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Meeting of SDEF Members and Friends

Stirling, 25th September 2001

SDEF � The Next Steps

Elma Mitchell, Convenor, opened the meeting and welcomed those present (list attached below).She explained that the purpose of the meeting was to consult with members and friends of SDEF regarding the Management Committee�s initial thoughts for a future workplan.

Philippa Bonella of the SDEF Secretariat explained the history of SDEF and recent achievements.This year, SDEF has held a major national conference on inclusion of disabled people in public policy, has amended its membership criteria to become more inclusive, and has gained charitable status.It has received short-term funding for secretariat services from the Scottish Executive.It is continuing to increase its membership base both in terms of numbers and diversity of organisations.It is also developing a database of voluntary sector disability organisations, with more than 600 records so far.

Philippa listed the immediate priorities for the Forum�s work as identified by the management committee:

  • growing the membership
  • developing links within the sector and with decision-makers
  • providing information to members and facilitating communication between members
  • acting as a signpost for government consultations
  • actively representing members� concerns to decision-makers
  • focussing on access as a policy priority.

These priorities were agreed by those present.

Elma then opened the discussion to look at longer-term objectives for the Forum.There was very clear consensus from those present for the issues identified, which are listed below.

Access

It was agreed that a network for access organisations was needed.This network should have good links with the professions working in the built environment: architects, building control officers, road engineers, draftsmen etc.SDEF should facilitate this network.

SDEF should represent the views of its members to the officials involved in drafting future building regulations before the consultation stage.

The access network should begin by raising awareness amongst the relevant professions, and should work towards ensuring access issues are integrated into the accredited training of these professions.

SDEF should support the development of new access panels to fill the geographic gaps.

SDEF should facilitate access audits by acting as a signpost to accredited access auditors within its membership.

SDEF should encourage full and accurate information to be published about levels of access to public buildings.

Access � beyond the built environment

SDEF should facilitate disability awareness training within the public, private and voluntary sectors by acting as a signpost to accredited trainers within its membership.�

As a longer-term goal, SDEF should take a broad view of access alongside a broad view of disability.Access is not just about ramps.

SDEF should pursue the issues around access to tourism for all disabled people.

SDEF should pursue the equality issues around access to training, education at all levels (nursery, school and colleges) and employment for all disabled people.

SDEF should investigate the possibility of delivering accredited training on disability equality and access audits in Scotland, tailored to the Scottish context.

Working together

SDEF should work closely with other organisations and networks to ensure that the views of the full spectrum of disabled people are properly represented to decision-makers.

SDEF should facilitate links between local and national organisations to ensure that disabled people�s views are fully and properly represented on all relevant policy forums.

What Next?

SDEF�s current funding is now coming to an end.The Forum will be meeting with the Scottish Executive to report on progress at the end of October.Further funding is currently being sought to deliver the priorities set by members.Please let us know your views.We assure you they really do matter and are the keystone for everything SDEF undertakes.

Attendance List

David Campbell

Colin Stewart

Aberdeen Action on Disability

Peter Rowe

Central Shopmobility Access Officer

Anne Clapham

Clackmannanshire Community Access Volunteers

Gordon Mungall

Disability West Lothian

Tony Miller

Disabled Persons� Housing Service (Aberdeenshire)

Peter Ingram-Monk

Dumfries and Galloway Coalition of Disabled People

Alex Thorburn

Dumfries and Galloway Coalition of Disabled People

Bridget Wilcox

ECAS � Access a Full Life

Valerie Robertson

Edinburgh Access Panel

Chris Hill

Edinburgh and Lothians Branch of Ataxia

Lisa Duggan

Fieldfare Trust

Chrissie Woods

National Federation Shopmobility

Jean Trench

North Lanarkshire Shopmobility

Dr George Stuart

NSUK

Linda Miller

Peterhead and District Disability Forum

Iain Parker

SDEF

Ron Skinner

SDEF

Agnes Stewart

SDEF

Jim Bryan

SDEF

Philippa Bonella

SDEF

Elma Mitchell

SDEF - Convenor


Scottish Disability Equality Forum

Working together for the disability movement

SDEF is a recognised Scottish charity no. SC031893

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