Open Door Disability News and Views for Disabled People across Scotland

Welcome to the latest issue of Open Door, Scottish Disability Equality Forum's (SDEF) quarterly newsletter. Spring is here at last! What better way to enjoy than to take time out and read our exclusive articles, resources and sustainability news.

NEW Disabled Access Reviews

Website

Become a 3rd

Party Hate Crime Reporting Centre

"Have Your Say" SDEF is a member led organisation so we need to hear from you, our valued members!

Access Panel Network Ne ws

If you have a story you think would be of interest to others, or some disability related news you would like to share, then get in touch with us by email at info@sdef.org.uk or by calling on 01259 272064.

1

Contents Page No. 2 Contents 3 Convenor's Welcome

SDEF News 4 -5 Meet the Staff 6 -7 What We're Doing

8910 11-12 13 1 4 -1 5 16 17

18 1 9 -2 2 23 2 4 -2 5

26 27 28 29 29

3 0 -3 1 32 33

34 34 35 35

News and Policy Equality In

ternship Programme Changing Places Become a 3rd Party Hate Crime Reporting Centre Cheers to Good Practice! What is an Area Tourism Partnership Consultations and other Policy News Widespread failure to plan for disabled pupils needs Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Access Panel Network Paneltown is here! Local Access Panel updates SDEF Grants for Access Panels Access Panel Sustainability Project Training Programme

Local News Autism and Ethics Conference Homelands Trust-Fife hosts Partnership Seminar Free support from Borders Carers Centre Blairgowrie and District Next Steps Wednesday Walks West of Scotland Wheelchair Sports Club

Other News Euans Guide Living Streets Message in a Bottle Sense Scotland - Support in the Early Years Technology that helps you take control of your life NEW online debt and money resource Dismay at Scottish public's poor stroke awareness 2

Convenor's Welcome

Welcome to our Open Door Spring Edition

This year is an exciting time for everyone at SDEF; February saw the launch of our Sustainability Project Training programme which has been really well received by all who attended. This is a training programme for Access Panel members to improve their skills and outreach in their community. If you haven't yet booked your place, I advise

you to do so soon! Not an Access Panel member? Then join your local panel to make a real difference in your community! (You can find more information about this on our SDEF website at www.sdef.org.uk)

We are also moving office due to an increase in our staff team which is great news. However, we will be remaining in the same building to ensure that our contact details all remain the same.

You will see in our newsletter many new projects and activities which SDEF have undertaken. These projects aim to make real changes 'on the ground' and we are working with individuals and groups across Scotland to make them happen. We hope that you will get involved in these projects where you can, and help us to promote awareness of disability equality at a grass roots level.

As always, both staff and Directors of SDEF are all available for you to speak to, if you would like to know more about anything that we do please contact our main office number on 01259 272064 in the first instance and we will be happy to help you.

I do hope you enjoy this, the first edition of our Open Door for 2014.

Best wishes

Jackie Maceira SDEF Convenor

3

SDEF News Meet the Staff We have had many changes over the last six months and would like to provide our members with an update of who we are and what we do...

Susan Grasekamp - Chief Executive Susan works with the team to ensure that SDEF is effective in its aims to promote equality and to reduce barriers to Independent Living. Responsible for the strategic development of the organisation, Susan continues to advance the influence and impact of SDEF and its stakeholders.

You can contact Susan on susan.grasekamp@sdef.org.uk or by calling 01259 272063

Yvonne Wemyss - National Inclusion Officer Yvonne is one of our new additions to the team and has really hit the ground running. Yvonne is working on the Sustainability Project, a significant piece of work which will help grow and develop Panels through a large-scale training project, as well as working with panel members and providing practical support where it's needed.

Yvonne can be contacted on Yvonnewemyss-sdef@hotmail.co.uk or by calling 07898 424202.

Morven Brooks - Policy, Information and Communications Officer Morven is responsible for working alongside other organisations to influence policy, and for delivering our publications and articles. Morven is now back from maternity leave after having another baby girl Ruby, little sister to Emily.

Morven can be contacted on morven.brooks@sdef.org.uk or by calling 01259 272063

Continued on next page 4

SDEF News Meet the Staff Maeve Bain - Office Administrator

Maeve is our longest-serving member of SDEF, having started with us almost ten years ago! Maeve is responsible for the administration of our finances, keeping us right on book-keeping and payments, as well as supporting in other areas such as minute-taking and regular Board related duties. Maeve's voice will usually be the one which greets you when you call us!

Maeve can be contacted on maeve.bain@sdef.org.uk or by calling 01259 272064

Katrina Watson - Access Administrator We have been very fortunate to have the many talents of Katrina on our team, since having joined us in October 2013. As Access Administrator, Katrina provides support to our NIO on the Sustainability Project, but also assists SDEF with much of the IT work on our website and publications, as well as being the main point of contact for

panels with their funding applications.

Katrina can be contacted on katrina.watson@sdef.org.uk or by calling 01259 272062

Vicky Innes - SDEF Administrator Vicky is the key administrator for the Equality Unit funded side of SDEF (as opposed to Access) and has been invaluable in supporting the organisation through the many changes it has encountered since her appointment. Vicky is the principle administrative support to the CEO, but also works with the full team on activities such as our

Access Panel Conference and AGM and other events.

Vicky can be contacted on vicky.innes@sdef.org.uk or by calling 01259 272064

Meet the Directors We have a wide range of skills and experience within our Board of Directors. At present we have a retired Architect, Nurse, Business person and Health Professionals. All Directors are presently Access Panel members and have a considerable knowledge both professionally and in life experience which provides the steering of the organisation.

Please go to our website for profiles of each Director http://tinyurl.com/nrzqj56

5

SDEF News What We're Doing SDEF is continuing to work towards the removal of barriers to independent living for disabled people. The following pages outline our progress so far with our outcomes. A summary of our outcomes can be found on our website http://tinyurl.com/q9ramjb

Good Practice in the Community SDEF is working with members to explore how we can improve awareness of access in town centres across Scotland. Connecting with local Area Tourism Partnerships, we hope to promote a 'Good Practice' approach to interested shops, eateries and other local businesses. Find out more on page 13.

Inclusive Design Website Do you have an interest in accessible design? Would you like to be involved in a remote working group to advise on a new website which aims to provide better access to accessible design information, plans and articles? SDEF are looking for volunteers to give their feedback and guidance. Please contact Vicky at vicky.innes@sdef.org.uk for further information.

Euan's Guide Launched in November last year, this is a great website which provides information to disabled people on accessible venues across Scotland. SDEF is supporting Euan's Guide with a view to support panels to use their access knowledge and experience for national benefit! Go to page 30 to find out more...

Sustainability Project SDEF are currently in the process of delivering a Scotland-wide training programme which aims to provide practical support to Access Panels, promoting further growth and development. If you haven't yet booked your place, then please get in touch! Information on the programme can be found on page 24.

Paneltown The Paneltown Website template is a simple template for Access Panels to use as way of strengthening the Access Panel Network. By providing the same website template across the full Access Panel Network, we can make it easier for visitors to your website to find what they are looking for and for you to update your site regularly with news and articles

about the great work your panel does. Find out more on page 18.

6

SDEF News What We're Doing

Equality Internship Programme

SDEF and Inclusion Scotland are working jointly on a new Scottish Government funded initiative aimed at employing more disabled graduate interns in Scotland. If you are a Third Sector organisation or community group able to employ someone and have a project which you think could benefit from an intern, then go to page 8. Similarly, if you are a graduate with a disability (aged 18- 40) then find out how this could benefit you.

3rd Party Hate Crime Reporting Centres

SDEF are calling all community groups and panels who may be interested in becoming a 3rd party Hate Crime Reporting Centre. SDEF have now become a 3rd Party Hate Crime Reporting Centre. We can assist with anyone interested in becoming such a centre. You don't need to have premises and training is provided free of charge by Police Scotland. More information can be read on page 10.

Living Streets

This year, Living Streets will be working with individuals and groups on their 'Walkable Communities' project. SDEF are working with Living Streets to bring awareness of Street Audits to its members and to encourage disabled people to engage with shops, cafes and businesses in improving access to their premises. Read more on page 32.

Independent Living in Scotland

It is vital that the message of Independent Living and what it stands for, reaches all people in society, ensuring that disabled people know about and can expect to have their right to respect, choice, dignity and freedom. Alongside many organisations, SDEF are working hard to promote independent living to create a positive and tangible change in the way disabled people live, learn and work in our society.

Changing Places Scotland now has 85 Changing Places toilets in Scotland, thanks to the hard work of PAMIS and their partner groups and organisations. They are now looking to reach 100 toilets - and you could get involved with making this happen in your community. What is a Changing Places Toilet? Find out on page 9.

7

News and Policy Equality Internship Programme

SDEF is busy working on a programme which aims to improve job opportunities for graduates who have a disability. The Scottish Government funded programme, delivered by SCVO was launched in December 2013 and will continue until June 2014. SDEF and Inclusion Scotland are working together to

reach third sector organisations, charities and community groups who may benefit from taking on a graduate with a disability. This is open to all third sector groups and organisations. If you have a project which you could use help with, then please get in touch. Recruiting an intern could mean :

● the opportunity to have a specific piece of work undertaken that would not otherwise be done.

● access to a highly skilled and motivated pool of people, bringing new ideas and new thinking to your group or organisation

● access to support and resources from the Equality Internship Programme team at all times, before and during the internship, both for the intern and the employer.

Interns will benefit from completing an Equality Internship by:

● developing existing skills and acquiring new ones that will enhance their career prospects.

About the Applicants

All applicants must:

● hold a SCQF Level 8+ qualification (equivalent to an HND, first degree, SVQ Level 4)

● be unemployed; either in the first 12 months of a benefit claim (pre-Work Programme)

● or two years+ (post-Work Programme) or unemployed and not claiming benefits (but must make a claim for benefits in order to apply for an opportunity)

Even if you are a small community group or panel and don't currently employ staff, you may still be able to benefit from this scheme. Please get in touch with us for an informal chat or visit www.makingaccesswork4you.org.uk

8

News and Policy Changing Places What are Changing Places Toilets?

Changing Places toilets are specially designed for people with complex and multiple disabilities who require the help of one or two assistants.

PAMIS is a registered charity and provides a range of services to children and adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and their families. Visit their website at www.pamis.org.uk

PAMIS, through the Changing Places Consortium and along with many other organisations, has been campaigning for Changing Places toilets to be provided by local authorities and commercial organisations in all towns and cities across Scotland. In February 2009, Changing Places toilets were included in the British Standards BS8300, this means that they should be included in all new larger buildings and complexes such as:

● Large railway stations & airports ● Sports & leisure facilities ● Cultural centres such as concert halls and art galleries ● Shopping centres ● Health facilities such as hospitals

At present PAMIS have details of 92 Changing Places toilets in Scotland. Some of which were built before the new British Standard, BS 8300: 2009 was launched so they may not be as large as the standard recommends but they all have a height adjustable changing bench and a hoist. If the facility does not have all the components required of a Changing Places toilet, then there is an explanatory note.

Equality Internship Programme to promote a Changing Places toilet in your town!

SDEF and Inclusion Scotland have received funding to create employment opportunities for young disabled graduates in Scotland. If you think that your community would benefit from a Changing Places toilet (and of course it would!) get in touch with us: Tel: 01259 272063 Email: info@sdef.org.uk we can help you with your application to fund an intern to work on installing a Changing Places toilet in your area.

9

News and Policy Could your group or panel become a ... 3rd Party Hate Crime Reporting Centre?

Did you know that disability hate crime is less reported than any other type of hate crime? Some disabled people may find it difficult to report a hate crime for a number of reasons; it may be someone they know, they may not know how to report it or, as several members have explained - "that's just the way it's been".

Hate Crime is a criminal offence committed against an individual or property that is motivated by a person's hatred of someone because of his or her actual or perceived race, religion, transgender identity, sexual orientation or disability. It is wrong, it's against the law and everyone has the right to live safely and without fear.

We need to make it easier for people to report a hate-crime and to feel safe in doing so. Police Scotland is offering training, free of charge, on becoming a 3rd Party Hate Crime Reporting Centre. This means that your group or panel could provide a place in the heart of the community for people to call or come into if they have been, or fear they may become, a victim of hate crime.

SDEF have now become a 3rd Party Hate Crime Reporting Centre, and we can take you through the process of organising training to promoting hate crime reporting in your community.

Call the SDEF office to find out more about what's involved or visit the Police Scotland website at: www.sdef.org.uk/index.php/hate-crime

If you would like to see the most recent report by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, visit http://tinyurl.com/q9mwhf3

10

News and Policy Cheers to Good Practice!

The Barred! Amendment to the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 means that licensed premises will need to provide an access statement when they apply for a Liquor License.

This is a great opportunity for Access Panels to :

1. Provide an Access Statement Service to licensed premises

2. Promote Good Practice/Voluntary Access Statements in non-licensed premises (shops, cafes, etc)

Background to the Legislation In June 2010, the Barred! Amendment was passed which means that landlords will have to provide information on the accessibility of their premises when they apply for a license. This amendment was passed as part of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.

The Barred! Campaign was started by Mark Cooper, a disability activist who gathered nationwide support after he launched a Facebook site following an incident where he had to leave the licensed premises he was drinking in due to the lack of an accessible toilet. Mark brought this common issue to the fore and the campaign was latterly taken up by Capability Scotland in partnership with Mark, who, together brought about the much needed changes.

Opportunities for Access Panels : Provision of Access Statements This amendment gives us an opportunity to maximise the impact of the legislation to promote access to all, whether shopping, pubbing or eating in Scotland. It also provides Access Panels with an opportunity to establish a sustainable service provision in their communities.

When the legislation comes into effect, licensed premises will need Access Statements. Access Panels who are not already doing so, could fill that demand if they so wished.

Continued on next page

11

News and Policy Cheers to Good Practice!

What is an Access Statement? An Access statement is a description of a business' facilities and services which are provided to meet the requirements of people with access needs. This could include things like accessible toilets, parking, loop systems and lowered counters, for example. The statement should be public and inform visitors of what accessible facilities are available on the premises. It may be a document or poster on the door, or an online statement on their website - anything as long as it is easy to read and provides the information which disabled people should know.

SDEF : Access Survey/Statement Training and Support SDEF is currently offering basic Access Survey, Building Standards and Good Practice training to all Access Panels who may wish to begin providing - or to improve upon existing - access related services in their area. We are also developing an Access Survey Toolkit which will be part of the library of tools provided under the Sustainability Project.

As the need for access statements increases and support/training for panels improves, we hope that panels will consider providing access-related services as a sustainable option, for example, charging for these services.

The Barred! Legislation may be a good opportunity for Access Panels to become the main provider of Access Statements and surveys in their locality.

Non-Licensed Establishments What about establishments which do not need to apply for an alcohol license? Pubs and restaurants are only a small part of the story; shops, coffee shops and other unlicensed private sector premises do not currently have to provide information on the accessibility of their premises.

However, in the current financial climate, the food and retail sectors are working hard to increase sales and this is a good time to remind businesses of the significant spending power of disabled people, their families and friends.

Whilst the Barred! Legislation only applies to premises seeking an alcohol license, there is an opportunity here for panels to use this amendment to inform all shops, cafés and restaurants about how to be more inclusive from a voluntary perspective. This is of mutual benefit; communities have better access, and shops have increased sales. Win! Win!

Contact info@sdef.org.uk for more information.

12

News and Policy What is an Area Tourism Partnership

Area Tourism Partnerships (ATPs) Access Panels and groups can improve awareness of access by joining their local Area Tourism Partnerships. These partnerships consist of many private sector shops and companies who could benefit from having good information on how to make their premises more accessible.

ATPs were set up across the country in 2005 to drive forward local tourism priorities for the development and marketing of tourism. Once they have agreed what commitments each partner will make, they produce a local Area Tourism Action Plan, monitoring its progress over time. Involved from the outset, Access Panels can ensure that access is at the top of the agenda when it comes to planning and development in their local area.

What does the Area Tourism Partnership do? ● Drawing up and overseeing the implementation of Area Tourism Partnership

Plans that will set agreed priorities for the development and marketing of tourism ● Input to the national tourism strategy ● Securing resources to carry out the Action plan ● Acting as a link between public and private sectors ● Acting as a vehicle to engage in industry

ATPs are currently based in:

Aberdeen City and Shire Angus and Dundee Argyll and the Isles Ayrshire and Arran O rk n e y

Borders Dumfries and Galloway Edinburgh and Lothians Fife Outer Hebrides

Forth Valley Glasgow Highlands Lanarkshire Perthshire

Some ATPs are very active, others not so. We hope that together, Access Panels and SDEF will help to rejuvenate existing partnerships and create new ones where they are needed. Please contact SDEF to find out more.

13

News and Policy Consultations and other Policy News As always, we've been kept busy ensuring that proposed changes to policies and legislation reflect disabled peoples' needs. We've also kept a look out for new issues and checked back to see that our past work really did made a difference.

Community Empowerment Bill The Community Empowerment Bill consultation includes an important proposal relating to the services provided by local authorities and other public bodies. This would empower a community of interest, such as a group of disabled people, to request the public body to improve a service it provides in co-production with the group. The wide-ranging Bill also covers allotments and we're keen to see proper provision made in the legislation for disabled people with green fingers! SDEF response can be found on http://tinyurl.com/oj9ston

Scottish Planning Policy Scottish Government Planning Policy helps guide each local authority's decisions in respect of planning applications. It is therefore important for disabled people, as it can influence how roads, housing and other public spaces are built.

The Government has been consulting on a revised Scottish Planning Policy. Unfortunately, this still doesn't highlight disabled people's issues in relation to housing properly although it does in other areas such as parking. We've therefore requested that the policy is changed to include a requirement that more accessible housing is produced.

Home Report The Home Report consultation aims to seek the views and experiences of people who have used the Home Report and those that are involved in the house buying and selling system including buyers, sellers and industry professionals. It seeks opinion on the layout, content and application of the report, how useful it is and how effective it has been for users. Response to this consultation from our members was great - thank you! The SDEF response can be found on http://tinyurl.com/q5m7us6

Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill This consultation is the first step in a legal process to underpin the Scottish Welfare Fund in legislation. It also seeks views on options for independent scrutiny of decisions made by local authorities on applications to the Scottish Welfare Fund. Thank you for your opinions! The SDEF response can be found on http://tinyurl.com/ohycl4d

Update on disabled parking legislation Many of you responded to our consultation on The Disabled Persons' Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill in early 2013. This Bill is now in the Scottish Parliament and we think the final proposals are mainly good. There are still some issues to iron out before it becomes law though, and we'll be briefing MSPs about our concerns.

14

News and Policy Consultations and other Policy News Concern regarding vehicle access to Edinburgh railway stations From 20 January 2014, only a limited number of taxis and registered transport services for disabled people have been allowed to enter Edinburgh Waverley station. People with Blue Badges now need to use disabled parking bays in the New Street car park and use a lift to get step free access to the station's Market Street entrance.

Network Rail says the changes will reduce congestion, cut the risk to passengers in the station and improve air quality. The Mobility Access Committee Scotland (MACS) was consulted and it is believed that the new rules are better than a previous plan to ban all vehicles. We'll be keeping an eye on this reduction issue, along with similar plans for Edinburgh Haymarket.

A look back at Housing Back in 2010 many SDEF members contributed their views to research into housing and disabled people. Those who took part thought that the Scottish Government should increase awareness of the right to adaptations and grants. As a result, the Scottish Government asked a group of experts to look at adaptations. Their final report in 2012 recommended that local authorities should take a stronger lead in relation to adaptations. It also said that those needing adaptations should be at the heart of any decision-making process, which is not always the case currently.

A new group has been set up by the Government to trial different ways of improving the supply and funding of adaptations. We'll keep you updated about the results of their w o rk .

In the meantime, we've been performing some research of our own. We wanted to know in which housing residence adaptations are likely to be needed most. To do this we looked at Scottish Government housing statistics from 1999 to 2012.

The results show that the number of households including a disabled person that rent privately or from a housing association has doubled in 13 years! Those that own their home outright have also increased, by a half, whilst the proportion of those buying with a mortgage has stayed the same. The proportion renting from a council has halved.

With more disabled people now living in the private sector and an improved grant scheme introduced in April 2010, we wanted to know if adaptation grants had increased. We therefore looked at statistics on how much has been spent over the years on grants and how many were provided.

The good news is that both funding and grants have increased. The bad news is that the average grant sum has fallen every year since the new grant scheme was introduced. We'll be asking the Scottish Government to explain why.

Check our website for more current consultations or become an Individual Member of

SDEF to ensure you receive regular briefings on key consultations! 15

News and Policy Widespread failure to plan for disabled pupils needs Scottish schools and local authorities are failing to meet their legal duty to plan for disabled children's needs, according to new research from SDEF. The result is disabled pupils not being able to attend their local school and being separated from siblings and friends as a result, or having restrictions placed on their activities at school.

This is the finding of SDEF's research into the availability and quality of accessibility strategies, required by the Education (Scotland) Act 2002. These strategies must address disabled pupils' needs relating to the curriculum, physical access, and communication.

'Excluded: How Scotland's schools are failing to plan for disabled pupils' needs' looked at the practice of 60 state and independent providers of primary and secondary schooling. Just 2 of the 60 were able to provide an accessibility strategy that met the requirements of the 2002 Act. Only 13 in total were able to provide an up to date accessibility strategy within a month of a request for one.

The findings are significant because the Equality Act 2010 specifically excludes schools from the requirement to make reasonable adjustments to their property to meet disabled pupils' needs. The requirement to plan for accessibility in education legislation has instead been seen as sufficient.

Susan Grasekamp, SDEF's Chief Executive Officer, said:

'It's astonishing that, as equalities law stands, a bank is required to modify a branch for a disabled employee or customer, but a school does not have to adapt their building for a disabled pupil.

'Our research shows that the Scottish legislation which should be increasing access for disabled pupils is being largely ignored. We want to see education providers, Education Scotland and the Scottish Government taking this legislation seriously and working with local partners such as Access Panels to make schools more accessible.

'Correctly implemented, the legislation could both improve access on a practical level and engage pupils who will become tomorrow's architects and planners with the important concept of designing inclusively for all.

'Positive and proactive joint working with local partners such as Access Panels could go a long way to achieving a positive and lasting shift in how we provide access to education for all of our children in Scotland'

The full report 'Excluded: How Scotland's schools are failing to plan for disabled pupil's needs' can be downloaded from our website http://tinyurl.com/ng9t9jj

The response report to our consultation can also be downloaded from our website http://tinyurl.com/nnjsneq

16

News and Policy Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) With a report being due this year from the UN Committee, we have an increasing number of members asking about what the UNCRPD is and how it works to serve disabled people.

What is the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is an international agreement that sets out the rights of disabled people and the responsibilities of nations to protect and promote these rights. The Convention seeks and requires that nations do everything they can to ensure that disabled people can live with the same choices, dignity, fairness and respect as any other member of society.

What are the Principles of the Convention? Disabled people have the right to be free from discrimination in the enjoyment of their rights. This includes the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of disability, but also on any other basis such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Article 3 of the agreement sets out the General Principles that apply to the enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities. The full agreement can be downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/599r5h.

Have your Say! Get Involved! The implementation of the Convention is monitored at a national and international level. The UN Committee does this at an international level by reviewing reports made by each state.

In Scotland, the Scottish Human Rights Commission and Equality and Human Rights Commission are the focal points in Scotland for ensuring that the Convention is implemented. At Scottish Government level, the Equality Unit is the focal point.

As someone affected by disability, we would like you to tell us what you feel is working and what needs to change in Scotland by completing our questionnaire, link below (other formats available). It won't take long but will really help to guide the powers that be on areas such as Health and Social Care, Justice and Safer Communities, Housing and Built Environment, Education and Employability. Thank you!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5KKJMCD

17

Access Panel Network Paneltown is here! There are just under 50 Access Panels across Scotland, all working hard to remove barriers to equality in their own communities. As part of our work to strengthen this Access Panel Network, we have created the Paneltown website template - a simple design for all panels to use. It's a way of making it easier for panels who are not yet on the internet, to have a website, and for those who already have one, to update it should they wish to.

What Benefits are there to all Panels using the same Template for their Website?

● Portability: it will be easier for visitors to find what they need on panel websites if they have the same layout

● SDEF can offer help and advice with your website as the same template is being used

● Really importantly, it strengthens the Access Panel Network by bringing them together under the same template.

● Panels will be able to update their own websites easily, saving money on web developer costs.

What do Panels need to do? Panels only need to have an idea of what they want to say about themselves and pass it to us. SDEF will arrange everything. The website development will be paid for through Scottish Government Access Panel Grant funding.

We have arranged training on how to use the website so that Panels will be able to update their own website easily; whether it's a news article, new members, or some pictures of what you have achieved in your community. This training is part of a Scotland-wide project which SDEF is running over 2014/15. (See more under the Sustainability Project).

So how do we get started? Just contact katrina.watson@sdef.org.uk and we will work with you to get your website up and running. Have a look at www.yourpanelname.org to see what the template looks like.

Currently, you can visit Badenoch & Strathspey Access Panel (www.strathspeyaccesspanel.org) who have finished their website, with West Dunbartonshire and Angus not far behind.

We do hope your Access Panel will be next!

18

Access Panel Network Renfrewshire Access Panel Tel: 07747036028 Email: renfrewshireaccesspanel@hotmail.com

Public Partnership Forum Stephen Cruickshank, the Access Panel Chairperson was invited to join the Public Partnership Forum (PPF) as an executive member on behalf of the local disabled community ensuring that their voices could be heard.

Access Panel Training - Dumfries John Thomas and Stephen Cruickshank attended the SDEF two day training course in Dumfries, The course provides an introductory training to access audits which both John and Stephen have passed with flying colours and they still have two more modules to go. The next module will take place in July again in Dumfries.

Glasgow Airport - Omniserv The secretary and vice-chair were invited to a meeting with Dave Nash and Carrie Docherty at Omniserve as we had not been in contact for some time. Dave and Carrie gave us an update of what Omniserve had been doing advising of the changes they have made to the assistance service and the future plans they have for the assistance service.

We are now working on a project with Omniserv and Engage Renfrewshire to promote volunteering opportunities within Glasgow Airport for people with Disabilities.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Access Panel Secretary.

Scottish Air Ambulance The Access Panel went to the new purpose built hanger for the Scottish Air Ambulance where we met Ann Tobin and Andy Moir, we were then shown round the hanger and got a first hand view of the new Aircraft for 10 minutes before it had to leave to go and collect a patient. Andy Moir then gave a great presentation on the air ambulance service giving the history and the future for the service explaining the costs involved when using one of the aircrafts.

19

Access Panel Network South Ayrshire Access Panel Email: cmgdunlop@googlemail.com

The 4Ayrshire Joint Meeting - March 2014

South Ayrshire, Cumnock & Doon Valley, Kilmarnock & District and North Ayrshire meet twice a year to review what is happening in Ayrshire.

Items on the agenda included an update from Fiona Ross, Environmental Strategy Office, South Ayrshire Council, on the development of Belleisle Estate, Ayr. The plans will include an accessible adult 'changing room' (there are none in South Ayrshire to date), multi-age/ability play equipment and it has been suggested that a recharging point for wheelchairs and scooters would be a good idea.

'Reports from the Panels' gives an insight into the work being undertaken by the four panels and an opportunity to share experiences and contacts.

The tasks are varied and include new schools, leisure centres, retail outlets and contrasts on shop fronts. Scot Rail is in the forefront with the refusal to carry certain sizes of scooter on its trains. Dumfries House, Cumnock, has been developing a new outward bound centre and visitor centre and walled garden. It has also been suggested that Kentucky Fried Chicken should have lowered counters. All of these issues involve the panels in some depth. Nearly all the Panels are experiencing a shortage of new members and are finding it difficult to take on extra work.

The next 4Ayrshire joint meeting will be hosted by Kilmarnock & District Panel sometime later this year.

20

Access Panel Network West Dunbartonshire Access Panel Tel: 01389 382 067 Email: accesspanel.wd@live.co.uk

West Dunbartonshire Access Panel has been very busy over the last few months. We are also pleased to have four new members join us for our first meeting of 2014.

The work is now completed on the new Health and Care centre in Alexandria and already it has won awards for design and accessibility. Due to our panel's input we are now going to be working on three new care homes and another health centre along with a centre for young disabled people, so exciting times ahead!

Clackmannanshire Disability Awareness Group Tel: 01259 272018 Email: alisterdag@gmail.com

The Disability Awareness Group (DAG) have attended a few events recently.

DAG was invited to attend a reception at the Houses of Parliament by the Woodland Trust. They were invited because DAG took part in the Woodland Trust 'Visit Woods' project. The reception was a celebration to mark the end of this five year project designed to promote the health benefits of visiting woodlands.

The group was also invited by the National Trust for Scotland to test out the new interactive displays at the Bannockburn Heritage Centre in advance of the official opening on the 1 March.

If you are living with a disability or supporting someone who has a disability please consider joining DAG. For a membership application please contact Alister Scott, Tel: 01259 272018, Email: alisterdag@gmail.com

21

Access Panel Network Falkirk Area Disability Access Panal (FADAP) Tel: 01324 880498 Email: soniamclay@blueyonder.co.uk

Falkirk area assessment Group will be now known as Falkirk Area Disability Access Panel (FADAP) as part of our new branding initiative. The group must be commended for all the hard work they have done until n o w.

Resurrecting the "Guide to Accessible Toilets in the Falkirk Area" This project is ongoing and being coordinated by Jennie McCartney, who has been visiting toilets in the Falkirk Area and has been recording her findings for the groups .

Addressing local transport and parking Jennie has been actively researching the number of Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in the Falkirk area; this is a result of a change in Falkirk Councils policy on taxis. In the past new taxis were required to be Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) however the new policy update now encourages taxi owners to go green and purchase a hybrid option. This change has had a negative impact on the community as taxi owners are opting for the hybrids when replacing their vehicles. We are monitoring the changes and impact on the community and will report back in 2015.

Buses also pose challenges for members of the disabled community and Jennie has been in touch with First bus to raise our concerns, which they have taken on board by providing disability awareness training for the drivers.

Parking for WAV's - a number of our members and members of the public have experienced difficulties when parking in the Falkirk area, a WAV requires more space than a conventional disabled bay, to allow from the back of the vehicle for wheel chairs.

Assisting local organisations with Access for All Access to restaurants and bars can be a challenge when there is a step and no ramp. A number of organisations make reasonable provisions however we need to address this on a local level. We will encourage them to address access to their buildings and services. A number of easy fix cost effective solutions are available and we will be working on this aspect over the coming year.

Developing links with other groups in the Falkirk Area Walk's for all is a new initiative in Falkirk led by Kevin Hutton and the Helix, walks are every Friday at 11am at the Westfield community stadium.

Annual General Meeting Our AGM will take place at the Falkirk Council Chambers on Friday 30 May 2014, where the provost will hopefully attend as honorary President of FADAP.

22

Access Panel Network SDEF Grants for Access Panels

We've made some changes

SDEF have improved the way in which Access Panels can access and use the grant fund from Scottish Government. This is to make it easier for Access Panels to use the grants in ways which are more suited to their needs.

We currently have two grants: the Discretionary Grant and the Distribution Grant. These grants have been combined into one Access Panel Grant.

Discretionary Grant + Distribution

Grant = Access Panel Grant

Max £2000

From this Grant, Access Panels can claim up to £2000 per year (2014/15). We listened to your comments and have now extended the criteria to include:

● Travel Expenses ● Insurance (e.g. Professional Indemnity) ● Running costs, e.g. rent ● Communication/Secretarial Support ● Room Hire/Meetings expenses ● PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) Certificates (previously Disclosure)

Your Access Panel Grant can be used for any activity which can be shown to directly promote your panel or to assist in its development, or that of its members in relation to their panel activities. This could be anything from equipment to printing costs or training. Each application is considered on its own merit, and panels must continue to provide quotes/invoices to support their funding request. Further information will be sent to you shortly.

Remember that SDEF are here to support you all the way. Contact us if you would like more information about this, or any other aspect of your panel. www.sdef.org.uk Tel: 01259 272064 or email accessinfo@sdef.org.uk

23

Access Panel Network Access Panel Sustainability Project Training Programme

The Scottish Disability Equality Forum's aim as the 'umbrella' organisation for Access Panels is to support their long-term sustainability.

Sustainability, or survival, whatever we call it, comes from maximising opportunity. This can be achieved through continual growth - increasing the number and diversity of people involved, improving skills and knowledge, and sharing and delivering good practice.

Access Panels provide the voice of disabled people at a local level. Some Panels also contribute on a national level, or participate in policy development and service delivery improvement across multiple areas.

Access Panels have already made a huge difference to the daily lives of disabled people, and SDEF aim to support Panels to help ensure this good work continues into the future.

We also recognise the importance of telling people about what you do through promotion and marketing. We must make sure we provide evidence of the positive change to those who award funding. This will encourage them to keep giving Access Panels the money they do, and open doors for new funding opportunities.

The Programme SDEF carried out an audit of Access Panels in 2012. This audit showed that many Access Panels members have a huge variation of skills and knowledge that could be shared. It also showed that many members would benefit from learning new skills.

To enable this to happen, SDEF has organised a training programme, which will run from February 2014 to March 2015. The training will be carried out in three phases, Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced. It will be held over two days in eight locations across Scotland.

The training programme will include sessions on: ● Disability Equality ● Membership and Recruitment ● Business Management ● IT Skills ● Building Regulations ● Access Statements

Continued on next page 24

Access Panel Network Access Panel Sustainability Project Training Programme

The Programme The training will be provided by The Scottish Borders Social Enterprise, ABT Safety Ltd and the SDEF National Inclusion Officer. All trainers have skills and knowledge in the areas, have previous training experience and have worked with Access Panels. Some are Access Panel members themselves.

SDEF would like to encourage Panels to participate in the training programme. This is a fantastic opportunity for new and longstanding mem- bers alike to increase their knowledge. You may even wish to take this opportunity to invite new members onto your Panel.

Dates and Locations

(Tuesday/Wednesday) Introductory Intermediate Advanced South West Highland Central South East Islands North West West & Glasgow

11/02/14 25/02/14 11/03/14 08/04/14 22/04/14 06/05/14 19/05/14

15/07/14 16/09/14 12/08/14 09/09/14 23/09/14 07/10/14 21/10/14

02/12/14 25/11/14 06/01/15 03/02/15 17/02/15 03/03/15 17/03/15

Please note accessible venues are currently being sought. Dates may vary slightly to meet accommodation requirements.

Updates on our Training Programme for 2014/15 will be posted on our website, or you can contact us direct for more information:

Katrina Watson, Access Administrator, SDEF Email: katrina.watson@sdef.org.uk Telephone: 01259 272062 Or Yvonne Wemyss, National Inclusion Officer, SDEF Email: yvonnewemyss-sdef@hotmail.co.uk

25

Local News Autism and Ethics Conference Friday May 16 2014, Smithton Church, Murray Road, Inverness. IV2 YUBA This is advance notice of a conference to be held in Inverness, May 16 2014. Times and costs will be available shortly. For further details; how to book, cost and timings, please see www.arghighland.co.uk

This conference aims to step away from theory and achieve a practical understanding of what ethics in relation to autism practice really means. We hope to promote discussion and build bridges between attendees from across the Autism community. The event aims to attract Autistic speakers that are at the cutting edge of research, policy and practice concerning ethics and rights.

Who is running the conference? This event will be led and co-ordinated by ARGH (Autism Rights Group Highland) in partnership with The National Autistic Society Scotland.

Our two organisations have joined together to promote joint working and to show that working with Autistic people as partners can be beneficial to everyone involved; we aim to improve relationships between the Autistic community and the wider Autism community through successful partnership working with a mutually beneficial outcome.

Who should attend? This conference will be of interest and benefit to Autistic people, parents, paid and unpaid Carers, other professionals and anyone else with an interest in Autism.

What are our desired outcomes? We aim to enable people to leave the conference thinking differently about Autistic people.

We want to have an impact on the practice of professionals through thoughtful reflection, discussion and independent professional development.

We would like parents and Carers to hear Autistic people speaking as valued professionals and to be given the chance for discussion and networking with the other attendees: Autistic people, other parents, Carers and professionals.

We would also like to give the chance for reflection and strengthening of identity / networks to Autistic people on their own terms.

26

Local News Homelands Trust-Fife hosts Partnership Seminar

Ruth Davidson, MSP and Leader of the Scottish Conservatives, is a local lass who grew up in Lundin Links prior to her university days. She delivered the keynote speech at a Homelands Trust-Fife Partnership Seminar on Monday 27 January 2014.

In her speech, Ms Davidson said, "Homelands is an exciting project that will provide a valuable service for anyone affected by disability both locally and from further afield".

The seminar was hosted by the Homelands Trust-Fife, a registered charity based in Lundin Links which works to engage with other organisations and individuals interested in working with the trustees to develop services for a disability drop-in centre in the seaside village. The centre, to be known as the Paxton Centre in memory of the late Isobel Paxton whose generous legacy has funded the build, will offer a range of services to people affected by a disability, long-term condition or life-limiting illness, including family members and Carers.

Alongside the centre are four purpose-built, luxury, self-catering holiday cottages designed to meet the access needs of disabled people. The concept of having a self-catering holiday facility on the same site as a drop-in centre for people with a range of disabilities and long-term conditions is thought to be unique. No other facility in Scotland offers both on the same site.

Two workshops followed that were designed to identify potential partners in the delivery of services, to gather information from participants and to enable the trustees to plan and draw up priorities.

Building work has progressed well on the site and the contractors, Campion Homes, are on schedule to have the buildings ready to hand over to the trust in the summer. The work will then begin to furnish the Paxton Centre and the cottages to the same high standard as the buildings themselves.

For further information about the project or the Trust:

T: 01333 320864 (Secretary) M: 07563101 226 (Chair) E: homelandstrust@live.co.uk.

Article submitted from Individual Member MS Jan McDonald

27

Local News Free support from Borders Carers Centre

If you provide assistance to a friend, family member, neighbour or relative who could not manage otherwise, due to illness, disability, frailty or addiction, then YOU are a Carer. This means that, if you live in the Scottish Borders, free support is available to you from The Borders Carers Centre.

In 2012, The Borders Carers Centre received funding from the Change Fund to enable us to enhance the

service we offer and, from January that year, we started carrying out the Carers Assessments. As a Carers only legal right, it was important that we got this absolutely right for Carers.

A Carers Assessment is a chance for the Carer to chat with a Carers Support Worker from the Carers Centre about the help and support they may need to enable them to care in a healthy, happy way. This is a totally separate assessment from the Social Work Assessment and the person cared for does not need to be receiving a service from social work for the Carer to be entitled to a Carers assessment in their own right. The Carer does not have to be in receipt of Carers allowance to be eligible. The only criteria to receive an assessment from us is that you live in the Scottish Borders, paying council tax to Scottish Borders Council.

The Carers Assessment will identify areas where the Carer may benefit from some support or assistance. This may be assistance to apply for extra funds, essential aids and equipment, a holiday, respite, a referral to Red Cross or a benefits check. The Carer will also be given plenty of emotional and practical support as well as access to peer support groups, days out and special events to help alleviate some of the

"For once, I didn't feel conscious of time The Carer Support Worker had all the time in the world to just

listen to ME. I have my self-esteem and my personality back. I'm able to ask for what I need now, and I know I'm not

alone."

stresses caring for someone 24 hours a day can bring.

Since the Change Fund was in place, there has been a 65% increase in the completion of Carers Assessments, and all Carers who have completed the Quality of Life Report have reported feeling less stressed, both physically and mentally.

If you live in the Scottish Borders, you can refer yourself to the Carers Centre - just by picking up the phone and dialling 01896 752431 for a chat. If you do not live in the Scottish Borders, speak to your local Carers Centre and ask how you can receive a carers assessment.

www.borderscarerscentre.co.uk 28

Local news Blairgowrie and District Next Steps Wednesday (Stride for Life) Walks The Wednesday Walks Programme has returned for 2014. Of these we have a core of approximately 60 people walking with us every week. The Wednesday Walks take place on short, low level, and sometimes urban routes with a duration of about an hour to an hour and a half. They are intended as an introduction to walking with a definite social feel and a chance for a chat over coffee or tea afterwards. There are usually two choices each week: a shorter walk for those who prefer a slower pace and who are perhaps recovering from illness or have a long term condition, and another for a medium/fast pace covering a slightly longer distance. Some of the routes are buggy and wheelchair friendly. The Walk Leaders are all volunteers and are appropriately qualified Outdoor First Aiders.

The walks are open to all, however those coming for the first time are required to complete a Registration Form and brief health questionnaire. If in any doubt about your fitness for a walk please consult your GP or other medical advisor. Participants should meet at Blairgowrie Townhall at 9.15am. The walkers usually return around 11.30pm for refreshments. The Wednesday Walks give people an opportunity to develop and take on more challenging events held on other days during the week.

There is a fee of £4 per person which covers the hire of the Townhall, bus hire and refreshments.

Further information is available on www.badns.org or by telephoning Nick or Sue Cole on 01828 640763.

West of Scotland Wheelchair Sports Club Our Club is open to anyone with a physical disability who would enjoy playing Wheelchair Sport. Our members attend training sessions for Wheelchair Tennis at Scotstoun Leisure Centre. They are run by qualified coaches and also very experienced players.

The West of Scotland Wheelchair Basketball Team aka West of Scotland Warriors has been running for over 30 years. You could find a new fun and inclusive way to get fit and meet people you wouldn't otherwise meet.

If you would like to find out more, "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WOSWarriors or follow us on Twitter @WOSWarriors. Please also visit our website http://westofscotlandwheelchairsportsclub.btck.co.uk

29

Other news Euans Guide

SDEF is delighted to announce a new partnership with Euan's Guide - the brand new disabled access reviews website.

They aim to provide a service to disabled people and very much hope Access Panels will find it useful and worthwhile too.

What is Euan's Guide? www.EuansGuide.com went live on 1 November 2013. Euan MacDonald, Founder and himself a powerchair user, says "The goal of Euan's Guide is to provide a friendly, honest and empowering alternative to hours of web searching and phone calls and, most importantly, remove the 'fear of the unknown' when visiting a place for the first time."

They already have over 250 reviews and venues listed in over 75 towns and cities across the UK and plan to go international as soon as possible in 2014. Edinburgh is currently the most reviewed Scottish city which at this early stage demonstrates how useful the site can be to people that live in, work in or visit the city.

December was a busy month for Euan's Guide as not only did they put in place the foundations of the partnership but they featured on STV and had Professor Stephen Hawking endorse the site. "EuansGuide.com helps people with disabilities and their Carers give an open and honest account of a venue's accessibility, good or bad. This means that users can check before they go whether a venue will cater for their needs. The site will make a huge difference for people across the UK, giving them a reliable source of information to help plan their leisure, personal and business activities".

How will this work? This partnership will provide all Access Panels with an online platform to publish disabled access reviews and access statements.

It's an easy to use and accessible website, it's absolutely free and the information that you provide will be accredited to your local Access Panel.

In addition to inviting reviews from individuals, they're asking all venues to list their accessibility information on the site too - so if you know of any venues with barrier-free access don't forget to mention it to them too.

It's free for venues to list as well as all individuals to use and is very much designed as a positive resource and knowledge bank for disabled people, their friends and families.

Continued on next page

30

Other news Euans Guide - Get Involved! What to do next?

Do you currently have a list of local venues that you have reviewed that includes their access details? Send it over to the Euan's Guide team and they will publish it on their site and give credit to your Access Panel. (NB They can accept most formats, including printed information.)

A longer term goal is to provide an easy to use tool to publish Access Statements for venues - more information on this will be following shortly.

Check out the website now at www.EuansGuide.com

For more information and to get you and your Access Panel involved, please contact Paul Ralph - paul.ralph@euansguide.com.

About Euan

Aged 29, Euan MacDonald was given 12 months to live. 10 years later he's pleased to launch Euan's Guide.

"In 2003, I noticed a loss of power in my thumb when trying to change gear on my bike. It seemed innocuous at the time but two months later I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. I now use a wheelchair and ventilator but my condition has progressed slowly. I am one of the lucky ones.

I came up with the idea of Euan's Guide because I wanted to go out for a drink with some friends, I wanted to go somewhere new and I couldn't find any information on accessible bars locally.

I would love it to be a place where we can routinely help each other by recommending places to go, I want Euan's Guide to become a useful part of people's lives..."

31

Other news Living Streets

Living Streets is the national charity that stands up for pedestrians. With our supporters we work to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk. We have been the national voice for pedestrians throughout our 80-year history. In the early years, our campaigning led to the introduction of the driving test, pedestrian crossings and 30mph speed limits.

Living Streets believes that 'Walkable Communities' are communities where people of all ages and abilities are comfortably able to make short journeys on foot and where people with disabilities can access footways and pavements with ease. We campaign to improve conditions for all pedestrians - most recently rallying support to influence the UK government to change the guidance for pedestrian crossing times to 'Give Us Time to Cross' by increasing crossing times by three seconds. Find out more about our activities from our website www.livingstreets.org.uk

In Scotland, our recent campaigns activity has included the production of a short video to highlight the plight of wheelchair users on the streets of Edinburgh and emphasising the importance of designing and maintaining our streets so everyone can get around. Find it by searching for 'Creating Streets for All Living Streets video' or http://tinyurl.com/qgvjqsa

We are also very keen for like minded local groups to partner with us to promote pedestrian issues in their area and help us work towards creating better streets for everyone. One way for established groups such as Access Panels to get involved, have your say, and lend weight to our campaigning activity is to become an Affiliated Group. By affiliating, you will become part of a growing community of groups and organisations demanding change in our villages, towns and cities. Find out more and affiliate your group at http://tinyurl.com/nwu9bul

In the spring, we will be taking forward the next year of our successful Walkable Communities Project. Walkable Communities supports communities to improve their local walking environments and encourage more everyday walking. They use our highly commended Community Street Audits to help evaluate and improve the quality of streets and spaces from the viewpoint of the people who use them, rather than those who manage them.

Walkable Communities starts up again in April, and if you'd be interested to find out more about the project, or about supporting any audits in your area, affiliating your group, our crossings campaign or any of our other activities, then please take a look at our website at www.livingstreets.org.uk/living-streets-scotland, or contact our Communities Coordinator at penny.morriss@livingstreets.org.uk

32

Other news Message in a Bottle

Message in a Bottle was introduced to parts of Great Britain during the late 1990s.

Many thousands of Bottles have since been distributed by a range of statutory and voluntary organisations e.g NHS Health Improvement Teams, Community Safety Partnerships, Rotary Great Britain and Ireland, Lions Clubs International and some individual projects.

The President of the Lions Clubs International reported in 2012 that their distribution had reached 1.4 million Bottles since the year 2000.

Message in a Bottle is a very simple idea. You collect your own Bottle from a local supplier e.g. a Health Centre or Surgery, Library, Pharmacy, Access Panel, Carers Centre, some health service teams, or an organisation like the Rotary.

The Bottle contains a form which allows you to record personal details, medical conditions, contacts and any other special information. The form is put into the container and placed in the fridge, in a door compartment, where it will be safe and quickly found.

The Bottle also contains one, or two, green stickers. It is essential that a green sticker is stuck to the outside of the fridge door.

Emergency services are trained to look for the distinctive green cross label if they attend your house. If you have two stickers place the other one somewhere that would be very obvious to emergency personnel, perhaps on the door jamb leading into the kitchen.

On no account should a sticker be put in a window or door where it is visible to the outside.

The information in the Bottle allows the emergency services to decide appropriate treatment for you:

● They will be able to see what your medical conditions are. ● It will inform them if you are deaf or hard of hearing. ● If you have difficulty with speech, or if English is not your first language. ● They will have an emergency contact for you, ● and even who has been allocated to look after your pet if you have to go to

hospital.

The Bottles are free. You just need to ensure the form is filled in and updated if your circumstances or medical details change.

33

Other news Sense Scotland - Support in the Early Years

Sense Scotland now has an Early Years team involving two Early Years Advisors and an Early Years Development Officer.

Funded by the Scottish Government the Early Years team have developed a national programme of early intervention and support to families who have young children with complex communication support needs.

The team support families who live in Scotland who care for a child between 0 and eight who has communication support needs because of sensory impairment including deaf blindness, learning and/or physical disabilities. We offer free support and advice to families in their home or in community settings, whilst working together with colleagues in health, education, social work and other voluntary agencies to share resources and ideas to best support children and their families.

Gwen Auchterlonie is the Early Years Advisor covering the East of Scotland, Gillian Nicolson is the Early Years Advisor covering the West of Scotland and Rachael Grant is the Early Years Development Officer.

For further information and contact details please visit our website: www.sensescotland.org.uk/what-we-do/support/early-years.aspx

Technology that helps you take control of your life...

SDEF has invited SOL Connect (Support for Ordinary Living) to attend our 'Scotland Online: Access for All' event due to happen later this year. SOL Connect is an innovative company using assistive technology in improving supported living .

They provide a wide range of assistive technology products that can be tailored to the persons needs and can be used in conjunction with SOL Connect's iQare hub. The hub is a touch screen computer that is linked to SOL Connect support staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week giving the person instant access to the type of support that they want when they need it.

The success of the SOL Connect is down to the way that they work with a person. They spend time getting to know the people that they work for to fully understand how they want to be supported. They consider how the person wants to live their life and identify technology that can assist the person to do this.

If you would like to find out how you can take advantage of the very latest technology contact SOL Connect today on 01698 314026, e-mail info@sol-connect.org or visit www.forliving.org/sol-connect

34

Other news NEW online debt and money resource UPDATE Disability Information Scotland has launched a new online debt and money resource dedicated to supporting disabled people.

The new resource provides comprehensive information on sources of help and advice for people struggling with debt and money worries it directs them to the right support that is available free of charge.

The new section is available online at www.update.org.uk/page.php?page=803 and includes information on:

● Money advice - where to get free, confidential advice ● An A-Z list of free Money advice services within Scottish Local Authorities ● Debt solutions - including budget planners ● Credit Unions ● Foodbanks

For more information, please contact UPDATE's helpline on 0131 669 1600 or info@update.org.uk.

Dismay at Scottish public's poor stroke awareness The Stroke Association is dismayed that over a quarter (26.4%) of the public who took part in a recent poll do not know what a stroke is. The charity asked over 1,200 people where a stroke happens in the body in the lead up to Brain Awareness Week (10 - 14 March) and was shocked to discover that 15% wrongly

thought that stroke happened in the heart and 6% thought stroke happened in the chest.

Elspeth Molony, Deputy Director Scotland said:

"Stroke is a brain attack. It happens when blood circulation to the brain fails. One in six of us will have a stroke so it is crucial that we increase awareness so more people understand what a stroke is and how to recognise the symptoms of stroke."

The charity also asked people what they would do if they thought someone was having a stroke. The Stroke Association was pleased to find that over 90% of participants in the poll knew to treat stroke as a medical emergency and to dial 999.

For more information on stroke and support available contact the Stroke Helpline on: 0303 3033 100.

For further information, case studies, interviews and images please contact Angela

Macleod on 0131 555 7244 or email Angela.MacLeod@stroke.org.uk 35

Scottish Disability Equality Forum is grateful for the generosity of its sponsors and their ongoing support as we work together toward achieving the goals of the organisation.

If you are interested in sponsoring our magazine 'Open Door', please complete our online registration form - www.sdef.org.uk/index.php/our-sponsors Alternatively, please contact Susan Grasekamp, Manager for further information on susan.grasekamp@sdef.org.uk

Open Door is published by

Scottish Disability Equality Forum Office 2/5, The e-Centre Cooperage Way Alloa FK10 3LP Tel: 01259 272064 Fax: 01259 272065

SDEF is Registered in Scotland as a Company Limited by Guarantee with Charitable Status Charity Number SC031893, Company Number SC243392

Patron: Tricia Marwick MSP

Open Door is available in alternative formats on request

Any comments made in any contributed articles do not necessarily reflect the policy or the views of SDEF.

Scottish Disability Equality Forum is funded by the Scottish Government

36