Disability Cambridgeshire: Newsletters 2005: Issue 14 December 2006

Newsletters 2006: Issue 14 December 2006

Contents of this page: Letter from the Chief Executive including an important mesage about funding and also membership | Caring for Carers | Carers into Education | Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Learning Partnership – Dyslexia Action.Consultation and Screening for Dyslexia | Cambridgeshire County Council – Community Learning | Lord Ashley introduces Independent Living Bill to Parliament | Charity Flowers Direct | RFET Cambridge | AbilityNet’s award-winning website has got even better | Buyers’ Protection Guide | Disability Equality Duty | Free Entry to City Swimming Pools for Carers | Swimming – East Cambs | Pioneering Research | Talking News (Cambridgeshire County Council) | Winter Fuel Payments 2006/2007 | Find Blue Badge parking bays | Pets (Who will care for them when you are in hospital or when you can no longer look after them?) | Choice of One for Disabled on-line Supermarket Shoppers | ADP (The Association of Disabled Professionals) | Love Your Mark | Commission for Social Care Inspection | Youreable.com | Cambridge Forum of Disabled People | South Cambridgeshire Forum of Disabled People Sawston Branch | Cambourne Forum of Disabled People | East Cambridgeshire Access Group |

Letter from the Chief Executive...

Dear Members, Despite the Primary Care Trust Board’s decision to reduce our funding, we are still here and intend to stay!

We understand that the PCT has a financial mountain to climb, but believe that the Board’s decision was wrong - yet again, it seems that funding for disabled people is someone else’s responsibility.

If Directions Plus (now Disability Cambridgeshire) did not provide support for disabled and older people and their carers, people would need to turn more frequently to their doctors, community nurses etc. whose resources are limited and for whom disability is rarely an area of expertise.

If you also believe that the PCT Board’s decision was wrong, please write to the Chair of the Cambridge PCT, asking them to reconsider.

You may send your letters to: Directions Plus (now Disability Cambridgeshire), Freepost ANG10543, Cambridge, CB4 0BL
and we will deliver all your letters together in the first week of January 2007.

Other ways to help:

Buy flowers from Charity Flowers Direct
If you know anyone who needs a stairlift ask them to arrange for a free demonstration and quote from Acorn; Tel: 0800 085 5182.
Spread the word! Tell other disabled or older people, carers, people with learning difficulties or mental health problems about our free, contact us. We can help anyone who lives or works in Cambridgeshire and give contact details for other parts of the country.
Encourage people, especially companies and organisations, to fundraise for us.
Ask your friends and contacts to tell as many companies and organisations as possible that Directions Plus (now Disability Cambridgeshire) provides low cost DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) and Equality Training and Access Surveys.
Ask about volunteering for us if you are able to get to the Directions Plus (now Disability Cambridgeshire) office [in 2009, we moved from this address].
Share your good ideas with us.

Membership:

Having welcomed many new members this year (and some trustees who are working hard to find alternative funding so we can continue to increase our services) we need to update our contact lists and are especially keen to have email addresses so that we can save on postage and paper.

Constitutionally, we must have a high percentage of voting members attending our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and many of you are not able to come due to the distance, lack of adapted transport etc. This might become a problem, so we are suggesting two types of membership:

Home Members: people who receive the Newsletters and communicate with us via phone, letter, email etc.
Active Members: people who, in addition to home membership, are able to attend, wish to be invited to meetings and vote.

If you wish to be an active member please contact us with your current contact information.

Everyone at Directions Plus (now Disability Cambridgeshire) wishes all our members everything they wish for themselves for Christmas and the New Year.

Sheila Smith-Rawnsley, Chief Executive

Caring for Carers

Do you live in South Cambs?
Have you recently stopped caring for someone?
Unsure of what to do next?

Directions Plus (now Disability Cambridgeshire) is offering free confidential advice and support.

We can

advise you on the many opportunities available to you
offer guidance on your benefit entitlement
advise on retraining and entering the labour market

You can

achieve experience through volunteering
access retraining opportunities to enhance your skills within a supportive environment

Carers into Education

The Carers into Education project offers reduced fees for distance learning courses to carers over the age of 16 years living in the Eastern region and the Midlands. It is a joint project between the National Extension College and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers funded for three years by the Big Lottery.

Carers can now access National Extension College courses at reduced rates. They offer a range of courses including GCSEs, AS and A2s, vocational subjects such as book-keeping or child-minding, along with creative writing, counselling and study skills.

NEC courses are through distance learning, with no requirement to attend classes, so carers can study where and when they choose. Studies can be fitted around caring responsibilities and carers will have the support of a subject tutor and a personal mentor. In addition the NEC will work closely with their local Princess Royal Trust Carers’ Centre to support students.

The personal mentor will maintain regular contact with the student throughout the course at times and in a format to suit the carer. This is in addition to support that is given by the subject tutor who will be experienced in working with carers.

For more details and information please contact: Sue Crowley Carers into Education Manager, National Extension College, The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road, Cambridge. CB2 2HN; Tel: 01223 400387; Email: sue.crowley@nec.ac.uk

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Learning Partnership – Dyslexia Action.Consultation and Screening for Dyslexia

What’s in it for you?

A chance to discuss with a dyslexia specialist your strengths and weaknesses and explore any indications of dyslexia.
A short, reliable standardised spelling test to give you an indication of your literacy skills.
A reliable nonverbal ability test to give you an indication of your problem-solving skills and potential.
An opportunity to explore what to do next and agree on an action plan.
A short written report summarising our findings and recommendations.

The consultation and screening takes about 60 minutes and can be the first step to understanding your needs and abilities.

What they don’t offer:

A definite diagnosis of dyslexia. This would take much longer and requires a more in-depth assessment.

Interested?

This service is free if you are economically inactive (eg unemployed, not working, home maker, long-term sick or not in full-time education or training) and have been resident in the European Union for three years.

To find out more or to book an appointment, please contact: Lynda Pope on 01733 234 956

Cambridgeshire County Council – Community Learning

Community Learning courses available as follows:

Supporting Adult Learners with Mental Health Problems in Cambridge City, Huntingdon, Fenland, South & East Cambridgeshire.
One Day Workshops and Short Courses can be organised in a variety of subjects: Basic Computer Skills, Woodwork, Photography, Looking Good, Creative Writing and Pottery. Others are available on request. All courses run subject to sufficient student numbers.
Lip-reading classes in Cambridgeshire
Let your eyes help your ears …. Join a lip-reading class and learn how to cope better with your hearing loss.

What will it cost?
Only £10 registration fee per term. Courses are for 30 weeks over three terms per year.

General enquiries and start dates please contact: Val Cambers ELH 1101 Castle Court, Cambridge. CB3 0AP; Tel: 01223 718484; Email: val.cambers@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Lord Ashley introduces Independent Living Bill to Parliament

Disability rights campaigner Lord Ashley of Stoke introduced an Independent Living Bill to the House of Lords on 8 June 2006.

The Disability Rights Commission helped to draft the Bill following extensive consultation with disabled people and their organisations, including people with mental health conditions and people with a learning disability.

Their definition of independent living means ensuring all disabled people have the same freedom, choice, dignity and control as other citizens at home, at work and in the community. It does not mean being forced to live alone. It means having the right to receive practical assistance and support to participate in society and live an ordinary life.

The Bill covers various issues: where and with whom disabled people live (including residential care and accessible housing), care service payments, portable care packages and advocacy and communication support – all with choice, control and rights at their core. The Bill would, if accepted by Government deliver significant changes and opportunities.

Over the coming months, briefings will be available on different aspects of the Bill. The issue of independent living will be promoted through cinema adverts, and a major survey will examine the future of caring.

The second reading – the first opportunity for Lords to discuss issues in the Bill – was scheduled for 14th July. Lord Ashley writes about the Bill and asks for support on the home page of the Disability Rights Commission website: www.drc-gb.org

Buy flowers from Charity Flowers Direct

RFET Cambridge

RFET are pleased to inform you that they have been successful in securing ongoing funding for their Employment Advice Service (formerly known as QEST) for people with mental health issues.

They offer specialist employment information, advice and guidance to both clients and employers. Their qualified and experienced Employment Advisers will continue to support and enable clients to develop their confidence, skills and abilities.

Drop-in Advice Service From 2 August, 2006, a weekly Wednesday afternoon (2pm-4pm) drop-in advice service will be available, focussing on job searching and employment advice. Clients will be able to utilise the computers, newspapers and their up-to-date library resources. Staff will be available to assist and support.

Courses
From September 2006, they will be offering the following courses:

IT/Employment Skills
Assertiveness
Skills for Life – literacy and numeracy (in partnership with Cambridge Housing Society and Long Road Sixth Form College).

Gardening Maintenance Project
In partnership with their Huntingdon Service, they are in the process of developing this community-based scheme.

AbilityNet’s award-winning website has got even better

AbilityNet provides a wide range of services to individuals, professionals in the field of disability, employers and the public sector. They are the UK’s leading charity bringing the benefits of computer technology to adults and children with disabilities.

AbilityNet provides the following services:

Free advice and information
Individual assessment of technology needs
A wide range of courses and workshops
A range of web accessibility and usability services
Software accessibility and usability audits
Consultancy for employers
Supply of adapted computer equipment.

On 24 October 2006, they launched a new web accessibility and usability services website: http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/web

To talk to someone in person about how they can help call their Advice & Information Service on 0800 269545 or send your enquiry by e-mail. accessibility@abilitynet.org.uk

Buyers’ Protection Guide

The Mobility Matters Network would like to give you honest advice before you buy a scooter, chair, bathlift, stairlift, riser chair or other mobility product.
The Buyers Protection Guide explains why you could pay too much and why it isn’t always the best policy to choose the lowest price.

It reveals the tricks of the trade that some salespeople may use to get you to make a decision before you are ready and it makes sure that you are armed with the right questions to ask before you buy.

It is full of practical and useful advice, but the best advice ever is not to buy anything before you’ve read it from cover to cover!

Call now and your nearest mobility specialist member will send you a copy of the guide free of charge. Tel: 08705 134130; website: www.mobilityripoff.co.uk or write to Mobility Matters, Dept DN Freepost NH0170, Kettering, NN14 1BR

Disability Equality Duty

The Disability Equality Duty (DED) for the public sector comes into effect in December 2006.

The DED section of the Disability Rights Commission website contains a range of guidance and information to support public authorities, disabled people and disabled people’s organisations in the successful implementation of the new duty (Easy Read guide to DED).

Free Entry to City Swimming Pools for Carers

Did you know that carers and support workers can enter both the Abbey Pool and Cambridge Parkside Pools free of charge when accompanying a person with a disability who needs assistance?

For more details contact the Abbey Leisure Complex on 01223 213 352 or Parkside Pools on 01223 446 104.

Disability swimming sessions are available at the following sports centres.
Pool hoists are available.

Cambridge Parkside Pools, Gonville Place, Cambridge. Thursdays 2-4pm; Tel: 01223 446 104
Chesterton Sports Centre, Gilbert Rd Cambridge. Fridays 2-4pm; Tel: 01223 576 110
Abbey Leisure Complex hosts 30-minute swimming lessons for young people with learning disabilities - for 5-16 year olds. Tuesdays 3.00-3.30pm or 4.00-4.30pm.

Parents/carers are required to stay for the duration of the session and will be admitted free of charge (they may enter the water if they wish).

For information call the Cherry Hinton Village Centre 01223 576 412 or to book call Parkside Pools on 01223 446 104

Swimming – East Cambs

Disport East Cambs and the Paradise Pool would like to invite all people with disabilities, their siblings and families to a new swimming session at the pool.

The sessions will provide the opportunity for the whole family to spend some recreational time together in a fun and relaxing environment.

After a successful pilot scheme of disability specific session, Michelle Emerson, the manager at Paradise Pool agreed to ‘mainstream’ the sessions into the main pool timetable.

The new session will run on SUNDAYS from 1.30 – 2.30pm.

To attend these sessions, you will need to buy a card which entitles you to a discounted swim when you attend the pool (this counts for any session, not just the disability sessions). The prices for the cards and swims are as follows:

Card: Adults £16 Children £5
Swimming Session: £1.50 (with card)

If you would like any further information on these sessions, please contact Jenny Lowe, Sports Development Officer, East Cambs District Council on 01353 616 383 or speak directly to Paradise Pool on 01353 665 481.

For more information on DISPORT’s activities within East Cambs or to join the group contact Jenny Lowe as above.

Pioneering Research

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) funded pioneering research at the University of Antwerp, which has resulted in the discovery of a genetic link between exposure to loud noise and hearing loss.

This important breakthrough could revolutionise ways of treating and preventing noise-induced deafness. In the UK, over one million people are at risk from, or have already experienced, noise-related hearing loss.

The findings published in July 2006 identified three genes that influence the risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss - a condition that is irreversible. These genes play a role in recycling potassium in the inner ear - a process essential to normal hearing.

Exposure to loud noise has long been known to cause hearing loss and is a leading occupational hazard in many countries. However, it has been less clear who some people are much more susceptible to noise damage than others.

Talking News (Cambridgeshire County Council)

Provide a weekly recorded tape of local news and events, distributed free, to those registered as blind or partially sighted.

Contact: Mrs Aileen Brown, 21 Church Street, Ashley, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9DU; Tel: evening 01638 731 635

Winter Fuel Payments 2006/2007

You may qualify for a Winter Fuel payment if you:

Are aged 60 or over on or before 24 September 2006 and normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland.

Those who qualify for a payment should receive £200 per household. Households with someone aged 80 or over may get an extra payment of £100.

Most people will not need to do anything to receive their payment, which should be paid automatically if you:

are receiving a social security benefit (apart from Child Benefit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit) during the qualifying week 18 to 24 September 2006
received a payment last year and your circumstances and contact details have not changed.

Other people will need to make a claim by either:

calling the Winter Fuel Helpline on 08459 15 15 15 - the helpline is open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday, and closed on bank holidays. Calls are charged at local rates or
visiting www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel

Find Blue Badge parking bays

Directgov’s interactive tool can be used to find Blue Badge parking bays near you, and across the UK.

The Blue Badge parking map can be used to find:

Blue Badge parking bays in 64 towns and cities across the UK
address, number of spaces and any applicable restrictions and exceptions
red route parking bays in London
accessible petrol stations in the UK and their service facilities.

How to use this service

Use this link to go to the Blue Badge parking map where you can enter a UK postcode or town or city and select ‘GO’.

If needed, there’s a ‘Help’ page explaining how to move around the map – including how to zoom in and out of a chosen area.

Blue Badge parking map http://bluebadge.direct.gov.uk/

Pets (Who will care for them when you are in hospital or when you can no longer look after them?)

The Cinnamon Trust charity has a national network of volunteers that provide day care, fostering and long term care for pets – helping many sick and elderly people in times of need.

To find out more contact the Cinnamon Trust at 10 Market Square, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4HE; Tel: 01736 757 900.

Wood Green Animal Shelter in Godmanchester offer temporary care (Foster Circle) or rehoming for animals. Tel: 08701 90 40 90.

Choice of One for Disabled on-line Supermarket Shoppers

AbilityNet have found that Tesco is the only on-line supermarket that exceeds minimum accessibility standards for disabled users.

In their State of the eNation report they revisited the top five food retailers’ websites, originally reviewed in the summer of 2004, to establish what progress, if any, had been made towards best practice in this multi-million pound market place.

The survey looked at both usability and accessibility using a programme of automated tools, as well as a wide variety of manual checks. Consistent with the 2004 report, only www.tesco.com can be easily accessed by people with a vision impairment, dyslexia or physical disability that makes mouse use difficult, and gains a four-star rating on AbilityNet’s five-star scale.

Just one other site passes the basic three-star accessibility rating – www.morrisons.co.uk, which has improved significantly from its original one-star score but is an information only site, visitors cannot purchase goods directly on-line.

The remaining stores – Sainsbury’s – www.sainsburys.co.uk – (one star), Asda – www.asda.co.uk – (one star) and Somerfield – www.somerfield.co.uk – (two stars); show no noticeable advancement.

ADP (The Association of Disabled Professionals)

The ADP was formed in 1971 to provide a forum for disabled people to share both their problems and their experiences of successful personal development and valued work, as well as to help create conditions for other disabled people to realise their full potential.

They draw on the expertise of disabled professionals to improve the education and employment opportunities of disabled people.

Contact: Association of Disabled Professionals, BCM ADP, London WC1N 3XX; Tel: 01204 431 638; Fax: 01204 431 638; Email: adp.admin@ntlworld.com

Interesting and useful websites:

Love Your Mark

Website set up by Beverley Fulker, a Life Coach and Mentor who has a facial port-wine stain and specialises in helping people with marks, scars and facial differences. She hopes to inspire others to be happy with themselves.
E-mail: bev@loveyourmark.com; Mobile: 07891 385 631; Website: www.loveyourmark.com

Commission for Social Care Inspection

They inspect and report on care services and councils to improve social care and stamp out bad practice.
Email: enquiries @csci.gsi.gov.uk; Tel: 0845 015 0129 or 0191 233 3323 (Newcastle); www.csci.org.uk

Youreable.com

Information, products and services for disabled people. On-line forums include – legal, motoring, benefits, disability, aids & equipment, discussion boards etc. www.youreable.com

Disability Forums:

Cambridge Forum of Disabled People

Campaigning for equality of opportunity for people in Cambridge.

Contact: Gerri Bird E-mail: thecfdp@yahoo.co.uk; Contact us

If you are interested in joining the Cambridge Forum please contact Gerri.

South Cambridgeshire Forum of Disabled People
Sawston Branch

Contact: Gerri Bird: E-mail: gerri_directionsplus@yahoo.co.uk; Contact us

Gerri Bird has set up a forum in Sawston with the help of local residents.
The forum, which meets once a month, has been running since February 2005. If you have a disability, are a carer, an older person or an organisation working with or for disabled/older people or carers and are interested in joining, please contact Gerri. One of the things the forum is involved with is campaigning for better access in all areas.

Cambourne Forum of Disabled People

Coming soon: Cambourne forum – if you know an older or disabled person who may be interested – please contact Gerri.