Justin's Bringing Trabasack!

Equip-able have received the ultimate endorsement with their Trabasack lap bag after Justin Timberlake, singer and worldwide superstar, featured their ingenious viral video on his website and Twitter.

Equip-able is a small British company, headed by disabled entrepreneur and award winning designer Clare Edwards. They have received the ultimate endorsement, having a video featuring their product posted on the website of a Hollywood superstar. Their innovative Trabasack lap tray travel bag is featured in a hilarious and technically brilliant You Tube video by internet meme Brett Domino.


Justin Timberlake, singer and worldwide superstar, featured their ingenious viral video on his website and Twitter feed. The singer wrote on his Twitter account, 'You wanted new music? Here you go (sorta):' and described it as 'Wow. Sharp. Witty. Bold. That's all we gotta say:' on his website, www.justintimberlake.com 


The video features YouTube sensation and TV personality, Brett Domino, performing a medley of Justin Timberlake songs on the Trabasack lap tray. The video shows how  trabasacks can be used to carry things, on this occasion, a variety of miniature instruments including a kazoo, theremin, cow bell and egg shaker. The trabasacks are then used as lap trays. They have a bean bag base giving a firm flat level surface for playing the instruments on.


The trabasack with a 'connect' surface is also featured. It has a soft tray surface covering that you can attach things to using 'hook' tape. The video shows how an ipod can be attached securely, and is then played expertly by the deadpan comic Steven Peavis, Brett's co-musician.


Despite only being released a week ago it has had over 80,000 views on YouTube, the video is being shared and passed on by enthusiastic music lovers globally. Viewer numbers have been almost doubling every day and after Justin Timberlake's star endorsement it is likely to go stratospheric!

For further information visit http://www.trabasack.co.uk
To see the Brett Domino video visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTwweLJ78KE

To see Justin Timberlake's website link visit http://www.justintimberlake.com/news/youtube_find_of_day ...

About Equip-able Ltd.

Established in August 2007, we are an innovative design company based in Leicestershire, U.K. A social enterprise, our aim is provide products that promote social inclusion. We offer our customers, British designed products that are affordable, contemporary, inclusive and attractive in appearance. People of of all abilities have told us that they have been useful.

Trabasacks are our first products. They are lap tray travel bags that enable people to eat, work and play anywhere.

Trabasack Curve, the gold award winner at the enABLE 09 show, Coventry, for Best Kitchen Product.

Trabasack Curve Connect was awarded a BHTA Independent Living Design Award.


We donate 10% of our profits to charities and assist other social enterprises whenever possible.

Equip-able Ltd is an ethically aware and green company seeking to use recycled and sustainable products whenever possible. Our products are distributed globally.

Trabasack Website

Article Source: PR Log

Wanted: hearing health ambassador

Siemens launches a campaign to find the face of hearing for 2010

From Popstars to X-Factor, Big Brother to Britain’s Missing Top Model, reality competitions look to find real life stars from the real world. 

Building on the success of Kellie Moody, Siemens’ ambassador for hearing health and semi-finalist of BBC Three’s Britain’s Missing Top Model, the UK based hearing instrument manufacturer is now looking for someone with the confidence and charisma to front a real life campaign for its new ‘BestSound Technology’ campaign.  The new products, set to launch in the summer, are equipped with advanced software to make listening to music easier by altering volume and frequency automatically and designed to wear comfortably in everyday life.

The winner, to be selected by a panel of hearing health experts including Kellie Moody, will receive the latest retail hearing instruments worth up to £5,000, Siemens’ innovative wireless system Tek^™, which connects hearing devices with MP3 players, iPods^™, mobile phones, and TVs, plus a UK weekend break for two.

“I’ve had so much fun working as a hearing health ambassador to help overturn the stigma of wearing a hearing instrument,” said Kellie Moody.  “I’ve been out and about talking to people of all ages, doing photo shoots, wearing great outfits and even making videos.  Innovative hearing instruments mean you can live life out loud rather than sit in the shadows and now Siemens are looking for a pal for me to help with spreading the word!.”

Entrants must describe in 50 words what they feel are the ‘best sounds of life’ and in 100 words why they should be the face of Siemens Hearing Instruments.  Closing date is 3 May 2010.  Entrants must be over 18 years old.  To enter email, ftfapplication_social.shi.uk.healthcare@siemens.com. 

For full terms and conditions visit www.siemens.co.uk/hearing.

PARALYMPIC ATHLETES PROMOTE SPORT IN WEST MIDLANDS

The Wolverhampton Rhinos Basketball Team along with Paralympic T53 Silver Medalist Mickey Bushell and Boccia player Nigel Murray are helping to promote disability sport in the West Midlands this May.

In association with Birmingham City University, the Birmingham Paralympic and Disabled Sports Exhibition is taking place on Monday 10th May from 5.30pm to 10pm at the new £7 million refurbished Birmingham City University’s City North Sports Centre.

Athletes will come together in aid of ParalympicsGB and Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association and will introduce people to Paralympic and disabled sport through a range of interactive sessions and talks.

The Rhinos, who frequently run community days, will be running sessions on Wheelchair Basketball throughout the exhibition. The sessions are free to take part in and are open to everyone.

The Birmingham A’s Basketball Team will be taking part in these sessions and the end of the night will climax in an exhibition wheelchair basketball match between themselves and the Rhinos.

The event will not only provide information to people interested in getting involved in disabled sport but will also showcase regional Paralympic and disabled sport events. In July Birmingham is hosting the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships and the exhibition is an opportunity to showcase the tournament.

Participants will receive an exclusive welcome pack which includes a free guest pass to the centre, discounted membership offers, a limited number of t shirts and information about a wide range of sporting events that are taking place in the West Midlands leading up to the London Paralympics in 2012.

For more information please visit www.bpadsexhibition.eventbrite.com or email bpads.exhibition@gmail.com

First in Scotland – Excellent!

Rebecca Morris, National Sports Foundation Programme Manager Inclusive Fitness Initiative presented the Award with Curling Paralympian Aileen Neilson and Councillor Gerry Convery, Chair of the Board of South Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd.


South Lanarkshire Lifestyles Fairhill, a £9m modern integrated facility opened in 2008, is the first leisure facility in Scotland to gain Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) Mark Accreditation and, the first in the UK to achieve the ‘Excellent’ level.

The IFI Mark Accreditation is the nationally recognised standard of inclusion within the fitness industry, awarded to fitness facilities that are inclusive of both disabled and non-disabled people alike. IFI Mark Accreditation can be awarded at three levels: Provisional, Registered or Excellent, the process focuses on 4 key areas; Accessible Facilities, Inclusive Fitness Equipment, Staff Training and Inclusive Marketing Strategies.

South Lanarkshire Lifestyles Fairhill features generous floor space for users with wheelchairs and walking aids.  South Lanarkshire Leisure has worked with three IFI Accredited Fitness Equipment Suppliers; Cybex, Hur and Power Plate to provide inclusive gym equipment which caters for people with a range of disabilities including visually impaired and wheelchair users as well as non-disabled people.   Staff at the facility have received additional training, providing them with the skills, knowledge and expertise to provide disabled people with a safe and effective programme. The staff have also previously undergone training to cater for a wide-range of needs and offer some NHS referral-only classes including Cardiac Rehabilitation, Strength and Balance classes suitable for customers with Multiple Sclerosis, and Easy Exercise for older adults. 

Curling Paralympian, Aileen Neilson from Hamilton came along to present this prestigious award of Excellence to Councillor Gerry Convery, Chair of the Board of South Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd who manage and operate leisure facilities on behalf of South Lanarkshire Council.

Aileen commented: “South Lanarkshire Lifestyles – Fairhill is a fantastic facility which I have used since it opened in April 2008 as part of my preparation for the Paralympic Games in Vancouver in March.  It focuses on people’s abilities rather than disabilities and all the staff are extremely helpful and encouraging.  This is an excellent venue where people are encouraged to improve their fitness and health and I look forward to using the facility for years to come.”

Councillor Gerry Convery, Chair of the Board of South Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd commented: “This award today is a great accolade for South Lanarkshire Lifestyles Fairhill and a really fantastic achievement for all of the staff who have focused their efforts on the facility achieving the highest standard of disability inclusion. This is an excellent facility which caters for all members of the community wishing to increase their physical activity levels with the guidance of the highly qualified and experienced staff. The centre has demonstrated the importance of partnership working with the Council’s Social Work Resources, NHS Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd by increasing usage by disabled people of the leisure facilities.

Over 30,000 people have attended the South Lanarkshire Lifestyles Fairhill centre in the last year and 5,000 of these have been users who would otherwise not be able to access leisure facilities.  200 gym inductions have been carried out for clients with disabilities ranging from Cerebral Palsy, Spinabifida and amputations.

Customer Bill Munn who suffers from Guillain Barrie Syndrome said: “I love this place and have been coming to use the equipment since it opened.  It has helped me get my muscles built back up to make them work as they should.  The staff here are absolutely marvellous.”

Sue Catton, IFI National Director, of the Inclusive Fitness Initiative said: ‘South Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd is to be congratulated on achieving the first Excellent Level IFI Mark Accreditation in the UK at the Lifestyles Fairhill Centre.  They have demonstrated their strength of commitment to inclusion, ensuring that the needs of all their customers are met.  Disabled people in the area will benefit from an excellent level of service provision and advice enabling them to make genuine healthy lifestyle choices.  Lifestyles Fairhill have raised the IFI Mark bar not just in Scotland but for the whole of the UK.’

South Lanarkshire Lifestyles Fairhill will be participating in the Inclusive Fitness Week from the 3rd to the 9th of May with free gym taster sessions being available to book on Tuesday 4th from 10am – 2pm, Thursday 6th from 4pm – 8pm and Saturday 8th from 10am – 2pm. If you would like to book for a free gym taster session you can contact the centre on 01698 456350.

www.inclusivefitness.org

Mock The Disabled ...

Here's the link to this week's Crippen blog which links with Vicky Wright's strong open letter to Frankie Boyle and his crass jokes about people with learning difficulties. Please post on ...

http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/?location_id=6&offset=0

Enable Sport Initiative

www.caudwellchildren.com

Disabled people enduring 'shockingly high' levels of discrimination

Almost a quarter of disabled people are still regularly suffering from discrimination, a charity said today.

Leonard Cheshire Disability said there were 'shockingly high' levels of discrimination  despite the presence of the Disability Discrimination Act.

The charity said common complaints included difficulty in using public transport, a lack of user-friendly facilities and not enough information being made available for disabled people.


A spokesman from the charity told the BBC: 'We found a remarkable level of discrimination and inaccessibility in shops and services, particularly given the Disability and Discrimination Act first came into force 15 years ago.

A survey by the charity found that 40 per cent of disabled people in Britain could identify difficulties or problems with accessing goods and services in the past 12 months.

'And significantly 23 per cent, nearly a quarter of disabled people said they had been discriminated against while trying to access goods and services in the past year, so really shockingly high levels of discrimination and inaccessibility given how long we have had anti-discrimination legislation,' the spokesman said.

The charity called for tribunals to be set up to rule on cases where disabled people were subjected to discrimination from service providers.

Public policy manager Guy Parckar said people should be able to challenge their treatment without going to court, and hoped such a service would be made available under the new Equality Act which will be introduced later this year.

'The impact of goods and services being inaccessible can mean much more than immediate inconvenience - it can contribute directly to the chances of a disabled person living in poverty through barriers to employment, education and other opportunities,' he said.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act providers must make adjustments where it is unreasonably difficult for a disabled person to access a service.

Mail Online

Thousands will lose benefits as harsher medical approved

Tens of thousands of claimants facing losing their benefit on review, or on being transferred from incapacity benefit, as plans to make the employment and support allowance (ESA) medical much harder to pass are approved by the secretary of state for work and pensions, Yvette Cooper.

The shock plans for ‘simplifying’ the work capability assessment, drawn up by a DWP working group, include docking points from amputees who can lift and carry with their stumps.  Claimants with speech problems who can write a sign saying, for example, ‘The office is on fire!’ will score no points for speech and deaf claimants who can read the sign will lose all their points for hearing.

Meanwhile, for ‘health and safety reasons’ all points scored for problems with bending and kneeling are to be abolished and claimants who have difficulty walking can be assessed using imaginary wheelchairs.

Claimants who have difficulty standing for any length of time will, under the plans, also have to show they have equal difficulty sitting, and vice versa, in order to score any points.  And no matter how bad their problems with standing and sitting, they will not score enough points to be awarded ESA.

In addition, almost half of the 41 mental health descriptors for which points can be scored are being removed from the new ‘simpler’ test, greatly reducing the chances of being found incapable of work due to such things as poor memory, confusion, depression and anxiety.
There are some improvements to the test under the plans, including exemptions for people likely to be starting chemotherapy and more mental health grounds for being admitted to the support group.  But the changes are overwhelmingly about pushing tens of thousands more people onto JSA.

If all this sounds like a sick and rather belated April Fools joke to you, we’re not surprised.  But the proposals are genuine and have already been officially agreed by Yvette Cooper, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.  They have not yet been passed into law, but given that both Labour and the Conservatives seem intent on driving as many people as possible off incapacity related benefits, they are likely to be pursued by whichever party wins the election.

We know that many people will find this news deeply upsetting and even frightening and we know that some people will condemn us for publicising the planned changes or for the language that we are using to do so.  But we also believe that it’s not too late to stop these ugly plans in their tracks if claimants and the organisations that represent them act now.

With 1.5 million incapacity benefit claimants waiting to be assessed using the work capability assessment in the next few years and tens of thousands of people already on ESA and set to be reviewed annually, these changes will be of great concern to many voters – if they find out about them before polling day.

So, please spread the word in forums and blogs and to people you know who may be affected. Ask any disability charity you have a connection with to speak out now, before election day, against these plans.  You might also want to contact local newspapers and radio to warn people about the proposals.

And above all, contact not just your MP, but the other candidates in your constituency, and let them know you will not be voting for anyone who does not loudly condemn this shameful attack on sick and disabled claimants.

These plans really are a potential seat loser, but only if enough people know about them.
Members can read a detailed breakdown of the changes – and who is responsible for them – in our examination of the revised work capability assessment in the members only news section.
Sources
Building bridges to work
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/building-bridges-to-work.pdf
Work Capability Assessment Internal Review
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/work-capability-assessment-review.pdf
Addendum
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/work-capability-assessment-review-addendum.pdf

Benefits and Work

Is there anyone claimants can vote for?

Benefits claimants are faced with a tough task at the coming general election:  finding any party they can vote for with enthusiasm or even a glimmer of hope for better treatment in the future.
Labour’s endless attacks on claimants – the introduction of employment and support allowance (ESA); the latest plans to make it even harder to pass the ESA medical; potential threats to DLA from the National Care Service, to name just a  few – will probably discourage many claimants from supporting them.

The Conservatives did at least stand up for DLA in relation to the National Care Service.  But they seem to be even more gung-ho than Labour in their desire, spearheaded by David Freud, to pay vast sums to the private sector in return for forcing the sick and disabled into work.  As far as the Conservatives are concerned, Labour have simply not gone far enough or fast enough.

The Lib Dems have chipped away at some of the worst elements of welfare reform as bills have gone through the parliamentary process.  But, by and large, they have been at best lacklustre in their defence of sick and disabled claimants and there has certainly been no sign of aggressive campaigning in their support.  For some people, though, a vote for the Lib Dems and the possibility of a hung parliament might seem the least worst option.

And then there’s the Greens.  They certainly have much more progressive and claimant friendly policies than any of the major parties.  But will claimants feel that a vote for the Greens is a wasted vote because they have so little prospect of gaining a substantial number of seats?

Here at Benefits and Work we have absolutely zero allegiance to any political party, but we’d be very interested to hear who – if anyone – you are considering supporting.

Benefits and Work

Drop-in help for disabled people

A DISABILITY support group has opened a monthly drop-in centre in Millom.

The Centre for Independent Living, based in the Bradbury Centre in St Georges Road, was opened by Millom Mayor, Joan Hobbs, on Thursday.

The centre is part of a countywide initiative to encourage groups of people who use local service to feed back information to Cumbria County Council.

The centre will provide advice and support to people with disabilities, their families and friends, as part of a 12-month pilot for the monthly drop-in sessions.

Gary Jackson, chairman of South Copeland Disability Group said: “We are very pleased to be taking part in the trial.

“The group is two years old and for a very young organisation to be invited to take part by the council is quite something.”

Mayor Joan Hobbs, who formally opened the centre, said: “I think it is going to be a facility for people in Millom and it will enable them get information in Millom rather than go elsewhere.
“I hope they go from strength to strength.”

Mr Jackson said the Centre for Independent Living would provide a link between services provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau and charities, such as Age Concern.

“We are delighted to be working in close involvement with Age Concern. There is an overlap in what we do and that is why we are in the Bradbury Centre,” said Mr Jackson.

Noel Moore, secretary of South Copeland Disability group, said: “If people come to us with questions we’re happy to help, or if we can’t we will point them in the direction of someone who can.”

Mr Moore also spoke of the support the group has received from Copeland MP Jamie Reed.
He said: “We have friends in high places, our MP Jamie Reed has been very supportive of the group.

“We also received a letter from MEP Paul Nuttall, who said that he is very keen to help our group.”

Russell Duck, of Butterflowers Caravan Park, was among the first to use the Centre for Independent Living to discuss issues affecting him.

He said: “None of the buses in Millom have disabled access, something should have been done about this a long time ago.”

Mr Duck said that after using the new drop-in facility he was hoping to become a member of the South Copeland Disability Group.

The Centre for Independent Living is open on the first Friday of every month in the Bradbury Centre, St Georges Road, Millom between 1pm and 4pm.

South Copeland Disability Group’s next meeting is on Monday April 12 at 10.30am in Millom Network Centre, Salthouse Road.  For more information phone 01229 773341.

North West Evening Mail

Gang That Trafficked Children to U.K.Busted in Romania

In the early morning hours of April 8, 2010, massive police raids were conducted in the village of Tandrei in southern Romania. Three hundred police officers, including 20 from London, took part in the simultaneous raids of 33 buildings. Over 30 people were detained and 17 were arrested and face criminal charges.

The investigation began when locals noticed several palatial homes, known as “gypsy palaces” being constructed in the economically depressed area. Those who were arrested are alleged gang members who are accused of trafficking children into the U.K. Police believe that this gang sent 168 children between the ages of seven and 15 to Britain to work for criminal enterprises.

Some of these children have been taken into care in the U.K. Others have already been returned to Romania and are now undergoing counseling. Still others are missing.

During the raids, police seized money, weapons, and papers including false documents, forged U.K. passports and signed authorizations to take the children out of Romania. The children involved were either kidnapped or sold to the gang by impoverished parents. Both the parents and the children were threatened that if they ever told anyone what happened, either the children or other family members would be hurt.

Once the children arrived in the U.K., they were put to work. The younger children were forced to beg for money or used as decoys in distraction thefts. Children who were a little older were taught how to steal. And when the children reached an age where their illegal activities attracted serious attention from the authorities, they were forced into prostitution.

In what was nothing short of barbaric, the traffickers realized that young disabled children could make more money begging than their able bodied counterparts could. So the gangs would disable the children before they left Romania. This usually consisted of breaking their arms or legs.

While in Britain, the children were housed in crowded unsanitary conditions and given just enough food to allow them to function. They were never given any of the money that they made. According to the London Evening Standard, traffickers could expect to make £100,000 per year per child in London alone.

Child Trafficking in Britain

There are no reliable statistics as to how many trafficked children are currently in the U.K. According to the Library of the British House of Commons, it was estimated that there were 4,000 such children in the country in 2003.

A major obstacle in combating the practice is that most people are totally unaware that it is happening and fail to recognize a trafficked child when they see one. A survey conducted in 2009 by ECPAT (end child prostitution, child pornography and trafficking of children for sexual purposes) showed that over 20% of Britons contribute to child traffickers without realizing they are doing so.

Romania and Eastern Europe are not the only places where trafficked children come from. Many come from Asia and Africa and can be found making illegal DVDs, growing marijuana and engaged in prostitution. The poll also revealed that 89% of respondents were unaware that money paid for bootleg DVDs, marijuana, roses sold on the street and to prostitutes went into the hands of criminal enterprises. Neither did these people know that the disabled children who they gave money to on the street were actually children who were brought into Britain to make money for gang leaders.

Romanian police, with the help of over 20 British officers who are now in Romania remain are continuing their investigation. Police in the U.K. are also searching for gang members and the children who are still unaccounted for.

Suite101

Disabled People: Mobility Scooters

House of Lords

Written answers and statements, 6 April 2010 

Baroness Gardner of Parkes (Conservative)

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they have taken to implement the recommendations of Carriage of Mobility Scooters on Public Transport-Feasibility Study, published by the Department for Transport in 2006, to "widen the definition of reference wheelchair to include 'mobility aids'", to issue guidance on which mobility scooters are suitable for use on public transport, and to ensure that operators should be required to transport such scooters.

To ask Her Majesty's Government when guidelines will be made available to all local bus operators regarding the use of wheelchairs and mobility scooters on their services; and how passengers will be made aware of any specifications with which their mobility scooters must comply.

Lord Adonis (Secretary of State, Department for Transport; Labour)

The feasibility study identified areas where further work is required in order that firm policy and guidance be formulated. The study suggested that smaller and lighter mobility scooters ("class 2" devices) equipped with dry cell or gel batteries could be safely carried on public transport in the right circumstances. The Department for Transport continues to keep this matter under review.

Guidance for users of public transport services Get wise to using public transport has been published by the British Healthcare Trades Association in conjunction with the Department for Transport, and can be found at:

www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/tipws/getwheelchairwise/getwheelchairwiseawheelchair6l66.

The guidance highlights that it may be possible for class 2 scooters to be carried but that it is a decision for the individual operator as to whether they carry mobility scooters on their services, given that the design of individual buses and levels of occupancy may impinge on what is practicable in different places.

The department has also published guidance about using buses and coaches in the form of frequently asked questions for disabled passengers, which is on the department's website at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/buses/frequentlyaskedquestions?page=2.

They Work For You

 

Total Support for Changing Places

Total Hygiene, the leading disabled toileting solutions company, has announced its support for the ‘Changing Places Changing Lives’ campaign. The campaign calls for fully accessible toilets for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and people with other physical disabilities in all large public places.

Total Hygiene, manufacturer of the top-selling Clos-o-Mat ‘wash and dry’ toilet and supplier of a complete range of inclusive washroom equipment, has been chosen by the Changing Places Changing Lives consortium as its commercial partner to help to raise awareness of the need for suitable toilet facilities for disabled people who need the help of a carer.

The Changing Places consortium comprises Mencap, Pamis, Centre for Accessible Environment, Nottingham City Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Valuing People Support Team and the Scottish Government. The ‘Changing Places Changing Lives’ campaign supports the rights of people with profound and multiple learning, and/or other physical disabilities, to access their community. Without Changing Places toilets(1), carers are forced to change their loved ones on toilet floors or be prisoners in their own homes.

The campaign has already seen success. Not only are Changing Places toilets included in the new BS8300:2009 accessible building design code of practice, there are already 116 Changing Places facilities installed across the UK. The consortium is now campaigning for Part M of the Building Regulations to in future include a requirement for Changing Places toilets in all large public places.

Peter Willan, chair and CEO of Total Hygiene, elaborated, “We are supposed to live in an inclusive society, but there is almost ¼ million people with a disability who are still being discriminated against purely because they need help to undertake personal care. Current facilities just don’t have the space or equipment to enable them to maintain their personal dignity. So the need for facilities such as Changing Places toilets is vital.

“Total Hygiene has been working in this specialist market for over 30 years, and is the UK’s biggest supplier of specialist accessible toileting solutions. It is therefore fitting we lend our backing to the Changing Places campaign, not just financially, but with technical and marketing support, to help ‘spread the word’ as widely and effectively as possible, and help build the structure of a fully inclusive community.”

Brenda Mobbs, corporate fundraising manager at Mencap, added, “We’ve been delighted to help the consortium to get this funding from Total Hygiene. Their support gives the consortium the ability to seriously address the toileting needs of disabled people in the UK and carry the message through to all involved in the provision of facilities in the public environment.”

Loretto Lamb, director of Pamis and co-chair of the consortium said, “We very much welcome the support from Total Hygeine. This will ensure that we can continue to promote these much needed facilities that will enable people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their carers to do all the things that the rest of us take for granted.”

Notes
1. A Changing Places Toilet is a fully accessible toilet with a height-adjustable changing bench, a hoist and enough space for up to 2 carers.

• About Mencap
Mencap supports the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK and their families and carers. Mencap fights to change laws and improve services and access to education, employment and leisure facilities, supporting thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.
Mencap is also the largest service provider of services, information and advice for people with a learning disability across England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
See www.mencap.org.uk for more information.
 
24Dash.com

Pioneering Partnership on Disabled Access

Public sector partners in Barnsley have joined forces to ensure disabled people receive comprehensive information about access to their services.

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust,  Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and  NHS Barnsley  have formed a pioneering partnership investing in DisabledGo to provide in-depth online access information for disabled people on award winning website www.disabledgo.com.

DisabledGo, the UK’s foremost provider of disabled access information, has already launched information to services managed by NHS Barnsley and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, which anyone can use for free at www.disabledgo.com. By logging on to www.disabledgo.com people can check, where consultation rooms are in relation to the main entrance, how far the car park is from a library’s entrance, whether there are lifts to access other floors in a hotel, whether a hearing loop is fitted at reception areas, the type of announcements in waiting areas, whether information is available in alternative formats and in-depth information about adapted toilets.

The availability of the online access guide will help increase choice; improve people’s experience and increase people’s confidence to access services or visit somewhere new.
The access information to services and departments within Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is currently being collected.

Sandra Taylor, Chief Executive at Barnsley Hospital, said the organisation was delighted to sign up to the innovative site, commenting “This will enable prospective patients to see the hospital through the eyes of disabled people, so that they are confident in planning  and preparing their journey through our services and to make whatever personal arrangements they consider they need to make to feel in control of what can seem a daunting and anxiety provoking experience.

“It also helps us, our service and estate planners to consider where we might improve access or address barriers to equal access.”

Steve Wragg, Chairman of Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said the decision of the hospital, NHS Barnsley and Barnsley Council to make Barnsley the first town in the country where all the major care providers support the DisabledGo website, was a major boost for local people.

Speaking about the information available to council services Derrick Taylor, Assistant Director Access to Services at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council said, ‘Working with our partners has enabled Barnsley to provided such an excellent facility to people who want to visit work or live in the Borough, it also demonstrates the shared vision NHS Barnsley and the Council have ’.

Amanda Heenan, Equality and Diversity Manager at NHS Barnsley added, “We believe this tool will enable disabled people to easily find and choose accessible health services that best meet their needs. Accessibility is not just about bricks and mortar, it is about awareness  and choices, which is why the guide uses a combination of images and information about facilities to help patients recognise the choices in healthcare available to them.”
  
Barnsley Hospital News

CAFT Fundraiser

CAFT feels very honoured to have been chosen as beneficiary of a fantastic racing event, at Uttoxeter Racecourse on Thursday 22 April 2010.  The event is being organised by CAFT supporter and corporate events and promotions company 6Box www.6box.co.uk

It promises to be a fantastic afternoon/evening for you and your colleagues, clients, friends or family, with plenty of highlights.  Tables of 10 are £1300, however individual places are also available from £149pp. 

Please consider lending your support to this event and helping CAFT whilst having a fantastic time!

Further details from Pippa Watton at CAFT events@caft.co.uk or contact 6box direct as below.

 www.caft.co.uk

Government blocks new Europe-wide disability rights

What is this about?

Disabled people face widespread discrimination because goods like washing machines, mobile phones or TVs are not often designed to meet their needs. For example, blind/deafblind people can’t use modern washing machines because they don’t have tactile/raised buttons and menus in high contrast print and/or braille; deaf/deafblind people miss out on films if subtitles don’t have accessible viewing options.

The Disability Discrimination Act does not cover this area, so it's left to the European Union to act. In 2008 the European Commission put forward proposals to address discrimination in access to goods and services, with support from the European Parliament.

If adopted, the proposals would make it a requirement for manufactured goods to be accessible for disabled people. In other words, it would ensure that items such as washing machines, digital TVs, microwaves, mobile phones, etc. are designed to be accessible.

Sounds good, what's the problem?

Governments of the 27 EU countries are negotiating on this now and will have the final say on whether it goes ahead. Unfortunately, some countries, including the UK, are opposing new EU laws to make manufactured goods accessible, thus wasting a unique opportunity.

We don't have much time

A new round of negotiations on this has just started in Brussels, so it is crucial to put pressure on the government. We must ensure that the government is aware of our concerns when it takes part in negotiations and that their position so far is letting disabled people down.

There is a second issue. A new law is being negotiated at the moment that would significantly improve the rights of disabled people across the European Union when using buses and coaches. The proposed law was meant to cover all bus and coach transport in the EU both international and local.

Unfortunately, some countries, including the UK, have weakened the proposals and therefore the rights disabled people could have at local level. The proposed European law would have led to mandatory training of transport staff (including bus drivers) and better provision of information. This won’t happen if the UK government continues to maintain its current opposition.

Take me to the form to email Gordon Brown

 Sense Website

Amendment delays free care for elderly and disabled people

Bill to be implemented in three stages, each widening the provision of care, the third stage being free personal care for all after 2015

Introduction of free personal care at home for elderly and disabled people with the greatest needs is to be delayed six months after the government accepted a House of Lords amendment in order to get the enabling legislation through before the general election.

The measure, the first stage in the three-step process of establishing a national care service in England as set out in a white paper on Tuesday, will also be subject to further approval by both the Commons and the Lords after the election.

All sides were claiming success after amendment of the personal care at home bill was accepted in a late-night Commons debate on Tuesday. The bill is now expected to receive royal assent before parliament is dissolved for the election.

Lord Warner, a former Labour health minister who helped push for amendment, said: "We feel we have done our job. We have slowed the bill down and it will be for a new government to deal with it in a more measured way."

If implemented, the bill will guarantee free personal care at home for 280,000 people with the highest level of needs and will also provide "re-ablement" services for 130,000 people so they can remain independent. The annual cost is put at £670m, of which the government is funding £420m and local authorities £250m.

The measure was unveiled by Gordon Brown at the 2009 Labour party conference and was due to take effect in October this year, but councils protested that they were being given too little time to prepare.

In the Commons on Tuesday night, care services minister Phil Hope said the government "recognises the collective desire for more time to implement these measures and more time to scrutinise them". As a result, it was prepared to accept a Lord amendment that would have the effect of delaying implementation until April 2011.

The amendment will require both MPs and peers in the new parliament to approve a commencement order to give implementation the go-ahead, meaning the measure could still be blocked.

However, Conservative shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien said in the Commons: "Although we have proposed improving amendments during the passage of the bill, let me stress that we have never opposed it."

Under the white paper plan, stage two of the process of creating a national care service would be free personal care in residential and homes for all people after two years. Stage three, "after 2015", would be free care for all after introduction of a compulsory comprehensive insurance scheme.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "The House of Commons has sent a clear message that the bill should now be passed. We are confident that the bill will now complete its final stages in the House of Lords and gain royal assent."

Welcoming acceptance of the amendment, the Local Government Association said councils should now have the time to ensure that the new personal care package was delivered "smoothly and efficiently from day one".

The Guardian

New Benefit Test Will Fail To Spot Illness And Disability

People with mental health problems who are frequently unable to complete more than two tasks in a row could be assessed as fit for work, under new revisions to the sickness benefit test outlined by the government last night (1).

Mind already has grave concerns that the Work Capability Assessment, the current test for sickness benefit Employment and Support Allowance, is not sophisticated enough to accurately measure when someone's mental health affects their ability to work. However, in a radical tightening of the criteria, revisions to the test proposed today will simplify the test further by slashing the sections relevant to mental health in half (3), prompting fears that tens of thousands of people with serious mental health issues could be stripped of their benefits and forced to look for work they are unable to do.

Mind's Chief Executive Paul Farmer said:

Most people with mental health problems want to work, but need time and support to be able to do so. However we have seen some truly shocking examples of people who cannot be reasonably expected to enter any workplace being assessed as fit for work, including one person who was sent an assessment form while in psychiatric hospital, and another who cannot manage even simple tasks including getting up in the morning without one to one support.

It is clear that the current assessments are failing to pick up on people with major barriers to work, yet the government has responded by simplifying the tests even further, radically reducing the likelihood of spotting serious and enduring mental health problems. People who really cannot work because of serious illnesses who are found fit for work will have their benefits taken away and will be forced to look for work, some without hope of an employer ever taking them on.

Tightening the test may be a move to reduce the sickness benefits bill, but the knock on effects will be felt further down the line. The legacy of these errors would be another generation of people parked on a different benefit, unable to find a job and having to live on reduced incomes, in poverty.

The government proposals are hard on the heals of a Citizen's Advice Bureau report released just last week finding widespread failings in the whole assessment system, ranging from problems with the test, problems with the guidelines for those carrying out the test, and problems with their knowledge about mental health and disability (4).

Examples

Jenny* has worked in the past but when she developed depression and anxiety she applied for Employment and Support Allowance. Despite two GPs, a psychiatrist and a senior nurse stating that she is not able to work or seek work, a 54 minute assessment and report written in the remaining 6 minutes disagreed and she was refused. The report included comments that she 'did not appear to be trembling…sweating…or make rocking movements". Jenny feels that her condition has been made light of and the refusal of ESA has caused her very significant distress which is severely impeding her recovery.

Michelle* has a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, severe anxiety and depression. She has very poor short-term memory, relying on a task list to get through daily routines, and avoids social contact and going to new places due to severe anxiety and panic attacks when she is particularly unwell. Michelle had to fight on appeal to qualify for Employment Support Allowance, but under new proposals, would likely be assessed as fit to work.

(1) Department of Work and Pensions: Building bridges to work: new approaches to tackling long term worklessness and Work Capability Assessment Internal Review http://www.dwp.gov.uk/building-bridges-to-work

(2) DWP, January 2010

(3) The assessment is based on a number of descriptors that measure what people can do in different areas of functioning. The current version contains 40 descriptors that are relevant to mental health, whereas the revised test will contain just 21.

(4) Citizens Advice Bureau: Not Working: CAB evidence on the ESA work capability Assessment

* names changed

Source
MIND

Medical News Today