Information Bulletin
March 2014
National Day of Action Against Atos – Manchester Joins In
On 19 February, over 100
disabled people and nondisabled allies made their
feelings known in a lively
demonstration outside the
Atos office, at Albert Bridge
House in central Manchester.
There was a good
representation of
organisations from
Manchester, including
Photo by Tom Armstrong, banner by
GMCDP, WCA Action Group, Steve Graby, Daira Hopwood, Allie Cat
Unite, members of mental
& Greta Schultz.
health user groups, other
disabled people’s groups and disabled individuals.
Anne Rae from GMCDP and Tom Griffiths from WCA Action Group both
spoke about the injustice of the Work Capability Assessment and the
inhumane and humiliating way the assessments are carried out.
The demonstration was friendly and upbeat, with protest songs performed
by a musician, and demonstrators chanting. A minute’s silence was held
in respect for and remembrance of those who have died shortly after, and
committed suicide because of, WCA assessments.
Katie Cragg, Project Worker in the Including Young Disabled People’s
Project at GMCDP, said: “It was good to see such a great number of
people coming together to make their voices heard and share their
experiences of the WCA and Atos, the feeling of solidarity was
marvellous. Expressing our anger and outrage at how disabled people are
being treated was only one element of the demonstration. The feeling of
shared experience and making links with each other for peer support was
also invaluable. I would definitely encourage anyone to get out and join a
demo.”
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The Sad Loss of Two GMCDP Members
Bev Burkitt
We are sorry to tell you that Bev Burkitt died at the end of December. Bev
was one of the first young disabled people’s project workers for GMCDP
in the early 90s, and continued her involvement for several years before
moving away from Manchester. Bev’s contribution to disability arts
through her writing and performance with the Nasty Girls will also be
remembered. GMCDP’s thoughts are with Bev’s daughter Jasmine, her
parents and family.
Marion Wood
Marion was a member of GMCDP for many years, almost since GMCDP’s
inception. Although Marion was not well enough to be involved in GMCDP
for the last few years, her earlier contribution will be remembered. Marion
was also on the Board of New Breed Theatre Company. GMCDP’s
thoughts are with Marion’s partner, Lizzy Gent.
Victory over Access to Theatre
Doug Pauli and a group of other disabled people from a Leonard Cheshire
residential home in Leeds have successfully challenged the SMG
entertainment group over theatre tickets for Personal Assistants (PAs).
The York Barbican wanted to charge the group full price for tickets for
their PAs when going to see Bill Bailey. Doug argued that this is
discriminatory because it means disabled people who need PAs pay
double to see the same show as non-disabled people not requiring a PA.
On the night before the case was due to go to court the SMG
entertainment group acknowledged that they had discriminated against
disabled people.
This should have a wider impact on theatre ticket policies.
An article can be found on The York Press website:
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10991417.Disabled_customer_wins_Yor
k_Barbican_legal_challenge/?ref=ms
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New Platform for Debate around Independent Living
A WordPress blog has been set up as a space for
debate around independent living. The
information on the page says:
“This blog has been created by Neil Crowther as
an open platform to share thoughts and ideas
about the future of independent living. It operates
according to one main rule: contributions must
seek to, ‘make hope possible rather than despair
convincing’.”
The blog is at:
http://theindependentlivingdebate.wordpress.com
Neil Crowther
Human Rights Committee Criticises Government over Independent
Living
In a report published on 27 January, the Joint Committee on Human
Rights suggested the government should use the Care Bill going through
Parliament to ensure that, “all providers of publicly arranged or paid-for
social care services are bound by the Human Rights Act.” This would
include support provided in people’s homes and residential homes. It also
includes all support not classified under the National Assistance Act 1948.
The committee said it is disappointed that the government did not use this
Bill to ensure, “a free-standing, enforceable right to independent living.”
The committee suggested an amendment should be put forward at the
Commons Report stage to remedy this, and the Wellbeing Principle in part
1 of the Bill should refer to independent living. This would not enshrine the
right in law, but would give leverage to challenge a local authority.
For more detail, and links to the report, go to:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/jointselect/human-rights-committee/news/care-bill-substantive/
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Legal Commentary on the Care Bill
Belinda Schweh, a consultant and trainer on health and law, has put free
commentary on her website about the Care Bill, which is currently going
through Parliament.
To find links to the documents, go to:
http://ec2-54-247-64-73.eu-west1.compute.amazonaws.com/Public/PublicPublication.aspx
European Commitment to Reduce Institutional Living
In December 2013, the European
Council and European Parliament
formed a commitment to support
“transition from institutional to,
community-based care,” in the new
regulations for the EU Cohesion Policy
Investment. This is funding available to
all EU countries.
This means between 2014 and 2020, European funds should not be used
to continue institutions, but to introduce more community-based living
opportunities for disabled people.
It gives European states the chance to use European funding to cover the
cost of transition from residential living to community-based living choices
for disabled people – which is crucial at a time when all governments are
looking for ways to reduce costs – and disabled people’s independent
living seems to be an easy target.
For more information, go to the European Network on Independent Living
website: www.enil.eu
Older People being Moved from Europe to Thailand
The BBC has highlighted an emerging trend in some European countries,
of moving older people, particularly with dementia, to residential and
nursing homes in other countries such as Thailand.
The argument is that the cost is much less than in, for example, Sweden
or Germany, and the quality of care given much higher than in those
countries.
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For more detail, and a link to an Alzheimer’s Society report showing that
around 80% of older people in residential homes have significant memory
loss or dementia, go to:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25438325
Proud, Strong and Visible – Promoting Choice, Control and
Participation of Disabled People in Europe
This project, led by the European Network on
Independent Living, will run during 2014 and will
support the implementation of Article 19 (living
independently and being included in the community)
of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (CRPD). This obliges states to facilitate
the full inclusion and participation of disabled people
in the community, by ensuring that they, “have
access to a range of in-home, residential and other
community support services, including personal
assistance necessary to support living and inclusion in the community.”
ENIL has identified several main objectives for the project, including:
 To provide evidence based advice to policy and decision makers at the
national and EU level about making the transition from institutional care
to community living, with a focus on personal assistance;
 To build a business case for the transition from institutional care to
community living by comparing the cost of personal assistance and
residential care through a European survey;
 To strengthen the involvement of young disabled people in the
Independent Living movement at the local, national and European level
and to identify the key challenges in accessing employment and
education;
 To monitor the situation of disabled people in the EU, candidate and
potential candidate countries, focusing on progress towards deinstitutionalisation and the impact of austerity measures on disabled
people;
 To tackle discrimination against disabled people by raising awareness
about disability hate crime.
For more information, go to: www.enil.eu
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Further Court Case over Bedroom Tax
A couple from Sandwell are challenging the
‘bedroom tax’ in court. This is after an
Appeal Court decided in January that the
‘bedroom tax’ is justifiable discrimination
against disabled adults, because Discretionary Housing Payments are
available.
Sandwell take Disability Living Allowance into account when assessing
disabled people for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP). The
Solicitors, Irwin Mitchell, are assisting the couple to argue that it is against
equality and human rights legislation. The couple receives less
Discretionary Housing Payment because they receive Disability Living
Allowance, and so have to use some of their DLA to pay their rent. The
couple is willing to move to a smaller property, but none is available.
To see the detail of the case, go to:
http://www.irwinmitchell.com/newsandmedia/2014/January/Green-LightFor-Judicial-Review-Into-Sandwell-Councils-Housing-Benefit-Assessment
To see more information about the previous court cases, go to the
Disability Rights UK website:
http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2013/july/appeal-court-hearbedroom-tax-human-rights-case
UN Rapporteur’s Report on UK Housing - Damning of Government
Policy
In a report which has been savagely criticised by the government, Raquel
Rollin, the United Nations special rapporteur for housing, has made
suggestions about government policy. Firstly, that welfare reforms should
be suspended – particularly the ‘bedroom tax’ – and secondly, rights for
tenants of private landlords should be strengthened.
To see an article from the Guardian newspaper, go to:
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/03/ministers-savage-unreport-abolition-bedroom-tax
To see the report, go to:
http://dpac.uk.net/wpcontent/uploads/2014/02/A_HRC_25_54_Add.2_ENG.doc?ae59cd
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Survey – Experiences of Community Care Assessments
Carer Watch is working with some supportive MPs to look at disabled
people’s experiences of Community Care Assessments.
To see the survey, go to:
http://fluidsurveys.com/surveys/carerwatch/community-care-assessments/
Consultation on Joining Health and Social Care Services in
Stockport
NHS Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group and the Local Authority are
looking at joining up health and social care services across Stockport.
This new model of combining health and social care services has already
been launched in the Marple and Werneth locality, they are now wanting
to roll out this new way of working into the whole of Stockport.
Events are being organised for people to hear about the plans:
 19 March, 10am - 12.00 noon, St Peter’s Church, Hazel Grove
 25 March, 18.30pm - 20.30pm, The Centrepoint, Bramhall
 27 March,10am - 12.00 noon, The Rudyard Hotel, Wellington Road
North
To book a place:
phone 0161 426 5660
email stoccg.haveyoursay@nhs.net
Deaf People’s Right to Qualified Interpreters
Our Health in Your Hands are
running a campaign to make sure
Deaf people who use British Sign
Language know they are entitled to
have a fully qualified British Sign
Language Interpreter when going to
GP or hospital appointments.
To contact Our Health in Your Hands, email info@ohiyh.org.uk
For more information, including an explanation of the campaign in British
Sign Language, go to: www.ohyh.org.uk
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Deaf Woman Denied Interpreter during Birth of Son
This news story highlights the poor
quality of support many Deaf
people still receive from the NHS.
University College Hospital in
London did not provide a qualified
British Sign Language interpreter to
Nadia Hassan and her partner
Hulusi Bati during the birth of their
son in December.
For more information and other cases, go to:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/20/deaf-personhospital-interpreter-nhs-equality
Don’t forget the consultation the NHS is currently undertaking about
improving access to information for disabled patients, at:
http://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/patients/accessibleinfo-2/
To see a survey of Sign Language Users, go to:
http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/equaltreatment/the-problem/survey-of-bsl-users.aspx
Two campaigns you may wish to check out are:
Spit the Dummy and Campaign for a BSL Act
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bslact/
which is campaigning for an Act giving legal protection to BSL
and
Pardon? I’m Deaf. When Will You Listen?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/493428380692725/?fref=ts
which campaigns for the communication support needs of Deaf people
who do not use BSL.
Lipreading Classes
Manchester Centre for Deaf Studies is running free lipreading classes on
Wednesday afternoons. The classes are for people with a hearing loss,
but family and friends who wish to improve their communication with the
person with a hearing loss may join.
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The classes are held at London Scottish House, and are informal and
friendly. They offer:
• Lipreading practice in a friendly atmosphere;
• Strategies and tactics for difficult situations;
• A chance to share problems with others with similar difficulties;
• Information about assistive devices (such as flashing door bells);
• Information on hearing aids and how to look after them;
• Information about useful organisations (such as Hearing Link or Action
on Hearing Loss).
The classes are free, but tea and biscuits cost 50p, and people joining the
class will need a ring-binder for information given out.
For more information, contact: Manchester Centre for Deaf Studies,
London Scottish House, 24 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 3NN
Email enquiries@manchesterdeafstudies.org
Phone 0161 796 1621
Mobile 07539 359 718
More Service User Input in Mental Health Strategy
The National Survivor User
Network (NSUN) announced that
there has been an increase in the
influence mental health service
users will have over the
government’s mental health strategy.
NSUN and five other mental health service users and carers are already
part of the Department of Health Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) for the
Mental Health Strategy.
They have now also received agreement for regular meetings with both
Jon Rouse, the DH director general for social care, local government and
care partnerships, and Dr Geraldine Strathdee, the clinical mental health
lead at NHS England (which is responsible for commissioning primary
care, prison health and specialist mental health services).
For more detail, go to the news section of NSUN’s website:
www.nsun.org.uk
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Support with Mental Health for European Nationals
Europia is an organisation
which offers European nationals
support and advice around
many issues, including welfare
entitlement, applying for British
citizenship, housing and employment.
‘Teatime’ is a monthly support group, which has particular focus on
European nationals with mental health issues or who feel isolated. The
group meets on the first Saturday of each month.
For more information, contact Europia by:
Website www.europia.co.uk
email hello@europia.org.uk
phone 07763 711 888
write to: Ada House, 77 Thompson St, Manchester, M4 5FY
Free Telephone Coaching Service for People Living with HIV Who
Feel Isolated
Result CIC has received funding from Awards for All, part of the Big
Lottery Fund, to deliver telephone coaching for people living with HIV
across England.
If you are interested in applying for coaching through this service:
Email info@resultcic.com
phone 07582 629 560.
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Issues and Dementia
A ‘listening event’ is being held at Salford University for people with
dementia and their family and friends, specifically for people from Black,
Asian and Ethnic Minority Communities.
The event is on Monday 10 March, 10am – 2pm, at Salford University.
For more information, contact Dr Elizabeth Collier, of the School of
Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work & Social Sciences, University of Salford.
Phone: 0161 295 2729
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Online Money Advice
The Money Advice Service has produced a new online tool for people who
are newly ill or have acquired an impairment.
The website includes information and sign-posting to other services
around managing money, working out what people are entitled to, and
covering the extra costs of living as a disabled person.
You will find the web page at:
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/becoming-ill-ordisabled
Low Cost Paint for Low Income Families and Community Groups
Community Repaint is a network which
collects donations of re-usable paint and
distributes it to people on low incomes
or benefits, and community groups.
In the Greater Manchester area there are three schemes: in Bury,
Rochdale and Manchester (Wythenshawe).
For more information, go to the website:www.communityrepaint.org.uk
Support from Care and Repair in Manchester
Care and Repair in Manchester offer more than assistance with minor
repairs to your home. If you are over 60 and live in Manchester, their
short-term visiting service may be able to assist with:
 Listening to your concerns and worries and helping you to work out
what to do about them;
 identifying and applying for the benefits you are entitled to;
 arranging for aids and adaptations to your home;
 arranging for assistance with cleaning or shopping;
 accompanying you on GP or hospital appointments;
 providing information about different housing options.
For more information, contact:
Phone 0161 872 5500
Website www.careandrepair-manchester.org.uk
If you live in another area of Greater Manchester, contact the GMCDP
office and we will assist you to find Care and Repair in your area.
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Find a Helpline
This new online search directory has been set up by the Helplines
Partnership.
The intention is to make it easy for anyone to locate the helpline they
need.
Go to:
http://search.helplines.org/
Level Playing Field Weeks of Action 2014
Level Playing Field promotes disabled people’s access
to football, rugby and other stadia in the UK.
Every year LPF has weeks of action to encourage
football clubs to show the work they are doing to
welcome disabled fans and make it plain to all that
they do not tolerate hostility to or abuse of disabled fans.
Their Weeks of Action 2014 are from 15 to 30 March. LPF say:
“There is a lot of positive work going on around the sports world and Level
Playing Field feels that clubs should use the weeks of action to show their
fans and other clubs what they are doing.”
LPF also support the setting up of disabled supporter’s groups with their
Working Together project, run a match buddying scheme and offer access
audits of stadia.
For more information about the Weeks of Action, a link to suggested
activities and a link to the timetable of events, go to:
http://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/lpf-weeks-action
Greater Manchester Disability Sport Network
This burgeoning network, which is part of Greater Sport, aims to share
information with all disabled people across Greater Manchester about
sport and physical activity opportunities, and to find out what opportunities
disabled people are looking for.
For more information: http://www.greatersport.co.uk/getinvolved/disability-sport/join-the-gm-disability-network/
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From Le Court to Strasbourg – Fighting for Independent Living for 30
Years
This new publication has been produced to record the development of
independent living during the 30 years since John Evans and other
founders of Project 81 left Le Court Leonard Cheshire home and moved
into their own homes.
The book was presented to John Evans on 17 January, at a celebration
organised by Spectrum CIL (formerly Southampton CIL) to celebrate the
30 year anniversary of John leaving Le Court.
To read more, and find a link to the book, go to:
ENIL: http://www.enil.eu/news/from-le-court-to-strasbourg-fighting-forindependent-living-for-30-years/
‘How was School?’ – New Resources Available
This project by the Alliance for
Inclusive Education (ALFIE), which
shares disabled people’s
experience of schools, has some
new resources available.
The ‘How Was School?’ full oral
interview recordings are now
available online.
The interview catalogue is at:
http://sounds.bl.uk/Oralhistory/Disability-Voices
School Resource Packs are
available from:
www.howwasschool.org.uk
The website also contains: information about the project; around 400
audio and video excerpts from over 50 interviews; a timeline. Interview
clips with young people are being added, to give a current perspective.
A set of 6 postcards is available free of charge.
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Disabled People Utilising 3D Printing
The BBC Ouch website ran an
article at the end of January
featuring a German man who
printed a pair of temporary ramps
from his 3D printer, and discuss
some other designs which have
been shared on 3D printing design
websites.
To read the article, go to:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogsouch-25947021
Stop! Press
Atos Seeking to Stop Doing WCA Assessments
A BBC article, following on from a report in the Financial Times, confirms
that the company Atos, which has been carrying out Work Capability
Assessments for the Department of Work and Pensions, is seeking to end
its contract for this work earlier than planned.
For more detail, see:
Atos seeks early exit from fit-to-work tests contract
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26287199#story_continues_2
Law Centre for Deaf People Closed
The RAD (Royal Association for Deaf People) Law Centre closed on 28
February 2014. This is because of cuts to funding for legal aid and legal
support services. This means there will no longer be a dedicated legal
support service for Deaf people in British Sign Language.
RAD will still provide other advice services, and training / assessment for
the Deaf Law Quality Mark, for legal services who wish to be accessible to
Deaf people.
For more information, go to: www.royaldeaf.org.uk
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GMCDP Meetings
GMCDP Members’ Group Meeting
Are you a member of GMCDP?
Do you want to meet up with other members of GMCDP?
Do you want to share ideas and be involved in shaping the organisation?
Then come along to our first Members’ Group meeting on 29 March 2014
and find out what’s in store for the next twelve months.
The meeting will be from 1 – 3pm, in GMCDP’s new office at the Windrush
Millennium Centre.
Please let us know if you are coming, and what access requirements you
have to make these meetings accessible to you.
Phone: 0161 636 7534
Email: info@gmcdp.com
Young Disabled Women’s Group
This new group is for young disabled women
aged 15-25 living in the Manchester area. It
is a chance for young disabled women to
come together, talk about issues that matter
to them, get information on a range of health
and wellbeing topics and give and receive
support.
The group meets on the first Saturday of each month, 10am – 12 noon in
GMCDP’s office at the Windrush Millennium Centre.
Places are on a first come first served basis. Please book your place at
least 4 days before the meeting. It is not a drop-in because of limited
space.
To find out more or book a place, contact Maureen Day, on Monday,
Tuesday or Wednesday, by:
phone 0161 636 7537
email mday@gmcdp.com
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Young Disabled Men’s Group
This group is for young disabled men aged 15-25 living in Manchester.
It is a chance for young disabled men to come together in a friendly
atmosphere and talk about the issues which impact on their lives.
The group meets on the last Friday of every month at the Power House,
Moss Side.
For more information and to book a place, contact Colin Floyd on
Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays by:
Phone 0161 636 7537
Email cfloyd@gmcdp.com
________________________________________________________
Next Information Bulletin
Please send any news or events by 18 March 2014.
If you need assistance to access any of the websites or information
given in this bulletin, please contact the GMCDP office.
Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP)
Unit 4, Windrush Millennium Centre, 70 Alexandra Road, Moss Side,
Manchester. M16 7WD
Phone: 0161 636 7534
Email: info@gmcdp.com
Website: www.gmcdp.com
GMCDP does not necessarily support/promote any organisations,
companies, publications or websites mentioned in this bulletin. GMCDP
does not knowingly publish anything that may upset or offend.
All GMCDP publications are available in standard print, large print, braille,
audio and electronically.
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