interest to you. The website was designed by a new social enterprise which you’ll hear plenty more about: MagIC-T - they’ll be offering you all a great new computer support service. For those of you already connected, we’re now on Facebook and Twitter - for those of you who aren’t connected we’re going to be teaming up with MagIC-T to run some sessions on using the likes of Facebook and Twitter to stay in touch with us and your loved ones! I could go on forever here about what’s new and what’s around the corner - the best thing is to keep checking back on the website and stay in touch!! Happy Reading Martin Directions As usual the past few months here at Disability Direct have been an interesting time of change and development. The first thing you’ll probably notice is the new logo we’ve started to use. The whole organisation has had a bit of a shake up in the image department - what was the DD Group is now The Disability Syndicate - the hub of all of the work we at DD and our sister organisations do around disability. As part of this spring clean we’ve also got a new website which is regularly being updated with news and events which might be of Disability Direct, 227 Normanton Road, Derby, DE23 6UT Telephone: 01332 299 449 Minicom: 01332 368 585 Fax: 01332 365 055 www.disabilitydirectderby.co.uk E-mail: [email protected]Part of Issue No. 68 - August 2010 Disability Direct is a registered Charity (No. 1079831) and welcomes donations from all individuals and/or businesses. Directions is printed with the help of such donations. If you would like to contribute, please make cheques payable to “Disability Direct” and return to the address below. Editorial
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interest to you. The website was designed by a new social enterprise which you’ll hear plenty more about: MagIC-T - they’ll be offering you all a great new computer support service.
For those of you already connected, we’re now on Facebook and Twitter - for those of you who aren’t connected we’re going to be teaming up with MagIC-T to run some sessions on using the likes of Facebook and Twitter to stay in touch with us and your loved ones!
I could go on forever here about what’s new and what’s around the corner - the best thing is to keep checking back on the website and stay in touch!!
Happy Reading Martin
DirectionsAs usual the past few months here at Disability Direct have been an interesting time of change and development.
The first thing you’ll probably notice is the new logo we’ve started to use. The whole organisation has had a bit of a shake up in the image department - what was the DD Group is now The Disability Syndicate - the hub of all of the work we at DD and our sister organisations do around disability.
As part of this spring clean we’ve also got a new website which is regularly being updated with news and events which might be of
Disability Direct is a registered Charity (No. 1079831) and welcomes donations from all individuals and/or businesses. Directions is printed with the help of such donations. If you would like to contribute, please make cheques payable to “Disability Direct” and return to the address below.
Editorial
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My name is Aruna Sharman Birch and this is my third week with DD as a Work & Learning Advisor. Before joining Disability Direct, I was actively involved with many voluntary activities including coaching people to set up their own businesses, job hunting, confidence and motivational coaching.
Currently, I am working along side Emma, as I will be doing her role in October when she leaves on maternity leave.
Although there are so many uncertainties in current economic climates, I still feel that having a positive attitude will enhance your job prospects. So, while I am here I am hoping to help everybody that requires help with CV writing, signposting for further training and etc.
Enable Youth ForumWould you like to be a part of our Enable Young People’s Project? Here’s your chance!
We are looking for young disabled people aged 16-25 who would like to regularly get together to discuss how we can make the project better, how we can reach more people and how we can develop The Stuff website. There are also other volunteering opportunities available: to do research, help add stuff to the website and deliver training and presentations.
If you are passionate about helping other young disabled people and improving the number of opportunities available to them and would like to find out more please contact Naomi on 01332 299449 or email [email protected]
Enabled Art is an art group for disabled people. Established in 2002 the Centre is situated on Litchurch Plaza, Derby.
In July 2009 Enabled Art became part of the Disability Syndicate! Enabled Art is a safe, stimulating environment for beginners, artists and art lovers to develop their creativity in an open and inclusive environment!
Everyone is treated with respect and can be supported by Care Workers to help them to join in with activities. Care Workers can help with things like using the toilet, getting a drink, cutting lunch up, feeding, mixing paints, cutting paper and other art activities.
Sessions are flexible and are charged by the hour, our premises are fully accessible and transport is available too if required!
Lunch is available or feel free to bring your own packed lunch and snacks and drinks are available throughout the day at subsidised prices from the Tea Shop.
Call: 01332 242202www.enabledart .co.uk
Hello from Aruna...
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Mick’s ColumnHave you used Derby’s new bus station yet?To put not to fine a point on it, it’s caused considerable debate. An Equality Impact Assessment and Access Audit were undertaken recently with the help of disabled people, which identified a number of issues that required further investigation.
We’re working through the points raised and have already put plans in place to action many of them. Some issues are however more difficult to resolve than others. Taxi pick up and drop off and travel distances to the coach park have been two well published concerns. In response to these issues a taxi rank will now be available right outside the bus station entrance. Also, bus station staff will help coach passengers with luggage, and a wheelchair has been bought to assist disabled and older passengers with travel distances should help be required.
We will continue to work with bus station staff, bus operators and disabled people on delivering improved accessibility throughout the bus station operation, and good progress to date is being made on this.
Despite some difficulties I’m encouraged when I visit the bus station and see the considerable numbers of disabled people using it. It wasn’t many years ago when there was no chance of a wheelchair user getting on and using regular scheduled bus services and now it’s a common occurrence. That’s progress.
Mick Watts Access Officer Derby City Council Tel / Minicom: 01332 255925 Fax: 01332 255902 Email: [email protected]
We want to find out about your experiences of trying new activities through The Stuff website or through the Enable Project. Please go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/G6DCQDJ to take part in a quick survey to tell us what you think of local services for disabled people. All surveys will be put into a prize draw for a chance to win a £25 itunes or HMV voucher! The closing date for this survey is the 1st October but we will be running more surveys so watch this space.....
This survey is for young disabled people aged 16-25, living in Derbyshire or for their parents, carers or support workers to complete on their behalf.
If you would prefer a paper copy please contact Naomi on 01332 299449 who will happily send you one.
Young Disabled People - CHANCE TO WIN£25!
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Initially you should ask to discuss your concerns, on an informal basis, with your line manager.
If this does not resolve the problem you should get a copy of your Company grievance procedure. Make sure you follow this process, using the correct forms, if required to do so.
You should then write to your employer giving full details (including times and dates if relevant) of the problem or your concerns.
If you belong to a union they may be able to help you draft this letter
The next stage should be that your employer invites you to a meeting to discuss the problem with you. This should be held in private.
You have the right to be accompanied to the meeting. This is usually a work colleague or your union representative.
They may also interview other staff so they can get a complete picture.
You should then receive a written decision from your employer.
NEW Stroke Activities ProjectAs part of Derby City Council’s ‘Life after Stroke Support’ project, DD is offering a range of activities that will benefit those that have been affected by Stroke, their carers and families. All activities are FREE!
We have art classes, yoga sessions, digital photography classes and boccia training. These activities will be running for the next year with some having limited space available.
Please contact Amandeep Bains, Stroke Activities Worker, on 299449, or visit our office for more information.
Liz Freeman DDA Advisor gives us her third article about disability discrimination.
How to deal with disability discrimination at work
If you are unhappy with the outcome, you may appeal the decision.
Again, it is important to follow the Company’s procedure.
It is usual for a more senior manager to hold an appeal hearing, and they will inform you of their decision in writing.
If this fails to resolve your problems or concerns, you may wish to arrange an appointment with Liz Freeman, our Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Employment Advisor. She can look at your case and explain how the DDA might apply.
Liz may be able to mediatewith your employer,explaining their duties andsee if with negotiation theproblem can be resolved.If all this fails you may wish to consider taking your case to an Employment Tribunal. We will be discussing this process in more detail in our next edition.
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Travelling by TrainLiz Freeman, Disability Discrimination Advisor
Under the Disability Discrimination Acts of 1995 and 2005 service providers are required not to discriminate against disabled customers. The 2005 Act extends this legal requirement to all aspects of rail travel.
Improving accessibility is a major challenge. The government has allocated £380m over 10 years to improve physical access to stations, under the ‘Railways for All Scheme’
Since rail privatisation 5,000 new coaches have been brought into service, all with improved access for disabled passengers. Slam door trains, which were particularly difficult for some disabled passengers to use, were all withdrawn from service by 2005.
The Rail Vehicle Access Regulations (RVAR) introduced in 2005 have a set cut off date of 2020 for operators to make all rail vehicles accessible.
The Assisted Passengers Reservation Service (APRS) provides assistance for disabled passengers at stations, when boarding and on trains.
For people travelling from Derby station contact: East Midlands Trains Tel: 08457 125678 Textdirect: 18001 08457 125678 www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/EMTrains/Legal/DPPPandAccessibility.htm
Finally, ‘The Disabled Persons Railcard’,entitles disabled passengers to a third off the price of most tickets. Uniquely this discount is also extended to an adult travelling with a disabled person.
Application forms available from www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk or call into the DD office to pick up one up.
Many older people would enjoy taking part in some form of social activity, but feel they are unable to because of their mobility, their health or perhaps a lack of transport.
The Big Help project has been set up to offer socially isolated older individuals in Derby an opportunity to get out and about, and take part in local activities.
Over the last few months, the Big Help project has been running its own activities for our service users to attend, which have been a huge success. We have had a gentle exercise and nutrition class, an art class and will shortly be having our next workshop, which will involve showing people how to use the Internet, with our very own CEO, Amo Raju being on hand throughout the session!
Please contact our Big Help Outreach Workers, Charlotte Rawlings and Amandeep Bains on 299449 or visit our office for more information.
bigHelpProject
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Direct Payments and Personal Budgets Focus GroupDD are starting a Focus Group for users of Personal Budgets and Direct Payments. The group will meet on a regular basis and is an excellent opportunity to share your experiences and support other users as well as help shape these services in Derby. Free transport and lunch will be provided.
Unfortunately we are only able to accommodate a limited number of people on the group, but everyone interested will be updated on anything that happens within the group.
Contact Sally Austin for further information.
Accessible Gardens in the East MidlandsBella D’Arcy, a garden designer and writer, is compiling a directory of the actual accessibility of gardens open to the public. The directory will be for the benefit of disabled people and Bella is interested in the views of people who have visited gardens throughout the East Midlands. She would like to hear from disabled people, carers, friends and group organisers reporting on how they have found the access at gardens they have visited. Bella is looking for information about the things that are often not noticed; for example lawns meeting ramps where the lawn has dropped so that wheels of chairs and scooters get stuck and a disabled person can’t get onto the ramp without help, or a ramp ending in a high paving stone! or a lack of seats for people to take a rest. Bella wants praise for gardens as well as criticism.
If you are interested in helping Bella to compile the directory which will become part of a free to use website, please send your report to [email protected] Please include the name of the garden, the location and your own name – if you are happy for it to be used.
The website www.accessiblegardens.org.uk, will be launched in Spring 2011.
DD is excited to offer a brand new service for anyone living in Derby.Chores 4 You is a cleaning and ironing service that offers much more.Many people have expressed a need for support to be accompanied to appointments, have letters read to them and generally have company and transport to get out.
Even our ironing service comes with a difference. Instead of taking away your ironing we will do it in your own home giving you the chance to relax and chat to our friendly workers.
We cannot offer personal care, but if you have a need for us that isn’t listed, please call and ask.
• All services are offered at £10.90 an hour• All household domestic tasks• Freezer defrosting & cleaning• Curtains changed• Transport and accompaniment to appointments/activities• Letters read and written• Prescription collection
For further information, please contact Charlotte or Sally
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The Disability Syndicate is delighted to launch MagIC-T Solutions, a brand new service focussing on the IT needs of residents, the voluntary sector and small businesses in Derby. The service will focus on Remote Support for the home market, networking and website or database creation. It will also run very basic training sessions for beginners e.g. how to use the internet, join Facebook or other social networking sites.
Voluntary agencies and individuals have already seen the benefits of working with MagIC-T.
Paul Pegg – Chair of The Mackworth Estate Community Association says “MECA have found MagIC-T Remote support to be an invaluable service. It is a fantastic backup service that takes a simple telephone call and a click on your mouse and the IT experts can log on to your computer and remotely help you overcome your problems without you waiting for an appointment to your home or office or needing you to take your laptop or PC to the workshop”.
As a Social Enterprise, 100% of all income raised by MagIC-T goes to Disability Direct who continue to offer valuable free services to older and disabled people.
Facebook, Twitter and Blogs!
As well as being able to follow Disability Direct on Facebook and Twitter, our CEO and Strategic Director both have Blogs where they comment on the day to day running of the Disability Syndicate and people are invited to post responses.
To follow both Amo and Martin visit: www.syndicateceo.blogspot.com www.nimbusdisability.blogspot.com
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We offer low cost quality support via our remote support packages, from just £5.99 per month.
Just sit back and watch the MagIC-T happen as one of our tech team securely accesses your computer over the Internet and fixes the problem right before your eyes!
Have you ever got so frustrated trying to install printer’s, ipod’s or camera equipment that you have given up trying? Well imagine having your very own technical assistant on hand to do it all for you in a flash, letting you get on with what’s important.
All our team are really friendly and knowledgeable with more than 20 years experience in IT!
Unfortunately it’s a frustrating inevitability that computers and laptops will fail from time to time. That’s where MagIC-T Solutions remote services can help!
Our packages offer you peace of mind, you know we are here to fix your IT issues, as long as you have an internet connection we can assist you and our response & resolve time’s are extremely impressive!
Remote PC SupportHere are some of the common problems we can usually solve without expensive callout charges.
MagIC-T is a social enterprise and a division of Disability Direct, a registered charity number 1079831 and a company limited by guarantee number 3891119. That means that all income generated goes back into funding core services for Disabled people in Derby, so by choosing us your also choosing to support a local charity too!
MagIC-T Solutions, Enterprise Centre, 20 Royal Scot Road, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8AJTel: 0845 474 3970 | [email protected] | www.magict.uk.com
Directions is also available in other formats upon requestDisclaimer: Whilst Disability Direct endeavours to provide accurate up-to-date information at all times, no responsibilty nor liability will be accepted for any information which may subsequently prove to be wrong or misleading
Designed & Printed by Go Digital Print, 62-64 Osmaston Road, Derby, DE1 2HZ.
DD Staff Contact ListAll staff can be reached on 299449, or by email simply by adding @disabilitydirectderby.co.uk after their name as they are displayed here:
Reception: reception.reception
Personalisation Manager:sally.austin
Direct Payments/ Personalisation Support:raj.johal, shirley.peacock
Working & Learning:emma.chambers, aruna.birch
Big Help Project:charlotte.rawlings amandeep.bains
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