Benefits outweigh drawbacks

This letter is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Benefits outweigh drawbacks

I am a disabled student at the University of Leicester and have just finished my first year.

As I am at the University of Leicester, I have to go to the Freemen's Common Health Centre for my medical needs. As a wheelchair user, I have found the health centre to be very inaccessible, to say the least.

To start with, I could not use the front door to the practice as there were steps inside and had to go round the back. I had to ring a bell next to the door to get attention but the bell didn't work.

Finally, I was let in and waited for my appointment. I then found that the doors to the doctors' rooms were not wide enough to fit my wheelchair through. This meant that the doctor had to see me in the corridor! Thankfully, I did not have a personal issue at the time; if I do in the future, God help me!

The health centre also does not have disabled toilets, which does not help. I have also had to have vaccinations in the back of a taxi before as I could not get to the doctors' rooms.

I think you'll agree that this is not the most hygienic of environments. I can't wait until a new doctors' surgery is built and, quite frankly, it can't come soon enough.

I understand the planned health centre which may be built in Victoria Park has generated opposition. Apparently, the building would destroy areas of green space from its construction. I understand residents' concerns – I am an environmentalist myself. However, Victoria Park covers a large area and it is not the only park in the city.

Indeed, the developers say the building will make allowance for bats, for example. Assura, the developers of the planned health centre, say the building will be designed to achieve an "excellent'' BREEAM health care eco-rating.

This shows the building will be built so as to minimise its effect on the environment. The fact of the matter is a new health centre needs to be built.

If the quickest way to achieve this is to build on a relatively small area of Victoria Park, then I am all for this development. The health centre would provide healthcare for all students of the University of Leicester and members of the public as well. Yes, green space would need to be used; however, according to Assura, the building will be designed to minimise its impact on the environment.

Therefore I believe the benefits of the new health centre will far outweigh the drawbacks.

Alex Squire, Leicester

Health vow on learning disabilities

This article is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Health vow on learning disabilities

Health officials have signed a pledge to make sure people with learning disabilities get the care they should.

Mencap had called for improved health care for those living with learning disabilities.

The charity asked health managers to sign up to a nine-point charter that includes improving health care and information for those with learning disabilities and carers.

Managers at primary care trust NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland said they were already working on improvements.

These include developing easy-to-read leaflets about health checks and making sure those with learning disabilities receive the checks.

Training has been provided for more than 100 staff in GP practices, more than 200 involved in cervical screening and more than 100 hospital staff.

Cheryl Davenport, director of strategy at the trust, said: "We work hard to ensure people with learning disabilities get the same standards of care as other patients.

We will be promoting the principles of the charter among health staff."

Most buses now disabled-friendly

This letter is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Most buses now disabled-friendly

Regarding the letter from Val London ("Problems faced by the disabled", Mailbox, June 18) I have a few comments to make.

Bus operators have until 2017 to make all their fleets "disabled- friendly", not 2012, though most operators are well ahead of this deadline, Arriva Midlands among them.The only Arriva routes in our area still normally worked by "step entrance" buses are the X3 to Market Harborough, 80 (University Halls of Residence) and 152/153 (Leicester-Desford-Coalville/Market Bosworth).

Regarding service coaches, National Express are putting "disabled-friendly" coaches on many of their routes now, with more to come. The Disability Discrimination Act only covers vehicles used on scheduled services, so private hire and touring coaches are not covered by it.

I wish Val and people with disabilities well. I hope these details help.

Terry Kirby, Campaign for Better Transport (Leicestershire)

Problems faced by the disabled

This letter is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Problems faced by the disabled

Well done Alex Squire (First Person, June 11) for highlighting some of the shortcomings that wheelchair users have to put up with.

There are many places in Leicester where they flout the Disability Discrimination Act, but there are some places where it cannot be enacted. For example, I bank at Lloyds and my branch was High Street. There is no wheelchair access, but they are not allowed to alter the building because it carries a preservation order.

Their branch in Horsefair Street is accessible and until recently it had a dedicated counter for the disabled which could be used without queuing. This so-called privilege has now been removed because it was being abused by other, more selfish, clients. It's obviously an easier option for the management to remove it rather than trying to enforce it and please the few.

If this happens every time a system is abused, then there will be no dedicated parking spaces and no toilets for the disabled.

Many is the time we have waited outside a locked toilet only to see a perfectly able person walk out.

I know you can't always tell a disabled person just by looking – but the "giveaway" is the sheepish grin and the mumbled apology.

I waged a campaign with public transport in Leicester for a few years and I am glad to say that things are considerably better now, thanks to a little retraining.

Some years ago we got on a bus at Leicester General Hospital and the driver said: "You'll have to fold that up." Had I been able to fold the wheelchair up there would have been no need for it! Mind you, there is still the odd Arriva bus that cannot be accessed.

Only last week there was an old type bus on the 51 route and we had to wait for the next one. They do have until 2012 to change them all though, I believe. Because I'm not sure what the situation is with coaches, we do not use them.

All credit to the staff of the train station here in Leicester, though – they are wonderful and can't do enough to help. It's a real pleasure to travel on a train – it's just the cost the prohibits the indulgence.

I am fortunate in as much as I have a manual wheelchair and my husband is good enough to push me around. If I were in the same position as Alex I should find many more places would be no-go areas.

I believe, as Alex does, that the Act should be more legally binding and the politicians who crafted it should be more interested in monitoring same – otherwise the law really is an ass.

Val London, Leicester.

Wheelchair user provides food for thought

This is Alex Squire's First Person column published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Wheelchair user provides food for thought

Alex Squire thinks that the disability discrimination legislation should be tightened upI am a student at the University of Leicester and as a result I go on a number of social outings with my friends. I don't get blind drunk, but I still like to have a good time. I am not your usual run-of-the-mill student, you could say, as I have to use a power chair to get around.

On my outings so far I have encountered many places where wheelchair access is not up to scratch. My course Christmas meal was by far the most eventful, so far.

As it was a special occasion, everyone was dressed smartly, suits and bow ties for the men and dresses for the ladies. I turned up in my suit and was greeted by the sight of six large steps leading up to the entrance of the restaurant. After much deliberation on how I'd get in (including trying to physically lift my chair up the steps which is no easy task) we decided on a plan.

There was an advertising board standing on the pavement which had the menu written on it. We laid this flat over the steps to create a ramp. This, to date, has got to be one of the craziest things I've done.

I put my chair on full speed, hoped for the best, and drove up the "ramp" as fast as I could. Amazingly, I managed to get up the "ramp" first time! This was improvisation at its finest!

Although the health and safety people would not have agreed with this method, it was the only way in a million years I would have got into this restaurant.

Once I was finally in to the restaurant, I had a great meal and it was good fun. To get out, the manageress wouldn't let me use the same method as I came in.

After much deliberation again, they found some wooden boards from somewhere – I've no idea where! They used these to create a ramp and I managed to slide my chair down back to terra firma once again.

Things could have been so much easier if only they had a proper ramp.

Wheelchair accessible taxis have metal ramps which wheelchairs can drive up to get in. Why can't the restaurants which are "unable" to build a ramp buy these instead? This after all would be a much cheaper alternative. It would also satisfy the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) for establishments to make reasonable adjustments to allow disabled people to enter.

I believe the Act should be more legally binding and not just allow people to make their own minds up as to what constitutes "reasonable adjustments".

Equality Act 2010 regional event

REDP holds its first major regional event at Walkers Stadium, Leicester (home of Leicester City FC). Great attendance, good contributions, positive and supportive atmosphere. Here's how we've described the event, for publication in local media:

City takes lead on new Equality Act

Leicester City’s Walkers Stadium was the venue for a high-profile regional conference promoting the new Equality Act.

The Act, which became law just before Parliament was dissolved for the General Election, protects people from discrimination on grounds of age, disability, gender and gender identity, race, religion or belief, and sexual orientation.

Around a hundred people attended the conference, drawn mostly from the Voluntary and Community Sector and the Public Sector from right across the East Midlands.The event was hosted by the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership, which works across the East Midlands to strengthen the voice of the Voluntary Sector on these important issues. REDP has grown out of a successful collaboration of a number of Leicester-based organisations that have worked together in a variety of combinations over the past decade.

Sheila Lock, Chief Executive of Leicester City Council, officially opened the day, welcoming delegates to the event and to the city. She said that it was right for the conference to be happening in Leicester as the city is widely celebrated for its diversity and has a history of speaking up for equality. Sheila further said, “The Third Sector has been instrumental in bringing about improvements in equalities. … colleagues [in the public sector] have much to learn from the experiences of colleagues in the voluntary sector when it comes to challenging established systems and practices. I welcome that challenge, it is what helps people improve.”

A trio of nationally prominent speakers addressed the morning session , each one speaking about one important aspect of the new Act: Alison Pritchard (Head of Strategy at the Government Equalities Office), Amanda Ariss (Chief Executive at the Equality and Diversity Forum) and Anthony Robinson (Director of Casework and Litigation at the Equality and Human Rights Commission). The speakers also took part in panel discussions; workshop sessions in the afternoon helped attendees focus on major issues that affect them now and that will arise in the future.

Iris Lightfoote, Chair of the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership, said, “The number of people that felt this event was important enough to attend demonstrates the continuing significance of work to bring about equality of outcomes across the East Midlands. The profile of the contributors demonstrated the support that REDP is able to bring to this work and, hosting it in Leicester shows how much the voluntary sector’s contribution to this work should be valued.”

 Sad to report, the Leicester Mercury didn't publish anything about this event.

Teen overcomes disability to help others

This article is published in today's Nottingham Post:

Teen overcomes disability to help others

A teenager who has overcome his own disability to help others into canoeing and kayaking has been nominated for an award.

Matthew Baines, 17, suffers from cerebral palsy but regularly volunteers at the 4A's centre – Adventure Activities for All Abilities – where he helps young people under 25 who are visually impaired, have physical disabilities or learning difficulties.

Matthew, of Edward Avenue, Newark, also helps raise cash for the club by bag-packing and writing presentations about 4A's work.

He volunteers at Newark Town Football Club and is an ambassador for disability sport within Notts.

The kayak champion has been nominated for a Young People of the Year award for his efforts. The awards recognise how young people go the extra mile to help out in their communities.

Matthew has competed at national and international level in kayaking. He achieved three gold medals and two silver medals at the National Championships at Holme Pierrepont in September, and is the boys champion for his ability.

He represented Great Britain at the European sprint canoeing championships in 2008 and, as a member of the para-canoeing squad, hopes to compete in the World Sprint Championships in Poznan, Poland, this August.

Matthew, who won Canoe England's volunteer award for impact on disability for volunteering to help others with kayaking, was nominated for the Young People of the Year award by Julie Lowe, chair and coach of the 4As.

She said: "He is always willing and al all-round helper.

"He is so enthusiastic. He wants others to get as much out of canoeing as he has done.

"He is a very good communicator who gets on with anybody of any age, regardless of any disability or difficulty they may have.

"He is an excellent ambassador for sport and for people with disabilities, and a great role model for other young people. A lot of the younger members of the club look up to him."

This is the fourth year of the Young People of the Year awards in Notts. Winners can receive £500 for their chosen charity and up to £1,000 for themselves.

For more information, see www.yopey.org

Young champion for disabled wins Lord Mayor of Leicester's citizen prize

This article is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Young champion for disabled wins Lord Mayor of Leicester's citizen prize 

A young champion for disabled people has been named the Lord Mayor of Leicester's Honoured Citizen of the Year.

Paige Murray, 16, who has cerebral palsy, is proud to speak out for the rights of people who use wheelchairs.

She is also an accomplished athlete.

Paige, of Braunstone, was one of 11 people invited to tea with the Lord Mayor Roger Blackmore during his year in office.

She was named the year's top honoured citizen and presented with a rose bowl.She said: "I'm a bit shocked about it really. But I'm very, very proud.

"I just go around making my voice heard and I keep myself busy."

Paige is on the Big Mouth Forum for disabled children, attending conferences and giving presentations on the work being done to address disability access issues.

She has also been involved in other projects, including the Streetvibe Youth Inclusion Project and Braunstone's youth panel.

She plays basketball, table tennis and various other sports and has represented Leicester at both the Stoke Mandeville Youth Disability Games and the Rotary Disabled Games, winning a total of 10 medals.

She said: "In the Big Mouth Forum, I've helped get new minibuses for disabled children and we deal a lot with how people see us.

"I speak out about what I believe in, my mum's taught me to do that.

"I have a lot to do with improving society for young disabled people, it's my goal in life. I want to be heavily involved in making a difference."

Paige's mum, Debra, said: "I'm the proudest parent on the planet.

"She never fails to amaze me and it is great to know that other people are seeing how fantastic she is."

This year's 11 honoured citizens were nominated by councillors and members of the public.

A panel of judges chose the top three.

Coun Blackmore said: "They are all people who have done something very worthy and we've had a very interesting variety of citizens. It's been a pleasure to meet them all. The judging panel had a very difficult job.

"The number of causes Paige champions are phenomenal and it's a particularly impressive achievement for someone her age."

In second place was Audrey Wilford, 74, from North Evington, who runs the Leicester Competitive Festival of Music and Dramatic Art.

She said: "I'm very pleased. This is a complete surprise.

"It was very nice to come and meet the Lord Mayor and I didn't realise this was a competition as well."

In third place was New Parks couple Serina Leeanne and Stuart Phillips, who run New Parks Community Boxing Gym.

Serina, 33, said: "It's a massive achievement. Our gym just engages with the children that hang around on the streets and it's helped bring crime down."

Other honoured citizens throughout the year included Ajmer Singh Basra, who organises fund-raising events at the city's Holy Bones Sikh temple, Diane Cank, of Northfields and Morton Tenants' and Residents' Association, who received £20,000 on Channel 4 TV show Secret Millionaire, and William Swinford, a 77-year-old volunteer from Evington.

Station improvements called for in Broxtowe disability review

This article is published in today's Nottingham Post:

Station improvements called for in Broxtowe disability review

A 20-POINT action plan has been drawn up to make Broxtowe more accessible for people with disabilities.

Broxtowe Borough Council has published the findings of a 12-month review which looked at how accessible the borough is.

The report calls for access improvements to platform two at Beeston railway station.

The recommendation follows a review of disability issues by the council's People and Places Examination and Inquiry Group.

Councillor Jacky Williams, who chairs the group, said: "Transport was one of the main issues. Hopefully improvements at Beeston station, certainly for platform two, will happen."

At present, passengers with disabilities have to get to the platform via a road footbridge in Station Road. The platform is the main stopping point for trains heading out of Nottingham to London, Birmingham and Cardiff.

The council's stance has been welcomed by campaigner Dean Thomas, of Beeston.

Mr Thomas, 39, who has cerebral palsy, said: "At worst the situation at Beeston train station is discriminatory and a disgrace, at best it's frustrating and a right pain.

"It's crazy that I have to go to Nottingham or Derby to board a train which often then stops at Beeston. Living in central Beeston this can often add an hour at least on to any journey I make.

"To make the station fully accessible it needs to be staffed at all times by at least two people and it also should have an accessible toilet."

The review was carried out between January and November last year, with the committee holding eight meetings with various groups.

Other topics covered included access to public conveniences, access to housing, community issues, employment, sport and leisure, and access to public buildings.

The report found 12 out of 19 council and civic buildings in the borough met accessibility standards for people with disabilities.

As a result, the committee has drawn up a list of 20 recommendations.

Suggestions include forming a disability access group of disabled residents to allow greater involvement with the council over disability matters; producing a leaflet informing businesses of their duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005; and seeking to install an adapted "Changing Places'' disabled toilet as part of the Beeston Square redevelopment.

Mr Thomas last year campaigned for access to be improved in Beeston town centre. He said: "Access to Beeston town centre has been improved recently, mainly as a result of the new paving to the pedestrian areas which has made level access to more shops."

A spokeswoman for Network Rail said there were no plans to carry out work to improve disabled access at Beeston station, but that it would be willing to work with any partner organisations planning to do so.

Social enterprise in the VCS

At Action Deafness, Welford Road, this morning for a breakfast networking event with the theme, "Social Enterprise in the Voluntary and Community Sector in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland". Round the table are nine organisations:

• Action Deafness
• Action Homeless
• Cooke e-Learning Foundation
• Domestic Violence Integrated Response Unit
• The Emerald Centre
• Leicestershire Aids Support Service (LASS)
• Lighthouse Learning
• Network for Change

We're also joined by a representative of Tomorrow Together, a city centre-based empowerment organisation for women, who don't yet have their own website. I'm here today speaking not only for the Council of Faiths but also for the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP).

Jenny Hand, from LASS, chairs the meeting. It is facilitated by Jacqui Tilyard, who has worked with Business Link (amongst others) and is now a freelance business trainer and consultant. She's particularly interested in the "social entrepreneur". I first met Jacqui at the launch of the Jewish Voices book, exhibition and website. Her husband, Glen, took the photos for that book and has long worked for Writing School Leicester, for which I've taught from time to time.

This meeting, and the informal network of contacts invited to it, are supported by the Modernisation Fund, which promotes collaboration and merger. The former is appealing to the VCS, the latter not necessarilly so. A few organisations which have obtained some funding from this source are committed to the network that has grown out of their involvement: how is it working? is it a network of organisations or of individuals? can it be expanded? should it be expanded? Today we discuss some of these, and related, issues: sharing resources, experience and expertise; consolidating back office functions; making joint funding bids; identifying best practice; overcoming isolation; retaining and transmitting values; tapping into our network of networks (a brief explanation of the relevance of REDP fits in here). We consider how to use the more positive aspects of our common anxiety about the future - how it is making many in the VCS world come out of their shells and reach out to others. Plans are made for moving forward, which should be taken up soon.