
As Convenor of SDEF I
have waited a long time to be able to make this announcement.�
Our organisation has received the support of the Access Panels to
become the Umbrella Body for the Network.
It is said that
“everything comes to those who wait”, and we have certainly had our
share of that for what seems to have been an eternity (actually 21 months)
awaiting the result of the Access Panel Steering Group’s discussions and
recommendations.� We are
delighted to tell you that our persistence, determination and hard work have
finally paid off.� The Ballot,
which was the penultimate stage, showed an overwhelming majority of the
votes cast in favour of SDEF becoming the Umbrella Group.�
The votes were counted on 15th August.�
The Steering Group has endorsed this democratic verdict and
recommended to the Scottish Executive that SDEF take on the role.�
However, as so often happens, there is a downside, and when dealing
with Government Departments we have another tight deadline to meet.�
We have to submit costings by 29th September, the final
date for applying for Section 10 funding from the Scottish Executive.�
This whole programme and timetable were completely outwith our
control.
This is certainly not the
way we would have chosen to handle the issue, but we have been given no
choice in the matter.� After a
process which has lasted twenty one months, we have been left with only a
period of three weeks to submit an application.�
Had we been given sufficient time, our oft repeated choice and
intention had been to call a meeting of representatives of all the Access
Panels recognised by the Local Authorities, to ascertain their wishes and
needs, before submitting budget proposals.� However, unfortunately, the time factor has made this
impossible.
Nevertheless, as
promised, it is still our intention that such a meeting will be held at the
earliest opportunity to discuss issues and concerns which may exist. �We
have already arranged funding for holding this meeting a little later than
we would have liked.
Until the official
announcement was made, our hands were tied as to beginning preparation work,
as this would have been seen as pre-empting the vote and leaving us wide
open to accusations of “jumping the gun”.�
We have always played by the book and will continue to do so in all
matters.
Now that this preliminary
period is past and a democratic decision has been reached, we would appeal
to everyone to work together to make this network the great success it
deserves to be, and what everyone really wishes for.
Elma Mitchell M.B.E -
Convenor SDEF
COMPABLE
“Compable”,
(computer enable) was formed about two years ago, after I had acquired
a Post Graduate Diploma.
It seemed a good idea
to use this new expertise by obtaining and re-distributing computers
to people with a disability.� I
consulted with the Chairman of Peterhead Disability Forum and it was
agreed that “Compable” be set up and run from their office.� It was to be a non-profit-making arm of the organisation
and the remit was to acquire computers and computer parts by any means
possible - e.g. Oil Companies.

After up-grading, these
computers were to be distributed to any disadvantaged people of any
age or disability, at a basic cost of �20-�40, which would cover
administrative and travel cost.� To
build the computers we needed volunteers, most of whom are disabled,
who helped, from the lady who did the ‘begging’, to the man who
had to abandon his computer course because of his disability, but was
able to go on and build computers.�
All who have helped enjoyed the experience and our finished
products have been widely distributed throughout the North-East.
When the Peterhead
Forum had financial difficulties a decision had to be made to protect
the future of “Compable” and a small group was formed solely for
the purpose of continuing “Compable”.�
It has not been altogether easy working from my home but I
enjoyed the work and believe that a computer is a great equaliser.�
Computers allow disadvantaged people to
|
perform tasks just the
same as anyone else.� It
is my hope that by finding computers for those who would not�
normally be able to get
one, we are giving
them a chance to learn
and eventually to be able to enter the workforce on an equal footing
with anyone else.
“Compable” was
approached to see if they would be willing to work along with
Aberdeenshire Council and other organisations.�
The way forward was to form a steering group, create a Business
Plan and Constitution, and to negotiate for funding and premises.�
Some funding has now been secured.
Our hope is that people
involved in the project would come from all the disadvantaged
community so that no one is excluded in the mainstreaming process,
thus helping others to help themselves.

MAIN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To develop training opportunities in the
development of re-use of computers for people with a disability.
Educate the public regarding the importance of
computer re-use.
Tony Miller
Chairman of
“Compable”
|

Who are we?�
We are part of Edinburgh University Settlement, along with “A1 for
Jobs” and “2nd Chance to Learn”.
We help disabled and
disadvantaged people to enhance their skills to enable them to join the
workforce in mainstream jobs.
The Microbeacon Centre
has twenty years of experience in assisting people with a range of
disabilities back into the workplace.� We
operate as Job Brokers for the Department of Work and Pensions to deliver
the ‘New Deal for Disabled People’ programme.
For further information
contact:-
Margaret Durie on [email protected]
Or at the Microbeacon Centre Tel: 0131 550 6808
�
PROJECT ABILITY
PROJECT ABILITY is a
Glasgow-based visual arts charity with nearly twenty years experience
in developing projects for disabled adults and children, people with
mental health problems and others such as minority ethnic groups and
homeless people.
We support individuals
to develop their own artistic practice and to participate in local,
national and international arts events through our developmental
workshops and exhibitions at the Centre for Developmental Arts and in
our extensive outreach programme.
Collaboration with the
participants, some of whom have been coming to the centre since it
opened in 1991.
Mental Health
The Trongate Studios
opened in 1994 to provide a safe and supportive artists’ resource
for people with mental illness.� The
Studios are open throughout the year offering around eighty members
access to their own studio space.
Children and Young
People
In addition to the
above projects we also have an artistic programme for children and
young people with disabilities in Glasgow, East Ayrshire and East
Renfrewshire.� New funding
will allow us to roll out an extensive out-of-school programme for
young people.� This will
enhance the activities we already provide for young people at weekends
and school holidays, as well as the school activities we provide in
partnership with education.� Children
with autistic spectrum disorders who attend our Saturday Art classes
|
The Centre for Developmental Arts (CDA) is a
multipurpose space, housing:
�
Two Galleries
Our administrative offices
The Trongate Studios (Project Ability’s
mental health project)
A fully accessible workshop
Learning Disability
Each week, around one hundred learning disabled
adults take part in the workshop programme at the CDA.�
The programme is long-term and designed to be relevant,
inspiring and thought provoking.� The artistic programme is developed in�����
throughout the year had
the opportunity to exhibit their work at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and
Museum in the “Young Talent 2003” exhibition.
Outreach Work
Outwith the CDA we
provide a number of different workshop programmes in partnership with
various local authorities.� One
project for people living in East Renfrewshire is now in its fourth
year.� The programme
provides, often one-to-one, creative support for people preparing to
leave long-stay hospital and for those who have recently moved into
their own homes.
For further information
on Project Ability, please contact Kirstin Bannerman,
Tel: 0141 552 2822
E-mail: [email protected]
Or log on to: www.project-ability.co.uk
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**********
McCABE
ANNOUNCES ACTION TO IMPROVE SERVICE
�
FOR
PEOPLE WITH SENSORY IMPAIRMENTS
An action plan to improve
community care services for people with sensory impairments was
published today for consultation by Deputy Health and Community Care
Minister Tom McCabe.
The action plan - community care services for people with a sensory
impairment - builds on what is already in place and sets out short,
medium and long-term goals to improve services in the future.
The action plan was written in
consultation with
������������
Deafblind Scotland,
������������
The Royal National Institute for
the Blind
������������
The Scottish Council on Deafness
an, importantly
������������
Sensory impairment users.
��� The action plan proposes:
���������
every social work or care
facility should have a member of staff who can meet the basic
communication needs of a person with a sensory impairment by April
2005;
���������
local research projects should
be undertaken to find out what is working well in both urban and rural
areas and identify possible improvements to services and;
���������
devise a national training
strategy that strikes a balance between
generic and specialist needs, placing the needs of users and carers at
its heart.
��� Launching the consultation Mr McCabe said:
“Good quality community care
services for people with sensory impairments are often important
lifelines that offer a better quality of life that might not otherwise
be possible.
We have already consulted with
representative from Deafblind Scotland, the Royal National Institute
for the Blind and the Scottish Council on Deafness and, importantly,
with sensory impairment users.
We are now consulting widely and
I hope people will use this opportunity to give their views which will
help shape the future of community care services that people with a
sensory impairment want and deserve.”
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
1.��������
A Social Work Services
Inspectorate report, Sensing Progress, was published in 1998, which
inspected sensory impairment services in local authorities in
Scotland. The action plan published for consultation today actively
encourages existing good practice and identifies common priorities for
the future with principal stakeholders.
2.��������
Last year the Scottish Executive
set up a planning group with representation from Deafblind Scotland,
the Royal National Institute of the Blind and the Scottish Council on
Deafness. Its purpose was to outline what common community care needs
might be for those with a sensory impairment.�
Their ideas formed the basis of a consultation seminar that
engaged with users of sensory impairment services. The clear message
given was that people with a sensory impairment would appreciate
better access to information about services, better access to
services, clear service standards, improved training for staff who
provide the services and increased user participation in how services
are developed.
3.��������
Taking the seminar views into account,
the planning group then formed an Action Plan, which includes short,
medium and long-term goals which, it is thought, will make a positive
difference to those who use these services.
4.������ As advised by the planning
group, a summary of the Action Plan will be available in Braille,
audiotape, CD, BSL Video and community languages�
(Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi and Gaelic).�
The consultation will take place over a period of thirteen
weeks.
Made
available by Ron Skinner MBE
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LEGAL ADVICE FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED
BY DISABILITY
Since June 2003, SDEF
has been taking part in a project to improve the ways in which legal
advice is given to people affected by disability.�
The initiative dates from late 2000, when the Scottish
Executive set up a group to consider how ‘community legal
services’ could be developed in Scotland.�
The main aim was to look at how access to justice could be
improved and how an effective and consistent network of advice
provision could be established.
One of the first
results was a pilot scheme run in the Glasgow area in 2001-2 to look
at advice services for all people in the city. Subsequently four other
pilots were announced, three geographical: respectively in Edinburgh,
Fife and Argyll & Bute; and one ‘thematic’, looking at legal
advice in Scotland for disabled people. SDEF has been assisting in the
development of the latter.
We all know that
advice, much with legal overtones, tends to come to us from a variety
of agencies.� Some is
specifically about legal matters, such as the Disability
Discrimination Act: other information may have a legal component, such
as advice on benefits or housing entitlements.
The aim of the
‘thematic’ steering group is to look at how the quality and
availability of legal information for disabled people
|
can be improved.�
A further consideration is physical access for disabled people
to advice, irrespective of whether the information itself relates to
disability matters.
The Steering Group has
been formed to reflect four interest groups. SDEF is there to
represent ‘user interest
groups’; ‘funders and policy makers’ are represented by the Scottish Executive,
COSLA and the Scottish Legal Aid Board; ‘providers
of advice to disabled
people’ are represented by a range of agencies, including the
Disability Rights Commission and Update; and ‘providers
of general advice’
include Citizens Advice Scotland, Scottish Association of Law Centres
and Money Advice Scotland.
The group will meet
over a period of one year and make its recommendations on how the
spectrum of information services can provide advice that is
consistent, widely accessible and to a high standard. We will tell you
more as the process continues.
Submitted by Wyn Merrells
Project Manager
SDEF
�
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��������������������������������������������
DIAL-A-JOURNEY
PARKING���� ���������������������������������������������
Submitted by Wyn Merrells - Project Manager - SDEF
As you may know, the
Scottish Disability Equality Forum has been asked to carry out a survey of
the community transport service provided in central Scotland by Order of
Malta Dial-a-Journey.
People affected by
disability have the opportunity to order suitable mini-bus transport within
the area, with a given period of notice and on a first-come-first-serve
basis. The organisation also operates the local taxi-card scheme, carries
out certain school runs and, during school holidays, also arranges
excursions further afield for disabled people of all ages.
Recently, SDEF was told
that, with immediate effect, Dial-a-Journey would no longer be able to drop
off and pick up in the pedestrianised part of Port Street, Stirling. This
had been a very handy spot, being extremely central and right next to the
main shopping area, the Thistle Centre, Marks & Spencer and other major
retail outlets. Their mini-buses had been given permission some years ago to
proceed cautiously into the area and to keep waiting to a minimum.
Unfortunately, the
agreement had only been verbal and recently certain reports had been
received by the local authority that this was unfairly discriminating in
favour of disabled people. SDEF was asked to attend a meeting on site with
representatives of Dial-a-Journey, the council, police and parking wardens.
The case was made that
social inclusion has to involve taking positive action to help everyone
share the same amenities. When it was proposed that buses could come in
before 10 am and after 4 pm, the point was raised that, to get in early in
the morning meant, in some cases, having a carer come in before 7 am to make
preparations.
At first the alternative
being offered was a steep cobbled road nearby with raised kerbs. Kathleen
Welsh MBE, who chairs Dial-a-Journey, quickly set the record straight on
that suggestion.
Finally, a compromise was
reached which, when implemented, should satisfy everyone. The immediate ban
was lifted and Dial-a-Journey offered a temporary dispensation to continue
while a permanent solution is found. This will involve setting aside a flat
paved area for dropping off and picking up, at a point adjacent to the
pedestrian precinct. This is to be for the exclusive use of Dial-a-Journey,
with the arrangement strictly enforced by traffic wardens. The spot chosen
is within yards of the Thistle Centre and other amenities.
In the end the various
agencies co-operated to find a sensible solution. However, the story does
illustrate the message, that social inclusion needs positive action, not
just treating everybody as though they naturally have equal opportunities.
If there are any updates on this story, we will mention them in later
editions.
Disabled People from Black and
Minority Ethnic Communities
Some months ago, SDEF was
asked by the Disability Rights Commission to take part in a group working to
improve information services to disabled people from Black and Minority
Ethnic (BME) backgrounds.
In Scotland, 2% of the
population comes from BME communities, the figure rising to 5.5% in Glasgow.
In Glasgow, nearly two thirds of BME people are from India or Pakistan.
Many readers will have
tried to gain information on different rights and entitlements in their
time. To do this you have to: know a service or benefit exists; establish
whether you qualify; understand how to set about securing it; deal with the
bureaucratic system; and be prepared to be persistent.
Many of us have a broad
knowledge of how our systems work; for example, the difference between
services provided by a local authority and those operated by central
government. But how many of us honestly know, for example, what is a power
devolved to the Scottish parliament, or which office to approach to secure
home care for elderly people, or who is responsible for paying?
Imagine then, how much
more difficult this would be if your first language were not English, or you
were brought up in a foreign country, or care in your culture was not
largely provided by the state at all. Many of the concepts which we take for
granted, such as social work services, do not necessarily have direct
counterparts in other countries. Add to this different cultural expectations
and ways of living and you have a recipe for social exclusion.
The proportion of people
affected by disability in any community is roughly the same. Therefore,
information and service providers have to make special efforts to ensure
that all people are aware of what services and benefits are available.
The Steering Group set up
by the Disability Rights Commission and involving groups from all over
Scotland, organised an event 14th August 2003 in Glasgow. The
occasion brought together representatives of voluntary sector information
providers. They were addressed by a number of professionals from the worlds
of disability and race relations and workshops set up to discuss the
difficulties faced by particular groups. These included people from BME
communities with mental health problems, learning difficulties, physical,
sensory and multiple disabilities.
The next step will be to
organise a second event in the autumn aimed directly at disabled people from
BME communities who use, or could use services. SDEF will continue to
participate in the process and will bring further news when the next
conference takes place.
Submitted by Wyn Merrells - Project Manager - SDEF

BRIDGING THE GAP
DISABILITY AND ETHNICITY IN SCOTLAND
I had the privilege of
attending the above Conference on August 14th.
Much of what was said
is common ground, but we gained insights into the problems peculiar to
being part of the ethnic minority.�
I found ‘minority’ a difficult word to deal with when
listening to the speakers, e.g. “I was born in Yorkshire”, and
“I came here over fifty years ago”, and so on.�
Surely people should be fully integrated by this time, and
British.
Many of the problems
that our ethnic friends experience are based on culture and religion
being intertwined, and we need to recognise this.�
For some of them religion is a way of life.
We can’t assume what
other peoples’ needs are.� We
need to get to know one another.�
Can we really know the problems facing a child who is being
taught B.S.L. at school, and then goes home to parents who have no
English?� Can we begin to realise the difficulties faced?
I was particularly
impressed by the enthusiasm of the people I met, and feel that other
opportunities like this, where we can meet together, would go a long
way to “Bridging the Gap”.
Submitted by Agnes
Stewart - Board Member of SDEF
|


�
Hamilton / East Kilbride Forum
on Disability
Concerns over the
proposals for the United Kingdom Disabled Peoples’ Parliament have been
supported by others.
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
In reply to “To Whom it
May Concern”, within your last Newsletter.������������

Whilst I agree that
statutory bodies need to think more of support for students with
disabilities, we ourselves can be more proactive in our own educational
needs.
I myself have a
disability, use a wheelchair, and have good days and bad.�
However, I have found this no bar to my interest in Life Long
Learning.� In the seven years
since my disability forced me to retire from work, at the age of 40+, I have
studied at college and university and found no problems that cannot be
overcome.
I understand the student
no wishing to rely on assistance from the Student Hardship Fund, but this is
exactly what it is for.� Parental
help, if it is offered, can also be beneficial, and repaid at a later date
with no interest.� Student
Services at Telford should be able to assist with information on various
funding bodies that may be able to help.
1.� Does the college
have a student transport bus that could pick up the student?
2.�� Do you
have to physically enter the classroom to receive the information, or can
you receive the information at home, and only turn up for tutorials?
3.�� Can the
course be done on line?
Sometimes Colleges of
Further Education, or Universities, need to have their methods challenged by
people like myself with a disability, just to allow them to think on a
different level.
Personally my further
education was helped greatly by a national body known as LEAD SCOTLAND.�
This is Edinburgh based, and designed primarily to assist persons
with a disability to access Further Education.�
I was so inspired by the help provided by my Local Co-ordinator that
I am now a Student and a Volunteer with LEAD, helping others gain the
benefit of further education and Life Long Learning for themselves.
Linda Miller (LEAD
Volunteer)
WARNING
RE
FALSE DATA PROTECTION
Stirling Council on Disability recently received a
“Final Notice” requesting a cheque for �95 for
Data Protection.
On looking up the Data Protection website it was
discovered
that there are many addresses listed�
that are false companies.
Among those listed was: Data Protection Agency
Services,
Summerseat House,�
39 Summerseat, Liverpool L3 6HB
from where the final notice had been sent.
�
The Blue Badge Scheme
Extracted from articles in The
Hendon Times
07/08/03�
-� Labour
Councillor faces being ejected by Council after being charged with
������������������
deception.� Colindale
Councillor suspended by Labour Party and has been
������������������
subject of internal party investigation.
14/08/03�
-� The Colindale
Councillor was a tireless campaigner for the survival of
������������������
Edgware Hospital Charitable work, including setting up Larches
Trust, a
������������������
Charity for people with learning disabilities, and he founded a
friendship
������������������
Organisation for Jews and Hindus.
In Court he admitted
using a blind man’s expired parking badge to help his son escape
parking fees.� He sent a
letter, on Council headed notepaper, to Camden Council asking for four
parking tickets and a clamping release charge, worth about �260, to
be dropped.� He attached a
photocopy of an expired disabled parking badge belonging to an old
friend.� The friend had left the area two years previously, giving
his car, containing the Orange Badge (which had expired in 1998) to
the Councillor’s son.� The
Councillor had had no contact with his friend during the two years
since he had left, but claimed in his letter to Camden Council that
the parking fees were causing great distress to his friend, although
he (his friend) was unaware of this.
Although his
misdemeanour could have carried a six month sentence, or �5000 fine,
he was, in fact fined �250 for deception, and ordered to pay �60
costs.� Ironically, as a
diabetic, he has a disabled parking badge.
He claimed that all
politicians were arrogant people and he had allowed his arrogance to
go too far in trying to ensure his son did not have to pay parking
tickets by using an expired disabled parking badge belonging to a
visually impaired man.
(Names and Addresses
withheld)�
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Family Fund has
produced a range of new materials about living with disability.
Taking Care was written by parents and looks at how
families cope with caring for a severely disabled child.
Your Life, Your Future is a
brief guide to opportunities and choices for young, disabled people,
with tips on planning and finding the right support.
www.after16.org.uk
details the opportunities and services available to young, disabled
people in the UK after leaving school.�
It has information on finances, learning choices, housing and
holidays.
Leaflets are free to
young, disabled people and their carers.
Call 01904
550 033
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LEGAL LOOPHOLE
�
The Disability Rights
Commission (DRC) claims employees with a progressive medical condition
could be at risk of discrimination unless a legal loophole is closed.�
In its first major review of current disability discrimination
law, the DRC has urged the Government to introduce legislation which
would protect employees from the point at which they are diagnosed.�
The Disability Discrimination Act currently comes into force
only when an individual develops symptoms.�
The Government is due to publish new disability rights
legislation in the summer but has not indicated when the draft bill
would become law, or what further protection it would provide for
disabled people.
The DRC is also calling
for people with a generic predisposition to a progressive condition to
be protected by legislation.
For a copy of Disability
Equality: Making it happen call
08457 622633, or visit www.drc.org.uk
�
|

The 3H Fund, a UK
charity which provides holidays for disabled people, is looking for
volunteer carers, preferably with experience of looking after someone
with a disability.� The
carers will help a range of physically disabled people on group
holidays in the UK.� A
contribution of �50 is expected, to cover accommodation and food.
If you are interested,
or would like more information please call
01892 547474 |

Four new consumer
guides for older and disabled motorists have been launched by
independent charity, Ricability (Research and Information for
Consumers with Disabilities).
Titles include:
“Getting a
Wheelchair into a Car”
“People
Lifters”
“Ins and
Outs of choosing a Car”
All the guides are free
and contain practical advice on equipment and adaptations.�
For more information or to receive free copies
call 020
7427 2460 or visit www.ricability.org.uk
|
ASDA SUPERMARKETS AND PARKING
Have you noticed changes at your ASDA?
Some stores have changed to private parking
operators and fines of �50 can be expected.
News has just reached us of one store who ejected
three lads, late at night and refused to let them shop there, for
failing to move from a disabled space when asked.
Signs have been erected warning the public of the
parking conditions.�
Please let us know of any other positive action
you may have come across at a Supermarket near you.� So far we have no action in Dunfermline and Aberdeen.
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Articles
submitted are not necessarily the views of Scottish Disability Equality
Forum
CONTACT US!
If you would like your organisation to feature in
the next Newsletter, please send your article of interest point to:
The Editor, Mrs. Agnes Stewart, either c/o SDEF, or
directly to:
72 Riverside Drive, Aberdeen AB10 7LE, or e-mail to
:
[email protected]�
or� [email protected]
Scottish Disability Equality
Forum, 12 Enterprise House, Springkerse Business Park, STIRLING, FK7 7UF
Tel: 01786 446 456������
Fax: 01786 450 902������
email: [email protected]
www.sdef.org.uk
Scottish
Disability Equality Form
Working
together with people affected by disability
SDEF
is a recognised Scottish Charity: No. SCO31893
�
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