Newsletter - August 2009 - Issue 10
Welcome to Disability Backup's Newsletter; please scroll down to see all the notices.
In this issue:
- The Next Forum Meeting:
Wednesday 19th August, 11-1pm
at City Edge, 125 Mare Street, E8 3RG
- Relaunch of the Disability Voluntary Network (formally Disability Special Interest Group)
- Choice in Hackney Launch Volunteer Scheme
- Disability Backup voted onto LINk Steering Group
- Focus Group Dates
When? Wednesday 19th August 11-1pm
Where? City Edge, 125 Mare Street, E8 3RG
What?
Developing a Disability Language Code
-What language do we want Hackney Services to use when addressing Disability Issues?
-What language do we want to use as a Forum?
Members from the Council's Equalities Team will be attending:
- To discuss ways of identifying accessible businesses in the borough and promoting good practice
-To identify priority areas and actions that you would like the Council to focus on as part of the review of the Disability Equality Scheme
Want to come? We can provide transport to collect you from your home!
For more information or to book interpreter please contact Catherine on 020 7257 0088 ext 209
Focus Groups
Disability Backup have committed to working with the New Service First Centre and Hackney Museum.
The dates for the next focus groups on these issues are:
Service First Centre- 15th October 12-1pm at Hackney Town Hall
Hackney Museum- Not confirmed
Feedback from July Forum Meeting
25 people attended our last Forum Meeting.
The main outcomes were:
- The New Service First Centre will now have accessible parking bays along Hillman Street
- Hackney Museum wants Disability Backup to help design a sensory exhibition.
- Forum members would like Disability Law Service to provide us with a training day regarding DDA.
See July minutes for more information.
Disability Language Code
Disability Backup wants to develop a Language Code, a list of acceptable words and phrases that we want to be used whenever disability issues are mentioned.
We will work together on agreeing what we want the code to say and then present it to Hackney Council, the local papers and local Organisations. We will get services to sign up to it as a sign of their commitment to equality.
The aim is that we can raise awareness to promote positive language and stop discriminatory and old fashioned Language, for example, 'wheelchair user' not 'wheelchair bound'
More information at the next meeting.
A fond farewell
Many of you have met Sebastian through his PCT project. His report has now been written and so he will be leaving Disability Backup. He has worked for Hackney Family Backup for over 4 years and so will be greatly missed.
We thank him for all his hard work on this, and all of his projects and wish him all the best in the future!
Catherine will be continuing with the project to include disabled people in decision making within Health and Social Care Services. More information next month.
CHOICE IN HACKNEY is starting two new projects:
1. Advocacy and Employment Project
The first phase will see Disabled people put through a twelve week training course with modules including: knowing your rights as a disabled person, legislation advocacy skills, building self confidence, interview techniques.
The second phase will see trainees placed on a six week voluntary placement with a London employer, to gain valuable experience of the work place. With the relevant knowledge and experience, trainees will be better equipped to find paid work.
If you are interested in joining this project please contact Haq Ismail on 020 7613 8136.
2. Volunteer Project
The volunteers will spend time with disabled people supporting them with day-to-day activities such as shopping, going out, reading, depending on individual support needs. Volunteers can provide invaluable practical support to disabled people who are lonely and isolated. We will recruit, screen, train and match volunteers with disabled people and support both volunteers and service users during the placement. We are now looking for both service users and volunteers to join the project.
If you are interested in joining this project please contact: Jakub Rajewicz on 020 7613 8134.
We want to involve disabled people in the development of both projects. Please complete this questionnaire to let us know your views: Word version or
PDF version.
Calling all Voluntary Sector Organisations
The Disability Special Interest group is being re launched as the Disability Voluntary Network.
This group is for any local voluntary organisation who work within the disability field to meet together and feed into Hackney's Physical Disability, Sensory Impairment and Long Term Condition Board. The group will provide:
- An opportunity to network and information share about services
- An opportunity to influence and be involved with the Board
- A networking event for local disabled people to share information about your service
For more information contact Jackie Brett at the Health and Social Care Forum on 020 7923 8361
Disability Backup joins Hackney LINk's Steering Group
As mentioned in the last newsletter, Disability Backup nominated itself to be on the Link Steering Group. We were successful and gained the highest number of votes, 50 votes!
This means our newsletter will have regular updates from the work of the LINk and all Disability Backup members will be able to have their say and influence the LINk.
Catherine will discuss how we want to be involved on this steering group at the next meeting.
Lend a Hand?
As our membership is growing, we are sending more information by post.
Catherine is asking for anyone who wants to volunteer a few hours of their time to helping sending out the Newsletter and other papers.
If you are interested in coming to the office to help please come to our offices on: Monday 10th August 12-1pm or call to arrange another time.
Thank you!
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
Registered Charity No: 1017015 - Company Registration No: 2422896