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14/07/08 - DIAL UK and Scope join forces to offer enhanced information and advice service in England and Wales
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DIAL UK has a national network of around 120 local DIALs (Disability Information and Advice Line) groups, which provide information, advice and support to disabled people. Under the merger these local groups will remain independent and members of the national DIAL UK network, but DIAL UK itself will be run as part of Scope Response, the national charity’s information and advice service.
The merger - which takes effect from 1 August - will bring significant benefits for both organisations, combining their resources, skills and infrastructure to create an expanded national advice and information network that will meet the needs of a greater number of disabled people.
The joining of the two organisations will mean there is once more a dedicated national advice and information service for disabled people of all ages. A similar helpline run by the Disability Rights Commission ceased operating after the commission disbanded in September 2007. There is a pressing need for this kind of service as many mainstream advice organisations often do not provide the level of specialist advice required, and indeed are rarely staffed by people with personal experience of disability.
A recent Scope survey revealed that 36% of disabled people say they find it difficult to access the information that they need to make informed choices. With the move towards personalised budgets and complex application processes for funding and support, the need for clear and impartial advice and information is increasingly crucial for disabled people and their families.
The merger will also bring together the campaigning influence of both organisations to create a new and powerful voice for disabled people to lobby on disability issues, whether at local, regional or national level and to join forces behind Scope’s Time to Get Equal campaign.
The local DIAL groups, who voted in favour of the merger, will be consulted on how DIAL UK and Scope can best meet their needs and it is expected that support in terms of capacity-building, quality standards and training will be some of the key areas of focus.
Jon Sparkes, Scope’s Chief Executive, welcomed the merger saying:
“The union of our two organisations, who share a similar vision of disabled people’s equality, will deliver many lasting benefits, particularly in enabling us to meet the advice and support needs of many more disabled people across the UK.
“Scope is working towards becoming an ally of disabled people and their organisations and this merger is an excellent example of how we intend to use our organisational capacity to enable local disabled people’s organisations to thrive. Our immediate priority will be to listen to and understand the needs and plans of individual DIAL groups in the network and identify the support that they want from us and DIAL UK in the future.”
Jane Thompson-Brierley, Operations Director for DIAL UK, said:
“We are delighted that our members voted in favour of the merger. This marks the new start of a whole new future for DIAL UK and our network and we are looking forward to working with our members and with Scope on plans for the future.”
DIAL UK will retain separate branding although there are likely to be some changes to its main logo, which will include Scope’s corporate colours. Consultation will begin soon with DIAL UK groups to assess their needs for the future.
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