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SDEF Newsletter No.12 -�December 2003 |
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Life and work seems to follow peaks and
troughs.� One minute everyone is
run off their feet preparing and producing reports and figures to a very
strict deadline, the next having to sit back and await results of our
efforts, with everything crossed they will be favourable.
After such a hectic burst of activity, in
submitting the Business Plan in support of funding for the Umbrella Group,
following the successful vote, we now have to be patient and await the
decision of the Ministers, which we understand will be made by the end of
the year.� We had hoped to hold
our promised meeting with Access Panels prior to Christmas, but in view of
this it appears there will be a delay to our plans.�
The matter is now out of our hands until we hear further, but we
repeat our assurance that nothing will proceed further without the consent
of the Access Panels themselves.
The general work of SDEF continued
throughout this phase, including progressing work on the Specialised
Transport Survey;� Toilet
Survey;� increasing membership;�
replies to Consultations, e.g. Inclusion covering Equipment and
Adaptations to assist in daily living.�
We continue to attend meetings with other organisations such as the
DRC, the Scottish Executive, as well as important meetings with Health
Authorities and Service Provision for wheelchair users at a high and
influential level.
The next event on our calendar, which you
will already know about from the flyer we sent out, will be our A.G.M. to be
held on 8th December at the Forthbank Stadium in Stirling.�
Everyone on the Board of Directors is looking forward to meeting you
again.� The Speaker will be
George Reid M.S.P., who, as you know,
kindly accepted our invitation to become our Patron.�
He is a man of wide interests, and has a vast amount of knowledge on
many subjects, and is a source of invaluable information and advice.�
During the short meeting we had with him he certainly widened our
horizons considerably.� Please
come along, we are sure you will find this a stimulating experience and well
worth making the effort for.
We welcome you to come and help to make
what will be our first completely independent A.M. successful.�
Official invitations and necessary business papers will be sent out
shortly.
Delegates have from now until the meeting
to take the opportunity to discuss within their organisations which issues
and what direction they would like SDEF to take.�
As we always stress, our members are the driving force and your Board
of Directors will do the job if you give them the tools.
Please accept our warm welcome and come and
lend us your support.
Best Regards to everyone, see you soon. ���
Elma Mitchell M.B.E - Convenor SDEF
PRESIDING
OFFICER LAUNCHES DISABILITY WEEK IN PARLIAMENT
“A
Matter of Human Rights,” says Reid
![]()
Presiding
Officer George Reid today urged MSP's and staff to take part in training
courses arranged in Parliament as part of Disability Awareness Week.
Mr
Reid said: “Accessibility is one of our fundamental principles.�
I want the Scottish Parliament to be fully open and welcoming to the
12% of our population who have a disability.�
“Our
disabled community have been fully engaged in the design of our new Holyrood
campus right from the start.� Once
we move there, we shall be one of the most accessible and participative
parliaments in the world.�
“But
barriers to participation are not just physical.�
Often they are about attitudes - about seeing the disabled person
as a medical ‘problem’.� This
leads to stereotyping and exclusion.
“MSP’s
and staff can do much to break these barriers.�
They should engage in eye contact with a person in a wheelchair, not
talk down to them.� They should
know how to guide a blind person through doors and down stairs.�
They should understand how to have a conversation with someone with
learning difficulties. If they are in doubt they should just ask.”
Mr
Reid stated that disability is essentially a human rights issue: “We
should always remember Article I of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights — ‘All human beings are born equal in rights and dignity’”.
Events
to mark Disability Awareness Week in Parliament will include:
Note:
George Reid has edited the World Disability Report for international
disability and UN organisations, has worked as a consultant for the World
Blind Union, and has helped establish prosthesis centres for landmine
victims in nine countries.� Currently,
he is patron of the Scottish Disability Equality Forum.
�
********************************************
ISLE
OF LEWIS ACCESS PANEL
LIST
OF WORK/PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN SINCE JUNE 2002
The Isle of Lewis Access
Panel meets monthly in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Stornoway, Isle
of Lewis.� There are currently
25 members on the Isle of Lewis Access Panel and the membership is made up
of interested individuals and includes representatives from the following
groups:� Comhairle nan Eilean
Siar, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Community Alarm Service, Western
Isles Users and Carers Supporters Network, Community Care Forum.
Some of the
items/issues progressed by the Isle of Lewis Access Panel since it was
established in June 2002 are listed below:
��������������
MV Isle of Lewis
��������������
Museum nan Eilean
��������������
Scottish Co-op Supermarket
��������������
Stornoway Post Office
���������������
Stornoway Town Centre (re a Prohibition of Access and of Waiting &
Designation of Disabled����
************************************** �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
�����������
HOLYROOD
- HERE WE COME
Visit
to new Parliament Buildings at Holyrood
On
16th September, three members of the SDEF Board, Jim Bryan, David
Grieve and Elma Mitchell MBE paid a visit to the site of the new Parliament
Buildings at Holyrood, at the kind invitation of George Reid MSP, Presiding
Officer.
We
met at the Vistors’ Centre, where we were shown a scale model of the
complex and given a short introduction to the background - from the start to
the present.� It was stressed
that, from the outset of the project, the intention was to make this an
exemplary development, and an example to be followed, regarding access to
the buildings, facilities and parliamentary processes.�
To this end a consultation group was set up under the chairmanship of
Disability Scotland, which meaningfully involved people with a variety of
disability from the early stages.� One
summer the core membership travelled round various parts of Scotland,�
involving interested representatives from the local access panels.�
Having served on this committee I believe our input was genuinely
sought and welcomed, and our views and concerns taken seriously.�
However, as the saying goes, “the proof of the pudding is in the
eating,” and we will have to wait until nearer completion before we can
see the final result.� I have no
reason to doubt this will not live up to our high expectations, as I am sure
there is a genuine desire to ensure this whole concept will indeed be
exemplary in all regards.
Afterwards
my two colleagues were taken on a short tour of the building site by the
architect, which, because of Health and Safety reasons, I was unable to join
because of my wheelchair.� My
two companions reported they found this an interesting and
Fascinating
experience, even at this stage of construction where it was still a bit
difficult to visualise the finished article.�
However, we suggested another visit should be made at a later stage
of the building work, feeling this would perhaps be more productive, as it
will be easier to see what has actually been incorporated within the complex
of buildings.
We
would like to thank those responsible for issuing the invitation and for
making our visit such a rewarding experience.
�*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�
Tell
me About The Mobility Roadshow
Scotland …
What
is it?
The
Mobility Roadshow - the world’s largest mobility event for disabled and
older people - comes to Scotland in July 2004.�
The Roadshow aims to give anyone with a mobility problem - drivers,
passengers, adults or children - the chance to see what is available to
help solve that problem and most importantly to try out and evaluate the
options in a ‘no pressure’ environment.
When
and where will the show take place?
Friday
9th & Saturday 10th July 2004 at the Royal
Highland Centre, Ingliston (next to Edinburgh Airport).
Who
organises it?
Originally
set up by the Department of Transport in 1983, the Mobility Roadshow is now
organised by Mobility Choice, a registered charity with grant-aid support
from the Department for Transport.� As
well as the show in Scotland, Mobility Choice organises the annual event in
June at Donington Park near Derby.
How
much does it cost to get in?
Admission
is free.� There is no charge for
any of the facilities on site, with the exception of food and drink on sale
in the Food Court areas (please note that the Mobility Roadshow is strictly
an alcohol-free event).
Is
it just for disabled and older people?
No.�
As well as carers and families of disabled people, the Roadshow can
help a surprising number of people.� For
example, if you are very tall or rather below average height, mobility
devices could make driving far more comfortable.
Who
exhibits at the Roadshow?
A
wide range of companies and organisations, including many of the major car
manufacturers, plus vehicle adaptation companies, mobility aids
manufacturers, scooter and wheelchair manufacturers, information and advice
services, charities, mobility insurance specialist and holiday companies.
What
sort of products will I see?
Latest
cars and converted vehicles fitted with adaptations;�
lightweight, sports, power and manual wheelchairs;�
hand controls;� hoists;�
car seats;� commercial
vehicles;� battery chargers;�
trikes and scooters;� walkers;�
rotating car seats;� specialist
wheels
and
tyres;� suspension systems;�
ramps;� seat clamps;�
wheelchair restraints;� floor
tracking;� lifts and numerous
gizmos and gadgets to make mobility easier for disabled people and their
carers.
Can
I have a go on things?
Yes,
this is a ‘hands-on’ event.� There
are opportunities to test drive adapted vehicles, and to try out scooters,
wheelchairs and other products out before you even think about buying, so
you can compare all the available options.
Is
it just for Motability customers?
No.�
The Roadshow is for anyone who has a mobility problem, whether you
have a vehicle through the Motability scheme or you own a vehicle privately.
Can
I bring the kids?
Yes,
it’s a fun day out for all the family.�
Entertainers will be on site each day and there is a fully staffed cr�che.
Can
I hire a wheelchair or scooter?
Yes.�
A wheelchair and scooter loan facility will be available.
Will
I really get impartial advice?
Yes.�
The Roadshow is all a bout choice and opportunity.�
There are a large number of charitable organisations and advice
services exhibiting offering impartial advice on a range of mobility issues.
Can
I find details about the Roadshow on the Internet?
Yes,
the address is www.justmobility.co.uk/roadshow
Did
you know?
Mobility
Choice
Registered
Charity No. 1068018
Tel:
0870 770 3222�� Fax: 0870
770 3277
Email:�
[email protected]
Website:�
www.justmobility.co.uk/roadshow
#######################
SDEF has been working with others to draw
up advice on how best to make information services available as widely as
possible. Although the work is continuing, here are some pointers to
acceptable practice.
Information and advice should not be
provided in such a way that people with disabilities are excluded, treated
less favourably, or offered different terms. In the light of existing
legislation and in anticipation of changes due in October 2004, service
providers should make adjustments, where necessary, to: remove, alter or
obviate physical barriers; provide auxiliary aids and services; amend
policies, practices and procedures; and consider providing services by other
means.
With regard to the ‘reasonableness’ of
potential changes, agencies must be mindful of effectiveness,
practicability, cost and relevance to core business. As information services
deal with many matters affecting people with disabilities, providers should
strive to adopt best practice.
Many of the matters mentioned above have
been enshrined in the Disability Discrimination Act for several years. From
October 2004, however, the responsibility to make buildings physically
accessible, come into force. This refers to the removal, alteration or
avoidance of physical barriers.
The sorts of things to be considered might
include: removal - an approach
path has overhanging obstructions which might create a hazard for visually
impaired people; a lobby has non structural barriers, like inappropriately
sited seats or display advertising: alteration
- a building has doors which impede wheelchair circulation and which can
be widened; a corridor has no handrail, or a set of steps do not have an
accompanying ramp: avoidance -
a building’s public car park leads to an entrance which is
inaccessible, whereas the staff car park is
adjacent to an accessible entrance. The responsible organisation might
consider setting aside some parking for disabled people in the staff car
park and use of the accessible entry.
Many service providers have been taking
such practical steps for many years, while others are making changes in
advance of October 2004. However, although the test of ‘reasonableness’
will still apply, agencies will be expected to do their very best to make
all services available, without penalising people with disabilities. Besides
making physical alterations, here are some other suggestions on making
facilities available to all.
Social inclusion is normally best served by
making amenities commonly available. However, where a given location has
insuperable difficulties and the agency cannot move, or afford major
refurbishments, alternative means might be considered. These
could include, use of a sub-office, holding
external surgeries in public buildings, or operating a home-visiting
service.
Having appropriate policies, practices and
procedures would involve information providers in: consultations with
disabled people and their representative organisations; having complaints
procedures; conducting reviews; and holding staff training on disability
awareness, legal requirements and inclusion policies.
Auxiliary aids and services can appreciably
improve the physical accessibility of services and may include: loop
systems, text-phones, audio-visual alarms, audio tapes, public address
system, Braille writers, email and other IT equipment; and the
As mentioned above, the test of
‘reasonableness’ would mean that small organisations might not be able
to comply with every suggestion. Also, service providers may have to liaise
with others, including landlords, highway authorities, police and traffic
wardens to ensure access arrangements are suitable and enforced.�
However, in so far as changes are practical and affordable, the needs
of people with disabilities should be catered for and the law will require
efforts in this direction.�
Wyn Merrells
Project Manager
�
* * * * * * * * * * *� ‘Let’s Get It Right’ Conference In the last edition we mentioned a
conference held in Glasgow during August on the subject of providing
information to people from black and minority ethnic communities. This was
aimed at professional advisory bodies. In October the event was followed up
by a second conference specifically for potential users of service.
Called ‘Let’s Get it Right - Working
with Black and Minority Ethnic Disabled People’ the event attracted a good
cross-section of people with disabilities from Scotland’s rich cultural
mix.� The first part of the day
was dedicated to presentations on legislation, such as the Race Relations
Act and the Disability Discrimination Act. However, it was when we broke
into discussion groups that the everyday issues really came to the fore.
Participants were asked how they normally
set about accessing information and what difficulties they have faced. For
many people who were not born here, our network of support services can be
very baffling. It was quite apparent that the quality of information
provided could often depend on the personal skills and interest of the
This may sound quite familiar to us all,
but the problems are multiplied when the person with disabilities is not a
native speaker. It seems even the larger service providers do not make their
information available in languages other than English and, even when they
do, the process of accessing it requires much more effort.
It isn’t just in the areas of social
services or benefit applications that the problems occur. People gave much
anecdotal evidence of difficulties in getting on educational courses,
applying for jobs, travelling on almost any public transport system, or even
finding out if a restaurant could cater for their needs. Trying to get
information or make plans can become a major logistical exercise. For
non-English speakers it can be a nightmare and require the help and support
of others.
Although information providers are starting
to catch up, there is still a long way to go. This piece of work was
initiated by the Disability Rights Commission, who should be commended for
their efforts. Our organisation will continue to participate actively and
try to raise awareness of the complex problems of this significant group of
people affected by disability.
Wyn Merrells
SDEF Project Manager
�
�
NEWS
RELEASE�����
Disability Rights Commission
Government
commitments to disability in new equalities commission welcomed by DRC
A
commitment by the Government
that a new equalities commission would cater for the distinct needs of
disabled people and that a programme of disability legislative reform would
continue as well as Scottish considerations taken into account, was welcomed
by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) today.
But speaking today after the Government’s
written statement on its response to the 18 month-long consultation on the
future shape and priorities of Britain’s equalities bodies, the DRC raised
concerns that details on the
structure of the new commission remain
unresolved and that the call for harmonised equalities legislation appears
to have been unanswered.�
Speaking today Elaine Noad, Scotland
Commission of the DRC, said “I welcome the announcement by the Government
today on the new equalities commission.�
It signals the first decisive step towards the formation of a single
body to tackle discrimination and disadvantage in Britain for all its
citizens.
The Government has taken on board many of
the arguments that the DRC has made to ensure a distinctive presence for
disability in the new commission and to guarantee that the specialisms and
expertise developed over three years are maintained.
The creation of a task force to advise the
Minister on the further steps needed towards the creation of the new
commission was also a DRC recommendation and I welcome its inclusion in
today’s announcement.
I welcome also the Government’s
recognition that the institutional, legislative and social circumstances of
Scotland will need to be considered in the forthcoming White Paper”.
Speaking on the absence of a clear
structure for the new equality commission in the Government’s
announcement, Ms Noad. said:
“I would have hoped that after 18 months
of consultation the Government would have been in a position to decide on a
structure for the new
On the need for harmonised quality
legislation to support the work of the new commission, Ms. Noad said:
Contact:�
Adam Gaines, Head of Policy and Communications, DRC Scotland, on 0131
444 4323 or Carol Stewart, Media Officer, on 0131 444 4350 (outside office
hours 07776 171278)
Notes to Editors
1.�
The DRC believes that anti-discrimination legislation should be
harmonised to ensure maximum protection for all citizens, without reducing
existing protection afforded to any single minority group.�
For a new equality commission to be effective across all strands it
would have to operate within a common framework of rights which would
involve the levelling up of existing equality legislation.
The DRC is currently running Open4all
Campaign, a major campaign to raise awareness of new duties under the
Disability Discrimination Act 1995.� The
duties come into force in October 2004 and will affect anyone who provides a
service to the public in Great Britain.
For more information about how this will
affect you, please log on to www.open4all.org
�
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The
voluntary sector’s growing role in delivering public services has come in
for criticism of late.� But
charities are often better placed than their public sector counterparts to
deliver on core social problems.
The issue of what role - if any - charities should play in delivering public services has long been a matter for heated debate. Barry Knight, the founder of Centris, the Centre for Research and Innovation in Social Policy, raised the wrath of the charity sector and politicians in 1992 when he wrote that the growing partnership between the voluntary sector and the government would not deliver on core social problems.�
There is no point in agitating for
change without showing what the change should look like. Many of these
services were gradually�
Articles submitted are not necessarily the views of Scottish Disability Equality Forum
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