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Extracts
from Issue 20
Short
breaks (respite) project
Norfolk Social Services are looking at ways in which disabled
people, assessed by a social worker as needing a planned short
break or breaks, could have increased choice as to when and
where this is taken.
The aim is that those who wish to directly book their break
will be able to choose either a registered care home or non-registered
accommodation such as a hotel, holiday or activity centre.
The project will identify a support/advice service which can
provide details of suitable accommodation, transport and, in
the case of non-registered accommodation, arranging for any
personal care or equipment that might be needed.
Project Manager Mike Pearce would like to hear from you if you
have had personal experience of being offered or taking short
breaks (for respite) and, whether the ideas above have appeal
or relevance to you.
Contact Mike at 300 St Faith's Road, Norwich NR6 7BJ, or telephone
01603 785227 or email mike@acnorfolk.org.uk
Win a PC
BT Community Connections is a scheme set up to help local community
groups, including disability groups to get access to the net.
You can win a PC and one year's free access to the Internet
by telling the judges in no more than 200 words how the award
would benefit your local group and help improve the quality
of life for people living in the area.
To
enter visit
or write to them at 36 King Street, Covent Garden, London WC2
8JS.
There are three application rounds a year - the next deadline
is 10th August 2001.
Get Practical
This specialised exhibition to be held at Ashwellthorpe Hall
Hotel, near Norwich on 5 and 6 September. There will be a wide
range of resources and equipment offering practical solutions
for people who are disabled, their carers and professionals.
Free admission and hourly bus service to and from Harford Bridge
Park and Ride.
WBAS extra hours
WBAS (Welfare Benefits and Advocacy Service) is now available
on Saturday mornings between 10am and 12 noon in addition to
its weekday service. Telephone 01603 666951.
Short Breaks at Short Notice
Funded by the Carers' Grant and managed by Crossroads via the
Carers' Helpline, this countywide service is to support carers
of younger physically disabled adults and older people.
By giving a minimum of 2 working days notice up to a maximum
of 5 days notice, the Helpline will arrange for someone to take
over the unpaid carer's role for anything between 2 hours up
to 48 consecutive hours. Normally this would be for a maximum
6 days in one year.
This service is in addition to any other care arrangements and
is free. Carers may find it helpful when they want to visit
family or friends at short notice, have unexpected invitations
or appointments, or want to be more spontaneous about getting
out for a while.
Crossroads will normally arrange for a care attendant from the
local or neighbouring Crossroads scheme. Failing this they will
arrange care from a domiciliary care agency. Carers can access
the service direct by ringing the Carers' Helpline on 0808 808
9876.
Half price bus fares
Pensioners and disabled people in Norwich can apply for a free
bus pass giving them half-price bus travel throughout Norfolk.
The passes, which used to cost £6, are now free, and passholders
will be given a half-fare reduction on all services in the county
between 9.30am and 6am the next day.
Holders will also get half-price fares to a maximum of 85p between
6.am and 9.30am. Telephone 01603 212591 for an application form.
A similar scheme operates in the North Norfolk District Council
area - free passes give 50% off the cost of most bus journeys.
Passes are available from NNDC offices or by writing to Bus
Passes, NNDC, Holt Road, Cromer NR27 9EJ.
Enclose a stamped addressed envelope, provide a passport-sized
photo and proof of age or disability. More information from
the Cashiers' office on 01263 516072.
Lord
Mayor's New Horizon's Fund
It is regretted that through lack of funds, the Lord Mayor's
Fund is unable to consider further applications for grants.
BDA Helpline
The British Deaf Association (BDA) is to relaunch its information
and advice helpline for the deaf community. Temporarily suspended
last year because of lack of funds, it has now received a grant
from the Community Fund. It will be officially launched in September
and will be fully accessible by videophone, textphone, email
and fax.
Special Needs 2001
This exhibition will be held on 2nd October 2001 at the Norwich
Sports village from 9am - 5.30pm. The 80+ exhibitors will display
a wide range of published materials and include English, Maths
and Information Technology resources.
There will also be 29 seminars, of which 13 are non-bookable
'come along' sessions. It is aimed at teachers and support workers
in schools, and any adult who has an interest in helping pupils
with learning difficulties. Parents are also welcomed. Admission
free. Enquiries to Ian Rix on 01553 669221/764706 or after 5pm
01366 382011.
BENEFITS AND FINANCE
Incorrect benefits
A study by a Plymouth Welfare Rights Team found that of 180
benefits checks for people with learning difficulties, 106 were
wrong. The biggest single error involved people not receiving
the top disability living allowance mobility and care rates
that they were entitled to. Also some carers had been wrongly
told that they were not eligible for Invalid Care Allowance.
Care debt waived
A woman who has refused to pay Liverpool Council for her care
since 1996 has had the debt waived on the day she was due to
bring a legal challenge against the way the council charges
for home help.
She had refused to pay because she said the council had not
consulted disabled people properly before introducing charges.
She also complained that her independence had been compromised
when she was assessed according to her husband's income.
The council has also undertaken to reassess her needs as an
individual.
GPs & Benefit claims
The Cabinet Office has produced a report Making a
Difference setting out interim outcomes of a government
drive to reduce GP red tape and bureaucracy. The report proposes
several changes to the GP's role in supporting benefit claims.
The Benefits Agency will only approach GPs for AA or DLA factual
reports where their input is essential and no one else can provide
it.
Incapacity Benefit checks
Under plans to be included in the forthcoming Welfare Reform
Bill, claimants will have to undergo medical tests every three
years to assess eligibility.
The plans have been heavily criticised by disability groups
and many backbench MPs. Alistair Darling, Secretary of State
for Work & Pensions defends the measures on the grounds of ensuring
that everyone fit to work, does work.
DSS changes
The Department of Social Security is to be replaced by the Department
for Work and Pensions. This will bring into a single department
most of the previous DSS with parts of the previous Departments
for Education and Employment, including the Employment Service.
The new department will be responsible for setting up two new
service delivery organisations: JobCentre Plus which will deliver
benefit and employment services to people of working age; and
the Pension Service which will deal with all aspects of all
claims from pensioners, except attendance allowance.
Job Centre Plus (JC+) will begin in October in 50 pilot areas,
but eventually all local and national Benefit Agency offices
will be transformed into either JC+ or Pension Service outlets.
New Deal for Disabled People
The New Deal for Disabled People went national this month. The
scheme is aimed at helping 90,000 disabled people on incapacity
benefit find work.
Following heavy criticism from disability groups, the government
has been forced to abandon plans to exclude 20% of disabled
people who volunteer for the New Deal and put them in a control
group for a year to check that those getting help fare better.
The Eastern Region of New Deal is on 0800 183 2050, email
info@papworth.org.uk and
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