SDEF Newsletter No.8 -�December 2002

This newsletter is available by email, on disc or in other formats if preferred. �Please contact us to let us know how you would like to receive it.� Copies of all the documents mentioned in this edition are available from the Secretariat.

Many thanks to Aberdeen Disability Consortium for its article in this issue.�

We hope more of our members will follow this lead.� Our Convenor has stressed the point at each of our member meetings, that the Management Committee and SDEF itself exists to offer support and raise issues of significance to us all, whether locally or more importantly nationally.� Please do not be shy - let us all hear of your successes, or share any problems you may be experiencing.��� Remember by working together our organisation will have added strength.� Contacts as shown at the bottom of each page.

Best wishes for the Festive Season to all our members.

Forum Update

Thank you to all our members who came along to our very successful AGM in October.� A particular thank you to our guest speaker, Kathleen Welsh, who gave us an inspiring account of the work of Order of Malta Dial-A-Journey in Stirling.�

Updates on other issues discussed with you on 2^nd October, and which you wished us to pursue:-

Company limited by Guarantee.�

Members of the Management Committee started working on this as soon as we received your agreement this was the way you wished SDEF to develop.� We are now well on the way to achieving this status.� We have completed the formalities necessary and it is now just a matter of waiting.

Funding

The other major item discussed was the funding implications of our Business Plan which you approved.� Armed with your support we submitted our Plan to the Scottish Executive.� We are pleased to report this was well received and we were congratulated on our hard work.� We have since had a meeting with members of the Equality Unit and Community Care Department of the Scottish Executive to discuss one or two points further.� This meeting also went well and it seems now to be a case of waiting for the result.

Other Activities

Committee Members have attended many meetings to raise the profile and influence of SDEF, in order to ensure that the views of people with disabilities are made known to those who have the power to make change.� These include:

• ���� BERG� (Built Environment Reference Group) which includes Architects, Surveyors, DRC and other interested parties.

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• ���� BT Countryside for All;� Fieldfare Trust Advisory Group for Scotland. These covers countryside matters

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• ���� European Year of Disabled People - Scottish Executive, other organisations in the disability field.�� Our representative (incidentally, the only member of the group attending to have a disability!) was invited to give evidence to a Committee of MSPs on Tuesday 3^rd December on this subject.� This group is very important as it is hoped the outcomes will have a beneficial far-reaching and long-term effect on the lives of people affected by disability.

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• ���� Committee on Health Matters - Scottish Executive.� Influential Committee

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• ���� Cross Party Group - As its name suggests this is a group of MSPs from all political parties who are interested in disability issues. The meetings are usually held monthly and open to anyone who is interested and wishes to attend.

UK Government Consultations

Equality and Diversity - Making it happen

This consultation paper looks at the role of equality institutions and the debate around a Single Equality Body to supersede the current EOC, CRE and DRC.� Responses are requested by 21 February 2003.

Copies of the document are available from www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk or by phoning 0870 1502 500 and quoting reference 02/1353

Equality and Diversity - The way ahead

This additional paper looks at plans to change existing equality legislation, including some particular issues for disability legislation, based on the earlier consultation ‘Towards Equality and Diversity’.� Responses should be in by the earlier date of 24 January 2003.

Copies of this paper are available from www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk or by phoning 0870 1502 500 and quoting reference 02/1164.

Both documents are available in a variety of formats including braille, audio tape, disk and large print.

Scottish Parliament News

Some parliamentary motions on disability issues lodged:

S1M-3662 Helen Eadie: European Union Year for Disabled People—That the Parliament notes that 2003 will be the EU Year For Disabled People; recognises the challenges that lie ahead in tackling the major social and practical barriers that continue to confront people who have a disability, and considers that companies, voluntary organisations, non-departmental public bodies and the Scottish Executive should adopt mandatory criteria to ensure that projects supported by grants, charitable donations or other means are designed to remove barriers that prevent people with a disability from playing a full part in society.

S1M-3658 Cathie Craigie: Creating Linguistic Access for Deaf and Deafblind People—That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters Training Strategy Group' s report, Creating Linguistic Access for Deaf and Deafblind People: A Strategy for Scotland; notes the report’s findings that deaf people are currently excluded from many aspects of everyday life in Scotland because of a lack of linguistic access and that the chief barriers to inclusion are (a) a lack of personnel with appropriate linguistic skills including a lack of British Sign Language/English Interpreters, tutors of British Sign Language and lipspeakers, (b) a lack of resources and materials, and (c) the lack of awareness and understanding of the relevant linguistic issues among employers, service providers and local and national government personnel; further notes the recommendation of the report that, to bring about change, a long-term integrated strategy is needed with collaboration between the statutory and voluntary sector, and considers that the Scottish Executive should work with key deaf organisations to establish a Scottish Centre for Deaf Studies.

S1M-3630 Cathy Peattie: Assisting Those with Impaired Communication—That the Parliament notes the Clinical Research and Audit Group report published in 1997 The provision of and support for alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) in Scotland: equipment and services; welcomes the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 with its emphasis on communication; applauds the augmentative communication programme of the Forth Valley NHS Rehabilitation Service, and considers that the Scottish Executive should fund research into the needs of those with impaired communication and end the underfunding of augmentative communication in Scotland.

Scottish Executive News

Registered Blind and Partially Sighted Persons, Scotland 2002 - Large Text Version
National figures on visually impaired persons registered with local authorities in Scotland 20/11/02

Planning to Improve Access to Education for Pupils with Disabilities - Guidance on Preparing Accessibility Strategies
Guidance on the preparation of Accessibility Strategies under the Education (Disability Strategies and Pupils Educational Records) Act 2002

News from Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC):

Inclusive Mobility (05/11/02):

New guidance from the Department for Transport makes it easier to get it right first time in enabling disabled people to use streets, car parks, rail and bus stations as easily as anyone else.

News from DRC

Disabled People Suffer Consequence Of Fire Strike (22/11/02):

New Job Opportunities With DRC Edinburgh (22/11/02):

Practice Development Officer; Policy and Public Affairs Officer; Research & Information Officer; Caseworker

DRC Briefings On "Equality And Diversity: The Way Ahead" (13/11/02):

Media News

The Invisible Force (The Guardian 27/11/02):

Maria Eagle, minister for disabled people, asks why there are not more media images of those with disabilities

Lack Of Support Adds To Hardship And Isolation For Disabled Refugees And Asylum Seekers (17/09/02):

Disabled People In Refugee And Asylum-Seeking Communities In Britain (17/09/02):

This research generates data on the numbers and social characteristics of disabled refugees and asylum-seekers and looks at their experiences, together with those of service providers.� Read it at

'Good Practice In Housing Disabled Children And Their Families'; 'The Housing Needs Of Disabled Children: The National Evidence' And 'Housing And Urban Experiences Of Visually Impaired Children' (19/11/02) - Read these at:

http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/socialcare/n62.asp

http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/socialcare/n72.asp

http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/socialcare/n82.asp

'Young Disabled People Moving Into Adulthood In Scotland' (14/11/02):

This Foundations reviews policy, practice and research in Scotland

Funding and Resources News

Office Rooms Available In Glasgow City Centre:

Rooms available for small voluntary sector organisation (from Aberlour Child Care Trust).� If interested please contact Eva on 07960733565 or Anne on 07810501685

The Co-Operative Group:

Community First:

The Co-operative Group is committed to supporting local communities. We haven't jumped on the bandwagon - we are the bandwagon.� Indeed, 'concern for community' is enshrined in our co-operative identity - it's the seventh co-operative principle - and we fulfil our commitment to this principle in many ways, all of which you and your community could benefit from.� The basics - It might be a tin of biscuits you need for a raffle, perhaps you want to collect funds for your favourite charity in one of our stores. If so, you simply need to put your request in writing on your group's letter-headed paper, and then have a chat to the store manager. We can also publicise your group on our in-store community notice boards.

Community Dividend:

Community Dividend is the flagship of our community investment policy and it is the primary way in which we support self-help groups in the communities where we trade.� The scheme relies on the generosity of Dividend Cardholders who opt to donate the 'odd pence' from their twice a year Dividend payment, fulfilling their commitment to the co-operative values of self-help and self-responsibility.� Since being launched in 1998 the scheme has raised more than �3.2million and over 800 local community groups have been supported each year, from credit unions to playgroups. Grants of between �100 and �5,000 are given to groups who are providing a lasting benefit to the community and addressing society's ills such as poor health or poverty. Community groups can also pool their Dividend by encouraging members and

supporters to join the scheme and transfer their Dividend to the

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust's Bridging The Gap Programme

Around �100,000 is available in Scotland to support voluntary and

Grants are between �500 and �10,000, although the normal maximum is �5,000, and projects must be completed within a year.� Grants are available for developing or improving an organisation or group, and for new or existing activities, facilities and services.� There is a 12-week turnaround of applications.

Information on this and other grant schemes run by the trust, is

News from the voluntary sector

SCVO's Equality Forum Events 2003:

The Equality Forum aims to promote practice, highlight emerging policy debates and provide opportunities to network across different equalities issues and sectors. The events for 2003 will focus on:�

28 January - The Current Debate on a Single Equality Body (Dundee);� 27 February� - Using the Human Rights Framework to Tackle Discrimination (Stirling); 29 April - Social Justice-Unpacking The Equality Agenda (Edinburgh); 23 September

Time: All events will be from 10.30 to 3.00pm� Cost per event: �50 for non-voluntary organisations, �30 for voluntary organisations.� There will be a further reduction of 20% if you book three or more seminars.� There are some subsidised places available to small voluntary organisations.� For a programme leaflet contact Heather McMullen, 0141 221 0030, email [email protected] .

MELDI - the Minority Ethnic Learning Disability Initiative

MELDI have just launched their new website - visit it at

Aberdeen Disability Consortium

Aberdeen Disability Consortium is an independent user led community of groups and individuals with an interest in the rights and needs of people of all ages with any form of disability.

Why is there a Disability Consortium?

Two years ago a number of kindred groups gathered and met and identified a need to increase communication amongst disability related organisations and individuals.� From these early meetings and discussions the idea of a Disability Consortium emerged and was formed.

Increased Communication - What for?

• To collect and share information

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• To provide a forum for the discussion of key issues

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• To co-ordinate opinions to influence joint planning - by identifying gaps and unmet need and promoting active consultation

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• To establish, maintain and promote good practice

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• To develop opportunities to raise awareness and increase� understanding of the needs of people with a disability

Who is involved?

Aberdeen Disability Consortium is a formally constituted organisation that sends information out to around 100 organisations and individuals who have expressed an interest in disability and related issues. These cover a wide spectrum of disability related groups and individuals which include Learning Disability, Sensory Impairment, Community Development, Mental Health, Social Work, Physical Disability, Economic Development, Carers, Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations and Local Sports Groups.

What are the main Issues?

Workshops and discussions at our Open Meetings have identified the main issues to be addressed:

• Access and Transport

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• Information and Resource Sharing

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• Funding��

www.aberdeendisabilityconsortium.org.uk.�

The Big Issue in Scotland is changing

In addition to our regular features, columns and reviews, we are introducing several new sections to the magazine.

With almost a decade of tackling the grittiest stories and covering news you won't see anywhere else, The Big Issue in Scotland continues to take an independent approach to journalism. One of many new regular sections, Excluded Voices will focus on those people pushed to the outer margins of society, giving them a chance to be heard. This weekly section will include personal accounts, news, events, interviews, campaigns and unique features.

If you or your organisation have any information that you would like to see in Excluded Voices, please contact Catherine Coyle by phone, fax or email.�

Phone: 0141 418 7047
Fax: 0141 418 7065
Email: [email protected]