SDEF Newsletter No.12 -�December 2003

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 8^th 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:

• A series of workshops…

• The screening of…

• The start of a disability audit…

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.

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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:

• ������ Site Visits to the following:

�������������� 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����
������� Parking�Places Order 2002)

• ������ Meeting with the Architects responsible for designing a new leisure facility in Stornoway

  
  
  

• ������ Meeting with the Architects responsible for designing a new Arts Centre in Stornoway

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• ������� The Panel have commented on a number of planning applications and, in some cases, have arranged meetings with the companies/individuals making the planning applications.

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• ������� The Panel have, in conjunction with the Technical Services Department, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, conducted an Access Audit of the main Council building in Stornoway.

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• ������� The Panel have requested the Council’s Social Work Department to carry out a survey of disabled badge holders.

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• ������� The Panel have followed up issues regarding access to aircraft.

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• ������ The Panel invited a representative from BT’s Age and Disability Section to give a presentation to the Panel and a demonstration of their products.

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HOLYROOD - HERE WE COME

Visit to new Parliament Buildings at Holyrood

On 16^th 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.

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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 9^th & Saturday 10^th 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?

• ���� There are over 8.6 million disabled people in the UK, that’s nearly 15% of the population, of which around 800,000 live in Scotland.

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• ���� There are 76,000 registered NHS wheelchair users in Scotland.� (Information suggests that there are 16,000 new wheelchair users in Scotland every year).

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• ���� There are over 225,000 Blue Badge holders in Scotland, indicating that they have a significant mobility problem.

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• ���� 85% of disabled people in the UK were not born disabled, but became disabled in later life through accident or illness.

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• ���� 10% of the UK car market is given over to mobility vehicles.

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• ���� 66% of disabled people are older people.� In the next fifty years the number of over 60’s will double and the number of over 80’s will treble.

Mobility Choice

Registered Charity No. 1068018

Tel: 0870 770 3222�� Fax: 0870 770 3277

Email:� [email protected]

Website:� www.justmobility.co.uk/roadshow

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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

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‘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

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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.�

According to Knight, his research study, which became known as the Centris report, prompted the storm because of the ‘holy cow’ status of the sector. He has repeated the main thrust of that research in a recent newspaper article. In that he wrote that since the original report there had been massive growth in the professionalized charity sector, which is now set to become a fully fledged partner of government.�

But Knight also claims that, as a result, charities have lost their vision and their distinctiveness and cannot deliver on ‘core social problems’. I disagree.�

Knight’s views would benefit from some historical background. The Victorian age was one of significant voluntary and charity initiatives. Social reformers, such as Lord Shaftesbury, championed the cause of individual and local action and this often took the form of services.

There is no point in agitating for change without showing what the change should look like. Many of these services were gradually�
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sector bodies with a wide range of responsibilities and fixed geographical boundaries.�
For example, in the area of visual impairment serviced by my own charity, some social service departments will have dedicated social workers for those with sight problems, others will have a sensory impairment team that will include other issues such as deafness, while others will ask generic social workers to cover all.�

The constant reorganisation of the public sector also takes its toll, while a single-issue charity can retain its expertise and re-allocate if contracts change.�

It is my experience that staff is better motivated in a charity than in the public sector. There are many reasons for this, but I suspect that focus helps. Members of staff know why they are in a job and get credit for their results. While this can happen in the public sector, all too often political concerns detract from consistently high-quality provision.�

Charities win on the public’s perception. People trust them more and so have a more positive attitude towards their dealings with the sector adopted by national or local government and the post war Beveridge reforms saw much of the former voluntary sector provision swept up in the welfare state.�

During the 1960’s, social policy thinking leaned even further towards more state involvement, either out of fairness or because of expertise. Public was good and private was bad.�

This reached a high-water mark during the 1970’s but the Thatcherite revolution that followed reversed the trend. Then, the mantra was: Private Good, Public Bad. Charity seemed old hat. However, by 1992 the ‘commercialisation of welfare’, as Knight puts it, had changed all that. Was this a return to the Victorian era, as recently claimed by Tony Travers in Public Finance (a trip down memory lane, July 18, 2003)? And who cares anyway? Depending on your political complexion, the ‘Victorian’ tag can be a reassuring reminder or a bogeyman scare tactic. Any structure needs constant revision and charities have had more than most in recent years. I think that the most important question now is whether charities provide a better service than the ones they replace. It is my view that they do, and for three reasons: focus, staff satisfaction and perception.�

Charity providers are normally single-issue specialists and will be driven through close involvement with users to ensure that services are of a high quality. This will always be a challenge for public�
The service can become the focus without being weighed down with criticism over form and structure. This feel-good factor is terribly difficult to regain once lost. One only has to look at the easy headlines criticising the state of the NHS to see that.�

Knight reports growth in voluntary action with an emphasis on campaigning and pioneering new approaches to social justice. But charities have always done this.�

Many have started by providing services that no-one else would consider.�

The wonderful clown doctor initiative provided by the Theodora Children’s Trust honoured at the Guardian charity awards recently is a good example. Charities are best placed to provide many public services. But times will change and charity providers cannot rest on their� laurels. The country will be best served by a vibrant charity sector that includes effective service providers, campaigners and innovators.�
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- Chris Harris is the director of finance and resources at Action for Blind People and is the Chair of CPFA’s Charities Panel�

Articles submitted are not necessarily the views of Scottish Disability Equality Forum

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]�
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Scottish Disability Equality Forum, 12 Enterprise House, Springkerse Business Park, STIRLING, FK7 7UF�
Tel: 01786 446 456� Fax: 01786 450 902� email: s[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