community Centres
Or Download (193k 5pp)
RDF action on shop and business access in Rugby
The progress toward making Rugby a disabled friendly area is noted in this positive blog; acknowledging help from friends and supporters View Online or Download 26k
Rugby Town Disabled Parking
An explanation of Rugby town disabled parking procedures and allocated places, arrived at over a series of consultations with Rugby Disability Forum, is available as an RDF blogg by David Foster.View Online or Download 27k 2pp
Expect more bloggs to follow!!
Link in to improve health and social care
What is a LINk?
LINks are made up of individuals and community groups who work together to improve local services. Their job is to find out what the public like and dislike about local health and social care. They will then work with the people who plan and run these services to improve them. This may involve talking directly to health care professionals about a service that is not being offered or suggesting ways that an existing service could be made better. LINks also have powers to help with the tasks and to make sure changes happen. More from
Individuals and organisations can register to join Warwickshire Local Involvement Network, in a range of capacities On Line or Phone 0845 601 5849
Until 24th March there is an opportunity to comment on
"The Healthcare Commission Annual Health Check - Your Experiences " On Line or phone 0845 094 9497
Help the Aged
offers older people a free "3 Steps to a Warmer
Winter" pack.
The pack contains useful
contacts and the latest information and advice about claiming benefits and
improving energy efficiency in the home; the pack also includes a free
thermometer to monitor room temperature. Ring 0800 089 0800 for pack
More details of Warmer Winter Free Pack 28k
12 page pdf at Help the Aged
Rugby Fibromyalgia Support Group
We meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month - at the John Lees Hall,Regent Place, Rugby next to the Baptist Church 7pm to 8.30pm,. There is to be a FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS event on TUESDAY 12TH MAY at the Benn Hall, Rugby 2pm to 5.30pm . See web site for more general info www.fibromyalgia-support.net . Or phone Maurice Clarke 01788 562252
10th edition of RUN, Rugby Mind's free magazine
Its very readable. Its enjoyable.Its stimulating. Rugby Users (of Mental Healthcare) News is a free magazine produced by users for users, with a good leavening of humour. To keep up the good work of getting the word out contact editor Gordon Boyle at 28,Cromwell Road CV22 5LY Tel 01788 570826
or e-mail gordon.boyle@btonnect.com
RDF Access Certificate for Thai Orchid Restaurant
Rugby Disability Forum are giving certificates to the shops /Restaurants & Banks in and around Rugby that have gone the extra mile & made the entrances to their properties easily accessible to disabled people. These certificates are for us to say thank you. On November 4th we invited our Mayor Bill Sewell & John Burrell who is the access officer for Rugby council & is our Secretary too . We did invite the press but unfortunately they didn't turn up. Here are a few photos of the Mayor & Rugby Disability Forum thanking the owners of The Thai Orchid for making their entrance accessible to disabled people.
Rugby Race and Disability Group
"BLACK DISABLED and PROUD"
Meets the second Tuesday of each month 4-5.30 at the West Indian Centre, St Peters Road. Tel 01788 542895 Tuesday or Friday 11-5
OBJECTS To promote awareness amongst the general public and statutory agencies of the needs and experiences of Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) Disabled People.
AND To challenge Racist and Disablist practices
The Group has an important function but it is also a social event
GUEST SPEAKERS Your chance to discuss issues with local representatives.
INFORMATION From healthy living to crime safety
ENTERTAINMENT From Poetry to Break Dancing
PLEASE get in touch so we can tell you more about this friendly group and HELP by passing on the word to others, for whom it could make a big difference
Incapacity Benefit replaced by Employment Support
This major benefit change will be of considerable import to some RDF members and will be diligently monitored. More from: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_172466
Access Laggards Beware !!
Rugby Disability Forum has been pleasantly surprised by the success and support we have received in the town to make our shops and businesses more accessible. Many shops, which were not originally easy to get into, have supplied a portable ramp of some kind, and/or a bell for disabled people to use, and sometimes fitted automatic doors.
For the premises that have made that extra special effort we are currently presenting a '2008 Certificate of Thanks' Some businesses have made a Supreme effort, and these are the ones we will be thanking very soon.
However, there are still some who flatly refuse to treat the Disability Discrimination Act with any respect by providing access to their premises. In some cases this would be very easy to do,and Rugby Disability Forum are of the opinion that only a discussion with our legal advisors,to whatever end that may lead, will force these people to comply with the Government's wishes. Rugby Disability Forum is in a position to be able to take this step, and may well be doing so in the near future
The RugbyAdvertiser of 23rd October has a feature "Lawyer will help group's bid for disabled access"
Doubts and warnings about low energy light bulbs
RDF members have shown concern over various features of low energy light bulbs. These range from health effects on sensitive skins and eyes to the environmental dangers from mercury and heavy metals in these products. A recent letter to the Daily Mail and an article in Metro give wider voice to these concerns.
Responsibility for assisting the disabled has now passed to airports
The effects of EU law now in force to improve disabled traveller's treatment are queried by The Crafty Traveller (Fred Mawer of The Mail) in Travel Mail 25th August
Most of the EU regulation covers on-the-ground assistance but it does spell out for the first time that disabled people have a right to assistance on board aircraft (for example, in getting to lavatories), and says airlines should make 'all reasonable efforts' to arrange seating to meet a disabled traveller's needs - which may prove challenging for low-cost airlines that do not allocate seats. The rights are covered in detail on the website of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) - see www.equalityhumanrights.com/airtravel.
If you feel you haven't been dealt with or looked after properly, complain to the EHRC on 0845 604 6610.
For guarantees of adapted rooms Mawer cites Accessible Travel and Leisure (01452 729739) www.accessibletravel.co.uk and Enable Holidays (0871 2224939) www.enableholidays.com (but warns of premiums that may be incurred)
Silver Surfers overcome "computer dread" at Rugby library
Learn to find your way on the Internet in an hour. Or set up and run your own personal e-mail address,accessible through any online computer, anywhere. Its easy ,its free, with mentors who understand over 50s learning styles "One to one" does it, at Monday morning sessions 10.30-11.30 or 11.30-12.30 Book through Library Learning Zone Tel 01788 533258 or find more information and links on Silver Surfers website www.nbsilversurfers.org.uk
Also there's a unique "SEE SOME RESULTS RAPIDLY" opportunity for extra Volunteer Mentors across Warwickshire
Informative newsletter from WREP
Warwickshire Race Equality Partnership has prouced a fact filled newsletter containing
CEO Overview - EHRC Funding
for 2008-09 - Casework
BME Forum
Events -
Workstep - New and
Emerging
Communities - New Polish
Community
Association
WREP Details
WORKSTEP is in tune with RDF recommendations on the process of getting back to work
Radio 4 gives first hand stories of Hate Crime
Experiences of visually impaired people are noted in this twenty minute"In Touch" programme that went out on 12th February. For programme, transcript and factsheet
A poem is quoted "The White Stick Blues"
Dont suffer Hate Crime in silence
"Hate Crime scars its victims beyond the legacy of any physical injury. If it is not professionally and successfully countered, its effect can create alarm and fear, undermining the fabric of social cohesion. Warwickshire Police is committed to tackling all aspects of hate crime. We are aware of the unique needs and vulnerability of hate crime victims and our duty to provide a common standard of response and quality of service.
In order to ensure that the victim's first contact with Warwickshire Police is professional and appropriate we are launching a new
Hate Crime Help Line:
0845 129 2221
The staff that answer these calls will be aware that there may be considerations present in terms of language, religion, disability and cultural/lifestyle backgrounds and will do their utmost to meet the diverse needs of each victim".
Textphone users call:
18001 0845 129 2221
New support service for disability groups
Organisations run and controlled by disabled people across the West Midlands are set to benefit from a major lottery windfall announced today.
Disability groups in the West Midlands over the past few years have suffered rather difficult times, resulting in a number disappearing altogether. The reasons for this are numerous and varied but this situation has left disabled people with a tremendous lack of representation or influencing capability in the area of regional decision making.
The award of £347, 535 from the Big Lottery Fund will support the development of new groups where non exist in the region and support the sustainability of those that have managed to survive.
The Regional Disability Network (RDN) project will support these groups and their members to develop into a unified voice in order to have a stronger influence on strategies and decisions which impact on them.
Tony Walsh, the acting chief executive officer for the Council for Disabled People (CDP) said “It would be fair to say that, in a number of quarters, a general thought, is that with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA 95) disabled people have achieved their goal of full inclusion in all aspects of society. This is not the case, even with the last part of the DDA 95 coming into force in 2004, some four years ago, common experiences of disabled people can still be characterised with lower standards, providing less flexibility and limited choices. There is a strong need for disabled people to have the opportunities to influence decision makers on issues such as housing, social services, health services, employment where traditionally the views of disabled people and their organisations have not been properly taken into account.
Donna Smith, Chair of CDP said, "we are absolutely delighted that we now have the funding to support Disabled people to sustain and develop their own groups. We have experience of doing this work and have been involved in supporting a number of groups over the years such as the Coventry Partnership Board Physical & Sensory Reference Group, Headway Coventry & Warwickshire, Rugby Disability Forum, Asian Disabled People and Carers Group. The funding from the Big Lottery Fund will allow us to expand on this work across the Midlands" .
The project is set to be launched in June of this year. If you would like further information about the work of the CDP or the RDN project please contact the CDP on 02476 712984 e-mail: justice@cdp.org.uk or visit www.cdp.org.uk.
Town centre parking 'Disaster for disabled'
RDF Chair David Foster's research indicates a serious underallocation of town centre parking spaces to disabled users- well below council-set guidelines. The Advertiser has reported on this in its issue of December 13th and invites feedback on the subject
Guideposts proposals to reorg-
anise Carer Support Service in Rugby 29th November
A well attended meeting at the Methodist Centre heard and responded to proposals to strengthen Rugby's Carer Support Service, presented by Desiree Lambert, Carer Support Manager. Download 218k 3pp
The need for DDA compliance was highlighted by RDF chair, David Foster, together with an invitation to the forum for all those concerned with disability.
There were many examples given, as personal testimony, of past effective Rugby carer support and its varied requirements- particularly sympathetic,responsive and sensitive face to face personal contacts.
More from www.guidepostswarks.org.uk
especially the Rugby Carers blog
RDF tribunal recommendation missing from Office for Disability Issues equality report
The thirty four page report on Disability Equality from the Office for Disability Issues omits one of the key recommendations from RDF,that tribunals might greatly ease the path to equality. Nonetheless it is a report that should be read and compared with the RDF submission in our News Archives 47k 5pp.More is expected in December's forthcoming ODI Annual Report.
National Recognition for WREP
Warwickshire Race Equality Partnership was recently commended by the
new Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), a national
government funded body . The new commission has been impressed by
projects undertaken by WREP including the new protocol on reporting
and recording of racist incidents across Warwickshire, as well as the
recent Rural Racism Report conducted in the rural districts of
Warwickshire. The EHRC has asked to include the projects within their
database on good practice examples.
Arun Kang, Chief Executive said, “This is great news for WREP which
has only been around for the last 18 months. Hopefully this will
build our reputation as an organisation that supports victims of
discrimination and is committed to assisting public agencies in
meeting their general duty in eliminating racial discrimination and
promoting race equality.”
Items in the latest Newsletter include
Hate Crime
Scrutiny
Panels
Casework
BME
Consultation
Forums
Rural Diversity
Events
Roots and
Culture Club
WREP Website
Contingency
Plan
For full text (Adobe Acrobat)
| 'Carers save the UK '£87bn a year' |
||
The unpaid work of carers saves the UK £87bn per year - more than the total amount spent by the NHS in the last financial year, say experts. The figure, calculated by the University of Leeds for the charity Carers UK, is up 52% since the last estimate, calculated in 2002. The average person caring for a sick or frail relative is now estimated to save the nation more than £15,260 a year. |
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The Mobility Market
Are you interested in buying or selling a mobility aid? If so, you may find this website useful. It has been created to put potential buyers and sellers in touch with each other. Click on Mobility Market for more details.
Aiming High for Disabled Children
This new Government report sets out the key elements of the £340 million package for disabled children.
£280 m to improve short breaks
£35 m to pilot assessible childcare
£19m for a Transition Support Programme
£5m for parent involvement, including parents forums
>> to watch Ed Balls so you can post questions and comments
Silver Surfers Sessions started at Rugby Library
Absolute newcomers to computers and computer novices over 50 are welcomed at free drop-in sessions in Rugby Library on Monday mornings 10.30 to 12.30. Learn Internet access in an hour! Master e-mails. Develop fresh skills through friendly one to one coaching (at your own pace)
More from www.nbsilversurfers.org.uk Office telephone 024 7634 2250
or Tel 01788 533258 Rugby Library Learning Zone (adviseable for prebooking)
Disabled Parking at Walsgrave
This layout picture may help avoid confusion
Rugby Sport for the Disabled
We meet at the Ken Marriott Leisure Centre each Sat. morning from 9.00am till 12 noon in the main hall and 9am till 11am in the pool. As the name implies we do sport for disabled people.
In the main hall, we do X-Bow, Archery, Pool, Table Tennis, Short mat Bowls, Darts, New age kurling, Boccia etc. and all the usual table games Dominos, Draughts, Bag-a-tgell + lots more.In the pool we have a lift and ramp and experienced helpers on hand.
This only a taster of what we do, why not come along on a Saturday morning and have a look for yourself?
Or look on the web www.rugbysda.org.uk
New Enforcement Powers for Blue Badge Scheme
The government has listened to feedback and strengthened the Blue Badge Scheme. It will be easier to identify and convict those abusing the scheme with fines up to £1000.The Department for Transport,Mobility and Inclusion Unit on 020 7944 6550 will answer queries or e.mail ---blue.badge@dft.gsi.gov.uk .
Rugby's Magnificent Seven accessible taxis
The council lists licensed accessible taxis operating in the borough as follows
Owner -Phone No- Plate No -Type of vehicle
Mr Babar Shahzada -7862220454-Plate 44 Peugeut E7
Mr Alvin South- 01788575757 -Plate 49- Peugeot E7
Mr Kerry Jackson- 07724174280- Plate 43 Peugeot E7
Mrs Sajida Farooq- 01788574355- Plate 48 London Taxi TXI
Mr Farakh Nawaz- 07814916688- Plate 17 Metrocab
Mr Farakh Nawaz- 07814916688-Plate 46 -London Taxi TXI
Mr Brian Brazier- 07763013427- Plate 45 Metrocab
>>> future ? read J.Lawton in RDF Minutes
Landmark test case could benefit millions of Britain's carers
A British woman received the green light to take her employment case to Europe later this year, in a case that will have major implications for millions of Britain's unpaid carers. The Disability Rights Commission has argued strongly that "Associated Discrimination" should be an explicit feature of U.K. legislation.
>>> more from Disability Rights Commission
Folding scooter problems on buses
A Kentish owner of a folding mini scooter tells of his problems with Arriva which may recur across the U.K. The saga is fully reported in "Mature Times" and the magazine would welcome comment and other experiences with scooters on public transport. The subject is also covered in a recent 82 page Feasibility Study from the Department of Transport,available free from DfT Mobility and Inclusion Unit Tel 020 7944 6102 and on line at www.dft.gov.uk
Every Disabled Child Matters
The government says that Every Child Matters – so why aren't disabled children getting their rights?
- Only 1 in 13 families get support from social services
- Disabled children are 13 times more likely to be excluded from school
- 8 out of 10 families with disabled children say that they are at breaking point
"Services for disabled children and their families are a national scandal" - Sir Al Aynsley-Green, Children's Commissioner for England.
>>>Campaigns need YOUR support
Open doors to Guide Dogs
The survey for "Rugby Eating Out Guide" reminded us of the practical notes on welcoming guide dogs available through the guide dogs website.
Bid for better pavements
Rugby Disability Forum's campaign on the state of pavements and dropped kerbs, to help wheelchair and mobility scooter users and those with shopping trolleys and pushchairs, is reported on page 2 of Rugby Advertiser 0f November 2nd.
U-Turn on hospital parking
Pressure from Rugby Disability Forum Chair, David Foster, variously reported in Rugby Times, Rugby Observer and Rugby Advertiser has led to the reversal of a decision to charge disabled blue badge holders for hospital parking at St Cross and Walsgrave.