Scottish
Disability Equality Forum����
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Scottish
Disability Equality Forum���� |
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� SDEF News December 2002
No.8��������������������������������������
Welcome to this eighth edition of SDEF News, available free to all
members and associate members of SDEF.� We
will keep you up to date on our own activities and relevant events and
publications in the field of disability.� If
you would like your work publicised in future editions, or would like to tell us
about something new, please contact us at the address below.
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 2nd 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.
��������
BT Countryside for All;� Fieldfare
Trust Advisory Group for Scotland. These covers countryside matters
��������
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 3rd 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.
��������
Committee on Health Matters � Scottish Executive.�
Influential Committee
��������
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
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/health/bpsslt-00.asp
Planning
to Improve Access to Education for Pupils with Disabilities - Guidance on
Preparing Accessibility Strategies
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/education/gpas-00.asp
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.
http://www.dptac.gov.uk/pn/021105.htm
News from DRC
Disabled
People Suffer Consequence Of Fire Strike (22/11/02):
http://www.drc-gb.org/drc/InformationAndLegislation/NewsRelease_021122.asp
New
Job Opportunities With DRC Edinburgh (22/11/02):
Practice
Development Officer; Policy and Public Affairs Officer; Research &
Information Officer; Caseworker
http://www.drc-gb.org/drc/AboutTheCommission/Page251.asp
DRC
Briefings On "Equality And Diversity: The Way Ahead" (13/11/02):
http://www.drc-gb.org/drc/InformationAndLegislation/Page38Z21.asp �
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
http://society.guardian.co.uk/societyguardian/story/0,7843,848126,00.html
Lack
Of Support Adds To Hardship And Isolation For Disabled Refugees And Asylum
Seekers (17/09/02):
http://www.jrf.org.uk/pressroom/releases/170902.asp
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
http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/socialcare/962.asp
'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
http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/foundations/N42.asp
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.
http://www.co-op.co.uk/membership/
and then click on 'Community
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
community
organisations based in a recognised coalfields community.�
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
available
from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, 2/6 The e-Centre, Cooperage Way Business
Village, Cooperage Way, Alloa, FK10 3LP, call 01259 272127.
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
-
Research from an Equality Perspective (Perth);�
27 November Funding Equalities and Sustainability (Glasgow).�
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 InitiativeMELDI
have just launched their new website � visit it at
www.meldi.org
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
����
To
provide a forum for the discussion of key issues
����
To
co-ordinate opinions to influence joint planning � by identifying gaps and
unmet need and promoting active consultation
����
To
establish, maintain and promote good practice
����
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
���� Information and Resource Sharing
���� 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.
END.
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� Scottish Disability Equality Forum Working together for the disability movement SDEF is a recognised Scottish charity no. SC031893 end of page |