Monthly Archives: April 2011

Confide Counselling Service-Halfway House Ladies Choir

Start Date:
20th May 2011

End Date:
20th May 2011

Start Time:
7.30.

End Time:
Unstated.

Confide Counselling Service Presents: Halfway House Ladies Choir.

At   Radbrook Community Centre, Bank Farm Road,
Radbrook, Shrewsbury.  SY3 6DZ

Date : Friday 20th May 7.30pm.

Refreshments will be served.

Tickets available from Cafe Connect, Radbrook, Shrewsbury. SY3 6DZ
Telephone 01743 –  363355.

All Proceeds in aid of Confide Counselling Service

Wyldwoods, Barbecue Bands, Beer and Bunting Sat June 25th.

Start Date:
25th June 2011

End Date:
25th June 2011

Start Time:
17.00.

End Time:
23.00.

Wyldwoods the “Creative arts and crafts for wellbeing” Charity for Adults and Young People are holding a fund raising barbecue bands, beer and bunting party at their centre at Wyldwoods, Dean Corner, Broseley, Nr Telford, Shropshire on 25th June 2011.  A great day out.

See the full details on this wonderful colour poster

LINk UP! The LINk Annual General Meeting and Election.

Start Date:
11th May 2011

End Date:
11th May 2011

Start Time:
18.00.

End Time:
Open

Please find enclosed your personal invitation to LINk UP! The LINk Annual General Meeting and Election at Meeting Point House at Telford Centre 6.00.

We look forward to meeting you on Wednesday the 11th May at our AGM and annual elections for the Central Management Group

Doors open at 6pm with a showcase of what we did last year – and what we are planning to do in the year ahead…

Please do come along and find out more about a new organisation called HealthWatch.

If you would like to attend or would like more information please email c.pert@staffs.ac.uk or alternatively call 01952 614180

National Week of Action Against ATOS,plus West Midlands events

Start Date:
9th May 2011

End Date:
15th May 2011

Start Time:
14.00 in Triton Square, London.

End Time:
15th May 2011 time Unknown.

Subject: National Week of Action Against ATOS,  plus West Midlands events

WEEK OF ACTION AGAINST ATOS May 9th-15th

This information has come to the attention of SDN directly from DPAC, please read it and try to give them your support.  The links are only for facebook users.

Atos Origin have just begun a £500 million contract by the Con-dem Government to carry out ‘work capability assessments’ on all of those claiming Incapacity Benefit.

It is claimed assessments are to test what people can do rather than what they can’t. The real purpose is to strip benefits from as many people as possible.

This testing system has already led to people with terminal illnesses and severe medical conditions being declared fit for work and having benefits cut. GP’s are ignored in favour of decisions made by Atos Origin’s computer.

Plans announced for the scrapping of Disability Living Allowance have also revealed that this intrusive testing is likely to be extended to everyone on some form of disability or health related benefit.

To date around 40% of appeals against Atos Origin’s decisions have been successful.

On the 24th January and 14th April claimants from around the country demonstrated outside Atos Origins premises, with many choosing to close for the day rather than face their ‘clients’. We call on all groups around the UK to take action against these parasites who have been dubbed ‘the racial purity and euthanasia arm of the DWP’

The ConDem Government has already made it quite clear that they want to reduce the amount of money spent on DLA by as much as 20% by 2014.

On the last Day of Action Against Benefit Cuts protests, actions and demonstrations were organised in Dundee, Edinburgh, Westminster, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, Newcastle, Brighton, Glasgow, Poole, Burnley, Islington, Kensington, Cardiff, Poole and Truro. This time we’ve got all week!

Disability activists, claimant groups and anti-cuts campaigners have called a week of action against,  so called “poverty pimps” ATOS Origin beginning on Monday 9th May with a picnic and party in Triton Square, home of their head office, at 2pm.

Triton Square is on the North side of Euston Road, just over the road from Warren Street tube and less than five minutes from Euston/Euston Square or Great Portland Street tube stations.

This is a general info link, facebook event at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121624627914913

Below are the local West Midlands events all in Birmingham.

Millions are set to be affected by savage cuts to housing, disability, sickness and welfare benefits. Disabled people, those with long term illness, the unemployed, single parents, carers the low waged, part time students, volunteers, homeless people and college students are all likely to see a devastating drop in disposable income with many slipping even further below the poverty line.

Thursday 12th May, 7pm . Unison offices, 19th floor McClaren Tower, Priory Queensway. B4 7NN

Subject:  ‘Who are they targeting? How can we stop them?’

Speakers: the solicitor from Irwin Mitchell who has just won a case preventing Birmingham City Council changing eligibility criteria for care funding, Linda Burnip, Disabled People Against Cuts; Michael Bradley, Right to Work

This is the link to the Unison Offices event:  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169640809755894

Then on Friday May 13th at noon outside Waterstones bookshop opposite bull statue in Bullring centre join us for leafleting and street theatre ‘ The Computer Says NO’ an adaptation of a Brighton Benefit Campaign play.

This is a link to the DPAC web site, giving info on the other Birmingham events:

http://www.facebook.com/l/caebedhm3SQtuTpMyeSXNcWZVug/www.dpac.uk.net

If you want to comment on this please use the comment box below – we like to hear from you about your feelings

Shropshire Disability Awareness Day (SDAD).

Start Time:
09.30 for 10.30

End Time:
16.00

Welcome – About the Event

Shropshire Disability Awareness Day (SDAD) is based on Europe’s largest not for profit voluntary-led disability exhibition, which is held annually within the grounds of Walton Hall Gardens, Warrington.

(New date TBC), as soon as possible, will be Shropshire Disability Awareness Day.

Remember most important, entrance is free to Adults and Children – sorry, no dogs, except working dogs!

Our Aims

Shropshire Disability Awareness Day (SDAD) has three main aims:

  1. To highlight what statutory, private or voluntary services are available to enable people with disabilities to be as independent as is possible
  2. To promote equipment and aides that could maintain or improve independence, not just what is offered by statutory service providers; we want everyone to see the best and/or latest designs
  3. To provide an opportunity to show what people with disabilities can do, in the fields of sport, arts and entertainment

As well as fulfilling all these aims, the event has been designed to give everyone who joins in a really good day out filled with interest, fun and entertainment!

Exhibitors

Exhibition (New date TBC), as soon as possible. 10.30 am – 4.00 pm, Shrewsbury Sports Village, Sundorne Road, Shrewsbury SY1 4RQ

To researve your place please call 01952 – 261146.

  • Each space is 10’ x 10’ and includes 1 tressle table, 1 cloth, 2 chairs, space for pull up stands.
  • Voluntary Groups and Charities £25
  • Commercial Organisations and Statutory Bodies £50

The opening of the New "Deaf Smart" Deaf Advisory Bureau D.A.B

Start Date:
5th May 2011

End Date:
5th May 2011

Start Time:
17.00

End Time:
Unknown

Don’t miss the event everyone will be talking about.

The opening of the New Deaf Smart

Deaf Advisory Bureau D.A.B

Thursday May 5th 2011 5pm

No 1 Drayton Road

Shawbury, Nr,  Shrewsbury,  Shropshire.

SY4 4NZ

Main Switchboard 01939 – 251555.

Minicom and Fax 01939 – 251900.

R.S.V.P

info@deafsmart.co.uk

www.deafsmart.co.uk

  • New service provision for the hearing impaired community in Shropshire.
  • Unveiling of new technology
  • John Smith Deaf comedian
  • Chance to meet local MP’s and Councillors
  • Chance to ask questions of local service providers
  • Music
  • Buffet

Hardest Hit-Defending Disabled People's Futures 11th May 2011 London.

Start Date:
11th May 2011

End Date:
11th May 2011

Start Time:
11.30 a.m Victoria Embankment London

End Time:
5.30 a.m.

Hardest Hit – Defending Disabled People’s Futures

As part of DW’s campaign on cuts to benefits and services we will be joining other organisations for a UK National Day of Action taking place in London on Wednesday 11th May 2011.  The day will include a March, Lobby of Parliament and a Rally in order to raise concern about the disproportionate effect of the welfare reform proposals on the lives of disabled people across the UK.

The objectives of acting together are to:

  • Challenge the welfare reforms suggested by government which, in many cases, are forcing many disabled people into isolation, institutions and homelessness.
  • Challenge the cuts which are disproportionately affecting disabled people and causing further poverty and destitution.
  • Challenge the underlying inhumanity, inequality and disablism of the proposals.

Schedule:

The March

We will gather for the March from 11.30am on the Embankment by Horseguards Avenue.

It will start at 12.30pm and take in Victoria Embankment, Bridge Street, Parliament Square, Millbank and finish in Dean Stanley Street at around 13.30pm

Thousands of disabled people as well as family and friends will be marching to express solidarity and anger at the cuts threatening our benefits, services, jobs and rights.

The March will take us past the Houses of Parliament and we will make sure that MPs and Peers hear our collective voice and understand our message.

The Lobby

The Lobby is expected to take place in Westminster Hall between 2.30pm and 5.30pm. Everyone hoping to see their MP during the afternoon is encouraged to write in advance to get an appointment.

After the March, many of us will be lobbying our MPs as the Welfare Reform Bill reaches a critical stage in the House of Commons.

We will be sharing our stories, making sure that Parliamentarians understand the combined impact of the cuts on our lives and futures.

Crucially, we will be challenging MPs to vote against policies that will push us further into poverty and isolation.

The Rally

The Rally will take place in Methodist Central Hall (close to the Houses of Parliament) with speeches between 3.00pm and 3.30pm.

On the afternoon of the march we will meet in Methodist Central Hall to hear from disabled people about the deep unfairness of the cuts for their lives and futures.

We will also listen to politicians from the main political parties to find out how they plan to uphold the rights, equality and participation of disabled people as promised in the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.
What do you need to do?

  • Join DW on 11 May.  At least 10,000 people from across the UK are expected to join the march.
  • Register by clicking on register here to let organisers know that you are coming and what access requirements you have.
  • If you are planning to lobby your MP, write to request a meeting. You are much more likely to get to see them if you do.
  • If you want to travel to the rally on the FREE coach arranged by DW, book a place by returning a booking form. Please note that space is limited!

Trevor’s Blog-What a nice day for a “Walk and Roll” an event in the Sunshine.

Ramble & Roll Event 2011

Jenny definitely has her eye on the refreshments ahead after pushing Trevor around the route!

“Sunshine, laughter, great company and Micky raised over £200 for SDN!”

What a nice day for a “Walk and Roll”

As I woke up the sun was flooding through our bedroom window.  “Ah, its Sunday”  I said,  seems like Ruby has managed to get the weather right for the Walk and Roll event, well done Rub’s,  its just what we ordered.  After some breakfast, tea and a suitable amount of “pottering” it was time to load the “wheels” into the car.

Wheelchair on board, we were off, next stop Shrewsbury Quarry Park for the Shropshire Disability Network’s Walk and Roll event.  I had been busy all week badgering all and sundry for sponsorship for the event, while keeping a watchful eye on the weather, as I didn’t fancy walking or being pushed around the Quarry in the rain!  As it happened, no problems, the Sun was shining and I’d managed to raise over £200.00 in sponsorship.  All we had to do now was actually make it around the prescribed route.

We arrived at the Quarry and managed to find a parking place near to the event starting point.  I unloaded the “wheels” from the boot of the car and we made our way to the start point.  At the start there where already quite a few people around in wheelchairs and the looming figure of Martin Woods, the Shrewsbury Town Crier looking splendid in his full uniform.  Martin is the Husband of one of our Steering Group members and his services had been sought to announce the start of the event, in some style!  We all smiled for the camera, as we had our photos taken for the Shrewsbury Chronicle.

The Town Crier removed his enormous bell from its bag and proceeded to bring things to order, ringing his bell for all he was worth, with his voice booming out from beneath his bushy beard.  Martin certainly got the full attention of all of the children playing on the swings and slides to our left and most of their parents.  What a splendid way to start our event, after Martin’s starting announcement everyone knew SDN were in the Quarry!

We were off, not as many people as we would have hoped for, but the company and the sunshine made up for the lack of numbers.  I decided to try to be brave and walked along, pushing my wheelchair.  Jenny, my wife was walking with me and soon she convinced me that walking was not going to work and that I needed to sit and let her push!  Reluctantly, I gave in and sat in my wheelchair.  We rolled along chatting to other walk and rollers and saying hello to lots of well wishers along the way.

The sunshine had worked its wonder and the Quarry Park was really busy, people on bikes, people on rollerblades and families out walking, enjoying the beautiful spring weather, there were even people brave enough to sunbathe! The river Severn was also really busy with people practising their rowing, with coaches riding along the riverbank shouting out instructions to their charges on the river.

We arrived to the turn around point only to notice some activity going on around Geoff’s, our Chairpersons wheelchair.  “My batteries have died” Geoff said, “I fully charged my chair last night, but I think they are at the end of their working life, as they are four years old”.  Confusion ensued as we all tried to work out just how to get Geoff’s chair into its “manual mode”.  Help arrived in the form of Martin Woods, “oh”, said Martin, “you just pull these out here”, pulling on the bosses in the centre of the wheels that everyone else had been trying for ten minutes!  “You need to get some WD40 on those when you get back Geoff” Martin said, with a wry grin on his face.

We started to make our way back along the riverbank to the start point.  Geoff’s normal PA was having a well deserved day off and luckily her son Shaun was looking after Geoff for the day.  “It was much easier walking up here alongside you than pushing you back Geoff” Shaun said as we made our way back.  Even though Shaun is a big lad, the weight of Geoff’s chair, and Geoff made Shaun puff and pant a bit.  Geoff had yet another job for Julie on her return to work tomorrow, sort out some new wheelchair batteries, fast!

We made our way back to the start and sat around a while, awaiting the return of everyone and ensured we were all “booked back in”.  Ruby was busy clicking away on her camera, getting some great shots to go onto the SDN web site and to help her with publicity.  More fun ensued, trying to get Geoff back into his van without power, a good shove from Shaun and a passer by and Geoff was safe and sound back in his van.  “Let’s do it all again next year” was the parting remark from Geoff as Shaun closed the vans tailgate on what had been a fun filled morning in the sunshine.

As a final note I would just like to thank the people of Shrewsbury and the surrounding areas who were in the Quarry Park on Sunday, firstly for the general interest that they showed in our event, the very positive comments and observations made to some of our members and for the way that “we”, as a group of wheelchair and scooter users were made to feel most welcome in the Quarry without any prejudice along with all of the other people out enjoying the spring sunshine and a very special thanks from Shropshire Disability Network to anyone who kindly gave us a donation on Sunday.  As we intend to make this an annual event, why not consider coming along and joining us next year, “wheels” not compulsory!

Deaf Education Conference

Start Date:
9th June 2011

End Date:
10th June 2011

Ear Foundation

Deaf Education: Changed by Cochlear Implantation?

National College of School Leadership, Nottingham

Programme Outline, Thursday June 9th:

  • 12:00-13:30 Registration, lunch and exhibition
  • 13:30-15:00 Deaf Education: The Challenges of Cochlear Implantation
  • 15:00-15:30 Coffee and exhibition
  • 15:30-17:00 Education Outcomes for Cochlear Implantation
  • 17:00-18:00 Discussion Time: Looking to the Future
  • 19:00 Drinks and and Gala Dinner @ NCSL (included in delegate fee of £145)

Programme Outline, Friday June 10th:

  • 09:00-10:30 Life with CI in the Classroom
  • 10:30-11:00 Coffee and Exhibition
  • 11:00-12:30 Workshops
  • 12:30-13:30 Lunch and Exhibition
  • 13:30-15:30 Implications for Practice, Delivery of Education Services, Teacher Training in a New Era
  • 15:30 – 16:00 Faculty Round Table and Close

For more information, visit: www.earfoundation.org.uk/education/articles/645


Deaf Access at Latitude

Start Date:
14th July 2011

End Date:
17th July 2011

Latitude 2011

Tickets are on sale now – ask for guest / disabled camping for easy access to the communication team.

Venue: Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk

MRSLI’S, Ti’s & JTI’s will interpret shows in comedy, literature and theatre arenas, outdoor theatre and more! Level 6 communicators available on site and for children’s area. BSL Tour available on arrival. Loop system installed in literary, poetry, comedy and guest / disabled box office.

This is a very visual festival with many events needing no communication support. Festival information at www.latitudefestival.co.uk. Deaf access information from Carole: hands4uaccess@hotmail.com.