Resistance: Which way the future?

If you've yet to see Liz Crow's Roaring Girl Production's 'Resistance: Which way the future?' then I'd suggest the best place to start is with this short video, based upon audience reactions of the installation.

You can also obtain more information about the installation and where it will be appearing next on the Roaring Girls web site - http://www.roaring-girl.com/

Don't miss out on the opportunity to see this powerful production ... it won't be touring for ever, especially as the CONDEMs continue to cut funding to the arts and arts venues.

Dave Lupton

aka Crippen - Disabled cartoonist

Anyone wishing to use any of my existing cartoons for their own web sites or publications are asked to make a donation to support my work with groups and organisations of disabled people. Please make your payment by sending a cheque to Dave Lupton, 17 Cawsam Gardens, Caversham, Reading RG4 5JE and marked on the back 'donation' - the amount you pay is discretionary. Thanks for your support.

Crippen's web site - http://www.crippencartoons.co.uk

Crippen's cartoon blog - http://crippencartoons.wordpress.com

Crippen's Disability Arts On Line blog - http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/?unique_name=crippen-blog&offset=0

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Vacation reply

I'm currently in hospital having the body of a 23 year old fitted.

I should be back at my drawing board by about Wednesday 30th March, 2011, when I'll answer your email.

;-)

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Fw: I Still Need Some Help For The Aspergers Awareness Project...

  

I am putting together a short online video in order to showcase the positive qualities of children with Aspergers Syndrome.

It is an A-Z of Aspergers video featuring a real child’s photo, who has a name and quality associated with that later, for more details go to http://www.parentingaspergers.com/aspergersawarenessvideo.html

For example I have currently got:

Awesome Alonzo

Briany Branden - Boundless Bobby

Curious Carter – Captivating Candace

Determined Dan – Dextorous Dylan

Enthusiastic Eric

Kind Kobe

Loyal Louis

Millenium Max – Marvellous Mark

Precious Piper - Positive Paul

Risible Rachel

Stupendous Sarah

Willing William

But that still leaves me short for the following letters:

F

G

H

I

J

O

Q

T

U

V

X

Y

Z

If you would like to help and take part in the project and have a child with a name beginning with one of these letters (or even a middle name come to that!)  I would need the following from you:

a. A photo

b. Your child's name

c. 1 or more positive qualities of your child (using words of the same letter as his/her first name e.g. Adventurous Andy, Bright Belinda, Charming Chris)

d. A few words about your child and why they have such qualities (if you have a short story that can illustrate this, then even better!)

Please email me with these 4 things by April 1st to aspergersawarenessproject@gmail.com or just reply to this email.

If I can’t get enough people to help, then sadly the project is not going to get off the ground.

Thanks again if you can help to make this possible,

Dave

Aspergers Information Online, PO Box 789, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO19DY, United Kingdom

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Disability Arts and Corporate funding

Crippen looks at the real threat of the big corporations becoming involved within Disability Arts.

Get the low down on his Disability Arts on Line blog ...

http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/?domain=www.disabilityartsonline.org.u...

Dave Lupton

aka Crippen - Disabled cartoonist

Anyone wishing to use any of my existing cartoons for their own web sites or publications are asked to make a donation to support my work with groups and organisations of disabled people. Please make your payment by sending a cheque to Dave Lupton, 17 Cawsam Gardens, Caversham, Reading RG4 5JE and marked on the back 'donation' - the amount you pay is discretionary. Thanks for your support.

Crippen's web site - http://www.crippencartoons.co.uk

Crippen's cartoon blog - http://crippencartoons.wordpress.com

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Fw: NAS monthly newsletter - March 2011

This month, you can read a very touching story by one of our members about the way her son's life changed since he received a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, aged 31. You can also read an exclusive feature from our members' magazine, Communication, which is full of practical tips for helping children and adults with autism to manage stress and anxiety. Did you know that the NAS has over 20,000 members around the UK? They include people with autism, parents, carers, professionals and others who want to get involved with our work and change the world for people with autism. If you were to join us, then as a member you would receive our quarterly membership magazine, a 10% discount on our books and resources and access to discounted travel and life insurance, among other benefits. If you haven't already considered joining the NAS, I'd urge you to find out more - I've been a member for many years and much enjoy everything that membership brings. Don't forget it's also World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April. Find out how you can mark the occasion below. With my best wishes as always, Jane Asher President, The National Autistic Society	Getting support Real stories: Kath Ellis Tips for managing stress Come to the Autism Show Celebrity photographer supports NAS  World Autism Awareness Day
Real stories: Kath Ellis Kath Ellis, a primary school special support assistant, lives in Bury with her husband Alan and son Andrew. Following years of frustration at not being able to secure a diagnosis, Andrew was finally diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in 2009. Read more.  Tips for managing stress Anxiety can be a serious problem for children and adults with autism. In the Spring 2011 issue of Communication, our members' magazine, we shared some tips and ideas for dealing with stress and anxiety which have been submitted by our supporters. Download the exclusive article. Come to The Autism Show The NAS will be a headline partner at The Autism Show at ExCeL London in June. The new conference, developed by the parents of a child with autism, is open to parents, professionals and people with autism and will include presentations and workshops from leading professionals. Read more. Celebrity photographer supports NAS John Swannell, the world renowned photographer, is hosting a lecture on 7 June to raise funds for the NAS. John will talk about his experiences of photographing some of the world's most well-known faces, how fashion has changed over the years, and the amazing places across the world he has visited. Read more. World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April World Autism Awareness Day is fast approaching and we want to let you know how people will be standing up for autism on Saturday 2 April. We'd also love to hear what you will be doing to raise awareness. It doesn't matter how big or how small - everything you do will help to tell people about autism. To find out more, visit us on Facebook.
Support us Train Walk 2011 Join our online community Donate More news from the NAS

Stay in touch with The National Autistic Society: follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube or join our Facebook group.

The National Autistic Society, registered office: 393 City Road, London, EC1V 1NG, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7833 2299, Fax: +44 (0)20 7833 9666, Email: nas@nas.org.uk
VAT registration number: 653370050; a charity registered in England and Wales (269425) and in Scotland (SC039427)
Copyright The National Autistic Society 2011

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Mobility Products Retailer closed down in the public interest

Insolvency Service (National): Mobility Products Retailer closed down in the public interest

UK Government

Mar 14, 2011 11:45 CET

A company selling orthopaedic products to elderly people in their own homes, was this week wound up in the public interest, in the Manchester District Registry following an investigation by Company Investigations (North) of the Insolvency Service.

Reo Marketing Ltd operated from premises in Chesterfield and carried on an almost identical business to two previous failed companies. The company's tactics included telesales staff who cold-called private individuals with the intention of deliberately misleading them into agreeing to a home visit. The pretext being that they were participating in a survey designed to obtain feedback on the company's products.

In reality, the company was seeking to exploit a selling opportunity. Once inside the home, the company's agents employed further misleading or high pressure tactics on vulnerable people. For example, the agents made unsubstantiated claims with regard to the medical benefits of the products, on occasions falsely claiming to represent social services, in order to complete a sale.

Investigators found the average age of the company's customers was 79 years. Despite the fact many of those targeted suffered from physical and mental health problems, sales visits routinely lasted for three or more hours, with some customers reporting they were followed around the house by the salesman or that they only agreed to a purchase to conclude the appointment.

Commenting on the case, Insolvency Service investigator Scott Crighton said:

"This company's tactics were typical of those that prey on the elderly and vulnerable. The methods used to get people's trust and gain entry into people's homes and the conduct of sales people once they got there, were unacceptable. Companies that adopt these tactics should know that Company Investigations can and will investigate and, where appropriate, take action to put them out of business".

Investigators found that the company achieved a turnover of £1.3m in under 10 months by adopting a confusing pricing structure and offering non-existent discounts. In reality, they added mark-ups against the cost price of several hundred percent and, in one case, as high as 1,326%.

The investigation also found that the company had been in breach of both consumer & data protection legislation and to have improperly applied VAT exemptions.

Ends

1. Reo Marketing Ltd was incorporated on 15 October 2009. Its current registered office is at Raincliff House, Barker Lane, but has previously been at 2 Coney Green Business centre, Wingfield View, Clay Cross and at Unit A Clumber House, High Street, Clay Cross, all in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The directors of the company have been Mr Stephen Watkinson, who resigned in March 2010 and Mr Rodney Stone.

2. The petition was presented under s124A of the Insolvency Act 1986 on 15 December 2010 and the Winding Up Order was made on 08 March 2011.

3. The Official Receiver was previously appointed as provisional liquidator of the company on 14 January 2011.

4. In winding up the company, the Judge described it as a worrying case in which the company had charged huge and in some cases astronomic mark ups to members of the public who, the directors of company freely admitted, were categorised as vulnerable.

5. The two companies referred to above, which operated in a similar manner to Reo Marketing Ltd were:

More Than Mobility Ltd: wound-up in the public interest on 8 December 2009 following an investigation by Company Investigations of The Insolvency Service;

Compass Mobility Ltd: went into creditors' voluntary liquidation on 29 September 2009.

6. The Insolvency Service administers the insolvency regime investigating all compulsory liquidations and individual insolvencies (bankruptcies) through the Official Receiver to establish why they became insolvent. The Service also authorises and regulates the insolvency profession; deals with disqualification of directors in corporate failures; assesses and pays statutory entitlement to redundancy payments when an employer cannot or will not pay employees; provides banking and investment services for bankruptcy and liquidation estate funds; and advises ministers and other government departments on insolvency law and practice. Further information about the work of The Insolvency Service is available from http://www.insolvency.gov.uk

7. All public enquiries concerning the affairs of the company should be made to: The Official Receiver, Public Interest Unit, 2^nd Floor, 3 Piccadilly Place, London Road, Manchester, M1 3BN. Tel: 0161 234 8531 Email: piu.north@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk

8. Media Enquiries should be directed to:

Denise Rawls, Press Office Manager, Telephone 020 7674 6910 or

Ade Daramy, Press Officer on 020 7596 6187

Source: http://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/view/pressrelease/insolvency-service-national-mobility-products-retailer-closed-down-in-the-public-interest-597141

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Protest Outside The Daily Mail - Stop the Defamation - Stop the Lies

  As part of the third National Day of Action Against Benefit Cuts a protest has been called outside the Daily Mail's head office in Kensington on 14th April 2011.

The Daily Mail has a long history of abusing and defaming benefit claimants. Lurid headlines have dishonestly claimed that disabled people, people on sickness benefits, single parents and the unemployed are workshy, scroungers or even fraudsters. Hate filled rants by Daily Mail columnists have spewed out propaganda about the most vulnerable in society, which have been used by politicians of all major parties to launch an attack on the Welfare State.

Discredited Atos test results have been twisted to claim that two million people claiming sickness benefits are 'cheats'.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1220211/Just-incapacity-benefit-claimants-genuine-tough-new-test-reveals-TWO-MILLION-cheating.html

Join us outside the Daily Mail's Kensington headquarters to demand no more lies and no more defamation of disabled people, people with illnesses, parents, the low waged, the unemployed, carers and volunteers who are all set to face devastating cutbacks in the already meagre state support they receive.

Bring musical instruments, megaphones, banners, placards and come prepared to tell the truth as loudly as possible to the faceless hacks who write this poisonous garbage.

The protest will begin at 2pm. Nearest tube is Kensington High Street (not accessible sadly), which is also well served by bus routes.

At 5pm a protest is also being held outside Westminster City Hall to protest at the Housing Benefit caps as well as the ban on rough sleeping and food distribution in parts of the borough. This is a short bus or tube ride from the Daily Mail HQ. Details at the link below: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=186039361439862

Details of events around the country can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=164277070288955&index=1

or: http://benefitclaimantsfightback.wordpress.com/

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Claimants Fightback

Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) have announced a virtual protest for people unable to attend the March For the Alternative on Saturday in person, please visit: http://www.dpac.uk.net/2011/03/in-solidarity-with-the-protesters-on-the-streets-on-26-march-online-map-disabled-people-and-allies/

DPAC will be meeting with activists from London Coalition Against Poverty (LCAP) at Savoy Street near Charing Cross at 11am to join the TUC march. Some of us will be meeting slightly earlier at 2 neighbouring accessible cafes: Caffe Amici , 7B Kingsway, London WC2B 6YA and the Costa next door. The Costa opens at 9am.

There's lots of other things happening all over London on the day, there's a round up at: http://freelondonlistings.co.uk/news/1-latest/150-free-london-events-saturday-26th-sunday-27th-march-to-the-streets.html

The big news is that Stay For 1 Day - the planned event to occupy Hyde Park for 24 hours is not cancelled, despite it's recent disappearance from facebook. For more info visit: http://www.resist26.org/post/4020653091/stay-4-one-day-is-not-cancelled

Finally, in case you missed the event invite, as part of the third National Day of Action Against Benefit Cuts on 14th April a protest has been called outside the offices of the daily Mail demanding Stop the Defamation - Stop the Lies - details at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161556473898500

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Internet Buttons

  We Are What We Do creates new tool that makes using the internet super easy for new or nervous users.

We Are What We Do, the not-for-profit company behind Historypin and the I’m Not A Plastic Bag shopper, is back with a new creation set to make a major contribution to digital inclusion: Internet Buttons.

The webtool allows people confident online to create a simplified, personalised experience of the web for those people in their lives who are new to the internet or find it confusing.

Currently, 9.2 million people are digitally excluded in the UK, of which 6.4 million are over the age of 65. Yet 75% of those excluded know someone who could help get them online.

Designed to get this audience onto and into the Internet in the simplest way possible, Internet Buttons aims to contribute to getting 1 million people online by 2012.

At internetbuttons.org users can set up a page of Buttons, which link to sites and services the person their helping might find useful or enjoyable. It removes all the complicated bits of the internet and makes it easy to keep going back to the places they like.

These Buttons are saved on their own personalised URL (e.g. internetbuttons.org/joanmiller), so they can be accessed from any computer. They work well as a homepage.

The supporting users can also add a photo and message to the page, reminding the person they are helping to call them if they get stuck. As well as better access to personal support, there is extra help for new users on the site via a permanently available helper bar and guides to using their Buttons.

As their experience and confidence grows, new Buttons can easily be added, either remotely by the original creator or by the new user. Suggestions and guides to new Buttons in the ‘Ready-Made Buttons’ section allows users to explore and expand their use of the internet comfortably and gradually.

Nick Stanhope, CEO of We Are What We Do commented:

"Internet Buttons is the simplest way to help someone you know have a much easier, less stressful experience online. For new users, and for lots of people that have been struggling for years, the Internet can be full of pot-holes that put you off using it.

“By setting someone up with some Internet Buttons, you can give them quick and safe access to what they want straight-away whenever they go online and get heaps of help and support."

Helen Schofield, 50, Internet Buttons user from Tywyn, said:

“I love using Internet Buttons and use it almost everyday now. My daughter, Beth, set it up for me. I find it easy to keep in contact with friends and relatives through email, Skype and I’ve set up a Google calendar that is shared by the whole family. Some of my favourite buttons right now are BBC recipes, thetrainline.com, and shopping sites such as Marks and Spencers and Sainsbury's.”

 

Internet Buttons was created by We Are What We Do as part of their work to get people from different generations spending more time together. In particular, Internet Buttons aims to overcome the growing digital divide which is often a barrier to communication.

The webtool is supported by the Nominet Trust and UK Online Centres, who are already promoting it to centres and Digital Champions throughwww.helppassiton.co.uk.

Annika Small, Director of the Nominet Trust, said:

“Internet Buttons is an imaginative and practical tool that enables people to get their family and friends online, which will hopefully help a raft of new, previously excluded users to see the potential of the internet to enrich their lives.”

UK Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox, who founded the Race Online 2012 ambition said:

“Internet Buttons are an excellent way of making the web more fun and accessible for new users. They are simple, intuitive and a fantastic tool for onliners who want to pass on their skills and show their offline family members and friends specific benefits of the web that appeal to each individual.”

Helen Milner, Managing Director of UK online centres said:

“Internet Buttons is a fantastic tool for UK online centres because it gives our staff another way of engaging people and instantly making the internet both easy and relevant.”

For more information or interviews with a spokesperson please contact Frank PR:

wawwd@frankpr.it/ 020 7693 6999

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

We Are What We Do

We Are What We Do, registered charity number 1134546, is a not-for-profit company which encourages individuals to take small actions that will make a big difference to major social and environmental issues. Founded in 2004, We Are What We Do has published three titles, Change The World For A Fiver which sold over one million copies worldwide, Change The World 9 to 5 which was launched by David Cameron in 2006 and Teach Your Granny To Text which was given to every school in the country by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) as a teaching resource. A collaboration with Anya Hindmarch and Sainsbury’s in 2007 launched the I am NOT a Plastic Bag shopper, taking the plastic bag issue onto the front pages and helping Sainsbury’s reduce the number of free carrier bags issued by 38% in the following two years. WeAreWhatWeDo.org features over 150 simple, positive everyday actions anyone can do to and track. – the current most popular actions include Cook a meal from scratch, Use a mug not a plastic cup and Read a story with a child.

Nominet Trust

 

Nominet Trust is a charity which launched in 2008 to mobilise the internet for social good. To the majority of Internet users, the name Nominet remains largely unknown, but for millions of website owners in the UK, Nominet provides registration and administration support for their .uk domains. For Nominet Trust – the organisation’s charitable arm – it’s the users that are the primary focus, and the Trust funds in distinctive and innovative IT-related projects that make a difference to people's lives, particularly in the areas of web access, education and safety. The Trust also supports projects that use the internet imaginatively to address specific social problems. 

 

Almost ten million people in the UK have never been online and four million of those are amongst the country's most socially excluded. So the people who have the most to gain from the Internet - whether to overcome isolation, to save money or to find help - are the ones who are missing out. Nominet Trust seeks to redress these imbalances by funding projects that give people the skills and tools to be online safely and responsibly.

 

UK online centers

UK online centres provide millions of people with access to technology and support in using it, at 3,500 local centres.  Centres are based at the heart of communities, in libraries, community centres, on high streets and even on buses.  They offer free or low cost access to the internet and email, help people use online public services, deliver online courses and encourage people to progress onto further learning.  Visit www.ukonlinecentres.com for more information.

 

Digital Exclusion

Digital exclusion in the UK has a series of consequences for the 9.2 million adults who are currently offline, for their families, friends and communities, for the delivery of national and local government and for society as a whole.

- 9.2 million adults in the UK have never used the Internet – a substantial proportion which highlights the urgency of the digital inclusion campaign

- 4.6 million (46%) of these are over 65 years of age

- 31% of internet users say they don’t visit new sites and 37% carry out 0-5 out of 17 types of activity; older people, those on low incomes and people with a disability are more likely to be narrower users – showing the extent and implications of narrow use of the Internet

- While 90% of those aged 16-24 say they use the internet (anywhere) only 22% of those aged 75+ do - demonstrating the potential consequences of the digital divide for inter-generational relationships

- 4 million of 10 million offline are socially as well as digitally excluded – which highlights the need for community level access, support and outreach to bring new users online

- Offline households are missing out on saving £560 per year from shopping and paying bills online – and these households are often those that would benefit the most from these saving, again highlighting the urgency of digital inclusion work

- The total economic benefits of getting everyone in the UK online is in excess of £22bn – even as an estimate, this importance of this substantial figure is amplified in the current economic climate

- 59% of people don’t see a reason to get online, and this rises to 63% of those 65-74 and over

(Sources: Manifesto for a Networked Nation, Race Online 2012 (2010); Strategy & 2010 Plan, Race Online 2012 (2009); The Economic Case for Digital Inclusion, PriceWaterhouseCooper (2009); The Connected World Report, The Carphone Warehouse / Mobile Life (2008); Digital Participation – 2010 Metrics Bulletin, Ofcom)

 

Race Online 2012

On June 18th 2010 Martha Lane Fox was appointed by The Prime Minister as the UK Digital Champion with a remit to encourage as many people as possible to go online, and improving the convenience and efficiency of public services by driving online delivery.http://www.number10.govuk/news/latest-news/2010/06/martha-lane--appointed-uk-digital-champion-52086

Full copies of Networked Nation are available to download atWWW.RACEONLINE2012.ORG/MANIFESTO

The UK’s Digital Champion is asking organisations of any size to get involved to ensure everyone can use the web.  It’s simple to sign up and only takes a few minutes to register and make a digital promise at www.raceonline2012.org

Digital Inclusion Limited is government funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government (through the Community Development Foundation) but is an independent organisation

See the full gallery on Posterous

INTERNETBUTTONS-pressrelease.doc Download this file

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The Ashes Epilogue Lunch With James Anderson

AshesEpilogueLunch.pdf Download this file

Since the early 2000's CAFT has received some incredible support from The Lord's Taverners, and Lady Taverners, which has included donations of two amazing minibuses, to collect children for their holidays, take them out on day trips and return them safely home after a magical week, plus significant funding for specialist sport equipment.

As a small token of our appreciation we are delighted to support an event they have coming up, by helping with promotion, and very much hope you might consider joining them for a fantastic time. 

Please find attached further details for THE ASHES EPILOGUE LUNCH WITH JAMES ANDERSON on Wednesday 13 April 2011 at The Point at LCCC - a superb venue.

Should you wish to purchase tickets please contact Chantal at GB Events on 07780 663 271 or 0161 718 5919 or email chantal@gb-events.co.uk.

Pippa Watton
Senior Events Fundraiser
events@caft.co.uk
Tel 01565 830053

On 27 March 2011 I will be running a 1/2 marathon for CAFT.  Please sponsor me by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/PipandMel

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DISABILITY SNOWSPORT UK ANNOUNCES DATE FOR NATIONAL SKIATHON 2011

Attention skiers and snowboarders: Tuesday May 17^th 2011 is the date of Disability Snowsport UK's (DSUK) third National Skiathon.  Skiers and boarders of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in teams of 6, alongside the British Disabled Ski team, and an exciting collection of Britain's top freestylers and celebrities (to be announced).

Entry is £66 per team with the requirement to raise a minimum of £666. The challenge is to ski 666 runs in 6 hours at one of 6 UK indoor ski slopes including the Chill Factor in Manchester; Tamworth Snowdome in Staffordshire;

The Snow Centre – Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire; Sno!zone Braehead in Glasgow; Sno!zone Castleford in West Yorkshire; Sno!zone Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire.  Equipment hire is included in the entry fee and there are prizes for the teams that raise the most money and ski the most runs.

There's no need to be a top-flight skier or boarder - quizzes and games give everyone the chance to win extra runs for their team.  Each participant also receives a goodies bag and a T-shirt as a memento of a great day out raising money to help bring joy and excitement to many people living with disabilities throughout the UK. DSUK's target is to raise a minimum of £35,000 so get a team together now.  To enter visit:  https://regonline.activeeurope.com/disabilitysnowsportuknationalskiathon  

Or contact Sophie Wood: SophieWood@disabilitysnowsport.org.uk / 0161 749 2290.

Issued for Disability Snowsport UK by Media Contacts PR:

Contact: Jane Parritt; jane@mediacontactspr.co.uk / 01367 820 766

 

 

Notes to Editors follow:

 

ABOUT DISABILITY SNOWSPORT   

Established in 1980 Disability Snowsport UK brings people living with disabilities the chance to experience the thrill and joy of skiing alongside, on an equal basis with, able-bodied helpers.  The intention is to enhance quality of life for disabled people through fitness, mobility, freedom, social interaction and independence and also to identify and nurture potential athletes and help disabled people to conquer the barriers that confront them in daily life.

Celebrity endorsement for the DSUK Skiathon 2010:

Mark Foster (5 x Olympic Gold – swimming) said: 'I am proud to support the National Skiathon event. I'm passionate about encouraging EVERYONE to take part in sporting activities, whether it's swimming, dancing or skiing and Disability Snowsport UK are doing a fabulous job promoting equality & opportunity for anyone of any age with disabilities to take part in Snowsports.'

Graham Bell (ski racer/TV presenter),said: 'I am happy to support the Skiathon after watching the team compete out in Whistler for the 2010 Winter Paralympics.  After skiing for a morning in a sit-ski I can certainly appreciate the skills involved.' 

Sir Steve Redrave (Olympic Gold – rowing) said: 'DSUK do some fantastic work with people promoting self esteem and confidence regardless of their disability.  I can't see a better way than a Skiathon to raise money for such a deserving charity.'

Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards (ski-jumper) said: 'I am just as excited to put on a pair of skis now as when I started skiing 32 years ago. It's great that I can come along to events such as this and ski with lots of people and have so much fun and, most importantly, raise money so lots of other people can have the chance to have a go at such a great sport''. 

 

If you can't take part yourself, please spread the word and tell your friends. 

Among those taking part this year are The Combined Services Disabled Ski Team made up of soldiers who have lost limbs or been seriously injured during service in Iraq and Afghanistan and The British Disabled Ski Team (BDST) whose spokesperson Sean Rose (World Cup Gold medalist, Winter Paralympian and British Disabled Ski Team number one) said: DSUK provides snowsports experiences to people with all disabilities. It is life changing for some, a feeling of independence for others and a thrilling adventure for everyone. DSUK also scouts for talented new members to join the national team, who one day could fly down a race course representing their country. For me it does not get much better than that.'

Date: Tuesday May 17

Entry fee: £66 per team of 6 (minimum pledge of £666)

Enter at:  https://regonline.activeeurope.com/disabilitysnowsportuknationalskiathon 

Contact Sophie Wood: SophieWood@disabilitysnowsport.org.uk / 0161 749 2290

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Care Not Killing ENewsletter, March 2011

  

Care Not Killing ENewsletter, March 2011

The majority of people with locked-in syndrome are happy
A study on the well-being of patients with chronic locked-in syndrome in the new journal BMJ Open shows that the vast majority consider themselves to be happy. The author of the study, Steven Laureys of the Coma Science Group at the University Hospital of Liege in Belgium, concludes that ‘results from Studies like this challenge people to reassess what makes life worthwhile and “dignified”.’ In fact, ‘the longer people were locked-in, the more likely they were to be happy.’ The research also makes suggestions on how better to care for these patients and is very positive about continuous improvements in provision as technology advances.

Nitschke
Philip Nitschke faced strong opposition during his recent visit to the UK. He attempted to bring his suicide workshops and home-suicide kits to people around the country, yet, all but three of his meetings were cancelled and one meeting had more protestors present than delegates. Nitschke did not object to the fact that his activities could put vulnerable people at huge risk when speaking to the BBC.

Commission on Assisted Dying
The Commission on Assisted Dying which has attracted wide criticism for bias has now begun its evidence hearings. Lord Falconer, who attempted unsuccessfully in 2009 to legalise assisted suicide, set up the Commission following a suggestion from Dignity in Dying (formerly the Voluntary Euthanasia Society). The Commission is being part-funded by DID patron Terry Pratchett and nine of the twelve commissioners are already known to support the legalisation of assisted suicide, yet, it is being portrayed as independent. Along with others, CNK has declined to give evidence.

Speak out
A number of celebrities have recently expressed their support for legalising assisted suicide. Often well meaning, but deeply uninformed about the complexities of the debate, this popular but vocal minority have the potential to influence members of the public. It is becoming increasingly important that the majority speak out. Please keep writing your comments online in response to articles in the media. Engage in discussions and write letters to newspapers and politicians with your views. Medical members can write to BMA News and medical journals.

Care Not Killing DVDs
Request our free DVDs and pass them onto your friends, families, colleagues, schools, places of worship, or organisations. Our most recent DVD 'Disabled people speak on assisted dying' and our earlier DVD 'Doctors speak on assisted dying' are both available. Email info@carenotkilling.org.uk .

Abroad
In the last twelve months, Euthanasia bills have been defeated in Canada, Australia, the US, Israel and France. In addition to the overwhelming defeat of the End of Life Assistance Bill in Scotland last year, all of these defeats are a great encouragement and serve to help promote better palliative care around the globe.

Resistance Campaign
Read about the Resistance Campaign and please sign the petition, write to your MP and make the campaign known to others, to help support the lives of people with disabilities.

Please contact your new MP
Any future voting on assisted suicide in Parliament will be one of individual conscience, so please contact your new local MP, to make your views known to them and to find out where they stand on the issue. Why not follow it up by arranging to speak to them in person? Before becoming Prime Minister, David Cameron wisely spoke out against any relaxation of the UK law on assisted suicide. Please write a short email or letter to express your support for him taking this stance.

Personal Stories
As the risks of any weakening in the law in relation to Assisted Suicide become increasingly highlighted, a number of you are writing to the Care Not Killing Alliance with your own experience of why you feel the law is best kept as it is. Send us your own story to info@carenotkilling.org.uk. Please include whether or not you are happy for your story to feature on our website, and visit our Personal Stories page.

BMJ Tribute to CNK
The British Medical journal in January ran a report on Care Not Killing and paid tribute to our effectiveness as a lobby group by giving us the quote of the week.

Support
CNK continues to be grateful for every donation

Twitter

Join for FREE and keep up-to-date with all the current CNK news

Events
Come along to up-and-coming events surrounding this important issue

Stay informed
Check the CNK website for regular updates

Thank you for your continued support and action!
CNK Alliance

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More FANTASTIC EVENTS in aid of The Children's Adventure Farm Trust!

We are well into our 2011 Holiday Programme and since the start of February we've been welcoming groups of wonderful children to The Farm, for a much-needed break.  Our annual Holiday Programme is now longer than ever before, and this is thanks to the support we continue receive from you - thank you.

Two fantastic events are coming up very soon in the Altrincham area, the first a Brazilian evening at the new Sabor Do Brazil Bar & Restaurant on Thursday 24 March.  Secondly, a Ladies Spring Fashion Evening at HALO's stunning showroom.  Both are in aid of CAFT and both offer a brilliant, and very reasonably priced, evening out.

Details are attached and if you would like to find out more, or book tickets, please get in touch by email or phone, through CAFT or as advised on the flyers.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Pippa Watton
Senior Events Fundraiser
events@caft.co.uk
Tel 01565 830053

On 27 March 2011 I will be running a 1/2 marathon for CAFT.  Please sponsor me by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/PipandMel

A Taste Of BRAZIL!.pdf Download this file

HALO Ladies Spring Fashion Evening.pdf Download this file

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GO FOLIC BEFORE YOU FROLIC

  

 

Association for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus - Ability Beyond Disability
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Registered Charity Number: 249338

PRESS RELEASE

GO FOLIC BEFORE YOU FROLIC!

A major new campaign will urge all sexually active women who might become pregnant to take the correct dose of folic acid everyday.

The Go Folic! initiative will be launched at the House of Commons on Wednesday by the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH).

GoFolic! aims to improve womens’ folic acid intake and so reduce the incidence of Neural Tube Defects such as spina bifida, which occur in the early weeks of pregnancy.

Every day in the UK, an average of two babies conceived – 900 each year - will go on to develop a Neural Tube Defect (NTD).  Up to 72% of these defects could be prevented if women took folic acid tablets at the right time and dosage.

However, at present, only 5.5 per cent of women take folic acid correctly and the incidence of Neural Tube Defects remains stubbornly high, of ten with tragic consequences.

NTD’s happen within the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is preg

nant. It is therefore essential that women take the correct dose of folic acid daily – ideally for three months - before they become pregnant. 

The Go Folic! campaign aims to inform and motivate women to act on this information and impress upon them that a healthy balanced diet is not enough to achieve the required levels of folic acid in their bodies to help prevent NTDs developing in their unborn babies.

Women need to take 400mcg of folic acid daily prior to conception and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Some women may need a higher dose, particularly if there is a family history of spina bifida or if the mother has diabetes or coeliac disease or if she takes anti-epileptic medicines.

ASBAH Chief Executive Jackie Bland has called on everyone who can influence women on this critical issue to get behind the campaign and help reduce the often tragic consequences of NTDs.

"NTDs are a serious health threat which can lead to enormous challenges and painful decisions. The most serious form, anencephaly, means that the baby will not live beyond birth, and many babies born with spina bifida face a life with serious, multiple disabilities. We can drastically reduce the incidence of NTDs if we can get women to take folic acid correctly.

We need a concerted effort from everyone - not just health professionals - to get this message across to women: If you are sexually active and might become pregnant, take a folic acid tablet everyday; it's simple to Go Folic!"

Notes to Editors:

* Go Folic! Will be launched in the Terrace Room at the House of Commons on Wednesday 16th March from 4pm-6pm.

* Public Health Minister Anne Milton will provide the opening address

* Celebrity GP and presenter Rob Hicks and former England footballer Danny Mills (whose baby son died from an NTD) are backing the campaign and will be present at the launch

* NTDs include spina bifida (when the spinal cord does not fully close) which  can lead to lifelong disabilities.  Other NTDs, such as anencephaly (absence of part of the brain) are incompatible with life.

* For more information, please visit www.gofolic.co.uk

* To arrange interviews/features on any aspect of NTDs and the Go Folic! Campaign please contact: Annette Angell, Assistant Director (Special Appeals), Email: annettea@asbah.org, Tel: 01733 421336 Add: ASBAH House, 42 Park Road, Peterborough  PE1 2UQ

* ASBAH is Europe’s largest organisation dedicated to supporting individuals and families as they face the challenges arising from spina bifida and hydrocephalus. For further details on the charity please visit our 'About ASBAH Page'.

STAY IN CONTACT WITH ASBAH:

 

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Save our NHS

  

The Save our NHS petition is growing fast: Over 110,000 of us have signed so far. Click to add your name to the petition and to help it reach 200,000 by Friday? It only takes 2 minutes. The Save the NHS petition is growing fast. Over 110,000 of us have signed in less than a week. That makes it the fastest-growing 38 Degrees petition ever! We know that the government’s plans for the NHS are a serious threat - that’s why so many of us have joined in. Local health services would be broken up, and private companies brought in. [1] Andrew Lansley, the health minister, wants to rush the plans through. But if we work together, we can stop him. On Friday, 38 Degrees members will start visiting key MPs at their local constituency surgeries. These are politicians with the power to challenge the plans now, because they’re on the Health Bill committee. [2] We want to hand them the biggest petition they've ever seen. Please add your name in time for the first petition deliveries this Friday: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/NHS-petition Yesterday, the main group representing doctors, the British Medical Association, said the plans were "dangerous" and called on the government to withdraw them. [3] Last weekend even Lib Dem party members voted to tell Nick Clegg the government's plans are "damaging and unjustified". [4] It's not hard to see why so many of us have signed the Save the NHS petition. Sooner or later, we all rely on our NHS. It's not perfect, but it is worth protecting. Doctors, health experts and charities are all saying our NHS is in grave danger. [5] That's why 38 Degrees members voted to do all we can to protect it. Please join in and add to the pressure: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/NHS-petition We know a big response from 38 Degrees members can help stop these plans. On Monday, the Independent newspaper said, ‎"The campaign group 38 Degrees – which was instrumental in forcing the Government to drop its plans to sell off parts of Britain's forests – collected more than 80,000 signatures against the plans over the weekend." [6] Suddenly, all the work we did together to save the forests feels like a bit of a warm up! When we hand in our petition, we'll also hand in copies of another one organised by the website SaveOurNHS.org. This campaign is a team effort. People power helped build the NHS in the first place. People power has saved it from threats in the past. So, as 38 Degrees members get ready to hand in the petition to key MPs, let's all add our names and make sure it's huge. Please join the 110,000 of us who've already signed, and help it to reach 200,000 names: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/NHS-petition Thanks for being involved, David, Hannah, Johnny and the 38 Degrees team PS: On Sunday, 38 Degrees members will be getting together in woodlands across the country. It's a great chance to get out into local woodland and meet other 38 Degrees members. There'll be walks, picnics and the weather's looking good too! Click here to find one near you: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/celebrate-our-forests PPS: Many 38 Degrees members have been in touch expressing their horror at events in Japan, and asking if there's anything 38 Degrees could be doing to help. We've put together some information and links to organisations who are active on the ground here: http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/?p=3281 NOTES: [1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/healthcare-network/2011/feb/25/david-nicholson-companies-mergers-nhs-hospitals http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2011/jan/04/andrew-lansley-nhs-re... [2] Right now, government plans are being debated by the Health Bill scrutiny committee of MPs. That makes the 26 MPs on the committee, and particularly the 3 Lib Dem and 11 conservative members, a key target for our campaign. If they start feeling the heat on their own doorsteps, it will be a powerful signal that the government needs to rethink. http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/healthandsocialcare.html [3] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12737206 [4] http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/mar/13/nhs-reforms-overhaul-liberal-d... [5] http://www.channel4.com/news/nhs-reforms-criticised-by-health-charities http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/mar/15/bma-meeting-rejects-nhs-reforms [6] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/coalition-may-backtrack-on-nhs-... The bigger we are the more we can do. Please forward this email to your friends and ask them to get involved. 38 Degrees brings you together with over 500,000 people to take action on the issues that matter to you and bring about real change. To find out more visit our website, Facebook or Twitter. Donate: 38 Degrees doesn't accept money from government, big business, or political parties. We rely on donations from individuals to help pay for the technology, the research, the equipment and the small office we need to organise campaigns. Support our work by donating here Unsubscribe: If you no longer wish to be part of our movement and receive our emails you can unsubscribe here This email was sent to info@disabilitydirect.org. 38 DEGREES Registered Company No. 6642193

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virtual march, March 26th

As you probably know, the TUC is organising a national march and rally on 26 March 2011(http://marchforthealternative.org.uk/), in response to the government's programme of fast and deep public spending cuts. Disabled people are the ones who are hit the hardest by the cuts and we will be at the forefront of this march on the 26th. I hope you will be there too - with your organisation, trade union, DPOs, community groups etc.

Access information for the march is at http://marchforthealternative.org.uk/march-logistics/access-and-disability-2/

I will be there at Savoy Street with DPAC, Disabled People Against Cuts. Hope to see you there.

However, we also know many disabled people (and carers) will not be able to make it - with barriers such as distance, transport, access, pain, worry, lack of support etc. Can you please let them know that we have set up an online protest with some techies(http://www.dpac.uk.net/2011/02/light-up-a-map-of-the-uk-online-in-solidarity-with-the-protesters-on-the-streets-on-26-march/) which will light up the map of UK with disabled people sending in their message of support and saying they would have come if they could?

To make it effective we need as many as we can - we have to show the present government that they have to rethink their cuts - and we can only do that if they think we have the will to do it. Rights not Charity is what we want to say to them - we do not want to go back to the Victorian era. We think the TUC will be showing this on the big screen at Hyde Park alongside the other events there. (not confirmed as yet)

But you know all that. So please can you get this to as many people as you can?

http://www.dpac.uk.net/2011/03/email-us-your-protest-to-be-in-solidarity-with-the-protesters-on-the-streets-on-26-march-online/

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Turn2us News March 2011: a bumper benefits special plus answers to our Ask an Expert feature on redundancy

 

Welcome to the March 2011 issue of the Turn2us e-bulletin for intermediaries. Read on to find out more about April benefits changes, Benefits Awareness Month and the answers to our first Ask an Expert feature on redundancy.

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April benefits changes - how will they affect your clients? Significant benefits changes come into force in April, particularly affecting people claiming housing benefits or Tax Credits as well as pensioners and those who have dependent children. Check our guide to the April benefits changes

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April is Turn2us Benefits Awareness Month Next month we launch our first Benefits Awareness Month – a nationwide media campaign that aims to encourage individuals in financial need, and intermediaries who support them, to use the Turn2us online Benefits Checker to check and claim the benefits they are entitled to. The campaign will be promoted throughout the month on our Facebook and Twitter sites. Follow us to find out how you can get involved. Support Turn2us Benefits Awareness Month

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Ask an Expert redundancy session answers Redundancy was the subject of our launch feature last month and you can read the answers from our experts on our website now. Don't forget to submit your questions for the next session starting 23 March which will focus on the upcoming benefits changes and the effects they might have on entitlement. Read the answers to our Ask an Expert redundancy feature

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Demand increases for Turn2us intermediary workshops

The demand for our free workshops for intermediaries about Turn2us services has been particularly high in the first three months of this year. We are also providing more in-house workshops for specific organisations providing financial information and support to vulnerable people.

Find out more about Turn2us intermediary workshops

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New partnership with Wales and West Housing Association An exciting new partnership between Turn2us and Wales and West Housing Association (WWHA) aims to encourage 24,000 WWHA residents to use Turn2us online tools to check their entitlement to benefits and eligibility for charitable grants Read about our partnership with Wales and West Housing Association

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With best wishes until next month, The Turn2us Team

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Unsubscribe from these updates Join our online networks:	Visit us: www.turn2us.org.uk Call us: 0808 802 2000 Email us: info@turn2us.org.uk Elizabeth Finn Care is a charity registered in England and Wales: 207812 and Scotland: SC040987. Turn2us is part of Elizabeth Finn Care.

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