September 2005

Editors Note

The Council of Disabled People Warwickshire and Coventry would like to welcome you all to the Autumn edition of our Newsletter. As highlighted in our previous edition the 2005 was introduced expanding the existing rights of disabled people. In this edition we will be looking at how these rights introduced in the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 have been viewed by disabled people.

If members would like to contribute to our newsletter or receive it in different formats, please complete the form at the back of the newsletter and return it to me, or contact me on 01926 889349 or email info@cdp.org.uk or go to www.cdp.org.uk

Bye for now see you next time

Manisha Vadgama

CDP NEWS

New Regional Disability Network

The Council of Disabled People has been contracted by RAWM (Regional Action West Midlands) funded through Regional Engagement Fund through Advantage West Midlands to establish an organ to develop a Regional Disability Network.

CDP will build and develop a new web-site that is speech activated and picture supported so that individual disabled people and organizations of disabled people can comment on regional policy and how it affects disabled people. We will commission policy papers on regional policy through consultation with Disabled people.

The web-site will contain a forum so that Disabled people from all backgrounds, impairment group including mental health system users and survivors can speak to each other and share and disagree on views. It will contain forums of interest such as ‘Race’ and Disability, Women, Young People etc as well as areas of interest such as Housing, Transport, Single Equalities Commission, Education, Economic Inclusion.

We hope that this initiative will bring Disabled people together and create a regional voice and who knows perhaps a national voice so that local authorities, Social Services and Health and perhaps even Government can benefit from listening to us.

The Children’s Disability Guide to Warwickshire

CDP has created a web-based Guide to Disability for Disabled children, young people and their parents. It will also be available on CD Rom for agencies and schools who come into contact with parents of Disabled children.

This initiative was funded by The Children’s Fund in response to our experience that Disabled children, young people and their families struggled to find information around their Rights, services available, education and leisure opportunities.

The guide includes a searchable data-base and can be printed off. We are hoping and encouraging schools and many other agencies to either link their web-sites to CDP’s and/or take a CD Rom so that they can give out the appropriate information. Parents can also go on the web-site and find information or print out pieces of information when they need it. Alternatively they can telephone CDP information services or other agencies that have the guide.

Big Lottery Award to CDP for Coventry Social Justice Crisis Advocacy Team

CDP was awarded a Big Lottery grant to continue and develop this work in Coventry over the next three years. We are extremely grateful to all the support from service users and the Big Lottery for believing in our work and the help and support we have been able to offer Disabled people.

CDP awarded funded by EsmeeFairbairnFoundation

To extend the RAMP mentoring scheme into Coventry and support the development of an Employment Agency for Disabled People.

USE IT OR LOSE IT!

Have you something to say or do you want to discuss issues of concern, have a debate or just make contact with like minded people.

CDP has established a forum on its web-site to enable Disabled people to communicate. All you have to do is to register with a user name and a password and you can become a member. Your user name can just be made up so that you can post things (leave messages) anonymously. There are rules about what you can say on the web-site – i.e. no obscene language etc – however we expect a lively forum. To Forums go to www.cdp.org.uk and use the link Forums.

Volunteering

Do you want to volunteer with CDP or with RAMP.

CDP is looking for volunteers to offer their time to work in our Leamington based information service. You will be expected to answer the telephone or answer e mails (training given), offer information to disabled people, complete enquiry forms, meet people on the front desk and even contribute to our newsletter and web-site.

A minimum of one day per week is required and of course commitment. A volunteering position is often the first step to gain experience of working in this kind of environment. Many of our volunteers have gone on into employment.

Please contact Paul Tolley at CDP on paultolley@cdp.org.uk or telephone 024 76675802 and speak to Francisco.

RAMP is looking for volunteer mentors to mentor disabled people on a one to one to identify their goals and aspirations for a new paid career. You will undergo training on mentoring skills, Disability Equality and the Disability Discrimination Act. You will be given support by our Mentoring Coordinator. If you are a people person, want to learn new skills and think this is the kind of thing you would like to do please contact Ian Smith or Maddie Holmes at RAMP on 01926 423983 or e mail ramp@cdp.org.uk

Service User Involvement in University of Warwick as consultation group of students

If you would like to be involved in talking and training University students to understand Disability issues then contact Tony Walsh at CDP on 02476 712984 or e mail justice@cdp.org.uk

Meetings with the students will take place on October 24, 2005 and October 31, 2005. Each participant/trainer will be recompensed for their time and experience with a volunteer fee.

International Day of Disabled People December 3rd

CDP is planning a two day International celebration of Disabled People alongside the Centre for Integrated Living and the Herbert Art Gallery in Coventry with a major information day, workshops, on line exhibition and performance.

If you would like to help out please contact director@cdp.org.uk or justice@cdp.org.uk

Local & National News Updates

Access to Football Arena

Rico Arena in Coventry

Staff from the Coventry Social Justice Team attended an opening event on the 18th August 2005 of the Rico Arena along with Mark Dale, Access Officer from Coventry City Council. A number of Network members and representatives of Disability groups, including the Accessible Transport Committee also attended. The overall feedback from people that we spoke to reported that they were delighted with the access in and around the grounds. However some concerns were raised regarding parking for people who had mobility difficulties as the blue badge spaces at the main entrance were only accessible to wheelchair users. One of the team suggested that the Arena could have wheelchairs and scooters available to loan for people who are ambient blue badge holders. Concern was also raised regarding a ramp on the outside of the arena which appeared to be steep. This was raised with Mark Dale who has agreed to forward this on.

The Pension Service

Is able to help you complete application forms –deal with enquiries you may have about benefits you are already receiving –verify documents to save you sending them to our pension centre – signpost you to other services you may need.

Telephone 0845 60 60 265 or text 0845 60 60 295

Calling all Disabled Parents

There will be a meeting of the Disabled Parents Network on 26th November, 2005 at the Village Hotel, Dolomite Avenue, Coventry Business Park, CV4 9GZ. For further details contact Laura Bowey

On 0115 9194565 or e mail consult@disableparentsnetwork.org.uk

www.disabledfriends.com

Make new friends for free around the corner and around the globe.

Message your friends and participate in one of the many global forums or just chill out and have fund in the many location and topic talk rooms and/or create your own private lounges for friends and familiy.

An opportunity for Book Lovers and Readers coming soon!

Starting in September the Workers Educational Association Open Studies Programme, a college without walls is offering opportunities to local communities to enjoy learning and discussion in a friendly and informal atmosphere. For more information contact 02476 691419 and speak to Jane.

www.antenataltesting.info

A site run by Tom Shakespeare to support parents who may need information on antenatal testing, what it is and Disability issues.

Alison Lapper – Mark Quinn’s sculpture in Trafalger Square

Last week all eyes were on the unveiling of Mark Quinn’s monumental sculpture, ‘Alison Lapper Pregnant’ in Trafalger Square. The unveiling of the sculpture provoked a national debate about society’s attitudes towards the body beautiful and perceptions of beauty.

The Royal Pump Rooms Art Gallery in Leamington Spa has acquired a sculpture from the same ‘Group Portraits’ series called ‘Catherine Long’. It is a life-sized white marble sculpture featuring a woman who was born with missing limb. To see this sculpture the Royal Pump Rooms Gallery, The Parade, Leamington Spa, CV32 4AA.

What do you think about it all for discussion use the www.cdp.org.uk/forum

News from the DRC

Debenhams becomes first sued under disability access law -
Friday, July 29, 2005

Debenhams will become the first retailer to be sued under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) for failing to improve physical access to goods and services within its Derby store, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) revealed today.

Greg Jackson, a 43-year old wheelchair-user, is suing the retailer because he has been denied access to a section of the menswear department in the Derby store which can only be reached via a set of steps. The DRC is supporting him in his case.

Greg Jackson commented:

“It’s unacceptable that Debenhams are refusing to make any adjustments for disabled people. Improvements to access the menswear section in the Derby store would be relatively cheap and simple to make. Instead, I’m in the embarrassing situation of having to ask for clothes to be brought down to me by a shop assistant which means it’s impossible to browse properly and places pressure on me to buy. It also emphasises and draws attention to my impairment and so I feel like I’m being singled out because of my disability.”

DRC launches consultation on revised DDA code
Thursday, August 18, 2005

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) has launched a consultation on its revised draft Code of Practice for the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 in light of recent amendments to the Act which come into force in December 2006.

The revised Act will ease the difficulties disabled people face finding suitable housing.

Landlords, both private and social, will have new duties placed on them. At the moment landlords are required to ensure that they do not treat disabled people less favourably because of their disability. From December 2006 landlords will have to make reasonable adjustments to their policies, practices and procedures, and provide auxiliary aids and services, when requested to by a disabled person. This change in legislation will go some way in addressing the inequalities disabled people face when accessing social and privately rented housing.

The revised Act also tackles the problem of thousands of disabled people living in unsuitable accommodation being refused permission to make essential adaptations to their homes.

The revised Code reflects changes in the DDA that affect the following areas:

• the housing sector, with important new duties placed on those letting, managing and controlling property;

• public authorities, some of whose functions had previously not been covered by the Act;

• private clubs, where previously, activities regarding members had not been covered.

There are no changes to the duties of those already covered by Part 3 of the DDA, for example, service providers such as shops and restaurants.

Agnes Fletcher, Assistant Director for Communications at the DRC, said:

“The revised legislation goes some way to closing the gaps with regard to disabled people's rights to housing. It means that social and private landlords are covered by reasonable adjustment duties of the DDA that apply to other services. The consultation on the revised Part 3 Code gives social and private landlords the opportunity to explore how these duties will affect their role as landlords as well as improve access to housing for disabled people.”

The new Act also gives disabled people the right not to be refused entry to private clubs on grounds of disability - as members or as guests - and will place the onus on the owners to make reasonable adjustments where necessary, as is the case for service providers generally under the Part 3 duties.

Public authorities, who already have to ensure their services are accessible to disabled people, will now be unable to discriminate against a disabled person while carrying out a public function. This will particularly affect public bodies such as planning and highways departments, the police and immigration services, as these organisations tend to carry out public functions alongside services.

Telephone: 08457 622 633 Text phone: 08457 622 644 Fax: 08457 778 878

Right to life-prolonging treatment upheld, but only if you can tell the doctor
Thursday, July 28, 2005

A High Court ruling has created a Catch-22 situation for a disabled patient after upholding his right to life-saving treatment if he requests it, but allowing doctors to make the decision to remove it once he loses the ability to express his wishes or lacks capacity, says the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).

Technology News

Google finds its voice

Google has launched a new service called Google Talk which allows users to make free calls over the internet. The company also unveiled its new instant messaging service to rival the likes of Microsoft's MSN.

Google Talk is a downloadable Windows application which allows Gmail users to talk or send instant messages to their friends for free across the internet.

Calling friends is made possible via a computer microphone and speaker. Speech signals are then converted into a digital format so it can be transmitted over the web.

Only Gmail account holders will be able to access the service. To sign up, users must Forumsto the website and enter their mobile phone number. They then receive an invitation code via a text message which allows them to open an account.

Once they are on Gmail, users can make voice calls, send emails or instant messages. The service has been launched in the US, but a Google spokesman said no timescale was in place yet for its global roll-out.

Computers for Sale at low prices

CovWise Recycling Project. A pioneering scheme that recycles donated computers into the community. The by product of this initiative is that the recycled computer equipment can be offered to charities, local community groups and Disabled people, schools etc at low cost.

Contact Stan Clarke, Computer Recycling Project Manager on 02476 229687 or e mail barbara@covwise.co.uk

CDP contact details:

Director, Judith Stephenson on 024 76675802 or director@cdp.org.uk, Secretarial Support,

Francisco-Jose Rodriguez on 024 76675802 or admin@cdp.org.uk

Social Justice Team Coordinator Warwickshire and Coventry, Paul Tolley on 024 76716217 or paultolley@cdp.org.uk or justice@cdp.org.uk,

Information Research Worker, Manisha Vadgama on 01926 889349 or info@cdp.org.uk, Web-site Designer/Co-ordinator, Richard Proffitt on 01926 889349 or web@cdp.org.uk,

Training Development Consultant, Robert Mottram on 024 76716217 or robert@cdp.org.uk

BME Rights and Participation Worker, Aggrey Nhiwatiwa on 024 76716217 or bme@cdp.org.uk, Coventry Social Justice Team, Tony Walsh, Co-ordinator on 024 76712984 or justice@cdp.org.uk

Accounts and clerical support, Carol Hunt on 024 76716217 or carol@cdp.org.uk or Melanie Jones on 024 76712984 or justice@cdp.org.uk, Information and advice in Coventry, Lamber Sandhu on 024 76712984 or justice@cdp.org.uk

Disclaimer Note
The CDP whilst producing and disseminating information that is correct to the best of our knowledge does not take responsibility for any views or comments or inaccuracies of information from external agencies.