Disability now. November 1996.

32 Pages·1996·12.6 MB·English

by  Scope

The award
winning
apse
newspaper
for everyone
with an interest
in disability
DN reporters check 8 How to keep the 13 Candoco and Heart 19 Wembley shows off 21 Jobs, friends, 2/
out the conferences burglars at bay ’n Soul for the last time bargains, breaks
Fatal lesson for
respite carers
A local council has launched an action plan for the care of people with learn-
ing and behavioural difficulties following the death of a woman in respite care.
City of York Council has criti- National Development Team
cised North Yorkshire County (NDT). Its report criticised
Council for having inadequate the council’s provisions.
guidelines and practices at Of the circumstances leading
Howe Hill Hostel in Acomb. to Zoe’s death, the NDT says:
Zoe Fairley, 21, died there in “This has all the hallmarks of a
September 1995 while being crisis waiting to happen.” And
held down by care workers it quotes one member of staff
using a technique known as as saying: “It was a total mess.”
“prone restraint procedure”. York’s action plan, launched
She suffered “asphyxia due to in September, includes:
compression of the trunk” after Angry: Zoe’s parents Brian and ® a review of Howe Hill and its ees Zz]
being held down for 50 minutes. Kathleen Fairley future role Winter fashion gets easier with mail-order. Model Mark Beer, of
The hostel was then run by the YORK AND COUNTY PRESS © a redesign of respite care ser- the Louise Dyson modelling agency in Birmingham, shows off snug
county council. vices clothes. More ideas, pages 16-17. GRAHAM BOOL PHOTOGRAPHY
City of York Council took report into care for people @ a detailed audit of staff skills
DAN gets tough
over the home in April this such as Zoe, by an indepen- @ a revised programme of staff
year and commissioned a ‘dent consultancy, the training.
North Yorkshire ©C ounty
Council has criticised the report
THERA*POSTURE in transport war
and said it was not consulted.
Stay Independent A spokesman said: “While we
concur with the main recom-
In Comfort mendations of the report, we
are concerned that it contains Nearly 180 disabled people abled protesters handcuffed
some inaccuracies and ambigu- - bought traffic in Derby to a themselves to an easy access bus
ities which could lead to serious standstill for four hours last which was due to be inspected
misinterpretation.” month in a protest over inacces- by Transport Secretary George
But Roger Dixon the solicitor sible public transport. Young at Norwich railway sta-
of Zoe’s parents, Brian and Wheelchair user Stella Ryan tion.
Theraposture offer a carefully Kathleen Fairley, said: “It was among many _proesters Members of Norwich Access
thought-out range of products to
help those with mobility makes chilling reading for any- who handcuffed themselves to Group were angry that the new
problems enjoy the one with an interest in this type buses and had to be cut free by £1.5 million Eastern Counties
independence and comfort of
their own homes. of care.” police. Buses fleet does not have ramps
Zoe’s parents are angry that The protest was part of a for wheelchair users.
from over 1000 positions at they have so far received only a three-day campaign by Direct Sir George invited campaigner
the touch of a button. summary of a report into their Action Network (DAN) in Der- Bill Albert to meet transport
Suppliers to DHS, daughter’s death from North byshire. officials in London.
and Health Authorities
Yorkshire. They are also upset The group lobbied Trent DAN national organiser Alan
at the time it has taken the Buses head office and some Holdsworth said the group was
Stands you up, authority to supply its report to handcuffed themselves to vehi- stepping up its action as dis-
sits you down, the coroner. cles, again, holding up traffic. abled people were still not get-
nice and gently,
at the touch As DN went to press a date had The bus company has now ting what they wanted.
FOR A FREE BROCHURE |7 40" Variable height z| Of a button. still not been set for the inquest. agreed to meet DAN members “This is not just about getting
OR DEMONSTRATION,
PLEASE 'PHONE Available for easier Brian McGinnis, special advi- to discuss providing low-floor wheelchairs on buses, it’s about
getting in and out,
=e | or nursing care sor at Mencap, said the Gov- buses. segregation, ” he said.
Fill in this coupon or phone for a FR ernment had issued guidance More than 40 people also built “Transport firms are being
Please tick for brochure [) Beds U Chairs which usually worked well. a makeshift ramp at Buxton rail- dragged kicking and screaming
DIN 44
Name “Unfortunately you are still way station to protest against to meet us, but this is a long-
THERA:POSTURE | Address: going to get people who are so inaccessible steps to the ticket term campaign and we won’t
Theraposture Limited, challenging and staff who do office. Railtrack has promised stop until we get equality.”
FREEPOST,
Warminster, not have the skills to deal with to build a proper ramp. DAN plans to target London
Wilts., BA12 8TZ we5neT eel Peet Code them.” Meanwhile, in Norwich, dis- next year.
Child law
TV presenter Esther Rantzen
presents the Leonard Cheshire
Foundation Innovation in Care
warning
Awards 1996 to Kay Wiltshire
of St Bridget’s Respite Care At
Home Service. Respite care user
Gillian Gray of Littehampton, New legislation on the rights of
(seated) and husband Mick children with disabilities in
(right) nominated the service Northern Ireland will be inef-
which is in Rustington, West fective if it is not backed up
Sussex. It is based at St Brid- with the necessary cash, chil-
get’s, a Leonard Cheshire Foun- dren’s charity Barnardos has
dation residential home. warned.
Kay asked users what they The Children Order, the first
wanted from a respite service piece of child care legislation in
and now staff go to their homes ‘the province to formally recog-
to give respite care rather than nise the right for children with
caring for them in a hospital. disabilities to be fully included
Mrs Gray said: “It gives people in society, becomes law this
with severe disabilities confi- month.
dence to know someone is The order means every child
around.” with a disability should have the
iliese eat (Death sparks row opportunity to take part in
Mentally
everyday activities.
Extra support for a child’s spe-
cific needs must be provided in
nurseries, schools, leisure and
workplaces.
People with mental illness are A council housing department being harrassed had anything Council housing offices do not But Barnardos Northern Ire-
to lose a right of appeal against has been slammed for its poor to do with her death, but we are have minicoms, so you can’t call land believes that the law could
detention. services for deaf people, after a to make an appointment. be hindered because no extra
Health Secretary Stephen deaf woman was murdered. “They just shout your number funds have been provided for its
Dorrell intends to end the Janice Field was strangled in out when you go to see them, implementation.
power of hospital managers Lambeth, in September. A few and do not hold picture cards “We welcome the new legisla-
review panels to discharge months before, she had com- up.” tion but question how it can be
patients after one man commit- plained about harrassment She added that staff had been acted upon if the resources are
ted rape following his release. and had begged Lambeth known to shout at deaf clients not there,” said a spokeswoman
But the mental health charity Council to rehouse her in a in an effort to communicate. for Barnardos.
Mind has condemned the safer area. “There’s no deaf awareness —
Disability NOW
move, claiming that the panels Judy Wilson, assistant man- staff do not know what to do.”
offer an important alternative ager of Lambeth Centre for A spokesman for Lambeth
means of release to mental Integrated Living, said Janice’s Dead: Janice Field Council said Janice’s husband Published by
health review tribunals, which death was suspicious. Stephen, who is also deaf, had Scope, 12 Park Crescent
are prone to delays. She said: “The council wasn’t waiting to see.” now been rehoused. London W1N 4EQ
Editorial: 0171-636 5020
“The perception that these helpful. Janice knew there was Ms Wilson added that deaf She said: “We are in the pro-
Fax: [phone]
managers are ill-informed peo- a vacant house on an estate for people found it almost impossi- cess of redeveloping the way we
Minicom: 0171-436 9914
ple is distorted,” said Mind’s disabled people, but she was ble to get housing help. deal with deaf people and are Editor Mary Wilkinson
national director Judi told she couldn’t move there. “We’re very unhappy about gradually putting minicoms Assistant Editor
Clements. “Nobody knows whether her what happened. Lambeth into all our offices.” Helen Gregory
Reporters Rod Hermeston
Jane Dunford
MP Thurnham defects
THE Features/Production
Assistant Alison Miller
Peter Thurnham MP who Mr Thurn- & Editorial Assistant/
ORANGE
ORANGE defected from the Tories to the ham, who ( Secretary Hayley Kerr
BADGE
Liberal Democrats in October adopted a dis- [4 Design Consultant
NETWORK Nigel Tuckett
BADGE has vowed to continue cam- abled child, said: ps4
paigning on disability issues. “There will be ix CIRCULATION
Manager Karen Bresloff
The MP has been re-elected to considerable interest from dis-
NETWORK
Deputy Manager
the All Party Disablement ability groups on how the parties
Helen Crow
Group. will reflect their aspirations.”
Assistant Davina Long
The ONLY NATIONAL ORGANISATION Tel: [phone]
representing the RIGHTS and NEEDS of YOU the
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Copyright © 1996 Scope sete a
BUSINESS PRESS
DisabilityNow November 1996
News 3
stop press
Milking the system
Chanities
get in on
A taxing change
Disabled drivers are no longer
the Act
able to claim back-dated car Hundreds of disabled children didn’t have any relevant forms.”
Fax. could be missing out on free Months after her initial
The Driver and_ Vehicle milk because of the Govern- enquiry Mrs Plummer eventu-
Licencing Agency used to give ment’s lack of publicity about ally received the money for the A consortium of five major dis-
refunds dating back to the time the benefit. milk her son should have had ability charities is negotiating
when a driver first started Children between five and 16 and was re-imbursed for all her with agencies bidding to provide
claiming the higher mobility years old who are too disabled phone calls. advice and information when
rate of the Disability Living to attend school are entitled to “Someone could be owed the Disability Discrimination
Allowance. seven pints of milk a week £1,000 — the cost of seven pints a Act (DDA) comes into effect.
However, it now says there are under the Department of week over 11 years,” she added. The Royal National Institute
no longer delays in processing Health’s Welfare Food Scheme. Under Secretary of State for for the Blind, the Royal
Tenacious: Susan Plummer
claims and will only give But the “hidden benefit” is not the Department of Health National Institute for Deaf Peo-
refunds for the months remain- mentioned in any Disability ability Rights Handbook. Baroness Cumberlege admitted ple, Scope, Mencap and Mind
ing on a driver’s current tax Living Allowance leaflets and But Susan found applying for there was a lack of publicity were negotiating with two
disc. little reference is made to it in the milk was no easy matter. about the benefit and has asked groups as DN went to press.
other Government literature. “It took me 23 long phone for it to be included in Social The charities have talked with
Home takes shape
.~-Susan Plummer, from Nor- calls to eventually get the form Security publicity “as soon as both the National Association
The Lin Berwick Trust is near- folk, whose son Matthew was and the current address to possible”. of Citizens’ Advice Bureaux
ing its fund-raising target for a unable to attend school for apply for the benefit,” she said. To apply for milk tokens an and Deloitte & Touche/
new holiday home for disabled more than a year after a road “No-one seemed to know FW20 form is needed which National Consumer Council
people and their carers at East accident left him with serious about it. The freeline benefits should be available at local Services, which are both inter-
Harling, near Norfolk. mobility problems, saw the number had no idea and my Department of Social Security ested in making tenders to pro-
Lin Berwick (DN’s telephone benefit mentioned in the Dis- local social security office offices. vide the service under the DDA.
counsellor) has already raised Alan Thomas, parliamentary
£100,000 towards the £150,000 Taxi! Brian Neckles shows officer for the RNIB, said: “The
target. It is due to open next April Norma Major how he can get people running the service will
and will be available to rent. around London in an accessible need expertise.
black cab which has been spon- “We are doing nothing at all to
Tel: [phone] sored by John Grooms Associa- compromise our support for full
tion for Disabled People. Mr civil rights. You may not agree
Pay-out reform
Neckles lives at Dainesmead with legislation but you have to
The Government is to claw House in Edgware which is run work with it while it exists.”
back benefits claimed by people by the charity. He presented Mrs The news has provoked con-
awaiting small compensation Major — a vice-president of the cern about the position of these
pay-outs. association — with the bouquet charities within Rights Now, the
Secretary of State for Social of flowers too. John Grooms is umbrella rights organisation.
Security Peter Lilley announced celebrating its 130th anniversary Rachel Hurst secretary of the
plans in October aimed at sav- this year and the taxi. embla> British Council of Disabled
ing the taxpayer more than £40 zoned with its name, will travel People (BCODP) said: “It is
million a year. around the capital, highlighting very difficult for a service
People with claims of £2,500 the charity’s role — enabling peo- provider getting Government
or less will no longer be exempt ple with disabilities to maximise funding to be a powerful lobby-
from the compensation recov- their independence. ing group.”
ery scheme and will now have
to pay back their benefits.
AS easy on;» 3
Day of celebration
Don’t forget 3 December — the
fourth European Day of Dis-
abled People.
Throughout Europe hundreds
of events will be held to raise
awareness.
Shocking wait
A Suffolk man needing a hip
operation was told he could not onstables unique Carchair system provides the ultimate freedom and
get an appointment until the
next century. independence for the wheelchair user. By adapting into either the passenger
His GP George Hopkinson
or drivers seat of a standard production car; the Carchair eliminates the need to
was told that his patient could
not be seen by a specialist at
purchase a special vehicle.
Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cam-
bridge for four years. Comprising of a specially designed wheelchair and lift system the Carchair is
He would probably have to
wait another two years for the
extremely simple to operate.
operation.
To arrange a free demonstration of this, or any Constables product without obligation,
Women take control
Disabled women swept the please telephone or write.
board in the election for hon-
orary officers of BCODP last
month.
Anne Rae has become the new ci
chair, while Anne~ Pridmore fare)
becomes vice chair. Rachel Constastes Lto ¢ Dept DN © Freepost (BR1032) © WesTHAM © PEVENSEY @ East Sussex ¢ BN24 5BR @ TELEPHONE: [phone]
Hurst becomes secretary and
Jane Campbell is treasurer.
Disabilitywow November 1996
4 News
Winter crisis
looms in NHS 2
The health of disabled people Neil Betteridge, head of pro-
needing non-emergency opera- jects and campaigns at the
tions could suffer as hospitals Royal Association of Disability
brace themselves for a tough and Rehabilitation, said: “Any
winter of cuts. delay is likely to be detrimental
Most hospitals admit to over- and cause extra stress and pain
spending their budgets by up to to disabled people. We are very
millions of pounds and the concerned.”
National Association of Health @ Hillingdon Hospital in west
Authorities and Trusts London has closed its doors to
(NAHAT) has called for a three emergency patients over 75
per cent rise in spending to from half its local area in an
meet the estimated £300 million attempt to survive a “crisis” in
shortfall in NHS spending. its service.
NAHAT spokesman Barbara Hillingdon Hospital Trust
Connah said hospitals would said it had been hit by soaring
“Don’t laugh — You’ll look like a snowman when you’ve been waiting as long as they have!”
have to concentrate on emer- demand and difficulty in dis- Tourism for more |R N!) spreads
gency admissions. charging elderly patients.
She said: “Disabled people The trust said it would lift the
will suffer like other patients.” ban as soon as possible.
the word to
Charity silenced Disability awareness in the courses, and Providing Service
New Zealand
tourism industry took a step for All — a Guide for the
forward last month when two Tourism Industry* will help
A helpline charity claims it has zie said the day the phone com- new guides were published by industry workers respond better
been run into the ground by BT. pany finally fixed the problems, the Tourism For All campaign, to disabled customers’ needs.
The Afterwards charity — a in December, the charity’s main in association with the national Tourism for All and the tourist
counselling service for people funding was cut. tourist boards. boards have now agreed sym-
who become suddenly disabled But BT has denied it was at Providing Service for All in bols for the national accessible
— says BI’s inept organisation fault. Spokesman Simon Gor- Education* is for schools and standard (see below), which
and service has ruined the char- don admitted there had been colleges running tourism should be seen around next
ity’s work, losing it staff and problems with provision of its spring. A sen-
funding. service, but that the charity had sory standard
Manager Anna McKenize been given compensation. for people with
said: “BT made a catalogue of Dawn McGregor, from Lon- impaired sight
errors over the six months it don, who used the service, said or hearing has
took them to properly install it had been a lifeline. been drafted.
six new phone lines for our “T feel quite down that it has
expanding charity.” closed — no-one else understood *£5 from the British rep: Doug Alker
In an ironic twist, Ms McKen- what I was going through.” tourist boards
Doug Alker, chief executive of
the Royal National Institute for
ENABLE VEHICLES
FOR THE DISABLED Deaf People, was the only
British speaker at an interna-
A NEW VEHICLE EVERY YEAR
tional conference in Auckland,
New Zealand last month.
He told more than 1,800 dele-
gates at the Rehabilitation
International Congress 1996
that most of society was willing
to try and improve things, but
fs 1000 people needed to be aware of
deaf people’s presence.
People needed to know the
Yes! Every year forj ust £1000
problems and had to be shown
Ring Now! for more details how to overcome them.
Deaf people wanted to partic-
ipate in society. But “it is not
enough to ask for equality of
access, complain about lack of
equality, or demand rights”.
The theme of the conference
was Equality Through Partic-
ipation for Disabled People.
Have you had any bad
experiences with care
agencies or the Job
Seekers’ Allowance?
Users, Parents, Guardians or Carers of Registered
Disabled Wheelchair users Call the DN newsdesk
on 0171-636 5020
ENABLE VEHICLES, CLYDE, HALLIWELL RD, BOLTON.BL1 3NS Telephone [phone]
ext 242.
DisabilityNow November 1996
Deaf actor David Bower, (left)
of Four Weddings and a Funeral
fame, helped launch a training
and support group for deaf and
First legal suicide
hearing impaired students at
The first man in the world to the University of London.
end his life by legally sanc- The new group is thought to be
tioned suicide has died in Dar- the first of its kind at a univer-
win, Australia. sity and aims to help develop
Ben Dent, 66, who had stom- learning strategies, assertion
ach cancer, died by lethal injec- skills and confidence for the
tion under the new Northern university’s 25 deaf students.
Territory Rights of the Termi- He told them: “When things get
nally Ill Act. really difficult, stick with it. If
you do, you’ll get through to
the other side.”
Father’s care back
South Cheshire Health Author-
No body’s the
ity has agreed to retain the care
package for Brian Parker at its
present level, after threatening
major cuts (DN August). same. But from
An independent assessment on
Mr Parker, who has severe brain
damage, said his needs had not
changed. 2 December
Kent centre opens
everybody’s equal.
Hi Kent — a charity which aims
to raise awareness of the needs
of deaf and hearing impaired
people — has opened its new
head office in Maidstone.
Its services include a display of
equipment aids and a room
if you advise disabled people,
equipped with facilities which
replicate a home environment. be ready to tell your clients what
they have a right to expect from
Tel and minicom: [phone]
the Disability Discrimination Act.
Expectant surprise
An Italian couple, who are both
paralysed from the waist down,
are expecting quintuplets. As members of the public your clients want goods and
Maria Concetta Ganci, of
services and the chance to use facilities like everyone else.
eastern Sicily, was artificially
inseminated with the sperm of
From 2 December, the Disability Discrimination Act gives
her husband Giovanni after she
had received fertility treatment. them these rights.
It also gives disabled people new rights to make sure
Welsh sport boost
they aren’t discriminated against in employment.
The Welsh Sports Association
Be ready to help your disabled clients benefit from the Act.
for the Disabled, Welsh Sports
Association for People with For a leaflet post the coupon to: Disability on the Agenda,
Learning Disabilities and the
Athletics Association of Wales, Freepost, London SE99 7EG. Or call anytime on
have joined up to promote sport
0345 622 633
for disabled people in Wales.
The BT Athletics scheme ulti-
Please quote S/DN
mately aims to increase the
Textphone service for people with hearing _
number of Welsh athletes in the
Sydney Paralympics. difficulties 0345 622 644.
Issued on behalf of the Minister for Disabled People.
I I I
Mental health help To: DISABILITY ON THE AGENDA, FREEPOST, LONDON SE99 7EG
Help for severely mentally ill (PLEASE WRITE IN BLOCK CAPITALS)
people, including crisis support Please send me information about the Disability Discrimination Act.
services and outreach schemes, NAME (MR/MRS/MS)
are to be provided through £30
million of Government grants. JOB TITLE
Schemes will be chosen through
ORGANISATION
the Mental Illness Specific
Grant Target Fund. ADDRESS
POST CODE
Deafblind relaunch
Please tick which booklet you require: Guide for General Public LJ
The National Deafblind League
Guide for Service Providers L] Guide for Employers
has been relaunched as Deaf-
Please tick if you would prefer this information in:
blind UK.
pace L] Audio Cassette L] Bc
Tel: [phone]
Disabilitywow November 1996
6 News
Benefits agency
set for shake-up
The entire benefits system in of our business where private ernment had encouraged peo-
the UK could be privatised if a sector involvement can demon- ple on unemployment benefit to
pilot scheme proves successful. strate value for money.” go “on the sick” in an effort to
Three bidders look likely to Pauline Thompson of the Dis- massage figures.
run pilot partnership projects ablement Income Group said “These people become
with Government offices privatisation would mean trapped as a statistic that is
around the country, to see if another layer of bureaucracy. being misrepresented.”
savings can be made. “The service will probably Mr Gibbs added that some
If they work out, contracts become more remote and I am people were only now begin-
could then be offered to private not convinced it will be better.” ning to claim benefit as they
companies who would deliver Meanwhile, the number of had previously believed that
and administer the 24 benefits people claiming disability living this was passive and negative.
available in the UK. allowance increased by 197,000 @ The Child Poverty Action
The Benefits Agency runs to 1.7 million by April 1995. Group fears that the new job-
nearly 60 offices and employs Take up of sickness benefit seekers allowance (JSA) will
76,000 staff, but Social Security and invalidity benefit increased cause severe hardship for thou- Holy appropriate: Congregations in Lancashire will get a lesson in
Secretary Peter Lilley hopes to to 2.4 million by last April — an sands of people by creating attitudes towards disability when Frances Edwards, a non-stipendi-
simplify procedures and reduce increase of 157,000 on the year more benefit cuts. ary priest, takes up her new post. Rev Edwards, who has ME, is to
administration costs. before. It says 200,000 disabled people become regional co-ordinator for Chad (Church Action on Disabil-
A DSS spokesman said: “In Dave Gibbs, research manager are predicted to fail incapacity ity). “I’m absolutely delighted,” she said. “It puts our work higher
1998 we will invite the partner- at the Derbyshire Centre for tests and will have to apply for on the Church’s agenda which is about much more than making
ship companies to put forward Integrated Living, and DN’s JSA, which raises concern churches accessible. The right attitude means more to a person with
proposals identifiying elements benefits expert, said the Gov- about their welfare. a disability than a wheelchair ramp.” LANCASHIRE EVENING POST
Lesson in boosting school figures Chatting
to council
A report into further education The report, Inclusive Learn- “Tt calls for the further educa- “We want to see effective
opportunities for people with ing* by a committee set up by tion system as a whole to learning for everybody in the
is better
learning disabilities has been the Further Education Funding become inclusive without for- future education system and we
welcomed as “the way forward” Council (FEFC), makes recom- getting the particular require- want to see colleges enrolling
on screen
by Skill, the National Bureau mendations to improve quality ments and_ strengths that and supporting a much wider
for Students with Disabilities. of education. individuals bring to the sector.” range of students than is cur-
The report estimates that “Tt will prove to be one of the Two recommendations made rently the case,” said Professor
130,000 students with a learn- most significant milestones in by the committee are a staff train- John Tomlinson, chairman of
ing disability (only five per cent opportunities for disabled peo- ing programme and inspections the committee.
of the total) are in further edu- ple in this decade,” said Skill’s of how teaching matches learning
cation, and calls for an increase. director, Deborah Cooper. requirements of students. * Free, tel: [phone]
RESPITE CARE
iitF AN cil
jCaaln mionniie s a
WHEN YOU NEED A CHANGE OF SCENE
AND YOUR CARER DESERVES A REST
Lewisham social worker for
enjoy a holiday with care at
deaf people, Michael Sad-
owski, (above) signs on teletalk
] Queens Court
Write, telephone or fax for an information pack or return the — the council’s new video con-
coupon to our FREEPOST address (no stamp required): ferencing network.
Care Link, FREEPOST 647, 10-12 Promenade, Southport, PR8 1BR. It is the first in the country to
TEL: [phone] Fax: [phone] set up a system which will
RESIDENTIAL CARE AND NURSING HOME
e-mail: [email protected] deliver services and informa-
At Queens Court we believe that respite care should tion to the deaf community.
go beyond merely providing a substitute for a A deaf person can sit in front
client’s regular carer; that a stay away from home Entertainment, festivities of a screen and camera and
should be a holiday, offering both relaxation and a and Christmas Fayre communicate with a staff mem-
range of activities to suit all tastes. at no extra cost! ber using similar equipment.
Qualified nursing staff are on hand twenty-four V0 0! Document scanners and
hours a day to meet the needs of all our guests. printers at both ends of the line
Holiday breaks can be taken at any time of the year, oe)? oeD NeI1e9 6 | make it possible for staff and
¢ (PLEASE COMPLETE COUPON IN BLOCK CAPITALS)
with or without the guest’s regular carer. In either residents to send documents
NAME (Mr., Mrs., Miss etc.)
case, Our aim is to ensure the change of routine is back and forth to each other.
beneficial to both. Council spokesman Scott
Davidson said only one hous-
~ ae seitle
Care Link ing office had the new technol-
Queens Court Residential Care and Nursing Home, ogy, but that they planned to
487 Abergele Road, Old Colwyn, Colwyn Bay, LL29 9AE introduce them all over the bor-
Tel: [phone] Fax: Oe 513427 ough, even in shopping centres
and libraries
Disabilitynow November 1996
News7
as housing crisis looms
Local authorities are predicting nationally for grants increased homeless people are disabled,
a funding crisis for grants to by 11.9 per cent to 45,335. elderly or have a mental illness.
improve housing for disabled While the average shortfall for Such people in priority need
and elderly people. funds to provide the grants in will no longer have an auto-
One in three authorities each authority was £150,000. matic right to permanent coun-
expects problems in meeting Age Concern housing infor- cil housing. Instead they will
demand for Disabled Facilities mation and policy officer, have to be given temporary
Grants (DFG), according to a Louise Russell, said: “Without accommodation before they can
new report by the Local Gov- an increase in funds there could be put on the housing register or
ernment Management Board. be considerable delays. It could helped to find alternatives.
The new Housing Grants, become the norm to defer pay- The Government has urged
Construction and Regeneration ments by 12 months.” local authorities to keep a regis-
Act comes into force in Decem- There are also concerns that ter of adapted housing, but
ber when grants of up to £20,000 disabled people who are home- many have not begun to.
will be paid out if improvements less may be given unsuitable “The only option is going to
By the book: People with learning disabilities will be able to voice are needed. But authorities will housing when the new Housing be temporary or private sector
their complaints by using a handbook launched by Westminster have the power to defer payment Act comes into force in January. accommodation, and it is going
City CouncilT.h e Complaints Workbook uses a basic pictorial lan- by up to 12 months in excep- The Royal. Association for to be difficult to find suitable
guage devised for people who cannot read or write. Lizzie Francis tional circumstances. Disability and Rehabilitation properties,” said Marie Pye,
helped design the book and is pictured with councillor Alex Segal, In the last year, demands (RADAR), says ten per cent of RADAR housing officer.
chairman of the social services committee. WESTMINSTER COUNCIL
War guilt
DISNEY HOLIDAYS 97
Access failure
The Government has _ been
Experience the fun — live the dream
accused of “negligence on a
Half a million disabled Lon- Improvements since an earlier massive scale” for allowing DISNEY, PARIS - 12th &19th May, 9th June
doners do not have full access GLAD report ten years ago troops in the Gulf war to be 4 days by fully adapted coach. Accommodation with
to public transport, says a new have been “piecemeal, tentative exposed to dangerous pesticides. breakfast. Two days admission to Disney — includes all
report. and very limited,” it says, leav- MPs have called for an investi- rides. Plus full day guided tour of Paris by adapted coach.
Prices from £299 per person.
_ All Change 2000, published by ing seven per cent of the Lon- gation after it was found the
the Greater London Association don population without the use Ministry of Defence allowed DISNEY, FLORIDA - 10th June &12th September
of Disabled People (GLAD), of public transport. troops to use organophosphate 14 days guided tour by adapted transport inc fully
adapted accommodation, all admission charges and
reveals that 95,000 people are One of the report’s authors (OP) insecticides, which they
full programme of activities. All flights by scheduled airlines.
unable to use buses, while Anne Peck is calling for an knew to be dangerous.
Prices from £1,148 per person based on two sharing.
290,000 have extreme difficulty in elected body including disabled These are now accepted as an
Call A.T.S. Travel NOW! on 01708 863198
using them. It adds that 155,000 people to plan public transport almost certain cause of Gulf
people cannot use the London in the capital in the future. She war syndrome and the reason or write to:
Underground and 110,000 people also wants mainstream door- why 753 veterans have claimed A.T.S. Travel, A.T.S. House, 1 Tank Hill Road,
Purfleet, Essex RM16 1SX
find rail services impossible. to-door services. compensation for illness.
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“My friend and I thoroughly fees PARKING
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Disabilitynow November 1996
8 Party conferences
As a general election looms on the horizon, DN goes to the party
Labour takes a
voting gamble
Union proving crucial. to be asked. Those parts of the
Labourw‘e Wheelchair user and Labour law which do not strengthen the
prospective parliamentary candi- - position of disabled people will
date for Aberdeen South Anne go. They will be amended,
Begg said: “I hope this will not be superseded or replaced.”
seen as a defeat — Labour is com- He could not give any
October’s Labour Party Confer- mitted to civil rights.” timetable for this.
ence in Blackpool backed the Shadow Cabinet Minister for In an interview with DN, he
leadership’s policy of keeping Disabled People Tom Clarke said: “I am opposed to repeal-
and improving the Disability reaffirmed Labour’s _ plans ing the DDA. Given the huge True faite David Blunkett believes in genuine choice in Adc
Discrimination Act. (announced a week earlier) for a competition there will be for
The conference endorsed a Disability Rights Commission. legislation, I cannot be _per- Roger Berry MP was also con- meeting the requirements of an
proposal moved by _ the suaded that we should squander cerned. “If we adopt a piece- employment section which
National League for Blind and the time.” meal approach it will be slow included them within the DDA.
Disabled, and supported by the There had been fears of and will give our opponents “We need to work out the impli-
party’s National Executive adverse publicity if conference every opportunity to block us.” cations with the treasury team.”
Committee, simply calling for voted to repeal the act, he said. On the issue of education, The conference voted for a
“full and comprehensive” civil Besides working closely with conference voted for policies Labour Government to set up a
rights. disabled people he promised to which allowed opportunities royal commission on the future
Many disabled party activists consult all interested groups, for all. Labour is to publish a funding of community care.
were unhappy about the vote, including the Employers’ Forum policy paper on special needs And more accommodation
despite a pledge by party leader on Disability and trade unions. before an election. for disabled people should be
Tony Blair to “give the disabled He said Labour would bring Shadow Education and provided with the profits from
the civil rights that the Tories forward a review of the rule Employment Secretary David council house sales, it said.
have denied them”. Committed: Anne Begg which exempts 96 per cent of Blunkett told DN: “Inclusive On transport, the conference
The Labour Party Disabled firms employing 20 people or education is the way forward. voted for an integrated system
Members’ Group (LPDMG) He told DN this could investi- less. At present the review is set But equality of opportunity is catering for disabled people.
had supported the repeal of the gate claims of discrimination for 2001. only achieved if genuine choice In terms of access, the Winter
DDA and its replacement with and stressed that it would be But LPDMG member Fiona is available.” Gardens had inadequate sign-
a new civil rights law, but the given funding. It would also Campbell felt that in not repeal- On employment, he said the ing for visually impaired peo-
proposal was beaten by 53 per ~ advise on improving laws, ing the DDA the NEC was job assistance scheme, Access to ple. And wheelchair users
cent to 47 per cent — the block including the DDA. hedging its bets, by promising Work, would be improved. struggled to scattered fringe
votes of the GMB and Trans- During his conference speech rights to disabled people while And he conceded that small meetings. Information - on
port and General Workers’ he said: “It will not have to wait reassuring small businesses. employers might need help in access was often lacking.
Lib Dems pledge
BSTA is a Trade Association which includes a
Wheelchair Distributors Section. Our nationwide
membership network has over 100 local outlets selling SZ
Liberal Democrat leader Paddy
and repairing Powerchairs and Scooters. They do it Ashdown told delegates in
well and they do it ethically. They have high standards Brighton in October to “shout,
fight and get angry” to bring
- the Association makes sure of it. That's why we think about positive changes for dis- “1 iberal
abled people. Democrats
the first step to trouble free independence is to contact
At a fringe meeting organised
us for a list of our members.
by the party’s disability group, “Tt’s up to all political parties
Mr Ashdown said the party and organisations to make sure
Call us or write ot us today. wanted to break the depen- local authorities take on their
dency which forced “people responsibilities.”
01732 458868 | with great ability to be confined Ms Lynne said the newly-
to their prisons of entrapment”. established National Disability
Mr Ashdown backed the Dis- Realistic: Liz Lynne Council was ineffective in deal-
ability Manifesto (launched at ing with the present “lottery of
the conference by the Disability He called for less bureaucracy care” around the country.
Daily coalition) but admitted and better care in the NHS, “We don’t want a council, we
We worry about standards so you
that, if elected, the party would with more concentration on want a commission with teeth,
not be able to fulfil it all. preventative care and also similar to the system in the
don't have to.
Still he pledged: “We must get promised free eye and dental States where the human rights
closer to it than any other party.” check-ups. commission is working well.”
BSTA, 1 Webbs Court, Buckhurst Avenue, During his conference speech Disability and Social Security But she acknowledged that
he promised a new system of Spokesperson Liz Lynne said authorities, including the local
Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1LZ
welfare which would remove the party was still committed to education authorities, needed
the poverty traps by taking low scrapping the Disability Dis- more funding to help them.
paid jobs out of the tax bracket. crimination Act and introduc- She said the party was in
ing a civil rights bill. favour of community care but
Reporters: Helen Gregory, But she recognised this would that funding in this area was
Jane Dunford, Rod Hermeston not happen if Labour was elected. also lacking.
Disabilitynow November 1996
Party conferences 9
conferences to see what each group would do for disabled people
Tories sitting tight
erly managed without cracks. and Surbiton representative
“We must make sure that Caroline Salsbury, who has
spectrum is there to meet those cerebral palsy.
needs.” Speaking to a packed confer-
A consultation paper on ence hall, she congratulated
until election improving the delivery of men- the Government on the DDA
( mY, tal health services will be pub- which she said would give dis-
lished this winter. abled people an equal chance
The debate on education and of gaining a job on their own
employment failed to mention merits.
CONSERVATIVE the needs of those with disabil- “It won’t be easy but it will be
Minister for Disabled People those delivering the services and ities, apart from a promise of fair,” she told the conference.
Alistair Burt has called on dis- employment. “intensive literacy and numer- She urged the Government to
abled people to be patient. “We will have to wait and see the differences around the acy help where needed”. ensure all polling stations are
At the Conservative Party how the DDA works. It needs to country, but “it takes time to The problems of community accessible for the next general
Conference in Bournemouth in be given a chance before people reach the system that we would care and carers were frequently election — only 12 per cent
October he told DN: “We want condemn it,” he said. love to have”. highlighted at the various were completely accessible in
to see the Disability Discrimi- At an Arthritis Care/Disabil- Social Security Secretary Peter fringe meetings. 1092"
nation Act (DDA) actually ity Alliance meeting on care in Lilley told the conference that During the Carers’ Alliance During the National Heritage
work. Its main job will be the the community, he was told that benefits for disabled people had debate local government dis-
ending of — discrimination, the system was not working quadrupled since the party had ability access officer Barbara
changing society’s _ percep- and that the level of service come to power. He added that Harrison commended the Gov-
tions.” available depended on the indi- they had outlawed discrimina- ernment on the DDA and asked
Mr Burt said there would be a vidual local authority, not on a tion and given everyone oppor- Virginia Bottomley to ensure
balance between the expecta- person’s needs. tunities to study and train. all Millennium celebrations
tions of disabled people and Mr Burt said he was aware of Social Security Under Secre- would be accessible.
tary Andrew Mitchell said The overall feeling among del-
increased benefits for sick and egates was that the party had
disabled people, including the begun to take disabled people’s
Disability Working Allowance rights seriously but that there
and the Independent Living was still a long way to go.
Fund, made a real difference to “We fought for the DDA and
thousands of people. Fair: Caroline Salsbury now things can _ begin to
“The Government has helped improve,” said Peter Smith, dele-
disabled people and will con- fringe Under Secretary for gate for Rugby and Kenilworth.
tinue to do so,” he said. Health Simon Burns said carers, Access to the conference venue
Secretary of State for Health “the unsung members of soci- was acceptable although ramps
Stephen Dorrell said services for ety”, must be given the proper were distinctly makeshift.
mentally ill people would be recognition they deserved. One wheelchair accessible toi-
revised. However, he made _ no let was “totally unsuitable”, as
“Mental health problems need promises on the future or the Angela Drane of Scope discov-
a spectrum of care...acute men- question of short-term breaks. ered when she went through
tal hospitals, nursing homes, Disability was brought under one door only to be faced with
emergency care, supervised dis- the spotlight during the social an occupied toilet and no way
Patient: Alistair Burt is urging people to sit tight charge...and it needs to be prop- security debate by Kingston to turn around and get out.
to keep the faith
“We have to look at whether a Health Spokesman Simon loop system in the conference
National Insurance-based sys- Hughes MP pledged more hall was very useful.
tem to pay for long term care is spending on the NHS to recruit “There is a signer at all the
the right way forward. It would and retain staff, in a bid to cut conference debates but no-one
have to be government-run, but hospital waiting lists time to no at most of the fringe meetings.”
you would have to get agree- more than six months. Pat Atherton, chair of the Lib-
ment from all parties as it’s a There were few mentions of eral Democrat Disability Group,
difficult problem.” disability during the conference said fewer disabled people were
Many of the fringe debates although a motion on educa- coming to the conference each
centred on long term care, after tion called for an expansion of year, because of the cost.
a policy motion was passed, opportunities for people with “I wish everything we did as a
“Long Term Care for Elderly special needs and another on party included an implication
People”. This called for the political system called for for disabled people, but we are
national standards for all long Parliament to be more accessi- working to help candidates
term care services and a ble for disabled people. understand the issues.”
national consensus. Access to the Brighton Confer-
Spokesman on community care ence Centre was good, although
Archy Kirkwood MP admitted there were no tactile signs for
the motion was “wishy-washy”. visually impaired people.
He said he had looked into an Cleveland delegate and
insurance-based system rather wheelchair user Joyce Benbow
than asking voters to pay more said the fringe venues were far
tax to fund their own care, but from perfect. “There’s only one Are you enquiring for your Household [] or a relative living elsewhere zl
was reluctant to push it. toilet for disabled people in one
NAME sFeatacesve seek xs2
“I was too nervous to include of the venues, and I had to be ®
approval of recent proposals pushed through the kitchen to get ADDRESS... &a Stanna~h~
Stairlifts
suggesting a compulsory insur- to one of the meetings,” she said.
rf ... TELEPHONE
ance scheme because of general Delegate David Buxton, from
election strategists,” he said. London, who is deaf, said the Understanding: Pat Atherton Post to: Stannah Stairlifts Limited, Dept 8701, FREEPOST, SA344, Andover, Hants SP10 3SD.
Disabilitynow November 1996
10 Health news
New drug Dr Glen is devising a skin test In a new report, experts from
which may help to determine the British Psychological Soci-
who would benefit from the ety warn that descriptions of
slows
treatment. the condition are still evolving
decline and that those dealing with
such children should investigate
Aids gene
all other possibilities in case the
A new drug gives people with
wrong diagnosis is given.
Parkinson’s Disease the chance discovery
At the moment the condition
to delay the side-effects caused
is thought to cause children to
by its most common treat-
American scientists think they be impulsive, overactive and
ment.
have found the gene mutation inattentive.
Parkinson’s affects 100,000
which makes some people resis- The report also recognises
people in the UK, causing
tant to HIV and delays the concerns in the USA where the
degeneration of the brain and
onset of Aids. Drug Enforcement Administra-
reducing their ability to move.
In advanced cases people with The virus invades immune tion has urged caution in pre-
cells in order to reproduce. Sci- scribing psycho-stimulant
the condition can seize up.
entists discovered the receptor, drugs.. “Medication is seen as a |
The most widely used drug,
levodopa, restores movement which lets it in, earlier this palliative but not sufficient on
year. its own,” say the researchers.
but in the long-term causes
side-effects, such as uncon- A study of 1,900 high risk vol-
trolled body movement or unteers, carried out by the Growing
unpredictable periods of immo- National Cancer Institute in
Drug hope: People with Parkinson’s may delay drug side-effects
bility. Bethesda, found that 10 per smart
An international study into SAM TANNER cent of caucasians carried a
the effects of the new drug, “We welcome any drug that Fatty acids similar to those mutant form of the gene con-
ropinirole, in the early stages of can help improve the quality of found in fish such as herring trolling this receptor, while two Scientists have discovered the
the condition found that it life of people with and mackerel may supplement per cent of African-Americans gene which may have caused
reduced symptoms and delayed Parkinson’s.” these membranes. carried it. painter Toulouse Lautrec’s
the need to use _ levodopa, At present one per cent of the growth impairment.
Fishy find
according to the drug company population is thought to have Researchers from Harvard
Doctors
SmithKline Beecham. some form of schizophrenia Medical School and Mount
In September the company says Scotia Pharmaceuticals, Sinai School of Medicine have
told: pay
launched the drug in the United Oils found in fish could help in the company supporting the been looking into the condition
Kingdom, under the brand the treatment of schizophrenia, research. pycnodysostosis and say they
attention
name Requip. say researchers. But Dr Iain Glen of the High- have found the genetic cause
A spokesperson for the They now think that land Psychiatric = Research which leads to distorted bones.
Parkinson’s Disease Association schizophrenia may be related to Group, who is collaborating in Professionals should take care As the gene is vital for bone
of the UK said: “We will look faulty membranes which affect the project, warned: “This is before diagnosing children as growth, research may point to
forward to seeing how people the way chemical messengers in still at an early stage of develop- having Attention Deficit Hyper- treatments for conditions such as
progress with it. the brain behave. ment.” activity Disorder (ADHD). osteo-arthritis and osteoporosis.
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DisabilityNow November 1996