Specialist website The Accessible Property Register www.accessible-property.org.uk advertises wheelchair accessible residential property for sale and rent in all parts of the UK.  Property for shared ownership (part buy/part rent) is included and the total number of properties available has increased significantly this year.

APR also advertises high specification wheelchair accessible holiday accommodation in the UK and overseas.  Accommodation includes property with level entry showers, electrically operated profiling beds, and ceiling hoists.'

We also support housing providers in the identification and promotion of accessible and adapted property.

We thought you might like to know that, for 2010, The Accessible Property Register has significantly increased the number of wheelchair accessible properties advertised for sale and rent throughout the UK.  The same applies to high specification wheelchair accessible holiday accommodation.

Residential property and holiday accommodation can be viewed at www.accessible-property.org.uk.

 

This M.E. Awareness Week,  Action for M.E. is hosting a special skydiving event in Salisbury on 15 May.
This is your chance to do an exhilarating 10,000ft freefall skydive and raise funds for our charity.
All places must be booked by 7 March. Contact Nicola, on 0117 930 7293 or book online.
Action for M.E.

Personal Budgets - which local authorities are ready?

With the biggest ever shake up in social care funding just one year away local authorities are failing to provide vital information for disabled people and risk undermining moves to give greater choice and 
independence for up to 1.75million people across the UK.

This conclusion is the result of a systematic review by Livability, the national disability charity into the     performance of local authorities across England. The review,  which included benchmarking best and worst performers, surveys and a mystery shopper exercise reveals:

*Almost half (45%)  of local authority websites had no information at  all on Personal Budgets

*Almost half of telephone enquiries about Personal Budgets were misdirected and almost a quarter of local authorities were unable to provide any information at all

*Only 3% of local authorities were able to recommend additional sources of information on Personal Budgets to the mystery shopper

Livability's mystery shopper contacted 103 local  authorities (including all London authorities). The City of  London and Portsmouth City Council were the best performers,   being the only two to score a perfect 10 for  the information  provided. More evidence shows that local authorities are failing to engage and consult with the people who could benefit from the  new funding systems (Personal budgets) being introduced in 2011.

An nfp Synergy survey commissioned by the charity of over  500 disabled young adults also showed a disturbing lack of awareness of these new funding systems, which have the potential to transform their lives. Of those surveyed:* 9 out of 10 (87%) of the people surveyed had never heard  of Personal Budgets

* Over half (54%) of the people surveyed did not even know the name of  the local authority that provide their services.

Livability is warning that these findings will affect an estimated 1.75 million disabled people in England and around 25,000 providers who deliver services which cost the public purse £17.5 billion.*

Where pilot schemes have been in operation (for example, in Essex and  Coventry) the funding system has led to disabled people choosing to  make substantial changes to their housing and support services. 

Replicated on a wider scale this will threaten the viability of current  services and their staff as people choose to opt for alternatives.

Chief executive of Livability Mary Bishop said:

 "The results of our research are extremely worrying.  Personal Budgets have the potential to transform the lives of disabled people by giving them choice and control and yet  awareness of them is woefully  inadequate. With just over a year  to go until they are rolled out  across England, it is clear that central and local government are ill prepared.

 We would like to help and engage with them without delay in  developing new services needed by disabled people."

Mark Harper, MP Shadow Minister for Disabled People says:

"It is clear from the reports findings that there is still a great deal more to do to ensure that disabled people up and down the country can take advantage of Personal Budgets.  All the evidence says that disabled 
people with a Personal Budget have more control of their lives and  better health outcomes. There is clearly a role here for Central Government to show more Leadership and to impress upon Local Authorities the importance of  making these opportunities available for disabled people."

Baroness Howarth, is today taking the charity's concerns to  Phil Hope, MP, the Minister for Care Services and the charity  will be delivering  the damning findings and recommendations for  urgent action to every MP  and local authority in England. To  ensure the funding scheme is kept on  track Livability urges:

* Central Government run a nationally branded campaign to raise awareness of Personal Budgets among disabled people;

* Local authorities and PCTs consult and engage with disabled people in their area to find out what they want and the help they will need to  make it happen

* Local authorities use that information to map out the services that will be needed by local disabled people when Personal Budgets are rolled out nationally in 2011;

* Local Authorities and PCTs work closely with providers to ensure that  the services needed are available so that disabled people have genuine  choice.

For more information please visit the Livability website
 

**Take Action for Access**

In addition to the Your Voice, Your Say campaign based around the coming elections, this year we will be focusing on our Action for Access campaign for a more accessible UK.

We know from speaking to you that access is an issue that affects everyone. Every day disabled people face barriers to doing everyday activities, like using the bank, shopping and visiting leisure facilities like the cinema. Despite the Disability Discrimination Act which came into force in 1995, much of the UK remains simply inaccessible to many disabled people.

**How you can get involved**

**Step 1**

Register online and download an survey

<http://www.LCDisability.org/lists/lt.php?id=ZEoIBgwDAw8FGQABC0oBDQYEAw%3D%3D>
from
http://www.LCDisability.org/lists/lt.php?id=ZEoIBgwDAw8KGQABC0oBDQYEAw%3D%3D

to start surveying your local shops, pubs, sports club, music venue, or any places that you are planning on visiting in the UK

**Step 2**

Add your survey to the Access Map.

**Step 3**

Enter our competition ...

<http://www.LCDisability.org/lists/lt.php?id=ZEoIBgwDAw8LGQABC0oBDQYEAw%3D%3D>

to find new ideas, designs, drawings and photographs that illustrate the access barriers that disabled people face.

The Action for Access site also contains loads more information about places that have been surveyed in your area, gives examples of some successful access campaigns and provides information for service
providers on what they can do to improve access. A new section with resources to help you follow up your surveys and a section on surveying transport will be coming to the website soon.

**Join us on Facebook and Twitter**

We have recently launched our new Facebook fanpage

<http://www.LCDisability.org/lists/lt.php?id=ZEoIBgwDAw4CGQABC0oBDQYEAw%3D%3D>

and Twitter page

<http://www.LCDisability.org/lists/lt.php?id=ZEoIBgwDAw4DGQABC0oBDQYEAw%3D%3D>

where you will be able to receive the latest updates about campaign developments, join debates, post your campaign photos and chat to other campaigners.
 

Abuse of disabled people investigated in Panorama: Why Do You Hate Me?

Some disabled people are suffering abuse and hostility for no other reason  than their disability, an investigation by BBC One’s Panorama has found.

Secretly recorded footage for Panorama: Why Do You Hate Me?,  shown on  Monday  15th., shows a wheelchair user being mocked and threatened in a bar, while  in another incident a mother and daughter film an attacker smashing every  window on their mobility car.

Panorama reveals just how many such incidents go unrecorded.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Kier Starmer, admits that the justice system doesn’t always get it right when dealing with so-called “disability hate crime”.

He says: “I think there are lots and lots of incidents of disability hate crime. I think we haven’t collectively picked them up and investigated and prosecuted them in the way we should.”

Crown Prosecution Service figures for last year show there were 299 convictions for England and Wales. That compares to more than 9,500 for racial and religious hate crimes.

In Wales alone last year police recorded 116 such incidents, with just 18 convictions.

Simon Green, a wheelchair user from Bridgend, who presents the programme,  secretly filmed a couple of his nights out to expose the hostility and abuse he sometimes experiences.

During one evening he’s confronted by a group of men who verbally abuse him, swearing at him and alling him a “cripple”, and suggesting he can really walk.

Simon, who has been a wheelchair user for six years, says during that time he has been physically as well as verbally assaulted just because he is disabled.

And, though the law has got tough on people who abuse others on the grounds of their race or religion, the attitude towards often low-level but  continued abuse of disabled people seems far behind.

Simon also meets Irene Miles, 77, who was born disabled. She and her daughter Lorraine, who is her full-time carer, say they have suffered years of abuse at their Newport home.

Just a few months ago a CCTV camera captured a hooded man running around their vehicle, smashing every window before disappearing down the road. The vehicle is a lifeline for the family.

They’ve contacted police 60 times in the last five years but only this  latest incident, which happened last November, has been categorised as a  hate crime.

Lorraine says: “I feel as though the police think we’re a nuisance to them.I think now they’re sitting up and taking note but the help for me and my mum has come far too late.”

The family believe their case has similarities with the horrific story of Fiona Pilkington. She killed herself and her disabled daughter in Leicestershire after years of persistent abuse.

Gwent Police are now reviewing the handling of Lorraine and Irene’s case.

Chief Superintendent Paul Symes says: “I will do my upmost to ensure that this is not a Pilkington case for Gwent Police. I’m aware of what the learning was within Pilkington, part of that involved some criticism around  some perception that agencies weren’t working together.”

Campaigners say disability hate crimes are too often unreported by victims and under-recorded by police – and that needs to change.

This programme is a version of a report originally broadcast by BBC Wales on 4 January 2010.

Please Note: If you are resident in the UK you can now watch this episode 
of Panorama on BBC iPlayer by following the link below.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00qykm2/Panorama_Why_Do_You_Hate_Me/

You can also see highlights and further comment on the Panorama website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/default.stm
 

Charities for the disabled merge to face new climate

Two of the leading charities that provide support for disabled people in  Britain are merging in the first of what is expected to be a wave of similar tie-ups in the voluntary sector.

Advocacy Partners, which provides independent advocacy services to those 
with learning disabilities, mental health needs or physical impairments, is  merging with Speaking Up, which offers similar services.

The merger was brokered by Breakthrough, the joint venture formed in 2005 between CAN, the social enterprise, and Permira, the private equity firm,  which seeks to help established social enterprises to continue growing.

Other such mergers in the voluntary sector are expected as charitable donations and financial support from local and central government are  expected to decline. Almost one UK charity or social enterprise in five is  thought to have made people redundant during the recession.


A recent survey for Breakthrough of more than 70 leaders of charities and  social enterprises found that almost two thirds had considered mergers or  acquisitions. Almost four in five agreed or strongly agreed that there  should be more mergers in the “third” sector. However, few such mergers  have got off the ground until recently, partly because of fears of  antagonising donors and because — according to those polled — most such  bodies are more focused on helping those they exist to support than on the efficiency of their organisation.

The biggest merger between two British charities was in 2002, when the Cancer Research Campaign joined the Imperial Cancer Research Fund to form Cancer Research UK. Age Concern and Help the Aged joined forces last April  to form an organisation soon to named Age UK.

Jonathan Senker, chief executive of Advocacy Partners, will take the same role in the merged organisation — Advocacy Partners Speaking Up. Craig Dearden-Philips, the founder of Speaking Up, will seek election as chairman of the new body’s board.
 

Reinstatement of income support for disabled lone parents


Between March and October 2009 some lone parents with a disability or  health condition had their award of Income Support (IS) ended incorrectly  and were subsequently directed to claim Employment and Support Allowance. 

The DWP have identified around 17,000 customers who may have been affected and now need to contact them to offer them the opportunity to:Stay on their current benefit Move back to IS, if they are still receiving 
benefit; or Reinstate IS for the period following the end of their award of IS if they are no longer receiving benefit. From 15th February 2010 an exercise will commence over a four week period, where DWP will contact all affected lone parents advising them of the error and informing them of their options.

Each customer will be asked to complete a reply slip outlining their preference and return it to their local Jobcentre Plus Benefit Delivery  Centre (BDC) in a prepaid envelope. A dedicated national helpline (including Welsh language and textphone numbers) has been set up to provide further information. The number is 0845 850 0456. Additional support will be provided through the customers own Benefit Delivery Centre to help them decide if they are better off remaining on their current benefit.

If you would like more information about lone parent changes generally and how they are being implemented an Information Pack “Changes to Income Support for Lone Parents and Jobseekers Allowance for all Parents” provides information about the changes for lone parents.

This is available on the Jobcentre Plus website at 
www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/changes-to-benefits-for-lone.

Disability Alliance
 

Share the Care Week in March

Share the Care Week in March is to raise awareness of the needs of families of disabled children - part of the BIG Breaks campaign

Verity Hitchings, Shared Care Network, writes, "Shared Care Network’s annual  awareness week will take place from 7-14 March 2010. It aims to raise awareness   of the needs of families  of disabled children and to recruit short break carers   for disabled nationwide".

"These carers are ordinary people who provide regular care to a disabled child while giving their family a regular break from the demands of caring. It is   part of Shared Care Networks BIG Breaks campaign which aims to double the number of families receiving a short break to 20,000 by 2010".

For more information:    Visit:  www.sharedcarenetwork.org.uk       

or contact Verity Hitchings - E-mail: verity.hitchings@sharedcarenetwork.org.uk        Tel: 0117 9415361.
 

Don't forget those with learning difficulties, parties told

Only 16 per cent of people with learning disabilities are exercising their right to vote, it has been claimed, as a campaign is launched to make disabled people's votes count.

A report from United Response published today also found that at least half a million people who have the capacity to vote are not doing so.

The national disability charity is calling on political parties to do more to ensure that 2010 is the "most inclusive election in UK history".

Su Sayer, United Response's founder and chief executive, said: "People with learning disabilities are affected by decisions made at a national and local level in the same way as everyone else.

"Yet information about the democratic process is often presented in a way which is confusing and full of jargon. As a result, many people who would like to vote currently find themselves excluded."

The report follows three years of work funded by the Electoral Commission.  It calls for voter turnout to increase to at least by 40 per cent.

All parties could publish their manifestoes in a format easy to understand for people with learning disabilities, it suggests.