Norwich Disability Forum Open meetings in 2005
Theme for 2005: The Disability Discrimination Act
- Monday 7th March 2005 at UEA Sportspark Norwich
from 2.00 - 4.30 pm
with the theme of Access to Goods and Services.
- Wednesday 27th July 2005, from 2.00 - 4.30 pm, with the theme of Education and Employment, venue to be confirmed.
- Wednesday, 16th November 2005, from 2.00 - 4.30 pm with the theme of Transport, venue to be confirmed.
Come and find out about this Act and how it affects you. What are businesses doing to ensure they comply with the DDA? What rights do you have under this Act? Who can you contact for support? Do you have any questions on the DDA and related issues?
Loop system, lip speakers/sign language interpreters will be available.
Come Along. Get Involved. Make A Difference.
Anyone who is interested in coming along should contact Teresa Rudling at Norwich Primary Care Trust. Telephone: 01603 307174, Fax: 01603 307120, or email: .
Norwich Disability Forum News Sheet 2005
The Norwich Disability Steering Group organises the Norwich Disability Forum Open Meetings, where disabled people from Norwich can have their say about things that matter to them, and influence decisions about how local services are provided.
Currently, we have around 160 individuals/organisations on the mailing list of the Norwich Disability Forum. Each public meeting in 2005 had around 30-40 attendees.
In 2005, the three open meetings were themed around the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) as follows:
7th March 2005 - DDA and 'Access to Goods and Services'
The meeting was chaired by George Saunders from the Norwich Access Group. Peter de Oude, County Co-ordinator, Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People (NCODP) gave an overview of the DDA. The section on 'Access to Goods and Services' was discussed in some detail by Karen Clement-Smith, Employment Lawyer, and Laura Cole, Property Lawyer, both from Eversheds Solicitors. An opportunity was provided for the attendees to ask questions to representatives from Business Link, Federation of Small Businesses, Norwich PCT and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
27th July 2005 - DDA and 'Access to Education'
This meeting was chaired by Peter de Oude (NCODP), who gave an overview of the DDA section on 'Access to Education and Employment'. However, the focus of the meeting was on Further/Higher Education. Speakers included Tamara Rampley from City College, and Mark Smith a former mature student at City College who is now employed by the Norfolk & Norwich Association for the Blind. There was a session for questions from attendees to a Panel consisting of the above speakers as well as Pam Breckenridge (Manager, The Learning Shop), Peter Kitson (Norwich Disability Development Worker), and Warren Holmes (3rd year Media Student, UEA).
16th November 2005 - DDA and 'Access to Transport'
This meeting was chaired by Keith Roads from the Norfolk Disability Information Service. Speakers included Peter de Oude, (NCODP) who gave an overview of the DDA section on 'Transport'; Ian Parkes, (Norfolk County Council) who presented the new Transport Strategy for Norfolk; Ann Young, (Norwich Access Group) who shared current issues and developments for disabled people around transport in Norwich, as well as David Meijer (First Bus) and Ian Hydes (Norfolk County Council) who discussed progress since the last Forum meeting on transport held in February 2004. The meeting served to remind all transport providers about the DDA and what it can do for disabled people. Transport Providers should ensure that they have policies in place that are disability friendly to prevent legal action from individuals.
Overall, the meetings held in 2005 enabled individuals and organisations to learn more about the various sections of the DDA, and familiarise themselves with issues around the law and disabled people.
Norwich Disability Forum News Sheet 2004
The Norwich Disability Forum Steering group organises Open Meetings where disabled people from Norwich can have their say about things that matter to them, and influence decisions about how local services are provided.
Currently, we have around 140 individuals/organisations on the mailing list of the Norwich Disability Forum. Each public meeting in 2004 had around 20-25 attendees.
In 2004 the topics covered were:
- Accessible Transport
- Accessible Employment
- Access to Direct Payments for Care
- Vision for Norwich in the Future
February 4th 2004 - Accessible Transport
Disabled People met Transport Providers - A Panel of Transport Providers (buses, trains, airport and taxi licensing and planners) described what they were doing to provide accessible transport and listened to the views of disabled people present. This was a lively discussion and as a result Peter de Oude (from Norfolk Coalition Of Disabled People) got agreement to form a Transport network group. This will provide a regular opportunity for disabled people to raise issues about accessible transport issues in Norwich and to hear what is being done to tackle any problems. These meetings will be held twice a year.
May 5th 2004 - Accessible Employment
Disabled People talked about their personal experiences in accessing and keeping jobs and representatives of JOBCENTREPLUS explained what support they could offer to employers and employees. As a direct result of this Open Forum, JOBCENTREPLUS will be looking to improve their access for deaf people and more of their staff will be receiving British Sign Language (BSL) training.
September 22nd 2004 - Access to Direct Payments for Care
Disabled People listened to stories of the life experiences of other disabled people who had become more independent through the use of Direct Payments for Care. The Direct Payments Roadshow were able to de-mystify the Direct Payments process and answer people's questions and concerns regarding the system that gives people more choice and control in their care package including accessing Day services.
December 1st 2004 A Celebration of the Year of the Norwich Disability Forum and the European Day of Disabled People
The Chair of the meeting George Saunders gave a summary of the year's events and the outcomes achieved as a direct result of the Forum's meetings.
Ann Young, from Creative Arts East, Norfolk facilitated a group activity where disabled people were asked to write or draw their dreams for Norwich as well as themselves. The 'dream box' was opened by Ann and the dreams were read out. A range of areas were covered including accessible transport, good communication, involvement of young people and some social issues. The steering group will discuss ways to take this forward.
Come along, get involved, make a difference
Your Forum needs you