ECAS wants your bright ideas!
Are you age 18-30?
Do you have a physical disability?
Want to be part of shaping new, innovative activities and services for young disabled people?
For more information please click on link:
VOCAL (Free Carers Course)
CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH MULITPLE SCLEROSIS A FREE COURSE for carers, family members and friends of someone with MS. This course is provided by VOCAL (www.vocal.org.uk) and is specifically designed to meet the needs of carers of people with MS.
Sessions are being held on 19th and 26th September/ 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th October 2017. For further information please click on the link:
Bella Freak is a Disabled Persons’ Organisation that is looking to create inclusive art and literature events
Update from Bella Freak – Disability Information Scotland:
“To gain support and funding for creating inclusive art and literature events will require gaining evidence to argue that many festivals and events are inaccessible.
So, we have designed a short questionnaire to gain the views of disabled people, as well as their friends, and families.
This questionnaire aims to highlight the barriers that many disabled people experience when attending such events.
It would be very much appreciated if you could take around five minutes to fill this out, and please share this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/26CBQ7T”
NHS Lothians Equalities and Rights Outcomes and Mainstreaming Report
The NHS Lothians Equalities and Rights and Mainstreaming report tells the story of our work at NHS Lothian to improve Equalities and Rights outcomes from 2013 -17. We are publishing this final draft for a two week period of Public Scrutiny 21st April – 5th May. We are interested to know what people think about how the report is laid out – and most of all about what it says. Any comments on this report should go to: [email protected]
Rail Awareness Open Day
Scotrail are hosting a Rail Awareness Open Day on 3 May at Waverley on platform 4 starting at 1300 and finishing at 1500. Rail Awareness Open Day is an information event for existing and potential rail users with reduced mobility or those who need assistance with their journeys. People can learn about the support they can receive from ScotRail when planning and undertaking their journey by train. The event is open to all – including parents with young disabled children, older people with disabilities, elderly customers, carers and companions of people with reduced mobility. To register, please email [email protected] or visit the ScotRail website https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/accessible-travel/rail-awareness-open-days
Consultation regarding Taxi and Private Hire Provision in Edinburgh
CH2M has been commissioned by City of Edinburgh Council to carry out an independent review of Taxi and Private Hire operations in Edinburgh. Taxis are the only vehicles that can be obtained at a rank or flagged down in the street. Taxis in Edinburgh have illuminated roof signs stating ‘TAXI’ and are generally purpose built ‘London style’ cabs. Private hire vehicles are vehicles that must be pre-booked and are typically saloon vehicles; they must have door stickers visible with ‘Private Hire’ or ‘Pre-Booked Hires Only’ on them. Both taxis and private hire cars must display a yellow and white plate on the front and rear of the vehicle to show they are licensed.
To carry out our review, CH2M needs to know what type of service currently exists, and whether it meets the needs of those using the services. As part of this process we wish to consult with stakeholders across Edinburgh. As such we would be grateful if you could let us know what you think about taxi and private hire services across Edinburgh. Topic areas you might wish to consider include: 1. Adequacy of taxi supply across Edinburgh: Across all times of the day? Across all areas? 2. City of Edinburgh Council currently restricts the number of taxis licensed to work in the city to 1,316 licenses. Do you support this policy? 3. Adequacy of private hire supply across Edinburgh: Across all times of the day? Across all areas? 4. Image of the taxi trade, which could include: Vehicle age, type and quality? Vehicle cleanliness? Driver quality including standard of driving? Driver appearance? Any need for additional training? 5. The adequacy of taxi rank/stance locations, including: Do you know where the taxi rank/stances are in Edinburgh? Would you know how to find out this information? Are ranks/stances in the most suitable places?
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Are any additional ranks/stances required? (Please give location) Anything that could improve the accessibility of ranks/stances or make them more user friendly? 6. The accessibility of vehicles, including: Are additional wheelchair accessible taxis required? The ease with which it is possible to pre-book wheelchair accessible vehicles? Is there anything that could be done to make taxis more accessible for those with disabilities or mobility issues who do not use a wheelchair? 7. The level and structure of fares. This may include if you consider them to be high, medium or low during the daytime and night-time hours. 8. Publicity about services, including sufficient advertising of taxi and private hire services across Edinburgh. 9. Safety issues, including: Perceptions of safety using taxis in Edinburgh? Perceptions of safety using private hire vehicles in Edinburgh? Safety while waiting at ranks? Does the presence of taxi marshals affect your feeling of safety at ranks? What else could be done to improve safety for those using taxis? 10. Transport integration including how well taxis complement other types of public transport across Edinburgh. 11. Environmental factors. Emissions from transport, including the taxi trade contribute to air quality issues across the city. Is air quality a concern and should measures be taken to improve air quality in Edinburgh? Considerations could include: Eco driving training for drivers (taxi and private hire) to encourage a more efficient driving style. Implementation of clean air zone for vehicles operating in the city centre. Vehicle licensing to limit/remove the most polluting vehicles from operation.
Any information you provide will be summarised in our report and included in the appendices to the final report. In order that I may incorporate any comments you may have into the report, I would appreciate if you could let me have any contribution by 30th May 2017. Please provide any comments via email ([email protected]). Alternatively you can post your comments using our freepost address:
Freepost RTLC-BRRH-LHHJ, CH2M Hill, Park House, 8 Victoria Road, LEEDS, LS6 1PF
If you have any queries please call me on 0113 220 8234. I look forward to hearing from you.
We are Daniel Blake: Disability and Democracy Event
The film “I Daniel Blake” raises many questions about the society we live in, the type of politics we have, and the ability of disabled people to influence politicians.
This May the local elections take place and disabled people are often silenced during the process of elections, finding it hard to have their voices heard and their concerns addressed. The film “I Daniel Blake” is about a man fighting to be heard.
At this event disabled people are invited to come and have their say and to find new and exciting ways of becoming active in making the political system fairer and more representative. There will also be a hustings on the day with members from each political party available to answer questions.
For more information click on the link below.
We are Daniel Blake Flyer (00000003)
ECAS/SUSE Peer Support Taster Session
Do you have a physical disability?
Are you 18-30 years old and want to chat and get support from others?
Have a general interest in work?
Fancy taking part in some fun activities?
For more information please click on the link: ECAS Peer Support Taster Flyer final
Help shape the new Scottish social security system
The Scottish Government will become responsible for some of the benefits currently paid out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), including key disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Attendance Allowance.
They are wanting to work with people who have recent experience of these benefits so that we can design a new social security system with – and for – the people of Scotland. They are recruiting for Experience Panels who will start in Summer 2017 and will last for four years. This will involve speaking to people with direct experience about the benefits system to learn about what is important to you and what is important to you about the benefits you receive.
To find out more there is an information leaflet (please see PDF attached: Experience Panels
You can also have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the Experience Panels, and what taking part will involve.
Complete the registration form online or print out the registration form and return it by post.
Return your form to:
Freepost SOCIAL SECURITY EXPERIENCE PANELS. (No stamp required)
If you need additional support to register, you can call us on Freephone 0800 029 4974 and we will help you to complete it over the phone.
The Freephone line is open between the following times:
Monday – Friday: 0830 – 1800 and Saturday: 0900 – 1700
Phone line translation is available if required. British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us via www.contactscotland-bsl.org. Text phone users can call using the 18001 prefix or SMS users on 07467 447375.
To join the Experience Panels, you will need to fill out the registration form with your details so that you can be contacted about taking part in future Experience Panels research.
The information that you provide will be used for research purposes, will be kept strictly confidential and will not be shared outwith the Scottish Government. More information is provided on the ‘Have your say’ invitation.
Registration closes on the 12 May 2017.
View the ‘Have your say’ invitation or take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the Experience Panels, and what taking part will involve
EHRC Inquiry into housing for disabled people.
There is currently a severe shortage of housing suitable for disabled people. To help understand the reasons why and improve the situation, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has recently launched a formal inquiry into housing for disabled people.
As part of our evidence gathering, we have today launched three surveys on our web site. These are for:
· Individuals
· Organisations that work with, support or have an interest in disability issues
· Housing providers
By sharing your insights and experiences with us, you will be helping to influence this important inquiry and inform the recommendations. The survey should take around 20 minutes to complete. All the responses we receive will be treated as strictly confidential and no individual or organisation will be identified in the final report without their consent. Over the next few months, we will also be speaking to a wide range of organisations and individuals, including disabled people. As part of this we will be arranging interviews and roundtables, which will provide an opportunity to look at some of these issues in more detail.
Further details will be published on our website.
Your chance to have your say (click here)