Disability Backup

Promoting access and equality, representing disabled adults and their interests

Newsletter - January 2009 - Issue 5

Happy New Year!

Welcome to Disability Backup's Newsletter, this year is off to a flying start with lots going on....

Disability Backup held its second forum meeting on the 17th December 2008. Ray Boyce came to talk about Individualised Budgets and the Focus Groups gave feedback about Transport and Leisure. See the minutes attached to find out what was said.

Next Forum Meeting:

5th February 2009, 11-1pm, City Edge, 125 Mare Street.

At the last Forum meeting it was agreed that the next topic to be addressed is Housing. However, as we are still organising speakers we will be holding a meeting on Transport, see below.

This is an exciting opportunity to bring our experiences and suggestions to the Council.

We have booked the Service Manager from the Mobility Team, Tracey Sinclair.

This is really good news as we will be able to discuss our action points regarding:

Blue Badges
Companion Badges
Freedom Passes
Parking Bays

If you are a disabled person interested in transport issues, please attend the Disability Forum on: Thursday 5th February 2009, 11-1pm at City Edge, 125 Mare Street

Do you have any items for the agenda? Let us know.

Transport available, contact Catherine (contact information is below).

We will also be holding our second Focus Group on Leisure, on 12th February 2009, 11-1pm at Disability Backup's meeting room.
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Please contact Catherine for more information.

Have Your Say

Disability Backup has been asked to provide feedback about Pavements and Street access in the Borough (e.g. dropped kerbs). This is a great opportunity to have your say about what area in Hackney has the worst pavements and deserves to be upgraded.

All Disability Backup Members can have their say.

Improving access for disabled people in the Borough

Hackney Council's Transportation Team has been awarded funding from TFL's Local Accessibility Programme to improve access for disabled persons and mobility groups in the borough.

The funding can be used towards improving:

Pavements
Step free crossing points
Handrails
Resurfacing/paving
CCTV
Signage
Dropped kerbs
Tactile paving
Lighting
Other accessibility options

The Council have identified 6 sites in Hackney and want to know which you would most like to change.

Clarence Road Area - Click here for a map
Orpen Walk/Victoria Grove Area - Click here for a map
St Leonards Hospital Area - Click here for a map
London Fields - Rail Station and Mare Street - Click here for a map
Gascoyne Estate and Well Street Common - Click here for a map
Portland rise and John Scott Health Centre - Click here for a map

Download the Accessibility Questionnaire, complete and return to Catherine@hfbu.org.uk

A Swimming Club for Disabled People is being started on 10th January 2009. It will be running every Saturday from 3-4pm at Kings Hall. The club is being run by a Visually Impaired woman who wants to encourage disabled people to meet up and have some fun! People need to be average-strong swimmers. Places are limited so please contact social-eyes@hotmail.com or call 07939 181053.

The same woman is also organising other social events for disabled people - contact her for more information on social-eyes@hotmail.com or 07939 181053.

Want to learn to swim? If you are interested in learning to swim/improving your swimming:

Free learn to swim lessons for disabled adults are being held every Tuesday evening 6-7pm at Clissold Leisure Centre. Contact Marianne on 07984 815760

Polite reminder for Professionals: Please note that the Forum Meetings and Focus groups are for disabled people to air their views. Those representing organisations are asked not to attend the Forum unless disabled themselves or having been invited first. Please contact Catherine to give your views on any topic raised.

All outcomes of the Forums will be made available on the website and newsletter! Many thanks!

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

Disability Backup is part of Hackney Family Backup
Registered Charity No: 1017015 - Company Registration No: 2422896