July 2006

BIG LOTTERY SOCIAL JUSTICE, RIGHTS & PARTICIPATION TEAM
COMES TO AN END

Paul Tolley has left CDP but has gained the position of Chief Executive Officer with Rugby Council for Voluntary Services. Paul is much liked by everyone and is an excellent networker and manager. Whilst it is a loss to CDP he will be an asset to the people of Rugby.

Tony Walsh, Coordinator of the Coventry Crisis Advocacy Team, also funded through the Big Lottery, will be taking extra responsibilities to ensure the sustainable running of the CDP. We will be appointing a temporary post to ensure that advocacy work and group facilitation work in the Warwickshire area is continued and brought to completion.

Richard Proffitt, web-site developer will also be leaving. Richard has been able to build up a brilliant web-site for CDP. Existing members of staff have been trained on updating the CDP site and Francisco Rodriguez will be continuing with www.rdn.org.uk

Manisha Vadgama and Marlon Nyirenda will also finish in their present roles at the end of July. We wish to thank them for all their hard work in a difficult time.

CDP BME Participation Project

The project comes to end this month after three years. Marlon Nyirenda would like to thank all the individuals that have been involved and hopefully they will stay in contact with CDP and will continue to work with us in the future. This year has seen the birth of the Rugby Race and Disability Forum and hopefully it will go from strength to strength.

Warwick University Social Work Research Project

The Inclusive Practice Guide is now complete and available from CDP. We facilitated two ‘Good Practice’ seminars in Coventry and Warwickshire and received positive feedback from Social work professionals that attended.

Executive Committee

We are pleased to welcome a co-opted executive committee member, Tim Astley. Tim’s post, based at Coventry Law Centre, is funded through the Disability Rights Commission. Tim will be supporting disabled people to uphold their rights and take cases of perceived discrimination under the DDA Part III and to offer training for disabled people and organisations across the West Midlands.

If you think you have a case or would like to contact Tim you can do so through us at CDP: justice@cdp.org.uk or by contacting him at Coventry Law Centre.

Warwick District Disability Network and Warwick District Council

CDP will be supporting Warwick District Disability Network to carry out some participation work with Warwick District Council so that they can implement their Disability Equality Scheme.

CDP and Warwick District Disability Network will be holding 2 meetings for disabled people to participate in this exercise. Local authorities and other statutory and public bodies are required by law to implement the scheme with the participation of Disabled people.

The meetings are likely to be held in September – we will be informing all our members and indeed non-members. If you are interested in attending and becoming involved please contact, admin@cdp.org.uk

Update on Coventry and Warwickshire RAMP Project

The project is making good progress since starting at the beginning of April.

RAMP is supporting 19 people to find employment, voluntary work, training or further education across Coventry and Warwickshire. The project has already been successful in finding opportunities for people using the service.

The project has been successful in recruiting 6 mentors. The first set of training is being held this week. The training covers 3 main areas: Disability Equality, Disability Discrimination Act and Mentoring Skills.

If you would like to receive support offered by RAMP or would like to volunteer as mentor please contact Maddie on 02476 712031 or maddie@cdp.org.uk

Disabled People and Public Health

Are you interested in participating in a regional meeting with the Department of Health West Midlands re: the Public Health of people in the West Midlands?

Some time earlier this year, Judith Stephenson, Director of CDP attended a regional meeting and was quite perturbed to hear that Health and Disability appear to be classed as the same thing - now we know that is not true. But what about the health of Disabled people in the West Midlands? First and foremost we know that being a Disabled person does not necessarily mean that your health is bad or that you are ill or tend to be more ill than a non-disabled person but you may be seen as ill for those who do not understand the difference between impairment and ill health.

The Public Health strategy for the West Midlands is not about what services are offered in the West Midlands but it can, hopefully lead on issues that take into account preventative and holistic measures that include 'keeping healthy, mobile', access to appropriate housing and facilities that are culturally appropriate to disabled people.

As was mentioned earlier this is just a first thought. If you are interested in contributing to affect regional strategy that will then hopefully be implemented in your area, then contact: director@cdp.org.uk or to admin@cdp.org.uk

This is not a job for the angry or the faint hearted as your work and participation will only affect regional policy and not be an answer to your particular problem - but it is a way to affect government policy.

If you have access to a computer and the internet, go to www.rdn.org.uk, there will be a regular blog updating you on all Disability regional issues.

People urged to stand up for rights
ic.coventry.co.uk
By Stephen Hallmark

A CAMPAIGN has been launched in Coventry to combat all types of discrimination.

Adverts promoting the campaign will be appearing on buses, billboards and banners in the city centre.

And the message is that discrimination comes in all forms and guises, including race, age, sexuality, gender, disability and religion.

The Coventry Law Centre is working in partnership with the Equalities and Communities Theme Group of the Coventry Partner-ship to co-ordinate the campaign to raise awareness about discrimination and how it can be tackled.

Coventry city councillor Andy Matchet spoke at the launch, held at St Peter's Centre, in Charles Street, Hillfields.

Cllr Matchet, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, health and equality, said: "The key message is that discrimination can happen to anyone.

"Britain cannot claim to have a great democratic tradition if we cannot even make sure human rights, equality and dignity is assured for all."

Moira Pendlebury, head of services at Age Concern's Coventry branch, added: "Not only are the elderly discriminated against because of their age, but many are also disabled and suffer from other forms of discrimination as well.

"That is why we are delighted to be supporting the campaign."

For more information, phone Coventry Law Society on 024 7622 3053.

CDP Membership

If you know of anybody who would like to become a member of CDP, receive our newsletter and have voting rights at our Annual General Meetings, please pass this membership form to them. Membership is free for all disabled people and can be registered by phone or email on:

Tel: - 024 76 675802

E-mail: - info@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.