December 2011

Monthly Bulletin 31
Dear Members, Welcome to the final bulletin of 2011. As the holiday season approaches we have been reflecting on ecdps achievements throughout the year. On page 4 you can find ecdps annual report, which notes some of the highlights for us and our members. Our AGM, held last month was also a great opportunity to share some of these successes with members. You can read more about the AGM on page 3. ecdp will be shut over the holiday period, from 4pm on Friday 23 December until 8.30am on Tuesday 3 January. Information about holiday cover will be available on the ecdp website nearer the time. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of ecdps members a very happy festive period season and all the best for the New Year. We very much look forward to working with you in 2012.
Best wishes, Rich Watts Director of Policy & Development

This update includes articles on the following topics:

ecdp news
1. 2.

3. 4.

ecdps14th AGM: Lived experience works: ecdps Annual Report 2010/11 ecdp enterprise training offers Blue Badge Reform: ecdp Lived Experience Officer on BBC Essex

local news
5. 6. Creative Activities at Zinc Arts Birchanger Woods Accessible Woodland Paths

national news
7. 8. World AIDS Day 1 December Government announce care home residents to
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December 2011: Monthly Update 31

Monthly Bulletin 31 December 2011

keep DLA/PIP mobility 9. Disability hate crime book, Scapegoat, wins literature award 10. Olympic and Paralympic News: Paralympics Tickets go back on sale tomorrow! The Olympic Torch is coming to Essex London 2012 Festival 11. EHRC Manifesto for Change Consultation event 12. Pats Petition

If you want to get in touch with us about any of the articles included in this bulletin: Telephone: 01245 392 300 Email: info@ecdp.org.uk Post: Ivan Peck House, 1 Russell Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3AA.
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ecdp news

ecdps 14th AGM

Last month ecdp held its 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM provides an opportunity for members to hear about the achievements and challenges the organisation has faced over the last year. Mike Adams, ecdps CEO, (first picture on the right) gave a presentation, which reported on each of ecdps services. Mike also shared details of ecdps new trading companies. Jeff Banks, ecdps Treasurer (second picture on the right) then presented ecdps finances for the year ending March 2011. During the formal part of the AGM board members are elected to the ecdp board. Pat Gaudin and Charles McKay were elected, and Steve Carey, Ann Nutt and Jeff Banks were re-elected. Honorary positions were also voted on by members; Steve Carey was elected Chair, Ann Nutt as Vice-Chair and Jeff Banks as Treasurer. For any further of information on ecdps AGM and any of the presentations above please contact ecdps Lived Experience Officer, Faye Savage, in the first instance: fsavage@ecdp.co.uk, 01245 214 023.

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ecdp news

Lived experience works: ecdp's Annual Report 2010/11

ecdp is pleased to publish its annual report for 2010/11. The last year has been one in which the lived experience and voice of ecdps members has made a significant contribution to local and national issues affecting disabled people. Across a wide range of disability topics and at a crucial time for disabled people, our members everyday lives and views have shaped and influenced decisions and work done by local public agencies and the new coalition government. Our members and clients have also remained central to the work and priorities of ecdp itself: setting the agenda for our work and ensuring we delivered what we said we would. All of this has been made possible by ecdps unique approach to its work: combining the representative voice of disabled people in Essex with the solid delivery of support services that enable people to have choice and control over their lives. In the last 12 months, this approach has led to the following particular highlights: Our lived experience approach was the biggest driver in everything we did and in influencing the life changes of disabled people. This included significant work on topics such as: - Access to Work - Welfare reform (Disability Living Allowance and the Personal Independence Payment) - Disability hate crime - HealthWatch Separate visits from two new Government Ministers the Minister
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ecdp news

for Disabled People and the Minister for Care Services within 8 weeks of their taking office in May 2010 Giving evidence to the Welfare Reform Select Committee Several citations for ecdp as best practice in a range of government and other public agency publications Engaging nearly 200 volunteers in our work and their communities, of which over 80% were disabled people Driving the development and delivery of the Right to Control Trailblazer in Essex one of only seven in the country particularly through our work in establishing and running a dedicated service user reference group Continuing to deliver high quality support services to over 4,500 people to ensure they had choice and control over their care and support The first full year of operation for ecdp enterprise the team set up to generate income for ecdp so we dont rely on contract- or grant-funded income Being one of the first voluntary and community sector organisations to publish Open Data

The next 12 months will undoubtedly be some of the hardest that ecdp has faced, reflecting trends that can be seen across the public, private and voluntary sectors as a whole. We will remain focused on harnessing the lived experience of our members and clients to shape and inform the work we do, and delivering high quality services. In this way, we will be as well placed as we can be to ensure our work benefits as many people as possible. As always, we couldnt have achieved the above without our committed and dedicated staff making a difference in the everyday lives of disabled people. Similarly, we have benefitted greatly from the input and partnerships of colleagues across the public, private and voluntary sectors in Essex, the Eastern region and across England. Without the contribution of the lived experiences of our members, though, ecdp couldnt do the work it does. We would therefore like to thank all of our members and every individual disabled person who has been a part of our work this year. You can download a Word version of our Annual Report here: ecdp
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ecdp news

Annual Report 2010/11.

Find ecdp online For up-to-date news on the work we are doing at ecdp, find us online
Our website: www.ecdp.co.uk Our Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/ecdpfacebook Our Twitter page: http://twitter.com/ecdp

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ecdp news

ecdp enterprise training offers

ecdp enterprise is the commercial arm of ecdp. Amongst the services it offers, it provides high quality training for a range of different organisations, including providers, public bodies and service users. This week we will be running our popular Direct Payments Awareness training. This covers: What is a Direct Payment? How do people use Direct Payments? What are the benefits of a Direct Payment? By the end the half day session participants will be able to answer these questions and have a fully rounded insight into what Direct Payments are and how they work. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions of current Direct Payment recipients, as our training is delivered by qualified trainers who are also Direct Payment users. I feel empowered to promote direct payments previous participant feedback. Full details are available on the ecdp website and you can also download them here: ecdp enterprise Direct Payment Awareness training. On 13 December, ecdp enterprise will also be running an Adult Safeguarding Course. This session is 25 and runs for half a day details can be found on the ecdp enterprise website.

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ecdp news

Blue Badge Reform: ecdp Lived Experience Officer on BBC Essex

At the end of November, our Lived Experience Officer, Faye Savage was invited to speak to BBC Essexs Ray Clark about the 10 charge some councils will be making for blue badges from January this year. Blue badges are a benefit which enable disabled people who have an impairment which affects their mobility to use certain car parking spaces, and up until now, local authorities have only been able to charge a maximum of 2 to produce them. We have recorded Fayes discussion with Ray using audioboo, which you can listen to on our website: ecdps Lived Experience Officer speaking to Ray Clark on BBC Essex. Ray Clarks full show, including the views of Essex residents who called in after Faye spoke to share their experiences of blue badges, is available on iPlayer (blue badge section starts at 1:06:10): Ray Clark show - Monday 21 November. Fayes key points, based on the lived experience of our members, were as follows:

The 10 charge while an example of the extra costs associated with being a disabled person is not the main issue; if charges are going to be made, now more than ever it is essential that the provision a blue badge entitles disabled people to use, is adequate. (Our members tell us that they often find they cannot get spaces, or the spaces are not located near enough to the places they want to go.)

Demand for blue badges has naturally increased as the population of disabled people has grown. While national reforms can reduce the number of fraudulent badges being used, provision does need to be made for the majority of badge users who have been assessed.
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ecdp news

The extra cost of the badge is partly due to the redesign of the badge, making them harder to copy. ecdp welcomes this change for two reasons: 1. Making a badge harder to copy or use fraudulently will disincentivise the theft of badges from disabled peoples cars. Increasing credibility in the scheme should prevent the stereotyping of those with invisible impairments as fraudulent users. 2. A central database of all badge users is to be created. This should, in theory, mean that badges are more portable, so when a user moves from one local authority to another, it will be easier to reapply.

One point that Faye did not get the opportunity to discuss is the change in assessment that has been developed as part of the reforms: The NHS will no longer be funded to provide assessments, via GPs. This funding will be transferred to local authorities, who also produce the badges, but will not be ringfenced. They will use independent mobility assessments, carried out by professionals such as occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

The reform documents state that although the groups of disabled people eligible have not changed this more robust assessment could mean some are no longer entitled to a badge. ecdp feels it is essential that disabled people who rely on their blue badge to enable them to access their communities independently are still able to access this vital support and hope that the new assessment model reflects this.

ecdp has previously shared a timetable for reforms, which is available from our website, here: ecdp - Blue Badge Reform timetable

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Local News

Creative Activities at Zinc Art

Zinc is celebrating the opening of its new arts centre with an exciting programme of activities and is inviting young people to join them on two days of creative workshops. Workshops will be running in the December holidays for young people aged between 5 and 16 years who have physical, sensory or learning disabilities. These days will include drama, painting, music and creative play, and all activities are specifically designed to be multi-sensory and accessible. These days also offer a short break to parents and carers. If you are interested in attending the Creative Activities workshop, or you know a young person who would like to attend, please contact Sonia Cakebread at Zinc on 01277 365626 or email sonia.cakebread@zincarts.org.uk. Alternatively you can book through the Zinc website. For: 5-16 year olds with physical, sensory or learning disabilities When: Thursday 22 December and Friday 23 December 2011 10:30am 3:30pm Where: Zinc Arts Centre, Great Stony, High Road, Chipping Ongar, Essex, CM5 0AD

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Local News

Birchanger Wood Accessible Woodland paths

Daphne Wallace-Jarvis, Secretary and Trustee of the Birchanger Wood Trust, has written the below article to let ecdp members know about the new accessible paths which they have just opened. Birchanger Wood is 69 acres of ancient woodland and we have just completed our second stretch of refurbished woodland path and now have 2,642 meters of all-year-round wheelchair-friendly woodland paths. These paths are 2 meters in width and suitable for persons of all ages and abilities. The paths have been refurbished for exercise, enjoyment and solace by disabled people, including wheelchair users. In addition they are used by mums and buggies, older people and anyone not so sure on their feet, as well as for the benefit of all local residents in Essex and Hertfordshire. These refurbished paths also help with the conservation of the undergrowing English bluebells and wood anemones in Birchanger Wood since feet and wheels which remain on paths do not damage them and so their growth is encouraged. The Trust would like to welcome you Birchanger Wood to use this leisure and pastime facility now that this length of suitable woodland path is available but it regrets that there are no toilet facilities, or shelter, but there are some benches and the path is circular in fact it is shaped rather like a saucepan! Come and enjoy our paths; Birchanger Wood is 75% in Essex and is situated on the Essex/Herts borders. It has Bishops Stortford as the nearest town. You can find more information on the Birchanger Wood website

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National News

World AIDS Day - 1 December

World AIDS Day has been held on 1 December every year since 1988 and was the first ever global health awareness day. World AIDS day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. In 1991 the red ribbon, worn on World AIDS day, became an international symbol of awareness and support for those living with HIV/AIDS. The World AIDS day website has a huge amount of information about the awareness day and about HIV/AIDS generally: Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for you to learn the facts about HIV and put your knowledge into action. If you understand how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today - you can use this knowledge to take care of your own health and the health of others, and ensure you treat everyone living with HIV fairly, and with respect and understanding. The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) the leading and largest HIV and sexual health charity in the UK is asking people to Stand Up and Stand Out this World AIDS day. They are running a number of events in the East of England, details of which can be found on their website, where you can also find a list of suggestions of how you can raise awareness: THT - events. If you are doing something for World AIDS day and would like to share details of the event with other ecdp members, please contact Faye by phone 01245 214 023 or email fsavage@ecdp.co.uk.
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National News
ecdp member, Danny West, has shared his story, which you can read on the ecdp website, to mark the day. Danny lives with HIV and now uses his lived experience as a coach, trainer and leadership consultant.

ecdp membership Did you know that ecdp membership is free to disabled people who live or work in Essex? As well as this monthly update, you will receive a quarterly magazine and the opportunity to provide your lived experience to help shape our work. For more information, please contact using the details at the start of this bulletin.

December 2011: Monthly Update 31

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National News

Government announce care home residents to keep DLA/PIP mobility

Disabled people living in residential care will continue to have their additional mobility needs met through Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller announced today. Listening to the concerns raised by disabled people and disability organisations, the Government first announced that it would not remove the mobility component of DLA from October 2012 from people living in residential care homes and that it would also gather more evidence before making a final decision for PIP. Following months of consultation with disabled people and disability organisations and reflecting on the findings on the Low Review, the Minister for Disabled People has now announced her decision. When DLA is replaced with PIP in 2013, disabled people in residential care will continue to receive any mobility component of PIP they are entitled to.

Fulfilling potential: Working together to empower disabled people Today, the government announced a discussion with disabled people to gather suggestions for a new cross-government disability strategy. This new strategy will build on previous discussions with disabled people, including the Independent Living Strategy, the Roadmap and the UKs report to the UN on implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Disabled People. The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) has worked with disability organisations to create a discussion document which is available to download on their website. They would like to hear from disabled people, and the people and organisations that support them. Responses are due by December 2011: Monthly Update 31 5pm, 9 March 2012.

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National News

Disability hate crime book, Scapegoat, wins literature award

Journalist and disability campaigner Katharine Quarmby has won a top award at the Ability Media International Awards (AMIs) for her groundbreaking portrayal of disability hate crimes, Scapegoat: Why we are failing disabled people. The award was presented at a glittering ceremony at the world famous London Studios. The packed event was attended by some of the UK Arts industrys most influential and well respected players including Downton Abbey actor Dame Maggie Smith, childrens TV pioneer Anna Home and filmmaker Mike Leigh. The AMI awards, created by Leonard Cheshire Disability in 2009, identify outstanding creative projects that encourage a more inclusive world for disabled and disadvantaged people. Heralded by the international panel of judges as a very important and wellresearched book, Scapegoat: Why we are failing disabled people won the Literature Award 2011. The book, written by the campaigning journalist, Katharine Quarmby, examines the roots of the uncomfortable, and often hostile, attitudes towards disabled people, and passionately argues for greater recognition of those crimes as hate crimes. Bestselling author, Silver Dagger Award-winning Lindsey Davis, presented the award to Katharine Quarmby. Katharine comments: I am honoured to receive this award from this wonderful organisation, Ability Media International. I hope that this award will help to raise awareness of disability hate crime. I see it as honouring not only my work but the testimonies of the many families bereaved by this crime in the book - and all the disabled people and their allies who have contributed to my
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National News
work in so many ways.

December 2011: Monthly Update 31

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National News

Olympic and Paralympic News

Paralympics Tickets go back on sale tomorrow! Remaining tickets for the London 2012 Paralympic Games go back on sale tomorrow, Friday 2 December 2011 at 1pm. ParalympicsGB finished second in the medal table at the Beijing 2008 Games. With superb prospects again for next summer, this is your chance to cheer on the British team as they chase their biggest medal haul ever! A useful competition schedule showing the availability of tickets in each sport can be found on the London 2012 website. Full price tickets start at just 10, with tickets for young people and older people costing only 5. Please note that these tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis, not via an application process, and tickets will not be available for all sessions and in all price categories. As before, Visa card will be the only accepted method of payment. The Olympic Torch is coming to Essex! The route the Olympic Torch will take on its relay through Britain before the start of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has been announced. Between 18 May and 27 July, the Olympic Flame will come to within just 10 miles of 95% of the population of the UK, through a total of 1,018 cities, towns and villages, including a number of places in Essex. The flame will pass though over 20 of Essexs towns and will even stop for an evening celebration in the County Town of Chelmsford on Friday 6 July. You can find the list of towns, and the dates the flame will be stopping there on the London 2012 website: Location and Regions by date. An interactive map, also available on the London 2012 website, shows the
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National News
full route the torch will take. London 2012 Festival The organisers of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic games have revealed more details of the London 2012 festival: the biggest celebration of arts and culture ever held in the UK. The festival will run from 21 June - 9 September 2012 and will include all different arts events: music, film, books, fashion and much more. Millions of free tickets will be released over the coming months. Keep an eye on the ecdp website for more information! Twelve of the UKs leading artists have created striking posters for the Olympic and Paralympic Games as part of the London 2012 Festival. They join a 100-year-old tradition, with previous artists including David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. You can view all the posters here: Posters London 2012. Two of the posters celebrating the Paralympic Games are featured on the ecdp website. What do you think of them? Are there any parts of the London 2012 festival you are particularly looking forward to? Let ecdp know by commenting below the website article, emailing fsavage@ecdp.co.uk,calling 01245 214023 or tweeting us @ecdp. Information about all of the London 2012 festival events is available here: London 2012 Festival.

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National News

EHRC Manifesto for Change consultation event

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is hosting a major consultation event on Tuesday 17 January 2012 with disabled peoples organisations, third sector advice and support organisations and public sector organisations. The focus of the event is to develop pragmatic approaches for public authorities to tackle disability-related harassment with the strategic input of disabled peoples organisations. The event, to be held in Manchester, will offer the opportunity for disabled peoples organisations to influence the development of public authorities action plans and have a say about what their priorities should be in tackling disability-related harassment. To express an interest in attending this event, please email the Commission: communications@ equalityhumanrights.com and for further information, visit: www.equalityhumanrights.com/dhfi

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National News

Pats Petition
A woman called Mrs Pat Onions has launched a petition following the recent Hardest Hit march in Edinburgh. As Pat says: We were determined to attend the Hardest Hit rally in Edinburgh. Determined, in spite of disability, to stand with the others who had made the long and difficult journey. Determined to show we were united as one voice We knew there were many thousands who couldnt make it. Disability, ill health, providing care, or cost would prevent them coming. We made it. As a result, Mrs Onions has launched a petition so that people who couldnt make it in person to the various events could show their support. You can access the petition here: Pats petition. Were very pleased to share this petition with our members. It is important the voice of all disabled people can be heard in issues that affect their everyday lives.

The Autumn 2011 edition of the ecdp magazine is out now! All members have been posted a copy of the Autumn 2011 ecdp magazine. You can also find it on the ecdp website, here: www.ecdp.co.uk/magazine

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