!"# $ e " s  r Contacts&Acknowledgements.....................................................2 UKDisabledPeople’sParliament.................................................3 PublicStatement—SeparationofBCODPandNCIL..................5 SustainableFunding......................................................................7 Athens—AncientCity,AncientAccess,AncientAttitudes............8 MoreonAthens...........................................................................10 MobilityRoadshow......................................................................11 EuropeanYearofDisabledPeople.............................................12 DDATribunalResult....................................................................16 OpenLetter—AddressedtoRightsNow...................................18 DisabledEntrepreneurs...............................................................20 EuropeanDisabledPeople’sParliament.....................................22 AccessiblePropertyRegister......................................................24 SwitchontoSuccess..................................................................26 BCODPWebsite..........................................................................27 Conference..................................................................................28 DisabledPeopleandtheInternet................................................30 Bioethics......................................................................................34 Letters.........................................................................................38 SustainableUserInvolvementProject........................................41 PressRelease—TranscriptionsService....................................42 EFDSInclusiveFitnessInitiative.................................................43 EventsattheV&AMuseum.........................................................46 n u       s v ldege s  kcnow  &Atmens Head Office -Derby Chief Executive.............................................. Andy Rickell PA to Chief Executive..................................... Jayne Foulds Groups Development Manager...................... Sandy Marshall Administration Assistant to Groups Development Manager...................... Vicki Stowell Finance Officer .............................................. Bob Crane Administration Manager................................. Sheila Furniss Administration Assistant................................. Kevin Towler Information Officer/Editor of Activate.............. Anastasia Kelly Information Assistant...................................... Clare McGrath Research Officer............................................ Margaret Bordogna Crane National Centre for Independent Living -London Director Vacant Information Officer (Acting) Catriona Nicholson Information Assistant Vacant Administrator Barry Clarke Development Officer Vacant Finance Administrator Vacant Contracts Manager Brenda Joyce Address: BCODP, Litchurch Plaza, Litchurch Lane, Derby DE24 8AA Telephone: 01332 295551 Fax: 01332 295580 Minicom: 01332 295581 Email: Activate@bcodp.org.uk or general@bcodp.org.uk BCODP wish to acknowledge ‘CHANGE’ Picturebank and Access 2 by People First for the pictures used throughout Activate. Disclaimer: The material found within Activate is the opinion of the writer, and not necessarily the opinion of BCODP. Activate is available in other formats on request ‘Activate’ from BCODP , ()  +   01    / *  &-. '/ I am pleased to be able to say that a number of member groups and individuals took the opportunity to respond to the consulta tion on the draft business plan for the UK Disabled People’s Parliament (UKDPP) project (this included two individuals and eight member groups). As with some of the comments made at the conference, some members took the opportunity to question whether the project itself was the best way forward, though this has to be put in context in that seventeen groups has supported the principle of the UKDPP when members were invited to give their views on BCODP’s strategy in December 2001. Funding applications for the UKDPP had already been submitted around the time of the consultation period. This was because given the previous feedback responses (81% in favour of the UKDPP), National Council was consulting the membership on HOW the UKDPP should be run rather than WHETHER, as it appeared that question has already been answered. As a result the application for a European Year grant was successful and BCODP was awarded £50,000 with which to launch the UKDPP. The National Council recognised that in the responses to the consultation there were some serious concerns expressed about the project and it wanted to reflect those in deciding how to take matters forward when it made a decision on the next step for the UKDPP at its meeting in February 2003. The National Council decided on the following: To use the £50,000 grant to launch the UKDPP this year in place of the 2003 Conference at Manchester in October, and to look on it as a pilot to see if the project has a long-term future. To set up a committee reporting to National Council, to be called the UKDPP ‘Activate’ from BCODP 3 Development Committee, to oversee the development of the project. Members would be invited to join the committee, par   c 5  + 6 e ticularly representatives from those groups who had serious concerns about the project, to make sure that the diversity of views were represented. The Committee would have responsibility for overseeing the launch, and for revising the business plan after taking into account the feedback that had been received from members, and for reporting back to National Council about how the UKDPP should be developed, if at all, for the future. The project has already generated more positive mainstream media coverage that BCODP has received for a long time, and it has been helpful about raising the issue of the proper representation of disabled people’s view in public debate. This goes alongside our recent media coverage about several of the Big 7 appointing non- disabled chief executives, including a debate on Radio Four’s ‘You and Yours’ programme where we were arguing with the RNID over their recent appointment.   +  4 e 32+      We have also been working on something that fits neatly with the ‘community leadership’ development that will come from the UKDPP and the roles of its elected members. We are in touch with OCPA (The Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments), which is the watchdog for government appointments to public bodies, like the DRC and NHS trusts. They want to improve the number of disabled people who are appointed and they are asking BCODP for advice on how to achieve this. They can see a neat tie-in between UKDPP and encouraging disabled people to put their names forward for the boards of public bodies in the mainstream world of politics. It may also make sense for BCODP to make contacts with the Local Government Association about encouraging disabled people to get involved in local politics too. The UKDPP is an opportunity for trying to find better ways for us as disabled people to represent our views at national level. What the Movement may end up doing may be very different to the UKDPP project that was set down in the first draft of the ‘Activate’ from BCODP business plan. Please get involved in the project— registering for your vote, perhaps standing as a candidate, commenting on your experience of what happens and what you think ought to happen. That will be the best way to influence the future of the UKDPP. We will be in touch with you in the near future to let you know how to go about registering and being a candidate. We hope to give news updates on the website, www.bcodp.org.uk, and maybe offer online registration and voting when we develop the best way of achieving this effectively, accessibly and fairly.       ” e 8 2 f           y w 9  w 7   7" + *    + * Seven Point Plan The following seven point plan was agreed at BCODP’s Annual conference on Saturday 12th October 2002: 1. That we aim to complete the planning for the separation of BCODP and NCIL by 31st December 2002, working to complete the process as soon as possible without detriment to either BCODP or NCIL. 2. That a working group is set up with: • Three National Council members; • Three Independent Living Committee members (including Nick Danagher) and; • Four representatives from Member Groups. ‘Activate’ from BCODP 3. BCODP does not tell NCIL what it can work on. 4. BCODP and NCIL make no criticisms of each other. 5. Both organisations never knowingly seek the same funds. 6. We approach the Department of Health to update them on the situation to merge our current bids. 7. The details of the proposed scheme of separation will be presented to member groups for ballot. PROGRESS MADE 1. The NCIL Working Group was set up in accordance with the Conference decision and has met three times. 2. We expect to be able to complete the transfer of NCIL to a new organisation, to be called NCIL Ltd, on 31st March 2003. 3. The bids for funding to the Department of Health were merged, and the new NCIL was successful in getting funding for three years. The funding for this work will therefore stay within the movement. 4. The assets and business of NCIL are being transferred from BCODP to NCIL Ltd at a fair market value, which NCIL Ltd will pay back to BCODP on agreed terms. 5. BCODP and NCIL have agreed a protocol for joint working in the future, which is written below: PROTOCOL BETWEEN BCODP AND NCIL 1. BCODP will offer full membership to NCIL (subject to NCIL meeting the constitutional requirements to be a full member). 2. NCIL will offer full membership to BCODP (subject to BCODP meeting the constitutional requirements to be a full member). 3. BCODP and NCIL will form a joint Independent Living Liaison Group (or whatever committee might replace it) to work jointly on issues of independent living and campaigning issues around independent living. 4. BCODP and NCIL make no criticisms of each other regarding the separation of the two organisations or any matters prior to that. 5. BCODP and NCIL will make no criticisms of each other publicly on any other matter. If there are differences that present problems, then these ‘Activate’ from BCODP will be raised and resolved confidentially at the Independent Living Liaison Group. In the event that matters cannot be resolved by these means, both organisations agree to use whatever internal processes are available within each organisation to deal with such unresolved matters. 6. BCODP and NCIL will never knowingly put in similar applications to seek the same funds, and agree that wherever appropriate they will look at making joint applications. 7. NCIL recognises BCODP as the national umbrella organisation of the disabled people’s movement in the UK. 8. BCODP recognises NCIL as the national expert organisation on direct payments and personal assistance in the UK. 9. This protocol will be reviewed in February 2005. NEXT STEPS The agreement for the transfer will be signed on 28th March 2003 if BCODP members agree to it. eF ' l / g  n  /  7 *  -. 01  & One of our priority concerns for the success of the movement is sustainable funding. We have been investigating a number of ways in which we can assist local groups in particular. Amongst the ideas we are already working on it the national marketing of services like Disability Equality Training, Transcription Services and Access Audits. When work comes in it will be passed on to local groups so that they can earn extra core income. More details will be provided on this when they are available. Another piece of work we are currently involved in is trying to encourage central Government that it is in their interests to offer core funding to support local disabled people’s organisations. We are doing this by contacting the ‘Activate’ from BCODP Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) who is responsible for the development of Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) which each local authority should support to deliver joined-up government in their area. These LSPs should include proper representation of the community they serve. We are arguing that disabled people should be directly represented on these partnerships, and that this can best be done by funding local organisations of disabled people who would elect their own representatives. The latest news on this is that we have been offered a meeting with the civil servant responsible, and in the first instance we will take up this offer. I expect that it will take rather more than a meeting to achieve what we want, and we may be coming back to you to help us with this campaign.   &  &  n &  & - s // :// & t &  7 The European Year of Disabled People was formally launched in January 2003 in Athens, I was lucky to be one of the chosen few to attend. Chosen few being disabled delegates! The launch ceremony itself took place on the Sunday evening following an escorted trip around Athens flanked by police and special guards — that is, for the Government officers and non- Governmental officers who could get on the coaches supplied! Very luxurious the coaches were but — yes you’ve guessed it — non-accessible to anyone with a mobility impairment or wheelchair user. Athens idea of accessible transport for wheelchair user or mobility impaired people is ambulances with flashing blue lights — a joy already experienced on our route from the airport. ‘Activate’ from BCODP Picture of Sheila Blair and Anne Pridmore Still I thought as the ceremony began it would all be worth it when we all join in the celebration. Again, I was deeply disappointed — firstly all disabled ‘guests’ were put in the very front of the auditorium in between two yellow lines and woe betide anyone who had a wheelchair wheel over the line. The ceremony began with a video and the playing of the theme for the year, which I have to say, was positive and quite moving but after that it all went down hill. The speeches seemed to go on for an eternity and the only exciting part about them was when a demonstration by the Green equivalent to DAN took place, which was quickly and firmly dealt with. The President of the European Disability Forum has no clue about access and proceeded to shout so loud into the microphone that anyone using the loop system must have had a terrible experience, as it was we could not hear the translation over his bellowing voice. But there was more to come — testimonials followed and these stories were from six countries and all told of their heroic battle against disability. There followed the ‘cabaret’ for the evening — which was to say the least something we in the United Kingdom would have expected to see about ten to fifteen years ago, ’Tragic but brave as non-disabled artists sang, caressed and generally patronised and compromised their disabled counterparts on the stage’. When I related this tale to some friends when I arrived home, friends who are not disabled, even they were horrified and understood when I told them I and several more disabled delegates from the United Kingdom had to physically leave the auditorium at the point where the ‘Greek Spastics Society’ were performing. Although we have a long way to go towards full civil rights and the changes we are all longing for — this experience will remain with me for a long time to come. ‘Activate’ from BCODP &  s &  This is Anne Pridmore’s perception of European Launch in Athens. Although Anne is keen to point out that the launch in Britain was excellent in comparison. Administration No notification was made regarding flights. As a disabled person who has to take a personal assistant, flights need to be purchased well in advance. Having done this no re-imbursement appears forthcoming despite the fact that my tickets were half the price of those purchased by EuroM. Arrangements at Airport Despite an email to tell me there would be transport from airport and to go to the desk marked “EYPD” I was not included in the list (nor my PA’s or Colin Ashmore). After discussion I was squeezed into the ambulance but whilst my wheelchair was strapped in I was not strapped into the wheelchair. The ambulance driver drove like a mad man with light and siren flashing through all red lights. Not only was this extremely dangerous but added to my pain levels bouncing up and down in the back. Where’s my dinner? Arriving at hotel 8.30pm to find no meals were included – this should have been addressed before – this typifies the exclusive dimension at EDF level. To be a delegate to EDF and be unwaged from what I can see is rare. Most people on benefit do not have access to a credit card – how were they supposed to eat? Welcome to Athens A sight seeing trip of Athens in a non-accessible bus for the elitists was arranged unless you were mobility impaired or a wheelchair user. ‘Activate’ from BCODP The BIG Event Much waiting about for ambulance to arrive to take wheelchair users to concert hall – why is it we are always treated like the poor relation? Content of “entertainment” had nothing to do with rights but more about charity. Best pieces were the testimonials, opera singer and karoke singer. I personally had to go out when the Greek Spastic Society performed their Greek tragedy. It was bad enough to see non- disabled actors/dancers in main parts but the piece de resistance came when the six wheelchair users had pigs noses placed on their heads. It would be very interesting to know how much this Launch cost and how many people made a lot of money out of it. 3   0  n < t t   ; , * r 0  r -.7  *  r '-; ; = We would like to inform our members of the Mobility Road Show event that is happening at Donington Park around the 12th, 13th and 14th of June. This event was very successful for BCODP last year where we had a stand with staff on hand over the three day period of the show. We met many new people who became members of BCODP and also current members of BCODP who came to see us. We are hoping for similar success this year particularly as BCODP will be launching the UKDPP and we will be looking to sign up as many voters and potential MDPP’s at the event. So come along and see us at the Show! ‘Activate’ from BCODP 0 u   >6  + 7'  *   / s >+ ?98? -. 01 P " t  ' l / & After some lobbying by friends of the Movement, BCODP got a seat on the National Coordinating Committee for the European Year of Disabled People. The Committee was pulled together by the Government, though the EU expected each country’s national committee to be controlled by disabled people and their organisations. BCODP and other organisations OF are heavily outnumbered on the Committee, so where the Committee has agreed with our principles, this has had to be by per suasion and argument rather than by weight of numbers. Nevertheless, particular results have included the following : 1. Everywhere else in the EU the year is called the European Year of People with Disabilities. The con sequence of trying that in the UK was explained to the Committee in no uncertain terms and in the UK we are using different publicity materials compared to everywhere else in the EU. If the publicity slips up anywhere, do let us know – we have said it will not be tolerated. 2. The money provided is mainly going on local grass roots projects, not on jamborees, and not on publicity, which is the case in nearly all the other EU countries. 3. The government was so impressed by the scale and quality of the grant bids that they added an extra £1m to the grant pot. It is a shame that there were some excellent bids from the Movement that lost out because there was just not enough money. ‘Activate’ from BCODP 4. We were able to get it made a requirement of getting funding that projects must be managed by disabled people, and we have asked the independent evaluators to check if that really happens. We did want only organisations OF to be eligible but that was not the majority view. If you obtain direct experience of a project that got funding and you do not believe it is really being managed by disabled people then please let us know – it was after all an essential requirement. 5. There is some genuine interest in Government about how the sort of projects that are being supported by this funding can be supported from mainstream funding long-term. We will push to encourage them to carry this through. As part of the Year, a “Bus”, which is actually a lorry, will be travelling across the whole EU. As regards the UK, it will arrive in Dover on 2nd June, and will travel across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland before leaving to go into Eire on 2nd July. Its travel arrangements are listed in this issue of Activate. If you want to try to use the bus to get publicity for any campaigning you are doing, then local and regional press, TV and radio will probably cover the visit of the “bus” in your area so if you go to where the bus is and make a scene you may as well get some publicity. I think BCODP and the Movement ought to use the fact that national media will cover the arrival in Dover as the basis for a demonstration – your ideas for what the demonstration should be about would be most welcome. I think BCODP should write a public (and critical if appropriate) report on the Year to be presented to the media in early December, and this might be the first report that the UK Disabled People’s Parliament might produce. We would expect the first meeting of the UK Disabled People’s Parliament (UKDPP) to get a lot of media coverage because it will be during the European Year and because BCODP received a grant for it. Again it would be good if we not only use it to publicise the Movement, but also the issues we want addressed by government, and these could be expressed by newly- elected MDPPs. ‘Activate’ from BCODP : 0 u *  + : : ,  @ e * a >+    e Date Time Place Activity Sponsor 2 June Not Arrive at Dover Brighton Dykes and many other known Charities 3 June All Day London Greenwich Association of London Govern- Observatory ment co-ordinating many events 4 June All Day London St Thomas's Involving Disabled People Hospital 5 June All Day London Asian People Awareness raising amongst Medical Practitioners of West London 6 June All Day Epsom Various Disability Arts Activities-Vodaphone Shape & other Local Disabled People’s Organisations 7 June All Day Epsom As Above Vodaphone 8 June All Day Southampton Disabled Football Championships Football Associa- Festival of Diversity and the FA tion and McDonalds, UNUM 9 June All Day Bristol South West TUC and UNISON 10 June All Day Birmingham Birmingham City Council with Birmingham CIL 11 June All Day Birmingham 12 June All Day Derby Mobility Roadshow -DCIL Royal School for the Deaf 13 June All Day Derby Mobility Roadshow -DCIL Royal School for the Deaf 14 June All Day North Wales To be decided 15 June All Day North Wales To be decided 16 June 17 June All Day Manchester RNIB/RNID Sensory Solutions 18 June All Day Breakthrough UK 19 June All Day Leeds European Network on Disability Studies—Its Our City Too — Teleworking Association 20 June 21 June All Day North East Music and The Deaf/Yorks Connexions 22 June All Day North East Two Darlington Associations on Disability 23 June 24 June All Day Scotland To be Decided 29 June All Day Northern Ireland To be Decided 14 ‘Activate’ from BCODP    D   E     E     "$  !"#" %%"&%%%&'(* % %""() +%""$"-   f "%%&"& "  -  /,% f " %&% /0 t %,%" &%/%"%   l                   !"#$%&!  '%  "(#  )  **   – & #%(   t $!   %   ,   !-!./0 A 1233..4555 1 & 61233..4550 0 #1233..4550 1 #  % 7-8 8 k ‘Activate’ from BCODP &: .  u * a r Ju Gosling received the result of her DDA case against the National Union of Journalists on Christmas Eve -an unexpected present after the Panel had taken six months to write up the 26page judgement! The Tribunal ruled unanimously that the NUJ had breached the DDA on four occasions during their annual conference in April 2000. These breaches fall under two different sections of the Act: 14 (2) and 15. • The Tribunal found that Ju had been discriminated against at the gala dinner on the first night of the con ference (Thursday) since the NUJ had failed to make adequate arrange ments to cater for her dietary needs. • They found that she was then at a substantial disadvantage throughout the first full day of the conference (Friday), because of the absence of the member of staff who’d been assigned to assist her. • They found that she received an inadequate diet again on the Saturday morning before being flown home ill (Ju had collapsed on the Friday afternoon), since the NUJ had again failed to inform the hotel of her dietary requirements. The Tribunal found the NUJ responsible for the damage sustained to her powered wheelchair while it was being couriered home after the NUJ forgot to take it with them as previously agreed. (Ju was then left without the chair for several months after the NUJ admitted that they had forgotten to insure it as agreed). In terms of the injury to her central nervous system that Ju sustained while at the conference, the Tribunal preferred the NUJ’s evidence, which was that it was more likely to have been caused by physical and mental stress and strain than by her drink being “spiked”, as her GP believed. Hopefully a good barrister will now be able to make a strong link between the physical and mental stress and strain of having an inadequate diet and being without help and at a substantial disadvantage compared to non- disabled people and Ju’s subsequent illness. This illness has left her with new impairments as well as exacerbating her existing spinal condition. Ju’s case was the first to be taken under the DDA as it applies to the benefits of trade union membership. The full hearing was due to take place in June 2001, but was adjourned until January 2002 after the NUJ failed to comply ‘Activate’ from BCODP with the Tribunal’s Order to provide Ju with “complete” tapes of the conference proceedings. The tapes which Ju eventually received less than four days before the hearing was due to begin were missing a speech by a disabled Member of Honour complaining about the access problems at the conference. Meanwhile the NUJ were arguing that no access problems had existed, and that no one else had complained. Ju was able to prove that the speech was missing, and after the original tapes were produced and this was confirmed, the hearing was adjourned. Ju says: “Obviously I am extremely happy with the result, but I still believe that the case underlines the need for disabled people to have access to legal advice and representation if our “rights” are to exist anywhere except on paper. As a trade union member, in any other circumstances my union would have supplied me with free advice and representation when fighting a Tribunal case of this complexity and seriousness. As it was, I was up against the resources of the union and a legal team comprising a barrister, solicitor and clerks without having access to legal advice and representation and funding for expert reports. “Yes, with support from other disabled people I managed to win this case anyway, and whilst being ill as well as being disabled. But it has been a very difficult experience, and legal advice and representation would have made it much easier as well as producing a stronger result which would have more positive implications for disabled people as a whole. I am also, of course, going to be extremely disadvantaged while going through the compensation hearings unless I can now find funding for a barrister and expert reports. “Anyway, many thanks again to all of you who have supported me through this difficult time, and particularly Joe Bidder and Rob MacGrory, who acted as my facilitators at the hearing, and the staff and members of LDAF, GLAD and Regard. Please let me know if you have any thoughts or suggestions on how the result can be used most positively for disabled people as a whole. “I would like to see the TUC persuaded to take action to ensure that in the future a trade union member who is complaining of discrimination receives the legal support that their membership entitles them to by, for example, transferring them to a different union for support. In other circumstances my union would have offered me a range of support when I became ill, and would have fought vigorously for me to receive compensation. As it was they have refused to consider my complaint when it was made to them, refused ‘Activate’ from BCODP the opportunities for conciliation later offered by the DRC and ACAS, and have either denied any problems existed or blamed me for them.” & +  w 9 t & s .  Dear Rights Now, You will know that in the past DAN and Rights Now have worked separately but have supported each other in particular over the Disability Discrimination Act in the 1990's. At the end of this campaign many Danners were disappointed in the DDA and even more disappointed in the way in which some organisations in Rights Now seemed to welcome the Bill giving it credence. DAN fought hard and gone to jail to get people to the table who flatly sold DAN and disabled people in this country out by nodding their heads and collecting their gongs. It is no wonder that the Movement is now in disarray. We need to learn tough lessons from this. The main lesson that DAN learned is that you cannot trust the major charities involved in Rights Now to advocate for us. Over the past 20 years surely the Disabled People's Movement, organisations of disabled people acting collectively have effective advocates and negotiators who will not sell us down the river. Surely its time to ditch these charities that act out of vested self-interest and survival and not on our agenda. From this perspective DAN agreed at its National conference not to support Rights Now until the major Charities were formally removed. The Major Charities are in the process of taking over and running the very institutions that we want to see abolished. The Major Charities still hire non- disabled people to steal our voice and our passion. The Major Charities are fundamentally opposed to disabled people achieving full participation and equality. By working with them in this unholy alliance we are condoning the fact that they are drowning out our voice at the highest level. Many of the charities first defence will be that they have changed and are ‘Activate’ from BCODP adopting the Social Model and believe in Independent Living but as the National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL) rightly point out all this serves to do is to take contracts away from user led organisations as they are richer, have more staff and through our hard work are on the inside track with Government and local Government. The crisis in the British Council for Disabled People (BCODP) and NCIL over funds only goes to underline this fact. Whilst local organisations of disabled people struggle to survive the big charities swoop in with our language and take the cash. BCODP once had a slogan "Rights Not Charity" what happened? DAN believes it is time to address these issues head on. The question we are posing is who represents us? Who speaks for us? Who campaigns for us? Surely its us! NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US! Over the past two years DAN and BCODP have been working in collaboration on the draft Disabled People's Freedom Bill that includes all DAN's demands and more. We have also consolidated into our demands the campaign for BSL and the key issues that are coming from National People First. We are calling on all the organisations of disabled people in Rights Now to reform into an alliance of organisations of disabled people including DAN, BCODP, the Deaf Liberation Front (DLF) and National People First. We call on Rights Now either to kick out the charities that will sell us out or for the organisations of to come out and reform under a banner led by disabled people. We have been made aware through the grapevine that the major charities have not been turning up at Rights Now meetings and that it is disabled people who are currently leading the campaign. However this is almost certain to change now that the government has announced that it intends to introduce new legislation. The sellouts and the self-interest will be back to take control and talk to the government on our behalf in droves. Continued on page 20….  e A & n  s Advertise your job vacancy, event or report in Activate to over 123 Full member organisations and 800 individuals for as little as £200. For more information contact Anastasia Kelly on 01332 295551, fax 01332 295580, Minicom 01332 295581 or email activate@bcodp.org.uk ‘Activate’ from BCODP DAN is concerned about the new legislation. It is being drafted by non disabled people in the Department of Work and Pensions which probably means that Health issues, Housing issues, and many more will not be addressed by this Bill. We feel that it is extremely unlikely that the new legislation will address the core issues for disabled people at the sharp end of discrimination lying and living fruitless lives in institutions. We will need to campaign hard and effectively over the next year. We will need to be at the table so that the charities do not sell us out. We therefore call on the user led organisations in Rights Now to come and work with us to set a clear distinction between disabled people's agenda and vested self-interest. To create clear blue water between disabled people speaking and campaigning for themselves and being the passive recipients of what the charities can get us. DAN would be happy to meet with Disabled people's organisations in Rights Now to discuss how we can move forward together as disabled people.  s B u +   o  e  0  e &( u  T * a Disabled entrepreneurs facing barriers to setting up and running their own businesses, can now get expert advice and guidance from an innovative support network launched today (Feb 5th 2003). The Greater London Initiative for Disabled Entrepreneurs (GLIDE) will help disabled people develop new businesses and support existing ventures. GLIDE is a joint venture between the Mayor’s London Development Agency (LDA) and the Association of Disabled Professionals (ADP). The project, which is entirely funded by the LDA, offers a web-based support network which will: • Identify sources of funding and support programmes in existence for disabled entrepreneurs • Provide networking opportunities among self-employed disabled people and those setting up and running their own small businesses • Signpost opportunities for accessible and appropriate training and de ‘Activate’ from BCODP velopment to disabled entrepreneurs • Identify and share good practice about self-employment and small business management with disabled people • Assist in looking at strategic issues around disability, small business management and self-employment Luna Frank-Riley, LDA Director of Diversity, Equality and Minority Business said; “More than 800 thousand people, 17 per cent of London’s population are long term disabled. But despite the fact that disabled people have higher rates of self employment than non disabled, less than 1% of businesses turning over £500k to £1m are disabled owned businesses. “London’s disabled entrepreneurs have a lot to offer the capital and GLIDE will help them gain access to equal participation in the economic regeneration of London”. GLIDE will form the London arm of the national Disabled Entrepreneurs Network which was set up by ADP. It is the first such regional arm to be developed, with its own membership base, organising group and web site. The website can be accessed at: www.glideonline.org. For further information and case studies contact Jane Ball at the London Development Agency: 020 7954 4552 email:janeball@lda.gov.uk The Association of Disabled Professionals was formed in the early 1970’s as a network to support and represent disabled people. ADP began work on developing the Disabled Entrepreneurs Network (DEN) in 2001. For more information about DEN go to www. disabled-entrepreneurs.net · ‘Activate’ from BCODP 0   ? s   ,+  & n   e * &  y l * / + .  Disabled people’s parliaments are proliferating now – BCODP have got a grant to organise one, the European Parliament is holding one in November and many other national organisations of disabled people hold parliaments regularly. However, it is understandable that there are differing views on their efficacy, mainly because there is little knowledge of other people’s experience and a fear that Parliaments might involve working outside the democratic structures of our own organisations. It might be helpful to give an account of the experience of DPI Europe and the Disabled Persons Parliament that they organised in 1993. This was funded by the European Commission and was part of a larger project to celebrate the first International Day of Disabled People and to put over, for the first time within Europe, the concept of disability as a rights issue. The Parliament was held in the actual hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels. DPI had an enormous battle to get permission to use the facility because, although we were not setting a precedent (it had already housed a Youth Parliament), there was an unwritten but firmly held belief by some MEPs that disabled people could not be trusted to use the parliament with the required dignity and might damage the furniture with wheelchairs etc. or even pee on the seats! After organising demonstra tions and with the support of many MEPs from the UK, we won the day and permission was granted. Four hundred and forty disabled people attended the Parliament representing all the countries within the EU. 80 of those delegates were selected to give three min ute speeches during the day. Most of the country delegations were agreed in collaboration with the national disability organisations (mostly DPI national assemblies) but there were some individual disabled people who were supported to attend by MEPs or trades unions. The speakers were selected to ‘Activate’ from BCODP ensure a balance of experience of different impairments, culture and gender. All the speakers were required to speak to a resolution which had been circulated to all DPI national assemblies and other organisations several months previously. The resolution called on the Community institutions and member states to take practical steps, including legally binding instruments at all levels, to adopt and to ensure implementation of the UN Standard Rules, to support studies on the human rights of disabled people – ensuring the involvement of representative organisations of disabled people at all stages – and to ensure a revision of the Treaty to include non-discrimination. (Don’t forget this was 1993 and the Standard Rules had only just come into being). The Parliament itself was a very exciting occasion – and as ac cessible as we could make it in a not very accessible building. All material was available in alternative formats and there were 17 sign language interpreters as well as the language interpreters. The Parliament was attended by the President of the European Parliament and other leading dignatories from both the Commission and Parliament who, for the most part, were only allowed to listen. A few gave short speeches when signing an affirmation of commitment to the resolution. Otherwise the speakers were all disabled people. As you know, all parts of the resolution have happened. To ensure that the Treaty of Rome was revised to include a non-discrimination clause, to pass the Commission resolution on the Standard Rules and to ensure research and other work, did require further lobbying and campaigning. But there is no doubt at all that the Parliament completely changed the behaviour of both the Commission and the Parliament and it made the subsequent lobbying possible. It is now clear that another Parliament is needed at the European level to change the behaviour of the present Commission and Parliament – the Commission especially – which are full of non-disabled individuals who do not really understand what inclusion and rights mean for disabled people and do not care. They need to listen to our voice – to get a bellyful of us telling them about our individual experience. I am not pretending that Parliaments are the only answer to progress – they are just another tool that we can use – and use effectively. What is essential ‘Activate’ from BCODP is that the organising is in the hands of the disability rights movement and that it is our voice that is heard in the debate – not the voice of other so called ‘stakeholders’. : c  s -.   s c  p + ' +- C .  *  * &  . w  BCODP have been asked to publicise a new project (The Accessible Property Register) that Conrad Hodgkinson and Christine Barton are currently working on. Christine is a wheelchair user and the couple live in a bungalow that has been extensively adapted. BCODP is pleased to support the aims of the project and we will be publicising its developments in Activate and on our website www.bcodp.org.uk. BCODP are very aware that our membership probably has more direct experience of the barriers faced by disabled people in relation to housing than any similar group, and Christine and Conrad are particularly keen to learn from this while the site is still under construction. Briefly, the Accessible Property Register is a website that will advertise accessible and/or adapted property available for sale or rent. It will also be possible for individuals to register on the site and to post details of the kind of property and access features they are seeking. The APR website will open fully in April, but in the meantime, comprehensive information (including details of some accessible property for sale) is available at www.accessible-property.org.uk The site is open to anyone -private individuals, estate agents, house builders, commercial and social landlords (including housing associations), and local authorities. The only proviso is that all property advertised must be accessible or adapted. Charges that will apply All advertising will be free for the first six months while we build a portfolio of ‘Activate’ from BCODP property. Thereafter, private advertisers, estate agents and other commercial organisations will pay a fee to advertise (Probably around £45 for a private residential advert). Income from the commercial element of the site, plus any sponsorship or other funding, will be used to support an at-cost or free service for non-commercial providers of public and social housing, for example housing associations. A second priority would be to support initiatives put forward by organisations of disabled and older people aimed at addressing inequalities and barriers to housing. Christine and Conrad are particularly keen to receive feedback from BCODP members on the following: • Any general comments or feedback on the idea • Essential access information that should be included in property adverts • Ways of ensuring that potential beneficiaries of the site are not excluded either because of cost, or because they do not have access to the Internet • Organisations or individuals who could be allies or partners in the development of the Accessible Property Register • Comments can be sent directly to Conrad at conradh@accessible-property. org.uk or via the website at www.accessible-property.org.uk. If you would like to receive updates as the project develops, please register your details on the website. ‘Activate’ from BCODP 7 : s 7 c  Switch onto success -Free and fun transitions to work training for local unemployed disabled people A new ESF funded project is embarking on its mission to actively support local disabled people into employment. The project, called ‘Switch onto Success’, starts in Derby in February 2003. The project is led by IMBY, a registered charity that promotes the development of social firms and the inclusion of disabled people within the workplace. The one-day event introduces people to the focus and content of the entire programme. Those who decide to enroll on the free programme will later attend a four-day workshop, which focuses on change and future planning. Activities centred on developing self-esteem and confidence, managing barriers, goal planning and change management are completed in a lively group setting. A further two-day workshop looks at skills and career profiling, developing CV’s and interview skills, resolving barriers and discrimination and learning of government support available when entering work. From here the focus shifts to one to one support, as Personal Advisors are available to help facilitate a person’s progression into work. Lunch and travel expenses are paid for by Switch onto Success. Trainers who have personal experience of disability lead the workshops. They are experts in the disability and equality field; and one of them is a Disability Rights Commissioner. The Switch onto Success team are committed to equality of opportunity for all and will cater for any access or support needs. They particularly welcome enquiries from disabled people from black and minority ethnic communities. ‘Activate’ from BCODP Further programmes will take place in Derby and should anyone have an enquiry relating to this or later programmes then call Adrian or Nick on 0871 871 0404. 5 bitse ) f  /  l "-/ & BCODP’s website has undergone some massive changes since the last issue of Activate. Changes include: • Discussion Boards with Forums • Membership Groups Directory (Fully searchable directory online) • Frequently Asked Questions • Weblinks Take a look now at www.bcodp.org.uk, log-on your details and join in the discussion board. There are many forums and topics for discussion. Much work has taken place and the Information Office are currently working on a Frequently Asked Questions database which will be loaded shortly onto the website. We are sure it will prove to be a great resource, it will be up-to-date and fully interactive. The Information Office has also included a Weblinks database which will also be launched very soon. We are just testing the we- blinks to make sure they all work. The aim is to create a One-Stop shop of information aimed at the disabled people’s movement and to help the Information Office cope with the great amount of enquiry work that is undertaken. The Information Office are also currently updating the Membership Directory. Full Members will be contacted shortly and asked to verify their details as they appear currently on-line. Any updates required to any information — please let us now as soon as possible. We now have a Full Membership directory of over 123 Full Member Groups and ideally we would like to publish the new directory by the end of March. So your assistance would be gratefully received. Statistics for the website are very pleasing, www.bcodp.org.uk now boasts over 4,000 hits a week. Popular areas are proving to be back issues of ‘Activate’, the Annual Report in both formats and the discussion boards. ‘Activate’ from BCODP  8;8; &+      ;  a 9* s     TRINITY AND ALL SAINTS COLLEGE, LEEDS This historic event is being organised by older lesbians for female born lesbians aged 40+ years. Over the weekend, we aim to celebrate older lesbian identity, establish our history, tackle our concerns, identify courses of action and investigate past, current and potential issues and have fun on the way. The key themes of the Conference are to: • Address the social and political circumstances of older lesbians; • Give a voice to the pioneers who are today’s older lesbians; • Establish support in the community by networking at local and national levels; • Develop strategies to help meet our self-identified needs; • Inform local and central services and government of our findings and proposals. We will be joined by a diverse range of women speakers from national government and from national and local voluntary sector organisations, as well as community activists and lesbian writers, artists and musicians. There will be opportunities throughout the weekend for discussion and debate, through formal and informal networking sessions, as well as through workshops on the themes of: Financial needs, lesbians and disability, lesbian pioneers, sex and relationships, health issues, lesbians in the arts, rural isolation, housing support issues for older lesbians, using our voices, lesbians and literature. The cost, including accommodation for this history-making weekend, to be between £80-£155 (residential) and £45-£75 (non-residential) depending on income. For more information and to receive a booking form please contact: NOLN Conference Project c/o 17-21 Chapel St, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 5DT e-mail: noln@sueg.demon.co.uk ‘Activate’ from BCODP  &?9  0&         & s .* +    s e British Deaf Association Helpline has launched its evideomail service for hearing-impaired people. Now, with the technology provided by webcams, BDA Helpline can respond to enquiries with a signed evideomail. Webcams are excellent for this as they do not rely on written language like email, fax and textphone. The e-videomail service works in the same way as email. You can send signed ‘e-videomails’ to your friends, family and BDA helpline and receive them the same way. Hearing impaired people with webcam can send their enquiry in sign language to helpline@bda.org.uk. A response will be sent back by e-videomail. If the enquirer does not have a webcam but can watch video clips on their PC they can provide their email address and request for their answer to be by e-videomail. This is just one way that BDA Helplline uses new technology to provide a service to sign language users. The Telephone Helplines Association held their first award ceremony on 1st November. Five awards were presented and we are pleased to announce that BDA Helpline won the award for ‘Innovative use of technology 2002’. One of the main reasons for winning the award is that BDA Helpline is the only national helpline which is accessible by videophone and therefore able to give information in BSL. This award is an excellent achievement for such a new helpline. Jeff McWhinney, Chief Executive of the BDA said ‘I am especially proud of the BDA Helpline as it is run by a small but dedicated team and this award is a valid recognition of their creativity. We plan to build on this success by expanding the service.’ BDA Helpline is open 9am—5 pm Monday to Friday. Contact BDA Helpline on textphone: 0800 6522 965, telephone: 0870 770 3300, videophone: 020 7496 9539, fax: 0207588 3527, email: helpline@bda.org.uk. All factsheets are free to download from www.bda.org.uk. ‘Activate’ from BCODP  +- 6   o o +  "& *& -"  6:   n o   *    6 > A group of researchers from City University are looking for disabled people to take part in a focus group to look at what is good and bad about the Internet. The focus group will look at all aspects of the Internet including where people access computers, the cost, the availability and affordability of adaptive technology, people’s training requirements, accessible web design, e-mail, instant messaging and chat rooms and any thing else you think is important. So, if you use the Internet we’d love to hear your views. Not only should it be an interesting discussion it will also help influence change where it is needed so more disabled people can get access to the opportunities the Internet has to offer. The focus group will be held in London at Scope’s offices in Market Road. Your travel expenses will be reimbursed and refreshments will be provided to keep you fortified and in good voice. If you would like to be involved please call Doria Pilling on 020 8992 4302 or email her on d.s.pilling@city.ac.uk. - ‘Activate’ from BCODP ?    6   -  A" f  & l  *  / - a   *   n   y  , - 6 > * l   Disability Alliance is a voluntary organisation that aims to break the link between disability and poverty by providing information on benefit entitlement and campaigning for improvements to benefits so that they better reflect the cost of disability. We believe that families who have two or more disabled children suffer financial disadvantages relative to other families. Research has established that caring for a severely disabled child costs more than three times as much as caring for a non-disabled child. We think that caring for two or more disabled children probably costs significantly more. We do not think that current provision reflects additional costs, many of which arise from the cumulative impact of caring for two or more disabled children. We would like to talk to families with two or more disabled children in order to identify financial issues that are important to them. If you would like to participate in our campaign, you can fill in our questionnaire on-line (www.disabilityalliance.org\cost.htm), or you can print it out and send it to us by: FREEPOST EDO J6 41 London E1 7BR Alternatively, you can ring Gabrielle (Telephone: 0207 247 8776) who will go through the questionnaire with you on the telephone, or visit you at home. Any information you provide will be treated as wholly confidential. Many thanks for your assistance! Gabrielle Preston — Policy and Information Officer Email: policy.da@dial.pipex.com ‘Activate’ from BCODP 85 . e w +  5'  Work and Pensions Secretary Andrew Smith today announced the Government’s intention to publish a draft disability Bill later this year. Speaking on the day of the launch of European Year of Disabled People 2003, he said: ‘Building on the real progress we have already made, and in line with our Manifesto commitment, Draft Bill Announcement Gets European Year of Dis- abled People Off to a Flying Start this draft Bill will significantly advance the rights and opportunities of disabled people up and down the country. Publishing a draft Bill will enable full examination of its provisions before its Parliamentary passage begins. ‘Among new measures we intend to include in the draft Bill are changes to the Disability Discrimination Act affecting the public sector, transport and premises and some widening of the definition of disability. We will also seek to cover membership of larger private clubs. ‘Together with the establishment of the Disability Rights Commission and the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act, this represents the biggest extension of rights for disabled people ever seen in this country.’ Minister for Disabled People Maria Eagle commented on the launch on London’s South Bank today of European year of Disabled People 2003: ‘The announcement of a draft disability Bill is a fantastic way to launch the European Year of Disabled People. Together with the 171 projects we are funding across the country this will help secure and promote the rights and participation of disabled people.’ More than 170 guests — including Ministers and recipients of £2.3 million European Year funding — will be treated to entertainment by an array of dis ‘Activate’ from BCODP abled magicians, comedians and musicians at the celebration event on London’s South Bank. Andy Rickell, Chief Executive of BCODP commented on the announcement; ‘We are pleased that the Government is now prepared to implement some further recommendations of the Disability Rights Task Force, but the Disabled People’s Movement will be using the proposed Disability Bill as a basis for campaigning for comprehensive civil rights legislation because we believe the DDA is seriously flawed. I believe this has only been announced after the Disabled People’s Movement had started to campaign for a new Disabled People’s Rights and Freedoms Bill. &   e Enabling Theatre Travelling Workshops Trained by Augusto Boal in Hebden Bridge, Enabling Theatre uses Forum Theatre to address issues of social maginalisation of disabled people and explore the creation of a full, inclusive society. Members have a range of impairments: physical, mental, emotional. Enabling Theatre will run workshops anywhere. Call Susan on 01422 844718 to arrange. ‘Activate’ from BCODP  s  e ? A & r e  s v  i Warning:  a doctors. aware of what this is likely to mean.    Thisarticleisintendedtomakeaseriouspointinaninterest- ingway. Itisnotmeanttooffendanyone,exceptpossibly “I’mverysorry,Ihavetheresultsofthegenetictestsandthey haveconfirmedoursuspicionsthatyourfoetusiswhatwe call…..Normal. Somepeopleprefertheterms‘Ordinarily Challenged’or‘NormalSyndrome’. Thesyndromecanbe easilyidentifiedbyacompletelackofanyinterestinggenetic characteristics. Iknowthiswillcomeasashocktoyou,butyoushouldbe If your foetus manages to survive the rest of the pregnancy and the birth, which is becoming more common these days, he or she will face some daunting challenges. Children who suffer from normalcy are prone to health and psychological problems. It is almost certain that the growing child will suffer a seemingly endless stream of viruses. They will frequently damage themselves, and sometimes others, from their excessive energy. Their relentless demands will put a strain on your existing family and, of course, your relationship with your partner will suffer, and possibly end in a painful and acrimonious separation. Any children you already have, even if they also suffer from normalcy, will be jealous of the newcomer and all their extra attention. Many siblings are liable to be psychologically scarred by the new arrival. I need hardly mention the financial consequences, although disastrous, they will be nothing compared to the emotional turmoil your life will suffer. After a while, you may be lucky and find they can be kind and loving young children. They may find some temporary happiness in ‘Activate’ from BCODP things such as music, dancing, food or playing with toys. But if they survive early childhood, a Normal child is almost certain to grow into a Normal adolescent. Your years of sacrifice will be thrown back in your face as they become disobedient, wild and reckless. Unable to find happiness and contentment, they will treat you with contempt until they manage to leave home. Even then the suffering will continue as they will often return to try and extract money. They will blame you for their own faults and leave you bitter and twisted. They may well become criminals, over a quarter of Normals will have trouble with the law, many will spend time in jail. Many will have problems with alcohol or drug abuse. Normal marriages are often unhappy and short and over half end in divorce. Even if they become successful this is likely to be because of the often observed tendency of Normals towards excessive greed. The chances of them sharing their success with you are remote and they will tend to see you as an embarrassment. Finally, Normal people are likely to die before their time. Twenty-three per cent will die of cancer, thirty-three per cent of heart disease. Hundreds every year in this country alone are so distressed by their condition that they take their own life. I’m sorry to say that many will have had a lonely, painful and pointless existence. I am afraid that Normal Syndrome is a genetic condition that affects every cell of the body, and so is impossible to cure. Termination is an option Shall I book an appointment? ” …..From a parent who received a diagnosis rather like this. ‘Activate’ from BCODP  u ' n  s l b  x J  e -8 i A& s  This is an honest and somewhat controversial autobiography of Michael J Fox who has Young onset Parkinson's Disease. You may remember him from `Back to the Future` /  " / daysor`SpinCity`. 9'  Basically, this man decided to use his being famous tag to really challenge issues around this disease. It wasn't always so easy. He set up a foundation to look at ways of finding a cure using stem cells. Is this right? Is it up to the individual or is it opening up a can of worms? It certainly raises a lot of issues. The book is mostly a personal account and has come to terms with not only his impairment but also the way society views him. It makes you laugh and cry. It is a very honest account. He sees himself, as the title suggests, as a lucky man. If you want an honest account of what it is like coming to terms with an acquired disability, then this is the book. Dolly Sen’s ‘THE WORLD IS FULL OF LAUGHTER’ “Look who’s laughing now,” I say. It doesn’t matter to me that I am heading for a special hospital or eventual suicide. As a mental health professional said to me: “Dolly, your next stop is Broadmoor.” But then something happened…” You will not be able to put the book down as you accompany Dolly on a rollercoaster of emotions -Mindout            Order online or write a cheque made payable to Chipmunkapublishing for £12 and send it to Chipmunkapublishing, PO Box 6872, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 1ZT. ‘Activate’ from BCODP +  n  r BCODP Staff would like to thank all its members and Full Member groups for their support of the BCODP Postcard Campaign. We have heard of a few postcards that have already reached MP’s in the House of Commons. Let’s hope they have the desired effect and will produce the results which we all hope will come soon! ! ‘Activate’ from BCODP te  s 9 e This is your chance to have your say on anything about disabled people. It might be about a news item, something that makes you angry, a response to a previous letter or perhaps something about BCODP? Please send your letter to activate@bcodp.org.uk or see Page 2. Letter to The Times Sir Baroness Knight of Collingtree’s Patients’ Protection Bill will have its second reading debate in the House of Lords on February 12th. It would make it clearly illegal to deny sustenance to patients with the purpose of ending their lives. We believe this Bill is badly needed. Britain has a poor record of recovery form strokes. This is attributed to a shortage of specialist units, but there may be an additional reason; the policy, recommended by the British Medical Association in 1999, of denying tube feeding to patients whose rehabilitation might take a long time. This policy was supported in the General Medical Council’s recent Guidelines for good practice, but we believe it is the wrong way to reduce the costs of the NHS. It is not only some victims of a stroke who are dying for lack of the basic necessities of life. Bereaved relatives have testified that some elderly patients admitted to hospital for conditions that are not life-threatening are promptly sedated. Death follows in a few days because they are then allowed to become dehydrated. The withholding of food and fluid also forms part of the Law Commission’s draft Mental Incapacity Bill, a version of which the Government is pledged to introduce, although it is in conflict with Article Two of the European Convention on Human Rights, which states that everyone’s right to life shall be protected by law. Euthanasia-by-omission is an unpleasant half-way house on the road to the acceptance of death by lethal injection for those whose lives are not thought to be worth preserving. We believe this drift back into the Eugenic mindset of the 1930s should be resisted and support the Patients Protection Bill. Yours Sincerely BCODP Member ‘Activate’ from BCODP Dear BCODP Recently I sent a postcard to our local Liberal MP (as supplied by you). I enclose a copy of his reply (see letter below) which is of interest to myself and also a blind family member. I find your magazine different in that it is prepared to challenge the norm which is badly needed in today’s society. Yours An individual member of BCODP (Northumberland) From the Office of the Rt. Hon. Alan Beith M.P House of Commons London SW1A 0AA Dear Thank you for your correspondence regarding the Government’s plans to create a single unified equality commission. My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I welcomed the creation of the Disability Rights Commission, but have argued since its creation that it could only be fully effective if it was properly resourced and given a strong presence. It must not be forgotten that there are in excess of 8.5 million disabled Britons whose rights must be guaranteed in law to the greatest possible extent. While it has been Liberal Democrat policy to create a single equality commission we believe that this must be in conjunction with the passing of a single Discrimination Act, which covers all forms of discrimination. We believe that this is absolutely essential to any serious means of combating discrimination, because in some cases the absence of a unified anti-discrimination framework may ignore the simple fact that more than one factor has contributed to someone becoming a victim of discrimination. For this reason, we do not support the plan outlined by Cabinet Office Minister Barbara Roche, on May 16th, to introduce a unified body to deal with six areas of discrimination (including age, race, gender, and disability) unless it is accompanied by a unified Discrimination Act. This is not to say that we do not understand disability rights campaigners’ concerns to preserve a distinctive disability voice, not least because unlike the Commission for Racial Equality or the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Disability Rights Commission has had far less time to establish itself as the specific voice for the ‘Activate’ from BCODP rights of people with disabilities. Indeed, we are aware of the concerns that individual specialist knowledge and perspectives could be lost by merging the separate organisations. This could however be prevented by ensuring that the unified Commission takes on the role of an umbrella body that retains specialist experience from each organisation. Essentially therefore, we do not believe that a unified Equality Commission and the single Equality Act would necessarily produce a situation in which disabled people’s voices would drop down the Government’s agenda. Yours sincerely Rt Hon Alan Beith MP Dear BCODP Would you agree with me that the Rule which says to receive certain Benefits, the disability must have been registered below the age of 65 is unfair penalising in some cases? This penalises pensioners whose disability not previously occurring and registered requires expensive equipment to enable mobility etc in daily life. Could your Council mention this the relevant authorities? That the Government needs to remove the age limit Rule for Attendance and other allowances and that there should be no requirement for a previous registration of rheumatic or other ills. Rheumatic diseases appear and cause mobility and other problems. All those who for instance, cannot walk far following a rheumatic episode, need to be able to claim cash assistances in many cases. It is penalising the ‘genteel poor’ whose savings just about keep up with inflation. But insufficient for various expensive aids like a pavement scooter, an electric chair, or bed etc. Yours faithfully A Reader ‘Activate’ from BCODP  *    " 9 *     7 *  a ( : ( +  c 3 o , s   f  ./ pertisetoconsultwithgovernmentbodiesandcommercial Asmanyofyouarealreadyawareweallhaveknowledgeandex-groups. perience,whichisvaluabletootherorganisations. Thisassetisoftenunder valuedorgivenawayfree. Ouradviceandunderstandingisanasset,which isoftensoughtafterbyotherorganisations. Weshouldbemakinguseof thisvaluableresource–“OurExperience”. Groupsshouldusethistotheir bestadvantage. Notonlybymakingthevoiceofolderpeopleanddisabled peopleheard,butbychargingafeeforthisservice. ShortlytheprojectwillmovefromthePilotStagetobelaunchedregionally andthennationally. Ifyourorganisationhasnotyetrespondedbycomplet- ingtheinformationpackyouweresentpleasedosoassoonaspossible. If youneedextracopiesoftheregistrationinformationthisisnowavailablevia theB.C.O.D.P.websiteatthefollowingaddress: / Theprojecthasnowbeenrunningfor6monthsandpro- gresshasbeenswift. Iamnowprocessingapplications frommanyuserledgroupsofolderanddisabledpeople. Thefinancialbenefitofbecomingagroupthatusesitsex- organisationscanbeanuntappedresourceformany     www.bcodp.org.uk/projects/sustainableuser.shtml I am keen to contact as many user led groups as possible, if you know of any user led older or disabled peoples’ groups please pass this information onto them. They can either download the registration form and send it to me or if they require further details I will be pleased to send them further information about the project. I can be contacted by telephone via the B.C.O.D.P. office (01332 295551) or by email my address is: margaret@bcodp.org.uk If you would like to discuss this project I would be happy to speak in more detail to anyone who is interested. Thank you to all the member groups that have already registered. This looks like becoming another successful B.C.O.D.P. project. ‘Activate’ from BCODP THE BRITISH COUNCIL OF DISABLED PEOPLE TRANSCRIPTION SERVICE " "  $%% ,%  "/ %"$ &01% l 0% "%&-$1% l %  &%0%"%&, $'"234456 $%,"$&%0"%%&%"0 %$"-  " "%%&"& 1%"$%,"%""$&$/"$" 7""&0%1%"$%" $ "$"%% % &""'($1"$ %%%&()&%"%0  !"#0" ",% 0 / 0"1$$"&%"/ &%&%&$%,% %-%& &&"$%% 0 &$%/"% l 0% "$%&"6 $%% 0  %&0,%  0 1% l 0%%- 0%/  "$&%""&%, &1 $",% "% "%"",",% /% l - %%% f "-&% +%&"-/%"-%"01%"$%" %$//-$%&0% %/ 1%" - 0& %%% 8%"6 "&","$&%0"%%&& "$/$"$ f %&"6+ .,,/%%&0 ".0%""0 &0"%"%8"6        2 ‘Activate’ from BCODP : h .- Honour 25Aprilat7.30pm,26Aprilat2.30pm HenryV 20Juneat7.30pm,21Juneat2.00pm SIGNLANGUAGEINTERPRETEDPERFORMANCES: RoyalNationalTheatre,SouthBank LondonSE19PX Telephone:02074523233 Fax:02074523230   AUDIO-DESCRIBEDPERFORMANCES: TheDuchessofMalfi 7Mayat7.45pm,24Mayat2.30pm JerrySpringer 25Juneat7.45pm,5Julyat2.30pm Honour 15Aprilat7.30pm TheDuchessofMalfi 22Mayat7.45pm HenryV 1stJulyat7.30pm GemmaGibb,PressOffice Email:ggibb@nationaltheatre.org.uk www.nationaltheatre.org.uk  e e   v 07" s " **Press Release** Inclusion – the way forward for fitness equipment suppliers The English Federation of Disability Sport’s Operating Company, responsible for the implementation of the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI), is delighted to announce a major new partnership that will ensure that the needs of disabled people will be proactively considered when designing fitness equipment in the future. Inclusive Fitness Equipment Design Project At the request of equipment suppliers, stimulated by the IFI to learn more about how to provide suitable inclusive fitness equipment, a PhD Research project has been initiated to provide clear guidance and standards to the participating partners. Based within the School of Engineering at Sheffield ‘Activate’ from BCODP Hallam University and working with Nicholas Pickett leader of the Sport Equipment Development undergraduate course, Dawn Hughes (MSc Medical Physics & Clinical Engineering, MEng Mathematical Engineering) has been appointed to drive a detailed investigation of all aspects of inclusive fitness equipment design, building on the lessons already learnt from the IFI pilot scheme. The research project will take into account the views and feedback of disabled people with a range of impairments, fitness instructors and equipment designers. It is expected that as a result of the findings and feedback, the participating equipment suppliers will be established as world leaders in inclusive equipment design giving them major competitive advantage in UK, European and world markets. The project is funded through a partnership between Sport England, Sheffield Hallam University, Montgomery Leisure Services and eleven major fitness equipment manufacturers and suppliers: Cybex Escape Fitness Leisure Lines Life Fitness Matrix Precor Pulse Fitness Sportesse Technogym The Nautilus Health & Fitness Group Versaclimber Howard Davies, the UK representative on the European Standards Committee for Fitness Equipment commented, “From a UK perspective the partners will gain a major increase in profile through their positive commitment to inclusion. This group will be the first of its kind to develop an inclusive guidance document providing a benchmark for inclusive safety standards which ultimately may be incorporated into the European standard” Disabled people who are currently using fitness equipment anywhere in the country can already contribute to the project by registering their feedback in confidence on the IFI web site at www.inclusivefitness.org. This is excellent news for the IFI, hot on the heels of the announcement that up to £5million has been approved in principle by the Sport England Lottery Fund to continue the national roll out of the IFI over next three years. To find out more contact Sue Catton at the IFI office -Tel: 0114 257 2060 email: info@inclusivefitness. org Dawn Hughes at SHU -Tel: 0114 225 3091 email: dawn@inclusivefitness.org Nick Pickett at SHU -Tel: 0114 225 3764 email: n.j.pickett@shu.ac.uk ‘Activate’ from BCODP      "  o y  c Dear All The Direct Payments Development fund consists of £3 million per annum over the next three financial years. This money is to be invested in ensuring significant numbers of additional service users receive direct payments, and will be targeted at national, regional and local voluntary organisations. Experience shows that a strong support network is fundamental to a successful scheme and these have been most commonly provided by the voluntary sector, in particular those led by service users. The criteria is being finalised and we will be sending out invitations to interested parties shortly. Please would you reply with the following information so that you may be added to our database. Should you know of any other organisation that would be interested I would be grateful if you could forward this email to them. Name/Title of Organisation Named Contact Full Postal Address email contact Phone and Fax number (inc area code) Thank you. Sharon Seaton Policy Officer Rm 211, Wellington House 133-155 Waterloo Road LONDON, SE1 8UG Tel: 020 7972 4764 ‘Activate’ from BCODP  0& D%&  7  e 7 + e  s Selecting and displaying the history of photography for the new gallery. BSL interpreted talk by curator, Martin Barnes. Wednesday 30 April 18.30—19.15 Visit to the Art Deco Exhibition A BSL interpreted introductory tour by Ghislaine Wood, curator. This major show traces the development of the style from its emergence in Europe just prior to the First World War to its world wide popularity in the 1930s Wednesday 28 May 18.30—19.15 Gallery Talk: Furniture and decoration of the 1930s. SSE interpreted talk by Marilyn Green exploring British furniture design in the 1930s in the permanent displays. Wednesday 25 June 18.30—19.15 There will be somebody waiting to greet you in the Cromwell Road entrance. After each event there will be a short period of discussion. The museum stays open until 10 o’clock on Wednesdays so that you can continue to look at the displays and enjoy a drink after the event. Events and entry to the museum are free. Victoria & Albert Museum Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2RL Fax: 020 7942 2193 Tel: 020 7942 2197 Email: bookings.office@vam.ac.uk Website: www.vam.ac.uk ‘Activate’ from BCODP  -. 01 three years. f sale of goods and services.  insert for the advert for this job. .  / BCODPhashadadifficultfewmonthswhilstithassortedoutitscorefund- ingforthenextthreeyears,asituationitalwayshastogothroughevery Wearepleasedtosaythatfurthersubstantialfundinghasbeenobtained fromthePlatinumTrustandtheDepartmentofHealth. Wewillbecontinuing tolookatgettingourfundingfrommoredifferentsourcesinthefuture,so thisthree-yearlycrisiswillbecomeeasiertocopewith. Wewillbelookingto invitemoredisabledpeopletomakefinancialcontributionstoBCODPwhere theycan,andwewillbelookingforwaystoraisemoremoneythroughthe Thefundingdifficultiesmeantthatthetrusteesneededtotakealonghard lookatBCODP’spriorities,andthecoreworkatBCODPhas beenrestructuredaccordingly. Themainchangesare:- 1.TherewillbeanewCampaignsOfficerpost,responsiblefor leadingourcampaignsandlobbyingwork. Seetheseparate 2.Muchofthecampaignsworkandsomeofthefundraisingworkhasbeen movedfromthe(overworked!)ChiefExecutive(nowrenamedDirector) whowill(hopefully)havemoretimetosupportthetrusteeswiththestrate- gicdirectionanddevelopmentoftheorganisation. 3.Therewillbeanewfixed-termjob,theOrganisationalOfficer,whowill supportthedevelopmentandlaunchoftheUKDisabledPeople’sParlia- mentasapilotthisyear. VickiStowellfromtheGroupsDevelopmentPro- 4. SheilaFurniss,theAdministrationManagerandourlongestservingmem- berofstaff,willbefinishingworkforBCODPattheendofMarch. ' l /  & ject will be taking on this job.  s  7  On behalf of BCODP, I would like to express our thanks to Sheila for all her hard work for BCODP for over seven years. Her good humour, enthusiasm and “can do” approach has been very much appreciated by me and she has been a sterling servant of the Movement. ‘Activate’ from BCODP Activate is available in a range of alternate formats on request. Please let us know what format you require by telephone 01332 295551, fax 01332 295580, Minicom 01332 295581 or email to: Activate@bcodp.org.uk © Copyright The British Council of Disabled People 2003 No items in this newsletter may be copied or reproduced without written permission from BCODP. BCODP, Litchurch Plaza, Litchurch Lane, Derby DE24 8AA Telephone 01332 295551, Fax 01332 295580, Minicom 01332 295581 Email general@bcodp.org.uk www.bcodp.org.uk