Disability now. April 1993.

32 Pages·1993·13.5 MB·English

by  The Spastics Society

APRIL 1993
85p
Budget
This month
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Nazis spread fear, US’s
boosts
chief surgeon backs pot
10
PROFILE
Comic Relief’s Jane
Tewson
11
job hopes
BREAKTHROUGHS
Gene therapy explained
15-18
COMMUNITY CARE
The reforms that could
change your life
19 Out of work disabled people will be first in the queue
YOU AND YOUR RIGHTS for five new job schemes announced by Chancellor
(4) Education Norman Lamont in his March budget.
21 But any delight was offset by the scheme
ARTS news that petrol prices were * four “workstart” pilot schemes
Gateway Festival, going up immediately. And * another 10,000 places on the
Lorenzo’s Oil, and tv
next year, eight per cent VAT Business Start-Up scheme
22 will be charged on domestic * a new £25 million fund for
MOTORING fuel bills - rising to 17.5 per which Training and Enterprise
The magic of motor sports
cent from April 1995 - hitting Councils (TECs) can compete
23 charity-run centres as well as with imaginative schemes for
GARDENING individual homes. employment and job creation.
Visually impaired? The Chancellor acknowl- Also announced:
Carry on gardening!
edged that people on low * immediate increase in leaded
29-31 incomes would have “particular petrol by 15p, unleaded and
CLASSIFIEDS problems”. He promised diesel “byw12p) Car tax
Spring (and a job?) is in the air: The Linkage Community
increases in social security ben- increased to £125.
Trust, a charity which provides training for disabled people,
efits to meet the higher costs. * 20p income tax band increased
has won a National Training Award. David Hutt (above) is
But no help was mentioned from £2,000 to £2,500 this year
on the painting and decorating course at Weelsby Hall in
for the millions of people on (to £3,000 next year), but per-
Grimsby, one of the Trust’s colleges.
low incomes, often elderly peo- sonal allowances frozen and
Council’s ple, who are ineligible for married couples allowance cut
income support. to 20 per cent in 1994 (elderly
Five new job schemes worth people will have the loss offset
£10,000 £230 million will give special by receiving £200)
help to those who need it most * mortgage tax relief reduced to
“including the disabled”. 20p in the pound in 1994
apology There will be: except for elderly people.
* a new allowance for 30,000 * one-off individual gifts to
unemployed people to take full- charities over £250 now qualify
time vocational courses for tax relief and the maximum
A disabled woman who took * a Community Action pro- amount of payroll giving is
Wigan Council to _ court gramme for 60,000 long-term raised from £600 to £900
because she was dissatisfied unemployed to do _ part-time *varkl Pepex? cent taxon) ile
with the adaptations made voluntary work in the commu- National Lottery, starting 1994.
to her home, has received nity. Voluntary groups will run Continued on page 3
£10,000 in damages.
HELIOS
Theresa Aspinall, a 50-year- Cuts hit
old wheelchair-user, alleged
that Wigan was failing in its
duty under section two of the
Chronically Sick and Disabled MPs and disability groups Sicily, a conference for people
Persons Act 1970 to carry out are angry that the HELIOS with epilepsy in Scotland and
It’s an Original. “necessary adaptations”. She programme, which funds an independent living course
also alleged it was negligent in projects for disabled Euro- for young deaf people in Spain,
the work it had carried out. peans, has had its budget will. now have to be cancelled
The case was settled out of cut from 8 million ECUs a because MI cannot fund them.
For ten years we’ve been ®@ Designed for non-transferring court two days before the trial year to 5.6 million ECUs. MPs are urging the Govern-
producing the famous wheelchair users. aa was to be heard. The £10,000 The European Commission ment to put pressure on the
Chairman Escort. ®@ Nationwide service. is to compensate for the incon- Social Affairs Committee’s Social Affairs Committee to
®@ Excellent warranty and
Experience counts, ask venience caused by the council. decision means that groups reverse its decision. A Com-
aftercare.
one of the 500 Chairman -®@ Motability approved. The settlement has _ been such as Mobility International mons motion, signed by 31
Escort owners.
@ No hidden extras. hailed as a legal “milestone” by (MI) and the European Com- MPs, condemned the HELIOS
Trust the Old Masters... @ Genuine customer service. the Spinal Injuries Association. munity Regional Secretariat of budget as “wholly inadequate”.
The charity hopes Mrs the Deaf (ECRS) face a 35 per The ECRS has warned that
Aspinall’s success will inspire cent cut in their budgets. it will no longer be able to fund
Established 1922. other disabled people to take Projects including a week of a number of European confer-
TEL: FREEPHONE 0800 220878
Continued on page 2 events for disabled people in Continued on page 8
2 NEWS
Electronic newspaper launched Disabled children
‘need protection’
Britain’s first electronic news-
paper for blind and visually
impaired people was launched
Urgent action must be taken to because some professionals find
last month by the Royal
protect disabled children from it hard to believe that disabled
National Institute for the Blind
abuse, say two reports from the children can be abused and as a
(RNIB) and The Guardian.
National Society for the Pre- result may not realise when a
The service, provided by
vention of Cruelty to Children child needs protection.”
Electronic Text Network Asso-
(NSPCC). Abuse of Children and Adults
ciates (ETNA), took three
It thinks the children are with Disabilites was based on
years to develop.
more vulnerable to abuse than interviews with 34 people. All
Every night, the entire text
able-bodied children because 17 of the people who were dis-
of The Guardian will be coded
they may be in care or find it abled had been sexually, physi-
and broadcast using tv teletext
tor the Blind difficult to speak out. cally and emotionally abused by |
signals.
The NSPCC_ recommends either relatives or staff in hos-
These signals are picked up
that: child protection workers pitals and homes.
by a receiver and fed into a
should be trained about dis- Bridging the Gap is based on
user’s personal computer.
abled peoples’ needs; a preven- the experiences of the author,
With the help of a speech
tion programme for disabled Ruth Marchant, a child care
synthesiser, braille or large
children should be developed manager, plus interviews with
print, blind and __ visually
so they know how to get help; 15 disabled children aged seven
impaired people can then
and information on child abuse to 17 where abuse was sus-
browse through the newspaper
should be given to parents. pected.
like everyone else.
NSPCC director Christopher
To receive the electronic
Brown said: “These reports Abuse of Children and Adults
newspaper, you need a tv
aerial, a special decoder, a per- explode the myth that disabled with Disabilities, £6.99, and
children are safe from abuse. Bridging the Gap, £5.95,
sonal computer and a speech
Action needs to be _ taken NSPCC, tel: [phone].
synthesiser or braille display.
The minimum cost of the
Prescriptions up again
system is £560, which includes
installation of the decoder and RNIB hi-tech officer Mark Prouse reads all about it
a one year subscription to The
Guardian. ple have been able to read inde- system for the RNIB, said: “It Prescription charges are to rise pital service; prescription pre-
The RNIB wants other pub- pendently a daily newspaper. is marvellous to be able to read by 50p to £4.25 on 1 April. payment certificates, for people
lications to join the service so We hope the system will be a paper in the same way as The increase of just over 13 who need frequent or extensive
that blind and visually impaired bought by libraries and used in sighted people. The system is per cent is the 15th rise since medicine but are not entitled to
people can have a choice of colleges and workplaces so that very easy to use. It has made a 1979 when the charge was 20p. free prescriptions.
newspapers to read. as many people as possible can tremendous difference to my Also to rise by 13.3 per cent:
Ian Bruce of the RNIB said: benefit from it.” life.” charges for elastic stockings DisabilitNyow
“This is the first time that Brian Payne, who is blind and tights, fabric supports and
blind and partially sighted peo- and has been trying out the RNIB, tel: [phone]. wigs supplied through the hos-
Published by
Se eee eerste ro ---------4 The Spastics Society,
DisabilityN
Council’s £10,000 apology 12 Park Crescent
Continued from page 1 London WAN 4EQ.
Tel: [phone].
local authorities to court if they Editor Mary Wilkinson
are not satisfied with their Assistant Editor
home adaptations Alison Rowat
Mrs Aspinall’s husband Ray Reporter
said: “We are very relieved to Tim Russell
Editorial/Production
Yes, | want to support Disability Now with my subscription. get this compensation because
Assistant
the council have caused us no
DISABILITY NOW SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Catherine Frame
end of trouble. They installed a
Secretary —e—— s
Please return to Disability Now, Please tick / stairlift which Theresa could Tracy Scollin
not use and failed to re-house
12 Park Crescent, FREEPOST 17, Subscriptions
Individual at One year pe NO) us when they modified our
Manager Karen King
London W1E 3HU. Cheques should a
Two years £19 UO bathroom. Theresa caught Assistant
be made payable to Disability Now. ela Bofelelice infections as result of the filth
Jennifer Whitehead
Organisations/ One year £1538) caused by the workers.”
Tel: [phone]
authorities etc Two years £29 UW The council has now agreed Advertising
NAME: . 202) saetreetea sseree mso ne to carry out all the adaptations Richard Gresham,
(BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE) Overseas One year £20 U recommended by Mrs Kingslea Press Ltd,
Aspinall’s surveyor and to re- 12 Dock Offices,
RODRESS’ ..Siaeiencs ucetseetr a y Multiple* ....... copies £ ....... One year O house her family while the Surrey Quays Road,
work is done. London SE16 2XU.
| am a disabled person on a low
The Aspinall’s solicitor Brian Tel: [phone].
income. Please send me free copies. O Barr said: “This is an impor- Typesetting bureau
tant case which shows that Banbury Typesetters,
|/We enclose a cheque/PO Q)
councils will be taken to task if Suite 10, Borough House,
Marlborough Road,
Please also accept a donation of £.......... they do not perform their duty
Banbury, Oxon OX16 8TH.
DN is a non-profit making newspaper. to make adaptations fully and
Tel: [phone].
efficiently. It should encourage
Printed by Cherwell
Please charge my VisaQ Access Q disabled people to take legal
Valley Lithographic
Account Number: action if they find themselves
OFFICE USE ONLY Printers, Banbury, Oxon
being fobbed off by a council
and Challenge Print
not prepared to carry out all
nni a a a ee Management.
necessary adaptations.”
Tel: [phone].
Expiry date ........ erty,
A Wigan council spokesper- ISSN 0958-4676
son said: “We deal with many
The views expressed in
Signature .......... hundreds of applications for
Disability Now are not
adaptations and _ the over-
necessarily those of The
Telephone Access/Visa account number
whelming majority give a
Spastics Society.
to: 071-383 4575 (24 hours). greatly improved quality of life.
Copyright
* Multiple copies: 2 copies £24; 3 copies £36; 4 copies £48; 5 copies £60; On this occasion we got one ©1993 The ABC
aaaaaaaiwaaaaaaa t e : 69 copies £72; 10-50 copies £100; 51-100 copies £125. One year only. wrong and we are sorry, espe- Spastics Societ BMEUMBREARTU OFOfC RCTHUEI AANUIDOINT S
cially for any distress caused.”
Disability Now.month 1993
NEWS 3
—S— CENICUT NEVO DS
-Stammer therapy Charities hit back
entre to specialise
Charities, squeezed between ton Scott last month.
falling donations, inadequate Compiler Peter Scott said:
income support to meet resi- “Although a few charities are
dential fees and _ escalating well endowed, most are strug-
demands for help with commu- gling and have stretched things
nity care, have hit back. as far as they can.”
The Voluntary Organisations The Local Government
Disability Group, representing Information Unit (LGIU),
11 charities who provide resi- funded by local authorities and
dential care, including Mencap trade unions, has found the gap
and the Spastics Society, has between income support and
written to local authorities say- home fees “a significant and
ing they cannot afford to plug widespread problem” pushing
gaps in community care funding. many voluntary groups into
A spokesperson said: “Volun- short-term planning, with no
| Research into S tary groups have received advice money for improvements.
Childhood, from the Charity Commissioners Another report, from the
the centre with
stating that it is inappropriate for National Union of Local Govy-
them to be forced to use volun- ernment Officers (NALGO),
tary or charitable income to fund claims that community workers
what should be provided and are constantly chasing charities
resourced by the state. for money to care for disabled
“In any case, the funds aren’t people because of the shortfall
available. This money should in Government funding.
be used for other purposes,
such as service innovation and Henderson Top 1,000 Charities,
Look out for DN’s
developing advocacy.” £75, tel: [phone].
regional supplement on
The growing financial plight Community Care, NALGO,
the north of England in of charities was highlighted by free, tel: [phone].
the May issue! Henderson Top 1,000 Charities, a Caught in the Care Trap,
fore the world has got to make some concessions to them.” guide published by Hemming- LGIU, free, tel: [phone].
Budget boosts training people are often dependent on VAT relief gets tightened up
Continued from page 1 road transport: it is the only
door to door method. If they
In a budget that put off live in the country and have
much of the nasty medicine regular trips to hospital, or par- There is widespread concern claim VAT relief. “I was amazed. that most visually impaired
until 1994 so as to encourage ents take their disabled chil- that customs and excise officials Our products are obviously people would not be entitled to
economic recovery, all tax pay- dren to centres for intensive are charging VAT on products designed for disabled people.” claim zero rating.
ers will lose a little this year, it programmes, they will use the for visually impaired people. Managing director Simon Mr Fouracres said: “We've
is estimated by a computer car a lot more, so this will have The law says that disabled Fouracres of Horizon, another sold our products for 15 years
analysis in The Independent. a substantial impact on many of people should be exempt from company, says he was told by and never had any problems. It’s
But, by next year, when the them.” tax on equipment that is neces- Nottingham’s senior customs ridiculous to say _ visually
measures are in full swing, the The Charities Tax Reform sary because of their disability. and excise officer in March that impaired people should not get
poorest ten per cent of house- Group says the measures to But Philippa Wisbey, man- someone buying CCTV would VAT relief because a few able-
holds are likely to be hardest encourage giving are more than ager of Professional Vision Ser- have to be “substantially and per- bodied people use them as well.”
hit, losing three per cent of offset by the VAT imposition. vice in Hertfordshire, was told manently handicapped by illness, A customs and __ excise
their income, twice as much as The 12 per cent tax on the in March that people buying injury, or congenital deformity” spokesman said: “It is up to local
the highest income households. National Lottery has been CCTV, which magnifies print to qualify. offices to decide who qualifies for
Mr Lamont has said: “The described as “sheer greed.” on a tv monitor, could no longer The customs officer added relief. People can always appeal.”
overall effect of the budget over AUTOMATICALLY
the two-year measures is that e ADJ BEDS ¢ COMMODES®e ARMCHAIRS e LIFTERS * REACHERS
op)
the better-off pay most.” > AT LAST
<=
While the training initiatives the Best! j=e
e
have been generally welcomed, E
SUPERSTORES FOR
extending VAT to fuel and
=|
power bills has been roundly Z
eNo need for
condemned. x THE LESS ABLE
unhygienic paper. co
Help the Aged immediately e
demanded a rise in pensions to e Saves valuable ep)
Ww
meet the extra costs of heating nursing time. Q
Oo Over 2000 products
incurred by elderly people. Many e Thousands in daily use ==
do not get income support. Oo all under one roof
in U.K. and Europe.
oO
The Royal Association for e
e Proved in operation Free advice from in-store therapists
Disability and Rehabilitation ep)
2s
(RADAR) said that heating and over 25 years. <x Easy Parking & Access
Ei
hot water are major extra costs e Ideal for installation in oO Open 9-5pm Daily. Saturday 10-4pm
oO
for disabled people. “We urge hospitals, institutions Lu
w
the Chancellor to think again. and private homes. o HOME ASSESSMENT AVAILABLE
Already for thousands of dis- e
eSpecial maternity 1p) ON LARGER ITEMS
abled people the choices are 25
model available.
stark: heat your home - or eat.” <axe
Labour and ‘Tory’ MPs, Clos-O-Mat offers automatic flushing, washing with o‘iOni FREE Mail Order Catalogue Available
we)
including Shadow Chancellor warm water and gentle drying with hot air - all in one lu
25
Gordon Brown, have added to _ simple push-button operation. =
°
the pressure on the Government.
It eliminates the need for nursing assistance and restores 122)
Treasury Chief Secretary Oo
privacy and dignity to those unable to manually <x
Michael Portillo’s remark that
Pad
index-linked benefits upratings cleanse themselves. Lu
ae Capital Interchange Way (near Kew Bridge)
would also take account of the =closo mat= oeO Brentford, Middlesex TW8 OEX
petrol price rise, even though se 081 742 21381
e
“People on low incomes are 12)
Qa
very low users of road fuel,” a Sterling Park, Pedmore Road, Brierley Hill West Midlands
has annoyed disabled drivers. Reply to Dept. DA, TOTAL HYGIENE LIMITED, <fe=) DY5 ITA (Near the Merry Hill Shopping Centre)
Hygiene House, 2 Newton Street, co 0384 48 45 44
According to Douglas Camp- as
STRETFORD, Manchester M32 8LG. —
bell, chairman of the Disabled <=
Drivers’ Association: “Disabled Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] jaea ) TOILET SEATS ¢ CUSHIONS # HOISTS * POWER CHAIRS * RAMPS eASYSSMDASJe¢¢«@©©I I S V OINYLYYdViEVVISVVSILiSEO1MI LASV IL OSeNV OYDMOS SM OHS
Disability Now Apri! 1993
4 NEWS FROM WESTMINSTER
Government ready to talk about Rights Bill
bled supporters, Tory whip hard has it under review and
Alison Rowat reports Andrew MacKay followed will announce proposals “in the
Government orders and cried not too distant future”.
“object” to kill the Bill. Labour’s Spokesperson on
The Government is to open
Mr Morris had earlier told Disabled People’s Rights Barry
talks with MPs from the All-
MPs: “The tide has turned on Sheerman savaged the Minister
Party Disablement Group
those who argue that the law for “kicking disabled people in
(APDG) on anti-discrimination
has no part to play in achieving the teeth.”
legislation.
full social equality for disabled “The Minister has done the
Prime Minister John Major
people. The question today is bidding of the Prime Minister
has told Minister for Disabled
not whether British Ministers and the Secretary of State for
People Nicholas Scott to dis-
will go with the tide but Social Security rather than —
cuss “whether and, if so, how
whether they will be the last in standing his corner and stand-
legislation could play a part in
the developed world to do so.” ing up for the rights of disabled
seeking to reduce or eliminate
But Mr Scott was not yet people in Britain.”
discrimination against disabled
ready to swim with the tide. The Civil Rights Bill was
people.” The first meeting was
“My head and my _ heart down for a second reading again
to be on 25 March.
divide on the Bill,” he confided. on 26 March, but stood little
The significance of the move
Discrimination definitely chance of success.
is being played down by Mr
existed, said Mr Scott, but Mr Meanwhile, Stephen Brad-
Scott’s department, but it is a
Morris’s Bill was too wide-rang- shaw, chair of Voluntary Organ-
clear shift away from the hard-
ing, and would imply consider- isations for Anti-Discrimination
line refusals of the past.
able costs for “employers, Legislation - whose 30 mem-
The offer follows the second
suppliers and the Government”. bers include RADAR and the
Government block of Labour
In response to criticism of Spastics Society - is to write
MP Alf Morris’s Civil Rights HNLHIONPW S
the employment quota system, again to the Prime Minister
(Disabled Persons) Bill in Labour MP Roger Berry signs a petition in support of anti-
February. discrimination legislation at a conference in Bristol the day he confirmed - as reported in expressing the group’s “utter
After a five-hour debate in after the Bill’s blocking. With him are Christine Holt and last month’s DN - that Employ- disappointment” at the block-
front of a packed gallery of dis- Penny Germon of the Avon Coalition of Disabled People. ment Secretary Gillian Shep- ing.
Fear of chaos clouds ILF changeover Quota
shame for
With only days to go before the severely disabled people aged For new claimants, Social that authorities will opt to pay
new Independent Living Fund between 16 and 65 will qualify. Security Parliamentary Under- £800 or £1,000 to place some-
Government
schemes start operating, MPs The first year’s budget will be Secretary Alistair Burt said: body in residential care when
fear the changeover could be as just over £4 million, from “The new fund will deal with a such expenditure, or less, could
chaotic as the Disability Living which it is estimated around much smaller group of people, support that individual in the New Government figures show
Allowance (DLA) switch. 1,500 people will get help. so the degree of bureaucratic community.” that the Civil Service has again
The old Independent Living At the second reading of the difficulty will not be as great as A Department of Social failed to employ its three per
Fund (ILF), which gave cash Disability (Grants) Bill in Opposition members suggest.” Security spokesperson _ later cent quota of registered dis-
help to enable severely disabled March, Liberal Democrat Other concerns included: confirmed this. Local authori- abled people.
people to live in their own Social Security Spokesperson * limiting of the 1993 fund to ties must spend at least £200 to The 1992 figures, published
homes, stopped taking new Archie Kirkwood said there had people between 16-65. In “trigger” an ILF payment. in February, show the Civil
applications last November. not been enough time to con- November 1992, over a third of “But there is nothing in the Bill Service employs nearly 8,500
Two funds replace it on 1 April. sider the Bill properly, the ILF claimants were over 65. to prevent them spending what- registered disabled staff. This is
The Independent Living funding was not enough, and * the £4 million budget for the ever they wish on the care of a over 300 more than last year.
(Extension) Fund will continue consultation with disability first year of the 1993 fund person.” But at 1.5 per cent, it still
making payments to existing groups had been “inadequate”. which will help only 1,500 peo- Two of the new funds’ seven falls short of the three per cent
ILF beneficiaries. It will get “We do not want any of the ple. Since beginning in 1988, trustees have been appointed. quota required under the Dis- —
£120 million for 1993-94. chaos that occurred with the the ILF has taken on over 4,000 Mr Burt promised that at least abled Persons (Employment)
The Independent Living DLA and Disability Working cases a year, building up to the one of the trustees would be a Act 1944.
(1993) Fund is for new Allowance ... We must not put current level of 22,000 cases. disabled person. Disability The worst offender, with 0.3
claimants. Local authorities will people through that again.” * the £500 limit and the possi- groups want a majority to be per cent disabled people, was
provide services to the value of Minister for Disabled People bility that people needing care disabled. Margaret Baldwin, the Foreign and Common-
£200 a week. The 1993 fund Nicholas Scott said the only over this sum will automatically manager of a Disability Benefit wealth Office.
will top this up with a weekly change existing _ beneficiaries be put into residential care. Centre in Birmingham, takes Only five departments and
discretionary cash payment to would see was a different name Mr Burt denied this last over from Judith Hoyle as agencies achieved their quota:
the user of up to £300. Only on the cheque. point. “It is untrue to suggest director. the Intervention Board; the
Employment Group; the
Clampers National Galleries of Scotland;
Walkabouts the Registers of Scotland; and
clampdown the Paymaster General’s Office.
Included among the rest:
by Vietco
The Government is consider-
Department "91 ’92
ing the introduction of new
Extra mobility for around £100!
rules barring the wheelclamp- % %
ing of disabled drivers’ cars on
Walkabouts keep you mobile and active. They have wheels,
private land.
directional control, brakes and baskets. Cabinet Office
A Home Office consultation
The Sit-Down Walkabout has a handy seat. They fold flat for
Defence
document, published in Febru-
transport and delivery is included in the price.
ary, Outlines six options to Education
POST OUR COUPON TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION.
tackle the growing problem.
Health
Proposals include making clam-
pers wear uniforms and barring Home Office
them from clamping disabled Scottish Office
drivers’ cars.
Social Security
TELEPHONE Wheelclamping on Private Land: HM Treasury
Extra mobility for A Consultation Document, from
Send to: METCO WALKABOUTS, FREEPOST BEESTON, Trade & Industry
Room 339, the Home Office, 50
NOTTINGHAM NG9 1BR No stamp required.
Tel: [phone]. DN4/93 around £100! Queen Anne’s Gate, London Transport
SWIH 9AT, tel: [phone]. Welsh Office
Response deadline: 31 May 1993.
Disability Now April 1993
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Disability Now April 1993
jiq"Sit. e22 »
6 NEWS
Save our school
‘Mad cow’
campaign plea by parents
launched
Parents have launched a cam- also suffer a lot of teasing.”
paign to save the only school Parents have put forward
An all-party group of MPs has
for children with speech and their own proposal, to keep the
been formed to help the par-
language difficulties in Manch- school as it is, which the coun-
ents of people who have devel-
ester from closure. cil has agreed to consider.
oped Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Manchester City Council has Anne Billington, whose son
(CJD).
put forward four options for Simon waited three years for a
Eight people have so far died
Ewing school in Didsbury, place at the Ewing, said: “We
of CJD, a human form of so-
which provides speech therapy aré furious about these propos-
called “mad cow disease’’, after
and a specially adapted curricu- als because the school does a
being injected with contami-
lum for 58 pupils, aged five to wonderful job. The change in
nated human growth hormone.
16. It also provides six residen- Simon has been unbelievable
Thirty parents are taking on
tial places. since he came here. There is no
the Government in a bid to get
The options include: local alternative. If Ewing
compensation. They launched
* closing the school’s residen- closed Simon would have to go
legal proceedings in January
tial accommodation; to Nottingham.”
after being granted legal aid. A
* transferring pupils over the A council spokesperson said:
steering committee of solicitors
age of 11 to mainstream “The proposals have been put
is fighting their case.
schools; forward as part of our review of
The parents believe that the
* shutting the school’s premises special school provision and no
Department of Health was neg-
and amalgamating it with a ser- decision will be made until 21
ligent in supplying the hor-
Kulpid Singh-Barni (left) and Chris Burgess can’t mask vice for hearing impaired chil- April, by which time we will
mone and in failing to warn
their delight while dancing with the Connections Dance dren. have consulted widely with the
them of the risks.
Company. The integrated dance group staged their first Head teacher Douglas parents.
They are being supported by
public performance at the All Saints’ Centre in Whetstone, Williams said: “There is a lot “We need to see if we are
140 MPs who signed a Com-
mons motion in February call- North London, last month. MARIA BARTHA of anxiety about these plans. making the best possible use of
Some of our children have resources we have at a time
ing for the establishment of a Relatives want bigger role
severe speech difficulties and when we know there is not
compensation fund.
would not get the support they going to be any more money
Wallasey MP Angela Eagle,
who sponsored the motion, Relatives want to become more is trying to achieve. need if they were moved to from Government for this vital
said: “We are forming a cam- involved with the care of their The Association’s founder another school. They might service.”
paign group because many MPs relations in residential homes, Dorothy White said: “Relatives
Money talks for blind customers
like myself have constituents according to a survey published must be brought onto the
with CJD. We want to do all last month. inside, otherwise they carry too
we can to help them.” The Relatives’ Association great a burden of guilt, often The Bank of Scotland has introduce large print statements
A Department of Health survey of 65 people revealed realising care is not good become the first British bank or and “talking” statements on
spokesperson said: “Any legal that a third felt awkward about enough, but not feeling able to building society to launch a cassette later this year.
action will be defended on the raising problems. Another third be properly involved to get financial newsletter on tape for A bank spokesperson said:
grounds that at the time it was felt uninvolved in the resident’s things right.” blind and partially sighted peo- “This is the first opportunity
administered, the treatment care. ple. blind people have had to keep
conformed with the informa- Most relatives wanted to Relative Views, £2, The Rela- The free cassette, produced in touch with the personal
tion that was available on good know more about how the tives’ Association, 16 Bonny with the help of Scottish finance topics covered by the
practice.” home is organised and what it Street, London NWI 9PG. Braille Press, provides informa- main national newspapers.”
tion on topics such as travel
services and insurance. The Scottish Bratlle Press, tel:
New Insurance Scheme
The bank is planning to 031-662 4445.
to Help you “Keep Mobile”
Motorists with disabilities have special requirements when they have an accident and their car has to be 1G;
repaired. To be deprived of mobility and independence is devastating and is only catered for adequately by
Fish Insurance under their “Keep Mobile” scheme.
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current insurer.
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worthwhile sending for their free insurance 4eaflet. ° Bebington, Wirral, L63 9FS. Tel: [phone]
NEWS 7
Disabled people from the
IN BRIEF Scottish Council for Spas-
REEF TEL tics’ Upper Springland cen-
tre invited local children in
to learn about computer art
Spring success in March.
Newton Products, the Spastics There was an exhibition
Society factory where over half of the childrens’ work at the
the staff are disabled people, end of the four-day work-
has just won a £225,000 order shop.
for its new Badger Attendant At the controls is Joyce
powered wheelchair. Carle from Upper Spring-
The order - with another land (left), Martin Jones of
expected this month - has come Ruthvenfield Primary (cen-
from Northern Regional tre) and Wyness Glennie,
Health Authority. project co-ordinator.
0GN9GG19NO1 VS WOHL
Specially designed for people
who need a powered chair but
cannot manoeuvre it themselves,
the Badger Attendant enables a
carer to control the chair with
very little effort. Newton
worked with South Birmingham
health authority to create it.
Tel: [phone].
Top of the world
John Mitchell f[
from Fetcham, |
Surrey, (right)
has become the
world’s top
blind = moun-
taineer follow-
ing his ascent
of Aconcagua, the highest
mountain in the Andes.
The ten-man team took
seven days to climb the
6,959m mountain.
Mount Everest is the next
challenge.
Mr Mitchell is trying to
raise £100,000 for the British
Retinitis Pigmentosa Society
and the Royal National Insti-
tute for the Blind (DN, June
1992).
Please send cheques to Climb for
Sight, PO Box 155, Leather-
head, Surrey, KT22 9YF.
One-stop advice works
A one-stop advice and support
service for young disabled peo-
ple could mean fewer emer-
gency hospital admissions and
big savings for the NHS.
The Disability Action Pro- The BT Guide for people
ject is based at Christchurch
Hospital in Dorset. Trained
staff (usually nurses) assess who are disabled or elderly
each person, tailoring informa-
tion and advice to their needs,
and referring them to agencies 1993
that can provide services. After
the assessment, people can keep
in touch via a_ telephone
helpline or volunteer visitors. The latest products and services
A report found that users
had higher morale and were to help you use the phone
less likely to be re-admitted to
hospital for emergency treat-
ment. If they were admitted, it
was for shorter periods. This
could save the NHS £55,000 in
the first year, says the report*.
* Summary £5, Disability
Action, tel: (0202) 486361.
Corrections
Two from our Scottish Special
(DN, March): The Wren Cycle Br?
from Howie Cycles costs £425,
not £225. Tel: (0290) 25910.
David Wood, Mobility Special-
ist, can be contacted on (0674)
83710.
Disability Now April 1993
8 INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Disabled Germans live in fear
Disabled Germans fear attacks Gunter Schirmer from She _ said: “He was so Germany, received anonymous Ottmar Miles-Paul of Dis-
on them will continue after last Grossburgwedel near Han- ashamed of his powerlessness phone calls threatening to burn abled People International in
month’s success of the right- nover, 46, committed suicide to defend himself against these the school down, and saying “we Germany said: “There is a
wing Republikaner party in after being spat on and pushed attacks. Two weeks before his are the right-wing radicals”. paragraph in the Constitution
local elections. over by students on his way to death his fear of humiliation Flensburg County Court in protecting groups that were
A 55-year-old disabled man, college. became so great that he could former East Germany awarded persecuted during the Third
Bruno Kappi, died after being His wife once travelled to not go out onto the streets.” damages to a family that com- Reich. Disabled people are not
attacked by two skinheads in college with her husband and A school class of disabled plained of having to share a included in this legislation. We
Siegen. He was set upon at was shocked to see the torment children in Stendal, formerly dining room with disabled peo- need protection, and the Gov-
5am on his way to the bus-stop he went through. Students East Germany, was set upon by ple. The judge said: “The ernment is not very willing."
by two youths. The prosecutor were shouting “Under Hitler a group of skinheads. Two girls unavoidable sight of the dis- A spokesperson for the Ger-
said: “These people think that they would have gassed you a were seriously injured. abled people at every meal was man Ministry for the Family
disabled people don’t deserve long time ago. You are living Another school for children a constant reminder of the pos- and Older People said: “I have
to live.” on taxpayers’ money.” with disabilities in Halle, central sibility of human suffering.” no knowledge of these attacks.”
US health chief
Europe-wide
innovations in
backs cannabis use
information
Jocelyn Elders, the new Sur- banned in America for both
A travel information system in geon General (chief Govern- personal and therapeutic use
Munich, Germany, helps dis- ment doctor) of the United since the 1930s, can be used to
abled people to find their way States, has said she will back relieve pain, stop nausea, help
around the city, and a video the medical use of cannabis. Aids patients and alleviate the
phone service in France allows Mrs_ Elders believes that symptoms of multiple sclerosis
callers to see each other. cannabis is “beneficial to many (DN, January).
These are two innovative patients”. In Britain, __ prescribing
schemes featured in the April The Surgeon General takes cannabis for therapeutic use, is
pilot edition of a new newslet- up her appointment in June. forbidden under the 1971 Mis-
ter, Innovations in Information, The drug, which has been use of Drugs Act.
which the National Information
Forum (NIF) plans to publish Walking back to happiness:
three times a year. The annual Huang Sheng, five, (right)
subscription will be £10. from Nanjing in the Peo-
Editor Ann _ Darnbrough, ple’s Republic of China, has
come to Edinburgh with his
chair of NIF, said: “Our aim is
parents. Helped by the Scot-
to raise awareness among ser-
tish Council for Spastics, he
vice providers of the impor-
may go home after eight
tance of giving information in
Gary Jelen, 27, broke the world power-lifting record for peo- weeks able to walk and
more innovative and imagina-
ple with learning difficulties when he visited Kuwait in therefore attend school.
tive ways.” February. He lifted 202 kg to raise £30,000 for the Khalifa Sheng’s parents will learn
school for children with special needs. He also met Kuwaiti how to continue the therapy
NIF, tel: [phone]. MPs and attended a reception in his honour. when he gets home.
Cuts hit HELIOS HELIOS budget is a major dis-
Continued from page 1 aster. The paltry sum we are
getting reflects the way in
ences, seminars and _ training which the EC institutions view
courses for deaf people. It has disabled people - as second
also made a_ staff member class citizens.”
redundant. Tony Lumley of MI said it
Arthur Verney, the former would have to cut the number
head of the ECRS, resigned in of projects it funds from 18 to Supoportyed by
February because the cuts just 13.
meant the organisation could “We have also been forced to
no longer afford to pay his make two of our staff redun-
salary (DN, March 1993). He dant because we can’t afford to DERBY CITY COUNCIL
said: “The reduction in the pay them,” he said. DERBY'S SECOND MAJOR EXHIBITION OF PRODUCTS
& SERVICES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE AND CARERS
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Amsterdam, Ireland, Florida, Cote d’Azur, services to Disabled People including Hearing Impaired,
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Disability Now April 1993
SPORT 9
Shooting star
Paralympic bronze medalist all the time and I'll have to
Kevin Hyde won a fourth con- work hard to get a fifth title.”
secutive title at the British Robert Osborn, who was
Sports Association for the Dis- shooting for the Southern
abled National Air Pistol and region, had a double reason to
Air Rifle championships at celebrate this year’s champi-
Aldersley in February. onships.
The Southern Region marks- After coming second in the
man won the group one air rifle men’s group three event of the
event with a score of 591. air pistol tournament, Robert
“That was the toughest final won the class D category of an
yet,” said Kevin. “The stan- able-bodied competition held at
dard of competition is going up the same venue.
Unlucky Illingworth
loses out to Laurent
mmr GBOROALH AM
Sarah Bailey winning the 100m breaststroke at the BSAD junior national championships
Swimmers smash records
More than 100 records were 50.94 seconds. The championships attracted
broken during a junior national “I only hope I can repeat my more than 100 swimmers from
swimming championships held success when I take part in all over the UK.
at Darlington in February. next year’s senior champi- Scottish team manager
The championships, organ- onships,” she said. Richard Brickley said: “This
ised by the British Sports Kenneth Suttie, 13, from was a wonderful effort by all
Association for the Disabled Fife, also had an outstanding our team. I am delighted that
and the Variety Club of Great weekend. He set six national our youngsters did so well
Britain, were dominated by 14- records. “I was confident I’d because they have trained so
year-old Jody Cundy, who set do well,” said Kenneth. “But I hard. The results auger well for
eight new national records. am surprised at the amount of the future.”
The Eastern Region swim- records I broke. I can’t wait to The Scottish squad will take
mer proved he is a great all- try and do even better next on strong teams from America,
round swimmer by winning six Vea, Holland, England, Wales and
medals, including victories in Sarah Bailey, swimming for Northern Ireland at the Rotary
the 50m butterfly, 50m _back- the North West Region, won International Junior Swimming
stroke and 100m freestyle. the 100m breaststroke race with Championships in Ayr on 18-
Michelle Main, 17, from a record-breaking time of 19 June.
Glasgow, was also in a record- 1:24:80.
breaking mood. She set six The team trophy was won by
4 records and won ten _ gold Scotland, whose swimmers set Sport is written by
medals. Michelle’s best race 32 new records. The East Mid- Tim Russell,
was the 50m backstroke, which lands came second, and the tel: O71 636 5020
On the ball: Chris Illingworth volleys a winner she won with a new record of North third.
Chris Illingworth reached the tennis and was beaten by a Try a dive
semi-finals of the Australian great player.” THE NUFFIELD FOUNDATION/
Wheelchair Tennis Champi- Australian Mike Connell
with the
onships in February. won the men’s singles final. He VISCOUNT NUFFIELD
He won a memorable quar- fought back from a set down to
ter-final against Dutchman Eric beat Laurent 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 in an Wet and Dry AUXILIARY FUND
Stuurman before losing 6-2, 6- exciting final.
2 to world number _ one Daniela Di Toro, from Vic- An integrated diving club that
GRANTS TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Giammertini Laurent. toria, beat Allison Mann, from gives training courses to dis-
“It is a little frustrating to America, 6-2, 6-1 in_ the abled people is looking for new
have come so close to a final women’s singles final. She also members. People with disabilities are more readily given aids
and miss out,” said Chris. won the women’s doubles and The Wet and Dry Sub Aqua and equipment to help overcome their handicaps
“But I played some good mixed doubles titles. Club arranges diving expedi-
than the necessary support to enable them to use
tions throughout the UK and
the aids and equipment quickly and with ease. The
organises diving holidays
Mixed fortunes on the slopes Nuffield Foundation is therefore offering grants
abroad. Anyone aged over 14
totalling £100,000 to organisations with ideas for
can join.
British skiers enjoyed mixed but I was determined to fin- The club is based in Bognor projects investigating, adapting or demonstrating a
fortunes during the Pre-Para- ish.” Regis, but members can learn way of using existing equipment more effectively.
lympic Alpine championships Much was expected of to dive closer to home if they Packages for training the user will be eligible for
at Lillehammer, Norway, in Matthew Stockford, who won wish. Training courses are run support, as will the evaluation of the use of
February. three bronze medals at last every month and carried out by existing equipment. Applications are invited in two
Brian Harding, from year’s Paralympics. But he fell qualified instructors. areas: learning and communications aids and
Southampton, was delighted during his first race and then Bruce Lampard, the club’s
mobility aids. The grants are not intended to help
with third place in the LW-10 his equipment broke. diving officer, said: “Diving is
individuals buy or adapt equipment. The closing
super giant slalom. Simon Barnes and Jim a great fun and gives many dis-
“That was a great race,” said Barker had a happier time, fin- abled people a great sense of date is 30 June 1993.
Brian. “I was very pleased with ishing sixth and eighth in the personal achievement. Anyone
my time of 2:24:77, although I LW-11 super giant slalom. who has never dived before will Further details may be obtained by writing to: The
think I could have gone faster.” Blind skier Peter Young was be given an introductory ses- Nuffield Foundation, 28 Bedford Square, London
Blind skier Vickie Sheen fell Britain’s only competitor in the sion in a pool to find out WC1B 3EG; or by telephone:
on her international debut, but European Nordic champi- whether they enjoy it.”
recovered superbly to finish onships in Germany last Application forms/information sheets: 071-580 7434
third. month. Wet and Dry Sub Aqua Club, Queries /additional information: 071-631 0566.
“TI lost my footing and Young won a silver medal in 42A Gravits Lane, Bognor
crashed off the course,” said the biathlon and came fourth in Regis, West Sussex, tel: (0243) Please quote reference VNAF/TO'N.
Vickie. “I could have given up the 5km and 20km races. 826515.
Disability Now April 1993
10 PROFILE
Seriously funny Jane
Alison Rowat meets
Jane Tewson,
founder of Charity
Projects and the
to pay her wage for two years. The flak comes more from way, Jane Tewson seems well- marked with minuses because I
woman behind
“T felt very angry at my expe- “individuals” in the disability equipped to handle it. Not couldn’t write very well. They
Comic Relief
rience of the voluntary sector. I movement rather than other because she’s a hard nut, but took the creativeness of what I
felt people with disabilities or charities, but it’s a very civilised because she believes in what she was saying and marked on that.
Jane Tewson looked remarkably people who were homeless, or war. (“We’ve had moments of is doing. We all had something to offer
chipper for a woman about to older people, were at the very interesting discussion,” says At 35, her success has been a and Id always offer.”
give birth to a multi-million end of the line and they weren’t Yet push her a bit more and
pound charity _ fundraising getting all the support they you find out that the dyslexia
extravaganza and her first baby. deserved - financially or morally - did matter sometimes. At pri-
Since its launch in 1985, either within their communities mary school, for example, she
Comic Relief has raised over or the public at large.” wrote about how difficult it was
£70 million (as I write the total Comic Relief would be dif- getting oars into the bollocks
for this year is not known). A ferent, portraying people in a. rather than the rollocks (sic). “I
third of the money goes to UK positive way, bringing the con- had to stay behind after school
projects, with the rest going to cept of rights into millions of and write out rowlocks 500
Africa. After homelessness, the living rooms. It would help times. I'd also have to write out
biggest part of the UK slice people to help themselves. “but” and “put” because I can’t
distinguish between bs and ps.
goes to disability groups.
Baked beans Ridiculous.”
For many, Comic Relief is
the acceptable face of charity. But for all its talk of “rights”, Being “nice, middle class”
Its mission to campaign and Comic Relief still depends on Joe and the daughter of two GPs
educate (as well as raising Bloggs sitting in a bath of baked also got her beaten up. “At the
money and having fun), means beans to raise money for things time that was terrible, but it did
you'll find groups like People that many believe the Govern- me no damage in the end.”
First and Disability Alliance ment should provide. So who is All four Tewson children had
among its beneficiaries - groups Jane Tewson trying to kid? varying degrees of dyslexia. But
you would normally associate No-one. “It’s difficult giving while the other three went to
with rights, not charity. money away. Who are we to university, Jane failed her A
So how does Comic Relief have the arrogance to sit round Levels. “I would have liked to
win friends where Telethon and this table, to raise money and say have gone to university, to
Children in Need make ene- well this group will get it and study English. I would have
mies? A lot of it is to do with that group won’t. I have a real liked to have done better aca-
Jane Tewson, a disenchanted personal problem with that. Who demically. I didn’t. That means
charity worker who thought she are we? It’s people’s lives and you have to work bloody hard
could do it better and did. Now they’re desperate for support.” because you have to go out and
it turns out that she is a dis- Comic Relief is trying hard to earn your money.”
abled person too. get it right. It has disabled peo-
She lasted only two days as a ple on the committee which dis- Double life
secretary at Mencap in the tributes the grants, and from SYNH3VLAW/YYXSWOVSWNoEO rTO king bloody hard included
early *80s before her dyslexia now on the emphasis will be on Jane Tewson: thought she could do it better and did stints as a cleaner in Oxford,
caught up with her and she was funding groups of (rather than where she used to slip quietly
moved on to organising pro- for) disabled people. UK grants director Maggie long time coming. She had a into English lectures in her
jects. She didn’t tell anyone For the moment, that is as far Baxter, sitting in on the inter- “fantastic time” at Thame spare time. It is difficult to
about her disability. Most peo- as they can go. “We’d love not view at the request of Jane. Comprehensive school, playing square this image with the suc-
ple only realised she had to be here,” says Ms Tewson. “Which we welcome,” inter- rugby, being head girl, etc. The cessful, |w ired-into-the-mains,
dyslexia after her mother men- “We may well decide not to be rupts Jane. “Oh absolutely,” dyslexia wasn’t a problem. “We mover and shaker of today.
tioned it to the Observer maga- here in two year’s time. We take Maggie replies.) were taught not to pass our But as she says: “It was really
zine in February. an enormous amount of flak Whatever flak comes her exams but for life. I wasn’t tough, my first three years out
The rest is fundraising leg- from the voluntary sector about of school, really _ painful.
end: how she left to set up her what we do and how we do it Friends remind me that I used
own charity, salvaging office fur- and we listen to that. There to go round with my head on
MOTORBILITY FOR ALL
niture from skips, and persuad- might be a stage when we say to one side because I was so shy,
ing the likes of Sir Tim Bell the voluntary sector, ‘Well, yes, so lacking in confidence.”
(Lady Thatcher’s image guru), youre right actually’.S 32: PROBABLY THE BEST VALUE She still seems uneasy talking
about herself. Only those clos-
FOR MONEY AVAILABLE
est to her knew about the
dyslexia. Since the Observer
For detailed information or
aa
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For those with Motobility
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terms available.
Written details on request. deal (except if she tries to write
things too fast under pressure).
She does acknowledge,
though, that her disability has
had its effects. “I guess it might
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