Information for Independence

Information for Independencehttp://www.ifori.co.uk/faq.phpDisability Equalityendonna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukCopyright 2007 Donna Watch2008-04-18T16:40:00+01:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Fri, 02 May 2008 16:20:37 +0100Employers get DDA advicedonna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukBusinessEquality News2008-04-18T16:40:00+01:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/2b85a1424b439f1e521222ead5c6b503-15.php#unique-entry-id-15http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/2b85a1424b439f1e521222ead5c6b503-15.php#unique-entry-id-15Disability and Employment
“For the first time, this year’s Employer CD-ROM includes information on disability and employment.
Employing disabled people can help you to:

attract and keep skilled staff
make your workforce more representative of the community it serves
avoid undervaluing, under-using or losing skilled staff
avoid the costs and uncertainties of recruiting someone new
improve staff morale and productivity
develop good practice
help avoid claims of unlawful disability discrimination.”

SOURCE: HMRC Employer’s Bulliten 29 issued April 2008
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/employers-bulletin/bulletin29/disability-employment.htm]]>Back to work or stay on benefits?donna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukSocial CareLeisureEquality News2008-05-02T16:20:33+01:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/2ac53eb5b0a37bbf3e9e1911e4f2efb4-14.php#unique-entry-id-14http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/2ac53eb5b0a37bbf3e9e1911e4f2efb4-14.php#unique-entry-id-14

One of the things I find quite disturbing is the number of disabled people who will openly and honestly say that they chose benefits as a lifestyle choice.

These individuals are quite accepting that even with their level of impairment, they could work - but choose not too.

I have seen four distinct groups emerging over the last year.

1) The “I can’t and never will be able to work” group.

Those that believe that they could never work because they adopt the sick role or believe ‘disabled people don’t get jobs because of discrimination so why bother’. They see work as out of the question and often refuse to engage with anything that might indicate otherwise.

2) The “I could but don’t see the need to” group.

Those who are comfortable with free housing, free support and free social activities paid for by the council. Many have had well paid jobs before they became disabled, are not contributing towards the cost of their support, have maximised their benefits and feel that their ‘income’ provides a desirable quality of life - so why change? Many have high academic qualifications and many sought after skills and experience.

3) The “I will try work if I have the right support” group.

Those that want to work, but find it difficult to get the right amount of support and a job that pays well enough to come of benefits. They accept the responsibility of citizens to seek employment - and see themselves as no different in that sense.

4) Those who truly can’t work at all because they have a very severe level of impairment.

Often individuals who have high disability related and housing costs that go far beyond what benefits will cover. Individuals for whom the benefit system is really supposed to help - and which doesn’t go far enough in it current format.

Equality - we must ensure responsible citizenship.

I have worked with many social workers and care managers who quite readily offer 2 or 3 days at a resource centre or Direct Payments to enjoy leisure activities, without exploring whether that person should be engaging with work (and may thus rule out the need for so much leisure support to make a person’s days ‘fulfilled’).

I am not saying that disabled people don’t deserve funds to enable them to access leisure - far from it.

However, as a disabled person, it grates to know that I might be slogging away for 5 days a week at work, whereas someone else with the same level of impairment can be having 5 great days worth of fun activities.

Where is the equality in that?

]]>Pause for thoughtdonna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukHealthSocial CareBusiness2008-05-02T15:50:50+01:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/408aadce833674fb0f861e1989d31bdc-13.php#unique-entry-id-13http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/408aadce833674fb0f861e1989d31bdc-13.php#unique-entry-id-13
"The best way to predict your future is to create it."

I work with many people who are influential in the lives of disabled people. Many of them will influence health and social care - either as policy or decision makers, assessors or advisors.

Every UK citizen will also make decisions which affect the lives of disabled and older people. Through our democratic voting - we are choosing who we want to influence our future and the way they will do it.

It is perhaps wise for us all to think that one day, older age or impairment may well creep in. Have we chosen our future wisely or will we regret what we have done or failed to do?

]]>Blogging about disabilitydonna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukEducation2008-05-02T15:35:04+01:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/2f5710de3229b47a509224ea9a08a945-12.php#unique-entry-id-12http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/2f5710de3229b47a509224ea9a08a945-12.php#unique-entry-id-12Yesterday was the national day for blogging about disability.
Reading blogs by disabled people is a great way to discover the issues that disabled people are talking about, campaigning about or want you to hear about - they may be things that you can help change.
A little late - a recent story.
I am studying on a Post Graduate course around equality and consultancy in the field of disability and applied for a Disabled Student Grant. Students who require assistance or equipment for example can have a substantial amount of funding to enable them to access their course on an equal basis.
I have had three such grants - without which I would not have entered higher education as I need substantial help.
However, it's good to see that money is being put to good use (I'm being sarcastic here) by:
1) Making it really difficult to access
2) Being half way through your course with no funds or specialist equipment.
3) I know what I needed - but I still had to have an assessment from someone who thought they knew me better. As a result, I got a lot of things I have no use for and they went home with a nice pay packet.
4) The cost of the assessment is deducted from your Grant!
5) The cost of someone opening a box and plugging in my new laptop was £60 - which came out of my grant. Apparently I have an MA and help at home - yet still I am deemed incapable of opening a box and attaching a power supply!
Disabled people have the right to an education yet at the same time vital money is being wasted by government assessment processes. Other people on my course have also experienced similar issues - will this 'we know what's best for you' approach ever stop?

]]>American Express apologize for no alternative formatdonna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukalternative formatsBusiness2008-04-06T14:03:37+01:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/6da01311df8cf26b2983b0fb9e580bbc-11.php#unique-entry-id-11http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/6da01311df8cf26b2983b0fb9e580bbc-11.php#unique-entry-id-11BBC Radio 4's Money Box was broadcast on Saturday, 5 April 2008 at 1204 BST.
In the programme the lack of alternative formats was addressed. This was in relation to American Express offering bank statements in PDF formats that were not coded for visually impaired people to read via their screen readers. The issue has still not been fixed and is causing difficulties for the many people who use screen readers (Blind and visually impaired people, those with reading impairments who listen to the spoke word and people with learning difficulties who may also find it easier hearing items rather than reading them.
This is unlawful under the DDA and American Express apologized to the BBC stating that they are working to fix the problem that began last December.
]]>Alternative formats - againdonna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukBusinessEducation2008-03-09T14:11:53+00:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/fb43c772dae642fb963990bd5cf7d321-10.php#unique-entry-id-10http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/fb43c772dae642fb963990bd5cf7d321-10.php#unique-entry-id-10I am currently about a month into a post graduate course as a disability practitioner/consultant and trainer. Disabled students can apply for a grant/allowance that covers disability related costs which can pose a financial barrier to education.

To get the grant you have to have an assessment and confirmation that you have an impairment e.g. GP letter etc. My consultant once again confirmed that no miracle had occurred since the last two times I had this grant to study and all that remained was the assessment.

I spent quite a few hours with an understanding person trying to make sure I was applying for all the right personal assistance and equipment I would need to complete the course on an equal footing with a none disabled person. Much emphasis was placed on how I use electronic formats e.g. e-mail and web forums for communication, notes from a laptop I also hope to get, I read journals on-line and can't write much more than a few words.

Now, due to difficulties in holding books and papers (and looking down to read the things which effects my neck) I have documents I can read on a computer screen - nothing special, just word or pdf documents sent via e-mail.

My assessor wrote all this down and what happened next.....

he sent a several page report on my access needs - in print copy only.

This is typical - and the fee for this person to write that report is deducted from my grant!!

]]>Today I am compared to Stephen Hawkinsdonna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukHealth2008-02-29T19:10:24+00:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/19b41ddfd30ba5496e3b93f7b2039379-9.php#unique-entry-id-9http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/19b41ddfd30ba5496e3b93f7b2039379-9.php#unique-entry-id-9It is good practise, when serving a disabled customer, NOT to do what my optician did yesterday by asking how long I had needed a wheelchair and why. I explained I had MD and he said 'oh yes just like Stephen Hawkins'. Shame he was totally wrong and was only comparing our bodies rather than our minds - I wish!

Disability Equality applies to how you address a disabled person and you can be in breach of the DDA because you wouldn't ask a none disabled person such personal questions that have no significance to providing a service. It brings undue attention to a person's impairment where it isn't needed. I personally find it frustrating and annoying.]]>Equality in an emergencydonna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukEquality News2008-02-27T14:28:01+00:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/afc3c8d731bc759928a52605ab73775f-8.php#unique-entry-id-8http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/afc3c8d731bc759928a52605ab73775f-8.php#unique-entry-id-8
My texting life saver.

As a person who finds it impossible to hold a mobile phone, I found myself in a predicament where a care worker was becoming drunk and about to physically abuse me - or worse. I had employed a live-in, male care worker and all was going well until I started smelling alcohol on his breath. His references had all checked out and a CRB was being carried out. I then heard that he had been dismissed because of alcohol and related problems from a previous care worker job and should not be working in this field.

I discussed my findings and he was due to leave the next day. However, by the evening he was intoxicated through consoling himself because he had lost himself another job - and things took a sudden turn for the worse. Every indication was that there was a high risk of an abusive situation but then things got even worse.

My electric wheelchair went from having a slow puncture to being being completely flat in a few seconds. I was stuck in the middle of the room with a care worker who was making advances. I also knew that he had taken a knife into his room for some unknown reason. I couldn't make a 999 call as it was too difficult and it could have pushed him over the edge. He wanted to kill himself and now there were two lives in danger.

I had, however, told a friend what was happening and if I texted a code word the police would be called. I did this silently and effectively. Thank goodness I did, just as the care worker touched my face the door went - it was the police who removed the man from my property calmly and effectively and I live to tell the tale.

PRESS RELEASE SUMMARY: 26th February 2008

Emergency SMS texting service for deaf and speech-impaired people launched

From: Kent Fire and Rescue Service and Kent County Council

A new SMS service for Deaf and speech-impaired people was launched at Kent Police Headquarters today (26 February 2008).

The launch of this partnership project coincided with a visit from Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, who was visiting Kent Police Headquarters to attend a disability action group meeting.

The initiative is a joint venture between Kent Police, Kent County Council (KCC) and Kent Fire and Rescue (KFRS), and will allow those with hearing and speech problems to 'text' the emergency services when they require help.

Those using the SMS system, will have to start their text with the word 'police', 'medic' or 'rescue' depending on which service they need, followed by the rest of their message. The text will then be channelled to the relevant organisation and dealt with immediately.

Kent Police Assistant Chief Constable Steve Harris said: 'This new service means that deaf and speech impaired people will be able to alert emergency services of concerns they have quickly and effectively, without having to face problems that could be linked to conventional methods.
'With technology moving forward all the time, it's vital that we use the latest and most efficient means of communication for everybody in our local communities.'

Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire said: 'I am delighted to see the launch of this invaluable text messaging service. It will empower deaf and speech impaired people to gain quick and easy access to emergency services where and when they need to. I would like to express my thanks and congratulations to all the organisations which have put in such hard work and dedication to make this happen. This project is a great example for the rest of the country.'

KCC Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services, Kevin Lynes said: 'I am delighted that Our Deaf Forum and staff in Deaf Services have played such an important role in the setting up of this vital system. This is an excellent example of pooling resources and together with Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue; this new initiative can quite literally save lives.'

Assistant Director of Kent Fire and Rescue, Steve Griffiths, said: 'We are delighted to be teaming up with our emergency services colleagues to launch this new service. It is really important to us that deaf people are able to contact us quickly and easily if they need our help- and this new service is a great solution.'

Posters and leaflets advertising the initiative are currently being distributed in key locations around the county.

]]>Local Authority Case of Discriminationdonna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukEquality News2008-02-27T14:20:35+00:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/c56ac0ca446b513076a667d6b87d9659-7.php#unique-entry-id-7http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/c56ac0ca446b513076a667d6b87d9659-7.php#unique-entry-id-7
PRESS RELEASE SUMMARY: Harrow Council found guilty in acting unlawfully.

From: Public Law Project. A small section is show below and the full press release is available from: Public Law Project

"20 December 2007

High Court finds that Council acted unlawfully and ignored rights of disabled people

Harrow Council forced to reconsider new policy withdrawing care services from 100s of residents

In a key case about disability rights and the provision of care services for 100s of people, a judge found a local council had acted unlawfully when introducing its new policy because it had breached its duties under the Disability Discrimination Act.

The case, brought by the Public Law Project (PLP) on behalf of three service-users in Harrow, was a challenge to Harrow Council’s decision in July this year to restrict the care services it currently provides to people with critical needs only, withdrawing care from those who had substantial needs. "]]>Magazine apology to visually impaired readersdonna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukLeisureEquality News2008-02-01T14:27:55+00:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/3b4657a7e33639e6e48f3448a4b1b668-6.php#unique-entry-id-6http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/3b4657a7e33639e6e48f3448a4b1b668-6.php#unique-entry-id-6
In the last issue, they accidentally printed some of their articles in a pale font on a pale background and made it difficult for vision impaired people to read or 'those with poor eyesight' as they described.

Nice to see that not only have they apologized publicly but they have made an accessible downloadable version in a pdf for people who can access the Internet.

Congratulations to the Editor for apologizing and avoiding a potential DDA claim from it's readers. Perhaps others publications could take note... I''m off to have a read.

Read what the company said by clicking here.

I posted a comment on their website and added this note in reference to their SPAM detection:

(Apart from to publish this I had to answer a maths question which many disabled people would find difficult should they have a cognitive impairment)]]>No Alternative formatdonna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukBusiness2007-11-27T12:27:43+00:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/43dfaaeb113374c57bcc043ddd260ff3-5.php#unique-entry-id-5http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/43dfaaeb113374c57bcc043ddd260ff3-5.php#unique-entry-id-5
The suggestion was to reference a typed document (that I was to type) to part of the form, print, sign and send both. This made it quite difficult so I had to resort to cutting and pasting each paragraph from the pdf into a word type document.

All the formatting was lost and I spent a long time making it look readable and then printing out two lots of a rather long document and wasting yet more paper and ink.

Why people need electronic formats (just a few examples):

1) You can change the font size and type e.g. in Word if you need larger or smaller print.
2) You can change the colour and background to make reading easier.
3) You can have a text to speech program read out your document or use speech to text to write on a form.
4) It is ideal for someone who can't write and needs to type out information for a form.
5) It is ideal for someone who can't use their arms / fingers or look downwards to read a document on their screen.

I personally find looking down at paper, holding it and writing with a pen difficult to impossible.

Electronic formats should be common practise and especially in large businesses like a major insurance company.]]>My worth - less than minimum wage apparently.donna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukBusiness2007-08-02T12:13:50+01:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/ada57b2ba10fff04e10042968a386d31-4.php#unique-entry-id-4http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/ada57b2ba10fff04e10042968a386d31-4.php#unique-entry-id-4
I had worked at events with this person before and they wanted my knowledge and presentation skills to deliver parts of the course.

As a co-trainer I was offered less than minimum wage. I declined this insulting and tokenistic offer.

It is common for a 'wheel 'em in, wheel 'em approach by so called Disability Consultants because it looks good having a disabled person present. This is wrong but unfortunately not uncommon. If disabled people are being consulted then their knowledge and contribution should be valued and payment provided on an equal par to a none-disabled consultant who is an expert in a particular field.]]>Imagine thisdonna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukBusiness2007-12-12T18:41:51+00:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/de78df4de8f70240431d2fa42a38e5a7-3.php#unique-entry-id-3http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/de78df4de8f70240431d2fa42a38e5a7-3.php#unique-entry-id-3What are my chances of getting a contract?

Did you know that 1 in 5 people are disabled - but only half of disabled people (of working age) are in employment?

Many have the right qualifications but are never asked to an interview.

80% of non disabled people (of working age) are in employment earning more than their disabled peers.

It is highly likely, that in the course of my business, people, given the choice, will choose a non-disabled service provider because of prejudices and discrimination in the UK.

This is my reality.]]>Dragon's Dendonna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukBusinessSocial Care2007-10-31T18:03:28+00:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/eb395bf733d4603b5736abe6f1a0eeb5-2.php#unique-entry-id-2http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/eb395bf733d4603b5736abe6f1a0eeb5-2.php#unique-entry-id-2

Dragon's Den

How many business woman have to go through a 'business viability' check and 1:1 interview before they can do anything. I can not work without physical assistance. I have very little movement in my head and limbs. I had to endure a 1:1 interview and put my case forward as to why A2W should fund my personal assistance.

I had to disclose financial details such as how much I planned on spending on christmas presents, how much I spent on social gatherings, mortgage, utilities, magazine subscriptions, food..... and I was told 'to be honest'. The interviewer scanned her eyes around my home, where the interview took place, looking for signs that I had more or less money than I had disclosed. I had to prove that myself and my husband were living within our means and didn't have a 4 foot plasma screen TV hidden in the corner!
We went over everything from number of Degrees I held through to my marketing and financial strategies.

It took a good few hours. She would then go away and I would get the results in the post - if they said yes I could continue setting up in business. If they said no, then I would have to privately fund my assistance of over £700 a week or give up self employment.

In the meantime they would pay me £11 an hour for personal assistance up until the last day of October.

October came....

No letter, I have also filed out about 20 pages of two application forms to the ILF. I have both the ILF and Social Services on standby to provide financial assistance should A2W decide not to fund.

I have spent over a week filling out forms to organise my personal assistance.
I went on holiday for 1 week.
Postal strikes and IT failure plagued my efforts.

I had spent the last three months doing business set-up, mailshots, advertising, networking etc. I almost had three contracts - then they fell through. Time was pushing on ... still no reply. I wondered if all my hard work had been for nothing... what if they didn't fund. My business would be over before it had started.

The pressure was immense.

I am told I can not use ILF or DPs for work purposes. If this fails I will not be able to work.

I feel demotivated - will my hard work be for nothing. It is an ugly black cloud over my head.

It was a few days to go until the end of October, I contacted A2W to ask what they had decided.
They said the letter was 'lost in the post'. I was e-mailed a copy. It stated I had a viable business plan. I was asked how many contracts I had. I had none - and I hadn't been expecting an income until my marketing strategy kicked in. I had been given three months to secure substantial contracts - just three months. I am not told how 'substantial' these should be.

I didn't get the funding. Officially I am not working but doing 'meaningful activities'. The alternative is I go to a day centre with large numbers of other disabled people who could work given half the chance.
Once there I could make baskets and play scrabble or have a sing-a-long.
I would cost the tax payer a lot of money and go mad. It is no place for a person with two degrees and a desire to work.

I would find it almost impossible to work for anyone but myself because of the flexibility and home working base that I would need - not many people offer work that is flexible enough.

I will not be giving up on my business just yet though.
]]>Business advice...donna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukBusiness2007-11-24T17:37:59+00:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/b2b8f9baa944fd92aec7b5d8cbc6349c-1.php#unique-entry-id-1http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/b2b8f9baa944fd92aec7b5d8cbc6349c-1.php#unique-entry-id-1
It was a miserable, rainy day and I managed to get parking in a public car park across the road.

It would have been a bit more pleasant if the helpful chap had told me there was parking right outside the door. Still, my PA opened the door and we took a seat.

The chap I was seeing was on the phone and the second chap looked thoughtful as he gazed up at us from across the room.

Eventually he came over. By that, I mean he got up, walked straight past me and over to my PA.

"You must be Louise", he said.
"No, Louise is over there", came the reply from my PA.
"Oh", said the man looking confused as he spun round to look at me.

Great, I thought, I was very offended. Given the option of two people - one of whom was going to be the customer looking for business advice - the man chose to rule me out.

Eventually I had my first appointment - amidst a conversation opener that went along the lines of:

"How often do you have to charge it? Does it go far?"
"Oh my wheelchair, no it depends how far I have been."
"You could charge it up with the socket over there if you need to."

I wanted to go down the lines of 'that's not really appropriate' as a way to greet a wheelchair user. The reality was he probably did not know any better and just served to prove how much Equality Training is needed.

Would you go up to a customer and open the conversation with ' how far can you walk in a day without getting tired... have you walked far today.... you can take a rest over there...'?

So many people start off a conversation like that, where there is simply no need.

Wheels are an equivalent of legs. They get you from A to B. My wheelchair is a part of me - part of my body. If you wouldn't comment on someone's legs - then please don't comment on my wheels.

]]>About my work.. on your marks...get set...donna_louise@blueyonder.co.ukBusiness2007-08-03T18:03:59+01:00http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/7e7d71dbca0e6b6008ad2d89a0c52847-0.php#unique-entry-id-0http://www.ifori.co.uk/page1/files/7e7d71dbca0e6b6008ad2d89a0c52847-0.php#unique-entry-id-0
As I set up my business, I was once again plunged into a bubbling cauldron of inequality and discrimination as a business woman and disabled person.

My aim was simple. I was going to offer services that would support the Disability Equality agenda and Independent Living.

This would involve courses around Independent Living and Disability Equality , consultancy and web-services.

It was something I had done before so decided on a re-launch. And so my new enterprise 'Information for Independence' was born.

This blog is about the ups and downs of the 'disability' issues effecting my life and my business.

Equality matters - it matters to me and it effects everyone.... even you.

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