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This is the contents
of the latest newsletter with the pictures and artwork removed:
Network
Newsletter
Volume
4, Issue 1
Disabled People’s
Network – Solihull
Network Newsletter September 2007
End
of an era?
Welcome to the future
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) closes at the end of
September, to make way for the new Commission for Equality
and Human Rights (CEHR), established under the Equality Act
2006, which opens on 1 October. The new Commission replaces
not only the DRC but also the Equal Opportunities Commission
(EOC) and the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE). It will
work to promote fairness for everyone and tackle discrimination
in relation to gender, gender reassignment, disability, sexual
orientation, religion, belief, age and race. The Commission
will also promote human rights.
The DRC website has been a valuable source of information
for DPN-S and member organisations but most of the information
on the DRC website is due to be available in an easy-to-use
archive section of the new CEHR website www.cehr.org.uk
The end of September also sees the end of Lottery funding
for the Network. The past 3 years has seen great strides in
the work undertaken for and by members as was highlighted
at our recent AGM. Joint working on projects such as the Birmingham
International Airport “Passengers with Reduced Mobility”
and The Highways Agency consultation to review their Traffic
Officers procedures point the way forward.
Network Meeting 1st October
The next full Network meeting is being held on 1st October
from 10:30 to 12:30 at the Fordbridge Centre, Nineacres Drive,
Fordbridge B37 5DD. There will be an update on Network activity
together with a discussion about highways issues particularly
with the Regeneration process. This is being led by David
Strang of Solihull MBC and Kevin Kane-Brookes of InPartnership.
‘Walks’ for Disabled People
We are trying to put together a series of local walks; or
perhaps ones that can be driven to, but not too far away;
that are suitable for people with different disabilities.
You might have enjoyed a walk which would be suitable for
a group that included a wheelchair user, or someone with reduced
mobility, alternatively would it be enjoyed by someone with
a sensory disability?
We would be interested in hearing about such walks and the
types of disabilities you think they could cater for. We would
also be interested in hearing from anyone who would like to
volunteer to check out suggested walks for us. Please phone
0121 788 1544 or email info@dpns.org.uk.
Discrimination law consultation
The Government is reviewing the current discrimination laws
with a view to combined them all in one new piece of legislation.
As part of this process they have been consulting with interested
parties. “A Framework for Fairness: Proposals for a
Single Equality Bill for Great Britain” has now closed.
Considerable efforts have been made to counter discrimination
over the last 10 years, however these have been implemented
in a piecemeal way which has resulted in a complex and contradictory
web of legislation which is difficult to access and interpret.
Consequently the Government’s commitment to review and
simplify the law is extremely welcome but understandably there
are many differing views on what the final legislation should
look like.
Responses the consultation have been collated by Equality
and Diversity Forum and these can be viewed at http://www.edf.org.uk/news.php?action=fullnews&id=731.
Mystery shoppers required
Earlier this year DPN-S and member organisations joined in
a very successful workshop with the Highways Agency which
in turn had followed on from Birmingham International Airport
consultation for “Passengers with Reduced Mobility”.
We are now developing opportunities for our members to actively
engage with other organisations in a similar way to ensure
that their and their member’s views are taken into consideration.
This is starting with the NEC which hosts a wide range of
shows and exhibitions attracting disabled visitors from all
over the country.
Negotiations have been taking place and it is proposed that
there will be a number of mystery shoppers visiting various
shows over the coming months leading up to a workshop where
a full appraisal can be undertaken. If you would like to volunteer
to help or would like to nominate someone from your group
to ensure that your own specific requirements are considered,
please contact Martin on 0121 788 1544 or info@dpns.org.uk.
Care Trust / Council Consultation event
A consultation event has been arranged for the afternoon of
12th November at the Renewal Centre in Lode Lane Solihull.
This is your opportunity to hear of future plans from Solihull
Council and Solihull Care Trust and to join in group discussions
to ensure that your and your group’s views are considered.
Previously this event had been held as an evening event but
it is recognised that by holding this in an afternoon it will
enable more people to participate and debate issues which
are important to them.
The event details are still being finalised but if you have
any questions you would like to raise about disability issues
for the Council or the Care Trust will you please either phone
0121 788 1544 or email info@dpns.org.uk as soon as possible.
New Team at Greenacres
Solihull Care Trust is creating a new team, as from 1st October,
bringing together the Physical Disability Social Workers,
to create a new Physical Disability and Sensory Impairment
Team. This will be based at Greenacres Disability Resource
Centre alongside the day care service, Community Rehabilitation
Enablement and Support Team and the Rowan Organisation. This
is an exciting development for the Physical Disability services
in Solihull, as it means opportunities for workers to share
their knowledge and expertise, improved communications between
professionals and closer joined working, which should benefit
all service users. Everyone who has a Physical Disability
Social Worker will be contacted in due course with details
of new contract arrangements.
Carers Rights Day
A national event to raise awareness of carers and an opportunity
to express your rights is being held on Friday 7th December
from 10am to 12 noon at the Renaissance Hotel, Warwick Road,
Solihull. Meet a panel of local MP's, representatives from
Solihull Care Trust and Solihull Carers Centre and GP's to
discuss your caring issues with people that can make a difference.
There is also a Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday 28th September
form 10am to 12pm at Solihull Carers Centre, Hedingham Grove,
Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, B37 7TP with Mayor and MP Caroline
Spellman.
Shaw Trust Fair Cities Project
The Shaw Trust was registered as a national charity in 1982,
the International Year for Disabled Persons. It began in the
village of Shaw in Wiltshire, where it helped a group of people
with severe disabilities to focus on their skills and abilities
and to obtain jobs with employers, by stressing what they
were able to do, rather than on their limitations. This employment
gave them independence as well as income, a sense of self-worth,
and a chance to live their lives as integrated members of
society.
The Shaw Trust has a new project called the Fair Cities Project,
which covers Birmingham and Solihull. This project works with
disabled adults of working age, who are currently unemployed,
but would like to gain employment (either paid or voluntary).
They offer help with CV’s, confidence building, interview
skills or additional training. They can be contacted on 0121
351 2654 or 07894799303 or e-mail Mark Lynes at mark.lynes@shaw-trust.org.uk.
Runway Extension – Health Impact Assessment
DPN-S was invited to a meeting with an independent body from
Liverpool University, who will be reporting to Birmingham
International Airport and the aviation authorities to try
to help reduce the adverse health impact of the proposed runway
extension. We were one of many local groups invited, whose
main concerns were about noise pollution, air pollution, traffic
congestion and the proximity to housing of the new fuel stores,
which will need to be relocated.
The aim of this report will be to ensure that there are no
undue effects on health within the borough which would put
a strain on the Primary Care Trust’s resources, diverting
funds from other areas.
Replacement of Local Trains by Busses
Passengers are set to benefit as Network Rail starts the next
phase of a £75 million programme to improve the railway
between Birmingham Snow Hill, Solihull and Warwick this autumn.
The project will see the old signalling renewed with modern
state-of-the-art equipment along 23 miles of railway and improvements
to the track at Tyseley. To enable the project to be completed,
the line will be closed and buses will replace trains between
Birmingham Snow Hill Station and Dorridge and Shirley. A special
shuttle train service will operate between Shirley and Stratford
upon Avon. Passengers are advised to allow more time for their
journeys and are reminded that bicycles and dogs (except for
assistance dogs) may not be allowed to travel on substitute
bus services.
On Saturdays between 15th September and 27th October and on
Sundays from 16th September to 2nd December; buses will replace
trains and call at advertised stations between Birmingham
Snow Hill and both Dorridge and Shirley.
SAB Christmas Sales
Solihull Association for the Blind holds sales of cards, wrapping
paper, gift bags, diaries, etc things in local day centres,
doctors surgeries, nursing homes, mother and toddler groups,
etc. They are very reasonably priced. Contact Jan Kirton on
0121 789 6708 or 07960 183542 or at janetkirton01@aol.com
to arrange or find a venue.
Solihull Community Housing
DPN-S is working with Solihull Community Housing through its
Disability
Focus Group. In this way tenants will have access to independent
advice and guidance through the Network and they will be signposted
to other Network members where appropriate.
Solihull Community Housing have already demonstrated their
desire to help disabled tenants by helping to fund the DisabledGo
survey of public buildings in Solihull www.disabledgo.info
which is greatly appreciated. Whilst this survey has now been
launched assistance is required in reviewing the information
and if you are able to help please phone 0121 788 1544 or
email info@dpns.org.uk.
Warm Front Grants
This is a government funded scheme intended to help people
on disability or other benefits, parents with children under
16, or pregnant women, to keep warm at home. Anyone receiving
these benefits who owns their own home or rents from a private
landlord can claim a grant of up to £2 700 towards installing
central heating, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation or
draft proofing.
In addition anyone who doesn’t receive these benefits
but is over 60 can claim £300 towards repairing or installing
central heating. To check if you are entitled to claim a Warm
Front Grant phone free on: 0800 316 2814
VIP’s Use Gateway Gardens Trust
In the last newsletter we mentioned this trust as being someone
to contact to organise a visit to a garden for people who
cannot normally make such a visit alone. They help organise
the visit, pay for entry, transport and refreshments. The
Visually Impaired People’s group recently went on such
a visit, visiting The Lavender Tea Rooms near Bickenhill,
organised through the trust. They enjoyed the visit to gardens,
garden centre and gift shop, and were taken to a nearby hotel
for a carvery meal. They recommend them highly too.
You can contact Catherine Baker on 01568 760027 or at cath.baker@gatewaygardentrust.org.
Chelmsley Wood Citizens Advice Bureau
Chelmsley Wood Citizens Advice Bureau has been housed in a
portacabin in Stephenson Drive for the last 14 years, but
under the regeneration scheme, is moving to a new home. They
will be holding an open door session in the portacabin, as
usual, on Friday 28th September, then locking it’s doors.
The bureau will start their open door sessions on Monday 15th
October, in their new offices at:
176 Bosworth Drive, Chelmsley Wood, B37 5DZ. (next to the
Conservative Club).
Opening times will stay the same, people attending the bureau
before 9:30 to obtain a time slot for later in the day.
They will be open Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 am –
2:00 pm.
Computer Club
Recom, who supply cheap reconditioned computers to charities,
disabled people, etc, are going to be starting a computer
club, this Autumn, at Archbishop Grimshaw School, Kingshurst,
on Wednesday mornings and at Yardley Wood Library, on Monday
mornings. They will be aimed at over 55’s, and it is
hoped they will be user-led in content, teaching people to
use programmes that will enable them to use the computer for
the things they want to do, rather than following a set syllabus,
which may not be appropriate to their needs. For more information,
or to register an interest contact Carol Wood at info@recom.org.uk
or phone Rebecca at Recom on 0121 765 5282.
‘Questions to Ask’
This is a new leaflet produced by the NHS to help people get
the best out of appointments with the doctor or at the hospital.
It is particularly useful to people with complex medical problems
that are difficult to understand or to people with learning
difficulties, and has been given a crystal mark and approved
by the plain English campaign. Copies are available in Braille
and large print, plus a number of different languages.
Update
Unfortunately Marguerite Standing has stood down as trustee
on health grounds. The Network would like to thank her for
the work and guidance she has given.
At the AGM we were pleased to announce that we gained four
new trustees, bringing a wealth of varied experience with
them.
Our next Full Network Meetings will take place on:-
1st October at 10:30 at the Fordbridge Centre, Chelmsley Wood
6th December at 10:30 at The Civic Suite, Solihull
In addition there is a Consultation Event with Solihull Care
Trust and Solihull MBC
12th November at 1pm at the Renewal Centre Lode Lane Solihull
If you would like to put forward any agenda items, or have
suggestions for future speakers, please contact Martin Wright
on 0121 788 1544
Updated
23th Octobber 2007
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