Our next Forum Meeting is on:

City Edge, 125 Mare Street, Hackney, E5 3DL

-Review of door to door services

-Personalisation presentation

For more information or to arrange transport please contact Catherine on:

020 7275 0088 ext 209

Message from Jennette Arnold

London Assembly Member for North East London

Member of the London Assembly Transport Committee

The London Assembly's Transport Committee is investigating the performance of door-to-door transport services including TfL's Dial-a-Ride service and would like to hear your views.

We will also be examining proposals by London Councils to develop an integrated system of door-to-door transport services in London which could bring together different services such as Dial-a-Ride, Taxicard, CapitalCall, the NHS patient transport service and London Boroughs' Adult Social Services and Children's Services transport.

Jeanette will be attending April's Forum Meeting to ask for your views on door to door services.

Leisure Focus Group

We have set up a focus group to look at the local leisure services. We are aware that some people find accessing local pools difficult.

We will be compiling a report of our finding about access and providing the council with our recommendations.

Please let us know about your experiences of local swimming pools. Let us know about your latest visit.

We need to know:

* How did you access the building?

* Are the staff friendly?

* Were you given clear information?

* Could you get changed comfortably?

* Could you access the swimming pool safely?

* Were you able to access the facilities?

Call Catherine on 0207 275 0088 ext 209 or email catherine@hfbu.org.uk or text 07593 508 288

Forum Meeting

We had a lively forum meeting with 22 people attending. Catherine updated the group on the work that Disability Backup had done to date (report attached)

The group discussed their individual interests and skills. It was agreed that we will compile a telephone directory to allow members to contact each other and meet socially.

Members will be contacted in the next few months and asked if they would like their details to be entered.

We still need your photographs for our summer exhibit!

Call Catherine 0207 275 0088 ext 209 to join in!

[hackney link as for 19]

Do you live or work in Hackney? If so the Hackney Council scrutiny function would like to know what areas of public life they should review through their annual work programme. Scrutiny commissions complete strategic reviews of service areas to ensure the council is operating in the best possible manner, and that partners are helping to achieve our goals. This year the five committees have looked at a variety of topics: from housing overcrowding, estate safety, raising young people's aspirations, health & workless, and even whether the Mayoral model is still right for Hackney.

We would love to hear what areas you think are a priority for the coming year, so please complete our very short survey. This can be found here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2GVGDLX , and hard copies can be requested from Matt Clack (x3341). For more information about scrutiny in Hackney please visit our webpage http://www.hackney.gov.uk/scrutiny or email scrutiny@hackney.gov.uk

http://www.healthfornel.nhs.uk/resources/consultation-materials

Keith Hughes

Direct Line: 020 7944 3968

keith.hughes@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Web Site: www.dft.gov.uk

Blue Badge Reform Programme - A Consultation Document

I am writing to let you know that we have published today a consultation package on reforming the Blue Badge scheme, Blue Badge Reform Programme - A Consultation Document.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-20

The package includes a consultation paper, two impact assessments, and two Equality Impact Assessments. We are also publishing a research report entitled: Blue Badge Reform Strategy: Enforcement Evidence Base.

What is the consultation about?

This consultation is about proposals to improve the enforcement regime for the Blue Badge scheme; proposals to extend the eligibility criteria to more children under three years of age with specific medical conditions and to certain seriously disabled service personnel and veterans; and the distribution methodology for funding to help local authorities to establish independent medical assessments.

Deadline for receipt of responses

We would appreciate your views on the 24 questions included in the consultation document, which are summarised on page 11. We should also be grateful for any other views you have on these proposals or the Impact Assessments. You are encouraged to read all documents before completing your response. Please send us your response by the closing date to the address below:

By e-mail to: Responses to this consultation must be received by Friday 2nd July 2010. Paper copies or alternative formats of this consultation document can be obtained from Katherine Lancaster at Katherine.lancaster@dft.gsi.gov.uk. (020 7944 5782).

How do you commute?

TRANSPORT for London is carrying out research to understand more about the travelling experiences of disabled commuters.

If you are mobility, visually or hearing impaired, deaf or a wheelchair user, TfL would like to hear from you. To be eligible to take part, your usual journey to work or place of further education should include travel by bus, Tube or Overground during weekday peak hours. TfL also wants your feedback if you travel after 7pm.

Participation will include completing an assessment form about your journey. A small incentive will be offered and full instructions will be provided.

The work is being carried out with Accent Marketing & Research.

If you would like to take part in the study and improve the travelling experience for other disabled people, please contact Accent by phone, email or on line:

Telephone: 0800 028 4095

Email: commuters@accent-mr.com

Online: http://www.accent-mr.com/commuters

20th April 2010, 10am to 1.00pm

Holiday Inn Bloomsbury (Coram Street, London WC1N 1HT).

Inclusion London would like to invite disabled people involved with Disability Back Up in Hackney to an important event for Deaf and disabled Londoners about the forthcoming elections.

This event is a chance to find out what the political parties can offer Deaf and disabled Londoners, and what candidates in the local and national elections have to say about these policies.

There will also be a chance for questions to be put directly to the candidates.

This event is free for individual Deaf and disabled people. It is on Tuesday 20th April from 10am to 1.00pm at the Lunch will also be provided.

Book by 9th April, Contact Jeni:

Telephone 01273 251 667 or email inclusionlondonelectionevent@gmail.com

Text messages only 07837 802 788

is back and organising a long night of Party!!!

01.05.2010

9pm - 5am

110% Deaf Culture and Vibrations.

Deaf DJ's, performers and more.

More info: http://www.deafrave.com/?action=events&id=69

You can buy tickets on: http://www.deafrave.com/?action=contents&name=buyticket

Join with us in Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

Contact us

Disability Backup
Hackney Family Backup
The Print House
18 Ashwin Street
London
E8 3DL

Phone: 020 7275 0088
Fax: 020 7241 0088
Text: 07593 508 288
Text Phone: 18001 020 7275 0088
Email: catherine@hfbu.org.uk