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Vital Funding for Wheelchair Services

Wheelchair services in Scotland were boosted by the announcement on March 11 of �1.9 million to urgently tackle waiting times.

The announcement was made by Deputy Health Minister Rhona Brankin who reaffirmed the Executive’s commitment to improving services for wheelchair users.

Ms Brankin said:

“The provision of wheelchairs in Scotland is a serious issue and one which we have been seeking to address for some time.

“Current waiting times to get the appropriate equipment are not acceptable.� I expect this investment to make a real difference towards improving the situation.

“The cash will be distributed among Scotland’s five regional wheelchair centres to pay for additional staff and equipment to tackle waiting times as a matter of urgency.

“We announced in December that NHS Quality Improvement Scotland would be undertaking an independent review of services in the long term.

“A Steering Group has been appointed to oversee the review of the project. Service users, voluntary organisations and internationally respected experts will all be involved.

“I expect that the review will improve services in the long term - but this is not just a long term problem. It is one that needs to be addressed quickly and effectively and the announcement I’m making today should bring immediate benefits to wheelchair users.”

The �1.9 million will be distributed among Scotland’s five regional wheelchair centres for use in the financial year 2005/06 based on bids which each have submitted.

The money will be distributed as follows:

���������������������������� �s

Aberdeen��������������� 275,200

Dundee������������������ 202,965

Edinburgh��������������� 289,000

Glasgow����������������� 944,000

Inverness��������������� 197,000

For further information contact: Stuart Lewis: 0131 244 2517

Internet: www.scotland.gov.uk

�Visit of SDEF Directors to Holyrood:

“A wonderfully accessible Parliament”

Edinburgh, 26 January:

Directors of the Scottish Disability Equality Forum [SDEF] were shown round Holyrood today and concluded that the new Scottish Parliament was “wonderfully accessible — probably the most accessible legislature in Europe.”

SDEF provided advice to access consultants throughout the construction process and Holyrood now offers:

• Accessibility built into the design right from the start
• Braille signage
• Colour signage for people who are partially sighted
• Induction loops or infra-red systems for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Textphone and RNID Talktype service for public inquiries
• A wheelchair loan scheme
• Carpets with a short, dense pile to assist wheelchair users
• Fire proof lifts

Additionally, all staff have received equal opportunities training which includes disability-related matters.� Moreover, around 20 MSPs and staff are current enrolled in a British Sign Language course.

“Disability is a human rights issue,” said Presiding Officer George Reid MSP.� “There should be no barriers whatsoever to people with disabilities participating in the work of the Parliament.

“Our SDEF guests pointed out a number of minor snags, which are not unexpected in a new building and which we shall now put right.� Their major query was about suitable space to park while unloading their wheelchairs, and I have asked staff to investigate this as a matter of urgency.”

The following office-bearers and officials took part in the visit: Agnes Stewart (Company Secretary), Peter Ingram-Monk (Director), Linda Miller (Director), Iain Strickland (Director) and Nick Rochford (Director) accompanied by their carers and Robert Pickles (SDEF Access Development Officer) and Wyn Merrells (SDEF Manager)

Photograph (above) available upon request to Ochil Constituency Office.

��

Have you experienced discrimination? Are you interested in equality issues and how this affects your community? Would you also be keen to learn more about working with your local media in order to change the coverage your area of concern is getting?

Then come along to one of these FREE events!

Sabhal M�r Ostaig, (Gaelic College), Isle of Skye, Thursday 14 April

The Weigh Inn, Burnside, Thurso, Thursday 21 April

Aberdeen �(venue to be confirmed), Wednesday 8 June

Help can be given with interpreters, cr�che facilities, transport and accommodation, provided this is agreed in advance. Full disabled access and loop systems are fitted.

Last year, successful events were held with people working with grass roots groups all over Scotland.

Nick Bibby, who is a freelance journalist and trainer, will be holding a three-hour practical media training session in the afternoon.

Booking Forms and agendas are available on www.forumondiscrimination.org.uk

Telephone 0131 524 9392

Email: [email protected]

Change happens when people who do not normally speak are heard by people who do not normally listen"

J D O'Brien

Scottish Disabled Ramblers

Five years ago Scottish Disabled Ramblers was set up by a group of disabled ramblers to help less mobile people visit the beautiful Scottish countryside.�� They began to collect information on paths and trails, accessible by scooter and wheelchair in Scotland.� With the help of a grant from Scotland UnLimited, Eva McCracken is hoping to publish a book of 50 Wheelchair Accessible

Walks in Scotland of 2 - 12 miles by December 2005.��� Eva would like you to share with her your knowledge of any paths and trails accessible to wheelchairs in Scotland, or if anyone would like to advertise in the book, please get in touch on either

01592-758149 or [email protected]

Is it reasonable to claim obesity is a disability?

A 30 stone man who was dismissed from his job at Sellafield nuclear plant is going through the final stages of an internal appeal.

According to British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) the employee was too fat to carry out tasks essential to his role.� He could not fit into his decontamination suit or get through the security turnstiles.

If he is not reinstated, could he bring a claim at a tribunal for disability discrimination?� Under DDA legislation, disability means a “physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term adverse affect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”.� Being overweight is not specifically excluded from the Act but so far there have been no claims that obesity is a disability.

However, the scope of the DDA has been extending bit by bit, and should obesity now be classed as a disability?

If there were a serious underlying medical cause it would almost certainly be possible for the person to obtain the protection of the Act.� Also, if the person had, for instance, diabetes or depression as a result of obesity, then again it is likely that they would be protected by the Act.� A recent case held that a cocaine addict had a disability, not because he was an addict, but because he had a depressive disorder.�

It is not clear how far his depression was caused by the addiction.

But what about people with no underlying medical condition who are simply obese?�� Would they have a chance if they could prove that their obesity had caused long-term impairment and made it difficult for them to carry out their normal day-to-day activities?� Is it reasonable to ask a person to change behaviour to reduce effects of an impairment on normal day-to-day activities?�� With the social and health issues surrounding obesity, can it still be considered reasonable to expect a person to diet and/or exercise to lose large amounts of excess weight?� The Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust found that 75% of obese people report discrimination, and in the absence of any specific protection, they might not have a choice but to claim disability discrimination.

BNFL are considering reinstating this particular employee which may give an indication that they are worried that this member of staff may be brave enough to bring a claim for disability discrimination

First reported in The Times Law, 25^th January 2005

National Charity - Employment Opportunities

National Charity Employment Opportunities, which helps disabled people find and retain work, opened a new Scottish Centre in Edinburgh with the help of actress Paula Sage.

The new centre will be the focal point for Employment Opportunities’ work in Scotland as it aims to double the number of disabled people it helps to find work in the next five years.

John Richardson, Employment Opportunities’ Director for Scotland, said: “In Glasgow, we are already running Job Ready workshops for one of the 12 pilots in the Government’s Working Neighbourhoods programme.� With 25 years’ specialist experience, we have a great deal to contribute to this and other such initiatives.�� Our continued involvement in this sector will mean we can develop our wide range of services and find jobs for more disabled people.

For further information contact:

Scottish Opportunities
3rd Floor
Princes House
5 Shandwick Place
Edinburgh
EH2 4RG

Telephone: 0131 229 0627
Fax: 0131 229 0694
Email: [email protected]

Updated Website!

The SDEF website has been updated and was re-launched on 28^th January 2004. The web address remains the same, but we hope that the new look web will be both more user-friendly and flexible than the previous model.

The site has gone live with information under, ‘About SDEF’, ‘News & Events’, ‘Our Work’ and, of course, the ‘Home Page’. The type of build we have chosen, allows other areas of the site to be filled successively and updated regularly.

The building of the web has been undertaken by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). Part of our contract involves staff training, which we hope to take up soon to allow greater flexibility of use. The site should help us advertise events and offer registration forms, offer information on access issues and offer a high standard of service to members and the public at large.

We hope that the new look is appealing and that members enjoy consulting the site in the coming years.

Wyn Merrells

�

SDEF�� Annual General Meeting

The Scottish Disability Equality Forum held its Annual General Meeting on 4 February 2005. The event attracted nearly fifty participants from all over Scotland and was addressed by our patron, the Right Honourable George Reid MSP.

Mr Reid’s keynote speech was to his normal high standard and was very well received. He called upon his extensive international experience of disability issues, drawing attention to the lack of coverage of the plight of people with disabilities involved in the Asian Tsunami, speaking about the issue of landmines and noting that throughout the world there are 800 million people who have a disability. He noted that, even in this country there is generally poor media coverage of disability issues.

His remedy was simple, recommending that people complain to their elected officials and write to newspapers and other media to keep the disability agenda to the fore. With an election pending, he felt this was an excellent moment to cause a fuss.

Mr Reid went on to talk about his pride in the Parliament Building and felt that, while not perfect, it was a good example of accessible design. He thanked two members from AccessAble in the Borders for their recent feedback following a visit to Holyrood.

The Company Secretary Mrs Agnes Stewart gave the vote of thanks, saying that the speech had been inspiring and gave much food for thought.

In the afternoon the formal business was conducted, the Convenor presenting the Annual Report and, in the absence of the Honorary Treasurer, the Annual Accounts.

There were elections for two places on the Board of Directors. The members had been given pen portraits prepared by the four candidates and voted to return two retiring Directors, namely Peter Ingram-Monk and Muriel Williams.

The meeting agreed that from April 2005, Access Panels would pay the same subscription as other member organisations, this being �5 per annum. The rate for individuals would remain unchanged at �1 per annum.

One of the most interesting and informative sessions took place during the afternoon, when members were asked for their suggestions as to priorities for the forthcoming year.

There were many useful contributions including: wheelchair service quality issues; wheelchair assessment problems; heating for people with disabilities; the need for greater advocacy; and various aspects of disabled parking.

This gave SDEF much valuable information to consider when compiling its next Business Plan.

All in all it was considered that the event had been most helpful and presented everyone with a great deal to think about.

Wyn Merrells

�

�

Are you a voluntary organisation interested in taking action to increase your financial sustainability by generating income?

Futurebuilders Scotland is an investment programme managed by Communities Scotland. It aims to help improve the effectiveness of public services in Scotland by investing in the social economy.

If you want to find out if Futurebuilders Scotland is for you, a series of events will be held in Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen and Perth towards the end of April. The events aim to give you:

������� An overview of the Futurebuilders Scotland programme

������� An understanding of the social economy sector and its role in delivering public services

������� Advice on applying for investment from Futurebuilders Scotland

Further details of venues, dates and a booking form can be found at: www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk

St Annes Hotel

A new hotel has opened in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire which has been specifically designed and equipped for people with disabilities.� The Active8 Care Hotel is situated on the promenade and is near the town centre.

For further information contact:
Adele Spencer
Active8 Care Hotel,�
St Annes on Sea
Tel: 07976 823110
www.st-annes-hotel.com

Deafblind Awareness Week

95% of what we learn comes through our eyes and ears.

More than 23,000 people in the UK are both deaf and blind.

Most people do not know about or understand deafblindness. Deafblind Awareness Week will take place from 27th June - 3rd July 2005 and aims to raise awareness about deafblindness.

Charity Sense will have events running throughout Deafblind Awareness Week.which always takes place on the week of Helen Keller's birthday� (27^th June). Helen was probably the most famous and influential deafblind person to have lived.

“Ignorance and poverty are the causes of much blindness. These are the enemies which destroy the rights of children and workmen, and undermine the health of mankind. These causes must be searched out ……..and abolished”

Helen Keller

Open 4 All

The Disability Rights Commission would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has completed and returned to us the Open 4 All postcards. The postcards were launched in the autumn of last year as part of the Disability Rights Commission’s Open 4 All campaign. The purpose of the cards was two fold. One section of the card was designed for disabled people to hand out to service providers when they encountered an access barrier when using their service. The service provider would be made aware of the barrier and the DRC’s website and helpline. The second part of the card was to be sent to the DRC including basic details about the service provider and the barrier faced.

The post cards have been a great success and so far over 100 have been returned to us. All details on the post cards are being logged by the DRC. The postcards however, are just one tool which disabled people can use to inform the DRC of the barriers they face when accessing services. At the DRC we really want to gather as much information as possible from disabled people across Great Britain, about their experiences good or bad, when using services. We are interested in information about all services from shops, to hotels, restaurants to local councils, pubs to leisure facilities and much more.

There are two main ways to let us know about your experiences. The first is our Online Poll which can be found on our website at:

http://www.drc-gb.org/open4all/newsroom/sppoll.asp

Through the poll you can comment on good and bad service providers on the high street, local councils and leisure facilities. You are able to give us as much information as you want to. Like the postcards, all comments and results from the poll are being logged and monitored.� This information is vital to the DRC along with the research we are carrying out.

The other way to contact us is through our helpline. The helpline staff can be contacted by email now through our website at:

www.drc.org.uk/whatwedo/helplineenquiry.asp

You can also contact the Helpline in these ways:
Telephone: 08457 622 633
Textphone: 08457 622 644
(You can speak to an operator at any time between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday)
Fax: 08457 778 878
Post: DRC Helpline
FREEPOST MID02164
Stratford upon Avon
CV37 9BR

So thank you again for all the postcards and keep the information coming in to our poll and helpline!

New Access University Course

As a Director of SDEF and activist associated with some fifteen other disability organisations in the UK, I have in recent years undertaken several one, two and three day courses on Access to the Built Environment.� While eminently satisfactory in themselves, I have never considered them totally adequate in educating an individual to undertake access auditing to acceptable standards.� A wheelchair user and a person with a physical disability for well over fifty years, I have a serious personal interest in both building and open space access.

SDEF recognised that there was a particular need for a more advanced course with professional tutors having specific knowledge and interest in all forms of access.� It became part of our Business Plan to pursue this. We noted that Access advice and information can be given in some instances by untrained people and as a result is of dubious value and on occasions positively unhelpful.�

Having undertaken research throughout the UK with the full support of SDEF, I could not locate a suitable course of instruction currently on offer which met the standards required, hence my interest in setting up an appropriate course in Scotland.

This course, titled “Inclusive Environmental Access and Design” has now been established and the first course commenced on March 21^st for a thirteen week period of which four separate weeks will be at Heriot-Watt,

interspaced with periods of distance learning at the student’s home or business.� Some twenty six tutors have been assembled to teach, including sixteen professors and doctors along with other professionals and a strong contingent of ‘life experience’ people with disabilities who are expert in their particular field.

With the first course oversubscribed, the second is scheduled to commence late August or early September.

Discussions are in progress to ascertain if a form of membership of the National Register may be possible for successful students.� In addition, to date five European universities have indicated a positive interest in the course with a view to adapting it and introducing it under the guidance of Heriot-Watt.

The course costs �2875 and is open to both disabled and non-disabled people.�� The Scottish Executive has agreed to provide a bursary for those people with a disability resident in Scotland undertaking the first course. There will also be accessible student accommodation available for those disabled students requiring it during the four week in-house study periods.

Applications in the first instance with full CV by hard copy to:

Peter Ingram-Monk, Bengairn, Barncrosh, Castle Douglas, DG7 1TX

A brochure is available and all enquiries will be dealt with personally.

Access greater independence at Independent Living Scotland

The Show, which takes place at the SECC from April 6-7, aims to showcase hundreds of mobility products to help people lead a more comfortable and independent lifestyle.

With an extensive range of exhibitors all under one roof and experts on tap to help and advise - what better time to find out more about the rehabilitation products that can really make a difference.

There will also be a series of special martial arts workshops to suit visitors with a disability - ideal for increasing movement and enhancing flexibility and control for anyone affected by paralysis.

A lively two-day programme of seminars is planned on a broad range of healthcare topics for allied healthcare professionals.

Independent Living Scotland is an ideal platform for keeping occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, carers and private care home owners and managers in the picture with the latest developments.

It also offers significant business opportunities to dealers and distributors of equipment, and to community wheelchair loan store managers.

For more information, contact Bowles Associates on 0115 982 1210 and for free tickets to the show contact the hotline on 0870 429 4372 or visit the website at www.independentlivingevents.co.u

Special Olympics National Summer Games

2^nd - 9th July 2005

In 2005, Glasgow will host the 7^th Special Olympics Great Britain National Games, an event that will attract over 2,500 athletes with learning impairments to the city.� Athletes will compete in venues across Glasgow, in 23 sports, including: athletics, tennis, netball, basketball, swimming, football and equestrian events.� For further information visit:�� www.specialolympicsglasgow.com

�

Anti-tremor mouse stops PC shakes

A special adapter that helps people with hand tremors control a computer mouse more easily has been developed.

The device uses similar technology found in camcorders to filter out shaking hand movements.

People with hand tremors find it hard to use conventional mice for simple computer tasks because of the erratic movements of the cursor on the screen.

The Assistive Mouse Adapter (AMA) is the brainchild of IBM Researcher Jim Levine who developed the prototype after seeing his uncle, who has Parkinson’s disease, struggle with mouse control.

IBM hope to partner up with a small UK electronics firm, Montrose Secam, to produce the devices which should cost around �70.

Who cares?.........

Carers look after a relative, friend or neighbour who can no longer manage on their own due to illness, disability or frailty. Carers can be any age or sex and can come from all backgrounds and communities. Carers provide practical, emotional and social support to those they care for and do not get paid to carry out their caring role, except for benefits, as their caring role is based on a personal relationship with the person they care for. Carers may be parents, partners, children, friends, relatives or neighbours just doing what needs to be done to maintain the quality of life of those they care for and help them lead as independent a life as possible in the community. Carers do not ask to take on a caring role - they just get on with what needs to be done. Caring can be very rewarding but it can also be very stressful and isolating.

In the Stirling Council area there are in excess of 8000 Carers (Census 2001) i.e. 1:10 of the population - almost 2000 of this number care for more than 50 hours per week.� In Scotland there are approx. 600,000 Carers - if they were to give up their caring role the Government would have to find an extra �5.7 billion to provide that same level of care - this is equivalent to the cost of providing another health service in Scotland.

Stirling Carers Centre provides free, confidential and impartial services to all Carers in the Stirling Council Area, irrespective of the condition of the person they care for. The Centre is open as a drop-in facility from 10-4pm

Monday - Friday. As an organisation we are unique - our services are generic to all Carers and help those with illnesses, disabilities and who are frail to maintain their independence in the community.

The services we offer are:

����������� Information and advice on a range of services available to Carers and who provides them

����������� Practical & emotional support

����������� Advocacy

����������� Advice on Carer rights and entitlements including Welfare Benefits and income maximisation

����������� Liaison with GPs and Practice staff

����������� Contact with other Carers through Support Groups, Carer events etc

����������� Young Carers Groups

����������� Facilitation of consultation with Carers in the planning of local services

����������� Volunteering Opportunities for Carers and members of the community

We have an Information Pack for Carers and currently distribute our Centre newsletter to 1200 Carers and Professionals who work in the fields of health and community care every quarter.� The Centre works with a range of professionals e.g. social work, health and other voluntary agencies to add value to the services provided to our clients.

If you are a Carer and want to access any of our services please call us today on 01786 447003.

Development of tools to measure service user and carer satisfaction with single shared assessment

SDEF is pleased to forward a link to the Health and Community Care Report ‘Development of tools to measure service user and carer satisfaction with single shared assessment’, published recently on the Scottish Executive website:

www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/health

Single Shared Assessment is an element of the Joint Future Agenda for implementing joint working to meet the needs of users of community care services and aims to provide better and faster access to services. The Joint Performance Information and Assessment Framework (JPIAF) sets out performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of local partnerships in implementing the Joint Future Agenda. For further information on this, visit the Joint Future Agenda web pages: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/care/17673/9471

The development project was conducted by Infusion Co-operative. You will find the following aspects of the publications particularly interesting:

����� a review of existing practice within partnerships across Scotland on collecting service users’ and carers’ views of health and social care, highlighting what works well (chapter 2);

����� a review and summary of relevant literature, including that referring to assessment processes and satisfaction measures (chapter 3);

����� a ‘toolkit’ for measuring user and carer satisfaction with single shared assessment (annex);

����� Service users’ and carers’ guidelines for community care assessors (page 76-83).�

The toolkit and the guidelines for assessors were developed through intensive input from groups of service users and carers and reflect the views they voiced about assessment processes. The toolkit has not been validated due to the limited number of partnerships and individuals able to participate in the piloting exercise. However, the toolkit could prove very useful to partnerships in conducting their own measurements of service user and carer satisfaction and in informing and generating discussions in user and carer forums and groups.

The Guidelines for Assessors summary will also be accessible via the Joint Future website.

Wheelchair Service

As was reported in a previous edition of Open Door, I am a user representative of Rehabilitation Technology Services Advisory Group (ReTSAG), and its sub-group The National Wheelchair Forum.� I am also heavily involved with a NHS Users’ Wheelchair Survey, being carried out within NHS Forth Valley.�� The evidence from this survey will be available shortly on the SDEF website along with all of the reports that have been prepared on the Wheelchair service over the years.

Margaret Scott is also on the Wheelchair Forum and is a parent of a teenage daughter who is a wheelchair user.� Margaret has been working tirelessly over a number of years to improve the wheelchair service for younger people.� Margaret approached Margo Macdonald MSP to seek her support in submitting a petition to the Scottish Parliament’s Petition Committee.� Given the experience which we have, I supported Margaret at the presentation of the Petition on 8^th December 2004.�� There was a fair amount of media coverage both in newspapers and on television.�� We also had a very supportive meeting with Margo Macdonald who undertook to meet with the Minister responsible for Health the next day.

On the 19^th January 2005, Margaret together with the representatives of two of the Wheelchair Services, with the attendance and support of Margo Macdonald MSP, gave additional evidence to the Petition Committee.� The evidence was well received and the Petitions Committee was very supportive and agreed to write to the Executive and the Ministers involved.� It was also agreed that the Petition would remain open.

The matters which were the subject of Margaret’s petition were to:

1.�� Invest in the wheelchair and specialist seating services across Scotland by dedicating sufficient funding to resolve the immediate problems;

2.�� Carry out an enquiry, in consultation with users, that will address minimum standards, the scope of equipment provided and how the services are delivered

3.�� Recommend a strategy for the integrated provision of equipment for people with physical disabilities

We are happy to say that we had an immediate response from the new Minister for Health and Community Care, Mr Andrew Kerr, whose announcement was made following the meeting with MSP Margo Macdonald on 9^th December 2004.� The Minister has asked his officials to take forward two pieces of work:

a.����� To progress the Wheelchair Needs Assessment Review to be completed by 31 March 2006.

b.����� To investigate with the Service what interim measures can be put in place in the short term to address the unacceptable waiting times

The Minister’s officials took action immediately and began to form a Steering Group.

ReTSAG’s Wheelchair Forum has asked me to be on the Steering Group set up to oversee the independent review.� No time has been lost by the Scottish Executive officials who are reporting back directly to the Minister on progress.

The group held its first meeting on March 1^st to agree the specification for the review and the work will go out to tender shortly.� I thought it was very thoughtful that the Deputy Health Minister, Rhona Brankin, took the time to meet with the individual members of the group prior to the meeting and I came away with the feeling that there was indeed strong support to do something to remedy the issues surrounding the service.

Certain members of the group will be involved of the tender process in early May.

Again no time has been lost, the Deputy Minister, Rhona Brankin, announced on 11^th March announced an injection of �1.9 million as a short-term fix to address the waiting times for wheelchairs and special seating.� Although each of the five Wheelchair Centres receives its funding directly from Health Boards it would appear that this additional funding is going directly to the Centres.

As Convenor, I will make members aware from time to time on the progress made and SDEF wishes to record its thanks to all the effort that Margaret Scott has put in to seek to improve the Wheelchair Service in Scotland.� Members will recall that the issues surrounding the NHS Wheelchair Service have been raised by members at the last two AGMs.

Ron Skinner MBE

Convenor SDEF

Subtitled and audio described cinema enables people with less than perfect hearing or vision to enjoy film, presented in� the cinema.

Subtitles @ your local cinema is the only listings service created exclusively for accessible cinema. Our service can be found wherever there is internet access.

email: [email protected]
web: www.yourlocalcinema.com

Heard any good movies lately?

Around 8 out of every 10 cinema releases at any one time are available with audio description for blind or visually impaired people. Over 130 U.K. cinemas have the facilities to screen these films.

Cinema audio description is similar to listening to a cricket or football match on the radio, having the action described to you. The normal film soundtrack comes through the cinemas surround sound speakers in the usual way, and a recorded narrator explains what's happening on screen - in gaps in the dialogue - through personal headphones.� Films are rarely available with audio description on DVD, so catch them while you can at the cinema! Ask for an a.d. headset at the box office. The audio description is broadcast through personal headphones - only you hear it!

New report highlights lack of progress in making primary care services accessible

A new report from the Scottish Consumer Council says that local health services need to do more to improve access for disabled people.� The research aimed to identify examples of good practice across Scotland, but found it very hard to find more than a handful.

Six examples of good practice are highlighted in the report Bridging the gap: improving access to primary healthcare services for disabled people. These examples all show how staff are working to make services more accessible, often in partnership with disabled people.

Some improvements were driven by the recognition of service providers that they must do more to make their own services accessible, while some were driven by the need to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. Some involved health boards doing things differently, for example by appointing a disability adviser or setting up a disability working group.� Others were primarily driven by the requirement to meet building regulations, rather than being motivated by a desire to improve access.

The report found a lack of consultation with, or involvement of disabled people themselves in planning changes. It also expressed concern at the lack of emphasis given to disability equality training which disabled people rate as being of central importance.

The report says there is little evidence of disabled people noticing any real improvements in primary health care services.

The report provides a checklist that primary care services can use to help improve access.� A summary and checklist have been sent to all GP surgeries, dental practices, opticians, and pharmacists in Scotland.

Copies of the report, or the summary and checklist can be got from:

�

�

Tel: 0141-226-5261

Fax : 0141-221-0731

Minicom: 0141-226-8459

www.scotsconsumer.org.uk

Railways for All

The Strategic Rail Authority has recently published a substantial consultation Document seeking views on how best to make the railway more accessible.� The document sets out proposals for making rail travel more accessible.� It describes how accessible Britain’s railway could be in ten years time, depending on the choices that are made.� The SRA states:� “Priorities have to be established and not everything can be done at once.� We need your help to determine the priorities….the challenge is for everyone to work together to achieve this Strategy.” The SRA is seeking the views of disabled people, the railway industry, the public sector including the devolved administrations, and the wider community.� The deadline for responses is 14 June 2005.� Responses to this consultation exercise will inform the final Accessibility Strategy, to be published in summer 2005. The document is available on the Internet at www.sra.gov.uk

Access to Public Houses

The Centre for Accessible Environments has recently prepared a new guidance booklet for the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).� The latest in the series is called Bringing the DDA to life for small shops: Improving access to goods and services for disabled customers.� The booklet called Bringing the DDA to life for publicans, �aims to help publicans understand their duties under the DDA (1995) Act and to respond positively and appropriately in ways that will benefit both their customers and business.�� Through case studies, an action checklist and a series of tips and hints, the booklet offers practical advice on improvements to customer service and premises - many of which have little or no cost - that will help publicans to meet their legal duties and generate more business from disabled people and others.�

Copies of the guide can be downloaded from the DRC website:

www.drc.org.uk/publicationsandreports

or

by contacting the DRC Helpline on 08457 622 633.

�

Inclusive Theatre

Are you missing out when you go to the theatre because you cannot hear what is going on?� A new system has been developed to help you - it is called ‘captioning’ which builds on the experience of television subtitles. Captioning converts the spoken word into text, which is displayed on a caption unit that is viewed by the audience. As the captions roll (delivered live, from a laptop computer by a trained captioner) audience members can follow what is said, when it is said and by whom. Sound effects and off-stage noises are also included.

Captioning is particularly useful for people whose hearing loss means that sound enhancement systems such as loops and infrared alone are not enough and who do not read sign language. Evaluation of the system has shown that 85% of audiences find the captions useful - so it is not just people with an identifiable hearing loss who use it!

This system has been developed by the charity STAGETEXT and has been in operation in theatres in England for several years. So far there have only been pilot performances in Scotland because there is no funding to buy the equipment and train local captioners.

If you want to know more about captioning go to www.stagetext.co.uk� and, if you want to have it in Scotland, start lobbying your local theatre and the Scottish Arts Council for funding.� The SAC knows about STAGETEXT but have been dragging its feet on this, in spite of its commitment to inclusiveness.

Disability West Lothian

Disability West Lothian is a group that brings together individuals and representatives of organisations who are committed to improving the quality of life of disabled people in West Lothian.

Along with providing a useful and comprehensive service for people with disabilities, their families and carers and other individuals and groups in West Lothian, they administer two annual awards schemes:

Jamie Andrew Award

Honours outstanding achievements by people with disabilities living in West Lothian

Good Access Award

Recognises business and services in West Lothian that ensure ready access to their organisation.

For further information contact:

West Lothian Access Committee
Tel:� 01506-774030

Prestonpans Rail Station - Not Funny but True!

This story might ring bells elsewhere in Scotland:

One of our Access Panel Members has been trying to resolve the� “One way only, accessible rail station”.

One of the station platforms is accessible but the other isn’t, at Prestonpans in East Lothian, which means that if you have access problems you can travel happily in a direction away from Edinburgh but not towards it!

The Access Panel has raised this anomaly with Scot Rail, Network Rail, and The Strategic Rail Authority and seems to have achieved a catch-22 status, as our� enquiries are now being directed back into the loop of Network Rail again!

There may well be some poor puzzled soul in a wheelchair, or indeed a mother, travelling with a pram on a train as we write, trying to visit the undoubted attractions of Historic East Lothian but unable to get off!

If we ever get a reasonable answer from any of the rail operators or authorities, of whom there are many - we will let you know in a later issue of this Newsletter!

Does this situation sound familiar to anyone else?�

East Lothian Access Panel (ELAP)

Nairn Access Panel goes World Wide!

Nairn Access Panel has just completed the update and re-print of its local access brochure, promoting accessible venues in and around Nairn and District

The guide provides information on accessible facilities for residents and visitors. It includes details on accessibility and services provided within the area, looking at accommodation, restaurants, public services, health services, sporting and leisure facilities and much more

Originally, this was a very basic guide which the panel first produced over

six years ago, with the help of friends and family. It has been updated and improved since then: however, this production has had the benefit of funding from the Scottish Executive, through SDEF, which enabled the panel to recruit a design consultant and produce a much improved and professional design and layout. This funding has also enabled it to be taken into the technical age and go worldwide onto the web!

To request a copy of this brochure, or information on how to access the web site, contact Liz Bow at [email protected] or telephone 01667 452208. If you already have web access, find us at www.nairnaccess.co.uk
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Sutherland Access Panel’s

New Guide

Sutherland Access Panel is in the process of printing its access guide. An audit questionnaire was sent to businesses a couple of years ago.

It was followed up with a request for permission to use the information obtained and a section to include any upgrades.� In order to ensure a level of accuracy some of the panel members carried out spot checks on premises.
With funding from "Awards for All" and "Community Economic Development" the guide will be available locally.� It will also be available via the websites of East Sutherland and North & West Sutherland Community Care Forums. The guide is free and available in different formats, including large print.� The guide itself has been compiled, where possible using symbols/pictures.�

For more information about the guide contact:

Shirley McHardy, Secretary
01408 641444
February 2004

Deeside� Access� Panel

Is your business accessible?

Are you worried you may have to spend more money than you have?

Don’t panic!

Your local Access Panel is here to assist and advise you!

Deeside Access Panel was formed in June 2004 to bring to the attention of service providers their legal obligation to make “reasonable adjustments” in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.�

From 1^st October 2004, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 placed a legal obligation on services providers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the way they provide their services so as to ensure they are not unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use.� This applies to buildings such as hotels, B&B’s, shops, banks, doctors’ surgeries, dentists, libraries, restaurants, churches, post offices, offices, cinemas etc. - in other words, practically any building which is open to the public and to the services which are provided therein. �It also applies to the countryside and information of any kind.�

The Act enables a disabled person to take legal action against a service provider who refuses to make “reasonable adjustments”.

Your local Access Panel has new premises at Bonty Court, Aboyne and meets there on the third Tuesday of every month at 1.30pm.� It is a voluntary user led Group and helps get access to the built environment, accessible approaches and information.�� Membership is open to all disabled people, carers and individuals who have awareness of disability and in promoting “Access for All”.� The Panel gets support from Aberdeenshire Council and, along with over 40 Access Panels throughout Scotland, is recognised by the Scottish Executive.�

The introduction of the new consumer laws surrounding disability means that we can help businesses to find solutions that are cost effective and as appropriate as they can be.� All businesses, organisations and leisure facilities that provide a service to the public need to comply with the new legislation.

“Doing nothing is not an option”

The Panel is here to help resolve access problems and offer informed advice.� Any business or individual who would like more information or a chat about whether they have managed to comply with the new legislation should please contact the Deeside Access Panel by telephoning:

Ruth on 013397 42353:� or

Peter on 013398 80067:

e-mail [email protected]

News from the Highlands

Just a note to say that I am a new Director of SDEF “specialising” in the issues that affect the development and future of Scottish Access Panels.

As I am myself, based in the Highlands, it would be a great first step for me, to come out and visit as many Panels as possible, to be able to help us identify our strengths and weaknesses.� I could also report to the Panels, from SDEF HQ., what is developing there, and, hence, how we can help each other.

I would welcome any Panels’ invitation to meet me:��� telephone me on: 01349� 862879, or e-mail me at [email protected]��������

Then I can also tell you how Ross and Cromarty Access Panel,…..
well, actually me and Marj Donaldson, from the Panel, discovered how� NOT to audit a complete High Street!!!!!!!!!

Well I guess you learn from your mistakes, too!

So I look forward to hearing from you,

Warm regards,

Nick Rochford
February 2005

Inverness Service Point

Inverness Service Point has just opened its newly refurbished accessible premises in the City Centre.� Five years ago, Highland Council invited Inverness Access Committee (IAC) to take a look at the Service Points in the area to identify where disabled access may need improvement.� So, in consultation with the IAC founder member consultant architect, a Disability Access checklist was created.

Following good basic access audit training the IAC secretary, usually accompanied by a founder member and Convenor, set off as arranged with clip boards and measuring tape, venturing into nine Inverness and rural area Service Points.� Explaining their purpose to many enquiring staff was not without its unforgettable moments, as they measured car park approaches and thresholds, counted stair treads, noted desk heights and knee spaces, wayfinding and signboards, loo accessibility, observed lighting, decoration and floor coverings, and discussed disability awareness etc. etc.

However, this pilot volunteer Access Panel survey has resulted so far in allocation of Highland Council funding in two phases, implementation of accessible refurbishment to all the Highland Area Service Points and to many prioritised public access buildings.� A program of Disability Awareness training is being delivered to all front line staff and others by Highland Council disability trainers.�

Inverness Access Panel
February 2005

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Robert’s Travels

Since the last newsletter I have been back on the road, mostly in the Central Belt, during the winter months.

Before Christmas I met up with the Panel in East Lothian - I eventually found the right Community Centre!� The last meeting before Christmas was at Perth & Kinross AP where I renewed a few old acquaintances.

Since January I have crossed to the West a few times, meeting with APs in Helensburgh & Lomond, East Ayrshire North, Glasgow, South Ayrshire and Cumnock & Doon Valley.� So there have been a few late night drives home to Portobello in the dark.� I have also been to the Borders twice, meeting Tweeddale AP in Peebles and Central Borders in St Boswells.

I have also had a couple of meetings in North Lanarkshire (Wishaw and Cumbernauld) in connection with setting up a new Panel here.� Watch this space for further developments

The major trip of the year so far has been also the furthest - to Shetland.� There was a shaky start to the visit with snow and blizzards on the day in Edinburgh but the plane got away only a little late, and by the time we got to Shetland we were back on schedule.� The weather was crisp and clear, unlike the snow everyone else was getting.� As an example of how different things are in Shetland to the mainland, the Shetland Access Committee is the only Panel to own and operate their own minibus.

Apart from the Access Panels Conference, described elsewhere in the newsletter, the other big event for us was welcoming the three new Access Panels Directors, Iain Strickland (from Argyll & Bute), Nick Rochford (from Ross and Cromarty) and Linda Miller (from Aberdeenshire North) at an induction meeting in January.

Lastly, it was a pleasure to meet again members of the Orkney Access Panel who decided to extend their trip to the Conference by a couple of days and visit Edinburgh and Perth as well as Stirling.

Robert Pickles

Access Development Officer

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And Finally……………………..

Access Panels Conference - 9^th March 2005

SDEF recently hosted a conference that was attended by over eighty representatives of the local Access Panels from across Scotland.

The event, which was held at the Stirling Management Centre at the university, included speakers from Volunteer� Development Scotland, Disability Rights Commission, and the Building Standards Agency who all spoke about the changes that were taking place in their own particular fields and how they might affect local Access Panels.

The conference gave delegates an opportunity to network and to identify areas of mutual concern where the SDEF might be able to offer support or guidance to enable the Panels to develop their services.

The new SDEF directors, elected by the local access panels, Linda Millar, Nick Rochford and Iain Strickland enjoyed meeting so many people involved in the work of local Access Panels.

One delegate shared the thought with Iain that we are all participating in a social revolution.

There is no doubt that this is the case.� We only have to reflect the changes that have taken place over the past few years to the built environment and also the increasing level of disability awareness within our communities.

Of course, there is a continuing need to raise the awareness of the issues that affect disabled people, their families and friends and in this the members of the Local Access Panels, have an important role.

Iain Strickland
Access Panel Director

Post Script

According to the Evaluation Sheets received from delegates, 83% felt that the day had been “excellent” or “good”. Nonetheless for SDEF a number of learning points have been identified for future events.

We worked closely with staff of the Management Centre, both in the planning phase and in organising activities on the day. Although a large majority found the location, access, facilities and refreshments highly satisfactory, we are always looking for ways to improve.

We will take on board any adverse comments given on the Evaluation Sheets and do our best to ensure the difficulties are ironed out for future events.

Perhaps readers have had a good experience of other venues: please let us know. Meanwhile, we print below the results of a survey we held a little while ago on the areas where Access Panels would most like to hold an event. If readers have any other views on this, we would be pleased to hear them.

Location Survey for Future Events

You may remember a few months ago we asked the Access Panels where they would prefer us to hold events such as the conference.�� Just 50% of the panels replied - results as follows from 1 (most preferred) to 7 (least preferred):

1.��������� Perth

2.��������� Stirling

3.��������� Edinburgh

4.��������� Inverness

5.��������� Aberdeen

6.��������� Glasgow

7.��������� Dundee

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Open Door is published by

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Scottish Disability Equality Forum

12 Enterprise House

Springkerse Business Park

Stirling� FK7 7UF

Tel: 01786 446456

Fax: 01786 450902

Email: [email protected]

www.sdef.org.uk

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Charity No SC 031893

Company No SC 243392

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Any comments made in any contributed article do not necessarily reflect the policy or the views of SDEF.

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Open Door is available in alternative formats on request

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