Newsletter - October 2009 - Issue 12
Welcome to Disability Backup's Newsletter; please scroll down to see all the notices.
In this issue:
- Language Code Launch
- Next Forum Meeting
- Focus group dates
- Petition to stop cuts to DLA and AA
- Transport for London needs you!
- Volunteering opportunities with the Olympics and Paralympics
- Hackney Streets Questionnaire
- Bins Victory!
Language Code Launch
We have now launched our language code! See the language
code page.
We are hoping to get 1000 signatures from all over Hackney.
Have you signed up yet? Simply fill in this form with your name and job title (if applicable) to sign up!
We will keep you updated on its progress!
Disability Forum
When? Thursday 29th October 12-2pm *please note change to usual time*
Where? City Edge, 125 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 3RG
What?
A review of our first year of meetings
A discussion of what we want the forum to achieve in its second year.
Cllr Sally Mulready will come to speak.
We will have lunch together; everyone is welcome to bring some food with
them for the group to share.
Please contact Catherine on 020 7275 0088 ext 209 to arrange transport or for more information.
Focus Groups dates for your diary
Due to a number of comments regarding the Access Team, we have set up an access focus group with the new service manager for Mobility team, Barbara Joseph.
Access Team Focus Group
Monday 5th October 2-4pm
Disability Backup meeting room
Service First Focus Group
Thursday 15th October 12-1pm
Hackney Town Hall
Hackney Family Backup's AGM
Tuesday 20th October 5-7pm
Hackney Family Backup is the charity that manages Disability Backup. Come along to meet its staff and find out more about us!
Disability Forum Meeting
Thursday 29th October 12-2pm
City Edge, Mare Street
Hackney Museum Focus Group
Thursday 5th November 2-4pm
Hackney Museum
The last focus group was a great success and we will be meeting monthly with the Museum. We are developing a 'sensory' exhibit to explore how our senses affect us.
This will be launched in July/July 2010.
Disability Forum Meeting
Friday 20th November 11-1pm
City Edge, Mare Street
DLA and AA Green Paper Petition
Have you signed the petition regarding potential cuts to DLA and AA?
Click here to sign
the petition.
For more information see Benefits
and Work website.
Transport for London
Hidden Impairment? Use public transport? TFL need you!
If you use public transport that starts, ends or goes through Stratford, and have a hidden impairment, would you be interested in taking part in a trial?
The Travel Support Card is a bank sized card which includes a blank space for the user to write in something relevant about themselves or the type of help they might need. The idea is that if help is required, the card can be shown to a member of staff, giving the user more confidence about asking for help, and letting staff know that additional assistance may be required.
The card is being tried in three areas: Willesden Junction, Wimbledon and Stratford. The reason for this limit is to allow us to identify any potential issues or improvements that could be made to the card before making a decision on the roll out.
We are asking volunteers to carry the card with them on the usual journeys that they make through the trial areas and to show them to staff on any occasion that they need to ask for help. We will be asking people to complete a short feedback form telling us about their experiences of using the card. The trial will begin in October and will run for approximately 6 months.
People interested in taking part can contact Transport For London via the phone number 020 7027 8340 or email accessibility@tube.tfl.gov.uk.
Are you interested in volunteering at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games?
The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) estimates that 70,000 volunteers will be needed to run the Games.
LOCOG needs all kinds of people to help the Games run as well as they can. But volunteering can offer a lot to you as well:
- Get experience, skills and training
- Build self-esteem and confidence
- Make a difference in someone's life
- Meet new people
- Get more active
Personal Best helps local people to learn new skills whilst volunteering, and leads to a nationally recognised qualification in volunteering. To date over 200 Hackney residents have completed the Personal Best course.
The programme provides people with a stepping stone into work and other opportunities.
People on the Personal Best Programme come from many different backgrounds: people not in work or in education, people with disabilities, older people, school leavers and excluded young people. They can all receive help with job interviews, work placements and volunteering opportunities.
As 2012 gets nearer, graduates will be guaranteed an interview as part of the application process to volunteer during the 2012 Games. We are hoping that 10% of the 70,000 volunteers needed for the Games will have come through the Personal Best scheme.
For more information about Personal Best contact Oliur Rahman: Tel: 020 8820 7073
Shaping Hackney's Streets - IMPORTANT CONSULTATION
Hackney Council is asking residents for their opinion about streets in Hackney.
Disability Backup knows that many disabled people have issues with current planning around streets and this is a good time to raise these issues.
The consultation talks about Hackney having more shared spaces which some disabled people disagree with as they can be dangerous.
Some examples of issues have been:
- Shared spaces between pedestrians and cars, can be very dangerous for those with visual impairments or physical disabilities.
- Cyclists on the pavements and shared spaces
- Shop signs or lamps blocking the pavements
The consultation is at www.consultationfinder.com/hackney under Public Realm Consultation. Please take the time to complete it.
News/Information
This area of the newsletter is for Forum Members to share comments, ideas and information with others. Contact Catherine on 020 7275 0088 ext 209 to put something here!
Wheelie Bin Victory! Bins by J Mazza
It started years ago when our private block replaced its old lidless bins with Euro bins. I could barely lift my carrier bag of rubbish into the old containers -- but with the new heavy lids, not a chance.
Would the managing agent remove one lid? No! He gasped. Could the council collect a wheelie bin? No! They snipped. During the endless stalemate I left my Sainsbury's bag on the ground for neighbours to throw in the bins, and for foxes, squirrels and anybody interested to investigate.
Early this year I tried again, this time aided by Hackney Disability Backup and the Power of Ms Love, who took my case to the Council's Equality Team. Yes this was a breach of the Disability Discrimination Act-- I'm legally entitled to have my rubbish disposed of properly. I CAN go to the ball!
The new Lorries can pick up both wheelies and Euro bins now. But the brick wall remained-- a manager claimed he'd visited me and offered to have rubbish collected from my flat every day. Maybe he dreamt it. But a wheelie bin? Out of the question.
After pressure from Catherine, another manager did visit me and said yes I could get a wheelie bin emptied and he'd even give me one. A few days later my pride and joy was delivered. The neighbours never use it; otherwise I'd have to buy a lockable one (though I'm told the council has a secret stash which can be raided).
And gone forever is the Sainsbury's bag at the bottom of the Euro bins that says, "This is Julia's rubbish".
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 free, please come on Monday 19th October 1-2pm or call to arrange another time.
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