Back to top"DIRECTIONS" Issue 30 Spring 2006
Apologies for any confusion regarding the errors on pages five and twenty nine of the last issue.
On page five the source should have read: www.hmrc.gov.uk/nmw rather than http:www.hmrc.gov.uk/. At the time of writing, the web address www.bbc.co.uk/england/ringaroundcarers/ on page twenty nine was in use. However it is out of use at present. Alternatively, please use the telephone numbers that were shown.
Back to top
NEW RULES ON INCAPACITY BENEFIT
Incapacity benefit has hit the headlines yet again. The government published their plans in the long awaited welfare reform green paper “A new deal for welfare: Empowering people to work” on 24th January 2006. Their plans have sparked much debate. Whilst MPs have welcomed the proposals some disability groups and unions have expressed concerns.
The new rules will mean that incapacity claimants from 2008 will have to go through a much tougher initial and ongoing qualifying process. Claimants will receive a lower initial benefit, a more rigorous medical assessment, and will have to attend regular interview, which if not attended may result in a reduction in payments.
Mr John Hutton the work and pensions secretary claims the reforms are “fair to claimants and to taxpayers”.
The Disability Rights Commission have said the reforms were a step in the right direction. This is also the view expressed by Kate Stanley, Head of Social Policy for the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) who claims: “Incapacity Benefit makes poor people poorer. It is no longer fit for purpose and has become a barrier to work that entrenches poverty. The government is right to reform it. “
In contrast Lorna Reith, Chief Executive of Disability Alliance said: “ Instead of threatening sick and disabled people with benefit sanctions, the Government should be concentrating its efforts on developing an effective retention strategy, which would prevent people being pushed out of the labour market in the first place. Long term sick and disabled people need to be better supported by employers. The Government should do more to encourage employers to recruit disabled people.”
Brenda Barber, the TUC General Secretary, has said: “Incapacity benefit claimants have genuine health conditions and impairments and in the real world their opportunities will be limited.”
Macmillan Cancer Relief have said they have already had to intervene to prevent chemotherapy patients and those with a terminal diagnosis being called to attend back to work interviews.
(Sources: www.disabilityalliance.org/ibchange.htm, www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/ and www.ippr.org.uk/pressreleases/?id=1889).
Back to top
EQUAL ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The barriers disabled people face were highlighted recently by the unfortunate experience of Mr Massie , the Disability Rights Commission’s chairman, who was reported to have been left stranded at Huston Station, London.
Mr Massie had booked assistance from the taxi rank to the platform in advance only to be told by rail staff that they were too busy to assist.
Amendments to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which will come into force December 2006 will outlaw discrimination against disabled people using land transport.
However the deadline for making land transport accessible to disabled people is 2017 for buses and coaches and 2020 for trains. This means it will take up to 14 years before disabled people can travel with confidence.
The Disability Rights Commissions has laid before Parliament a supplement code of practice to the part 3 Code of the Disability Discriminations Act 2005 (“Rights of Access to Services and Premises” ). The code explains how the changes may be applied in life situations involving different disabilities. For example alternative Information provisions for those who have sensory impairments and physical adjustments for those who have a physical disability.
If you would like to find out more, visit the DRC website at: www.drc.org.uk/transport/
(Source: www.drc.org.uk/transport/ )
Back to top
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY
The DRC are launching an on-line poll to hear about peoples experiences of service providers across England, Scotland and Wales.
They are keen to hear about peoples experiences of booking and visiting hotels, pubs, clubs, shops and entertainment venues. They do not promise to investigate all services but will note patterns in complaints and possibly investigate those further.
To have your say visit: www.drc.org.uk/knowyourrights/
Or call: 0845 622 633, Textphone: 08457 788 878
Back to top
“ My name is Cora, I am 91 years old, and Caroline [ An Independent Living Advisor for the Rowan Organisation] has invited me to describe for you in what way the Direct Payment scheme and the Rowan support, has improved my quality of life.
I live alone, all my children being grown up and doing their own thing, and until about a year ago I was still independent, driving my own care and spending a lot of time in congenial company as a member of the U3A, the university of the Third Age, of which you may have heard of, as it is a national, even international organization devoted to lifelong learning - you know “Use it or lose it”. There is also a social side, which is important to us all.
It was with great reluctance that I gave up driving and became dependent on the kindness of friends, Ring and Ride, taxis, all of which, for different reasons, proved inadequate for my needs.
It is thanks to the Rowan, particularly Caroline, that I am almost part of the real world again, since she has found for me a Personal Assistant, with whom I am now on very good terms with, and who takes me to the various venues where my U3A friends meet several times a week, as well as on shopping trips, etc.
I feel very lucky, especially when I visit some of my friends now living in so-called “care homes”.
I have to admit it all seemed rather complicated at first, to become so late in life an employer, with all that the world has now come to mean, but with Caroline’s support and family encouragement, after a few months it has all become less daunting.
I am grateful for the help I have been given, and wish you success in all your endeavours”.
______________________________
Richard Jackson is a Direct Payments recipient living in the Ceredigion area.
Direct Payments allowed Richard not only to live more independently but also to visit the place of his dreams; Egypt. As part of his care package Richard was entitled to respite. The respite did not cover the total cost of the expedition, but Richard was so determined to fulfil his dream that he contributed to the remaining cost. By banking some hours and budgeting, Richard was able to pay his PA to accompany and support him on the trip.
Richard’s PA, Al was just as enthusiastic about the trip, which only added to the excitement. The trip was such a success that Richard is planning his next trip with Al for this coming September.
Richard is turning out to be quite the globe trotter! He and Al have also been on a short trip to Brussels. Richards’s experiences illustrate how flexible direct payments can be. For those who do not have respite built into their care plan don’t fear. If you can afford to pay your PA to provide the assistance you require there is no reason why they can’t accompany you on your trip whether long or short.
Richard wrote about his trip to Egypt and now shares it with you.
My trip to Cairo, Aswan and Luxor by Richard Jackson
Day 1
We left Aberystwyth at 9.30am to catch the train to Birmingham International Airport. We had an indirect flight which meant we had to stop in Milan to transfer flights. We then flew to Cairo which took three hours. When we finally arrived in Cairo it was 3.00 pm and I was shattered.
Cairo
When we were in Cairo International Airport we met up with our tour operator who took us to our hotel and issued us with an itinerary of the next 9 days. When we arrived at the hotel we checked in and went straight to sleep.
Day 2
We ate and slept the day away. But that evening we went to the Pyramid terrace which was located on the roof of the hotel. From the roof we saw the ‘Breathtaking Pyramids.’ After taking photographs we went back to the hotel for a bite to eat and a good nights sleep.
Day 3
On this day we read books and surfed the internet. Later on in the day I took more photographs of the pyramids.
On the evening we went for a cruise meal and also to see the belly dancers. After dinner we went up to the upper deck and it was ‘Brilliant’.
Some were massive, some looked like a block of flats and some just normal.
When we arrived back at the hotel we went to sleep to prepare for the next day which was to see the Pyramids and the Sakkara (step pyramid).
Day 4
Today we took a bus to Sakkara (step pyramid). We walked around the pyramid and took some pictures. Our tour leader told us it was the oldest pyramid in the whole of Egypt.
We had a break for lunch and then headed back to the pyramids, where our tour leader showed us how the pyramids were built. We were then given some tickets to visit the Great Pyramids.
The passageways were that small that we had to duck down. At the end of the passage way was the tomb of Klentkaues. Later on that night we boarded the overnight train to Aswan. The train was very cramped and noisy and so I didn’t get much sleep. We arrived in Aswan at 11.30am and surprisingly I wasn’t tired at all.
Day 5
Aswan
That afternoon after checking into our hotel we went to see the High Dam which is the biggest artificial lake in the world (Lake Nessar) and built by the British. We then took a boat trip to the Philae Temple. We were told that when the Pharaohs ruled, Common people weren’t allowed to worship it so they had to climb the cliffs on the other side of the river to worship it. When it was night we went to a Nubian dinner on Ess Island which was next to Elephantine Island.
Day 6
Early in the morning we went to Abu Simbel some 2 hours south of Aswan. At Abu Aimbel we saw three temples; one of them had three gods carved into it. When we went into the temples it was really great because the hieroglyphics on the wall were in colour. We weren’t allowed to take photos inside because of the flash, so we just took photos of the temples outside. Later in the day we went back to Aswan. That afternoon we checked in for the Nile Cruise then we took a trip on a Felluca around Elephantine and Kitchen Island. Egypt was truly breath taking.
Back to top
Traditionally the council have been responsible for arranging services that carers are entitled to; for example respite. However as an alternative, carers can receive Direct Payments (although, please note that some local authorities may not offer these, or offer a different service, such as Vouchers).
Direct payments for carers are cash payments awarded to people by their local council. They are designed to give carers a break from their supporting role in the way that best suits their needs.
So for example, a need may be identified as a short break away, a relaxing massage, a visit to the cinema or hiring extra assistance with domestic chores.
You cannot use carers direct payments to:
To qualify for direct payments for carers you must be providing regular and substantial support to the person you are caring for. If you are a carer aged 16 or over, or a parent with parental responsibility for a disabled child you may be entitled to direct payments.
Direct payments for carers are not a replacement of income and therefore do not affect any other benefits you may be receiving.
To find out if you are eligible you will need a Careers Assessment which is carried out by your local social services department. The assessment will focus on the needs of the carer, rather than on the person they care for. The amount you receive will depend on the assessment that social services makes based on your needs.
If you would like to apply for an assessment for direct payments for carers contact your local social services. Numbers can be obtained from The Phone Book, Yellow Pages or by calling directory inquiries.
(Sources: www.direct.gov.uk, www.dh.gov.uk , Carers Net and Carers Allowance Unit)
Back to top
According to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) around 4 million of UK citizens are losing their hearing and not doing anything about it.
As part of their “Breaking the Sound Barrier Campaign” RNID launched a television advertisement on Christmas day 2005, which attracted an average of 5,500 calls a day to the phone line.
If you are concerned that you, or someone you know, might be losing their hearing, why not take the sound check and find out?
The number to call is: 0845 600 5555.
The whole check takes less than five minutes and can be carried out in the comfort of your own home.
For more information visit: www.breakingthesoundbarrier.org.uk
(Sources: www.breakingthesoundbarrier.org.uk and
Back to top
MOBILITY AND INDEPENDENCE WITH MOTABILITY
Although 400,000 disabled people presently access the Motability Scheme in the UK, there are around 1.2 million who are eligible but have not yet done so. This may be because they are unaware of the scheme or think they will not qualify.
Motability is aiming to ‘make information about the scheme more widely available so that more disabled people can enjoy the freedom and independence being mobile can bring’.
If you would like more information on the scheme please contact
Motability at: Motability Operations,
City Gate House
22 Southwark Bridge Road
London SE1 9HB
Telephone: 0845 456 4566
Fax: 0207 928 1818
Minicom: 01279 632273
(Source: www.motability.co.uk)
Back to top
HOMECARE, DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION EVENT
The Homecare, Disability and Rehabilitation Event takes place between the 25th –27th April 2006 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Birmingham.
Opening times are from 10.00 am until 5.00pm.
Visitors can expect to meet suppliers, ask questions about new products on the market, receive information and advice on services and products.
There is also the opportunity to hire a scooter, an electronic or manual wheelchair.
For more information call Richard Clarke Head of Operations on : 020 7874 0333 or visit: www.naidex.co.uk
(Source: www.naidex.co.uk/)
Back to top
SCOPE; PUTTING CHILDREN IN THE PICTURE
Scope has launched an initiative to tackle the lack of disabled children in children’s picture books. They claim there are around 60,000 children in the UK who have no role models in literature. Their mini survey found that 35 families with disabled children revealed their frustration at the lack of appropriate images in books.
The aim of “In the Picture” part of the Time to Get Equal Initiative, is to work constructively with illustrators, writers and publishers to ensure that young disabled children become more visible in children’s books. Making disabled children more visible may add to a more inclusive society. “In the Picture” welcomes your stories and experiences.
If you would like to get involved contact Susan Clow on: 01858 463 489 or email: clow@scope.org.uk.
For more information visit: www.childreninthepicture.org.uk/au_theneed.htm
Back to top
VAT EXEMPTIONS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
Did you know that some goods and services for disabled people are zero-rated for VAT?
There aren’t too many and some of these are quite obscure, but it is worthwhile knowing some useful facts about how this works and what categories may be included.
The following is a brief summary and should you enquire any further details, please see the contact information at the end of this article. There are plenty of rules that determine the type of goods and services concerned and eligibility and the main ones are:
Categories of goods and services that might be zero-rated include the following:
Details and exceptions relating to goods and services within the categories mentioned above are defined by the VAT Act 1994 and can be sought from the supplier or from HM Revenue and Customs.
So if you are someone who will be purchasing goods or services which may fall into the categories highlighted and you meet the conditions specified, you can obtain further information from:
HM Revenue and Customs National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000 between 8.00am and 8.00pm, Monday to Friday.
If you would prefer a Textphone service, please call 0845 000 0200.
If you would prefer to speak to someone in Welsh, please call 0845 010 0300 between 8.00am and 6.00pm.
All calls are charged at local rate.
You can ask to be sent their booklet called ‘VAT reliefs for disabled people’. (Please be aware that some of the terminology used in their booklet, as defined in the VAT legislation, is no longer seen as appropriate and may cause offence to some people who read it).
(Source: HM Revenue and Customs Notice 701/7)
Back to top
Proof (2006)
Proof, a recent release follows the story of a dotting daughter (Gwyneth Paltrow) who struggles to come to terms with her fathers (Anthony Hopkins) loss of mental capacity and eventual death. Check out your local cinema for film times.
Murderball (2005)
This multi award winning documentary follows two quadriplegic rugby teams as they prepare for the 2004 Paralympics. It is available now on DVD. Inquire at your local video rental store or visit an online store.
Back to top
See bottom of this web page for answers.
Back to top
MEMBERSHIP OF THE ROWAN ORGANISATION
The Rowan Organisation is a registered charity and not for profit organisation. It is a user-led organisation and the majority of Board members are disabled people, as are a number of our operational staff. Membership of the Rowan Organisation is open to all service users and it's free !
Ordinary members receive a summary of the quarterly Board meetings, are entitled to attend and vote at the AGM and also have the chance to become a Board Member themselves.
Board membership offers an exciting opportunity to travel and meet up with others. Service user members who are elected on to the Board, influence the management and direction of the organisation. Board membership offers a mix of business and social elements and all reasonable travel, accommodation and other expenses are paid for by the Rowan Organisation.
If you are interested in applying for ordinary membership, with the chance of becoming a Board member, please contact the Rowan Organisation at Head Office on 01827 718972 or send an email to theRowan Organisation's Information Service, who will provide further information.
The following further information may help you to decide to become a member:
Mission Statement
"The Rowan Organisation exists to provide disabled people with access to information and support in order that they can make informed choices and be in control of their lives".
Vision Statement
"A society that is fully inclusive in which the barriers, whether environmental, attitudinal or institutional, that prevent disabled people from having equality of opportunity have been removed."
In providing services we advocate the following Principles:
Back to top
1. I am a map
2. On a chess board
Back to top