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SDEF NewsNews and Policy

Access Panels

News from Other Groups

Welcome to the Scottish Disability EqualityForum (SDEF) Spring Newsletter!

This newsletter brings you the latest news andinformation from SDEF, Access Panels and groupsacross Scotland.

“Have Your Say”

SDEF is a member led organisation so we need to hearfrom you, our valued members!

If you have a story you think would be of interest to others,or some disability related news you would like to share, thenget in touch with us by email at info@sdef.org.uk or bycalling on 01259 272064.

Open DoorDisability News and Views for Disabled People across Scotland

Disability Hate Crime

Disability Hate Crime

Welfare ReformMembers’ News

My Life and M3Access to the Arts

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ContentsPage23

ContentsConvenor’s Welcome

SDEF News456-10

Who We AreHow We CommunicateWhat We’re Doing

News and Policy1112131414

Go On GoldBenefits for Disabled People - the factsYouth Access Project“I am me” ProjectAccess to work

Access Panels1516171718191920

Access Panel Funding from SDEFClackmannanshire Disability Awareness GroupEast Renfrewshire Access PanelFalkirk Disability Access and Assessment GroupGlasgow Access PanelKilmarnock and District Access PanelRenfrewshire Access PanelStirling Access Panel

News from Other Groups

Members’ NewsDisability Hate Crime - a member’s experienceSTOP Disability Hate CrimeQuestions? Comments? Concerns?

212223

2425

Inspiring peopleA Dream Finally Realised

Access to the Arts2627

Abrupt EncountersMy Life and M3

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Dear Members

Welcome to our Winter/Spring edition of Open Door.

It has been a very busy year so far for staff and Directors alike atSDEF and this looks set to continue as we embark on a numberof new projects, such as our Access Panel Sustainability Project(see pages 9 and 10) and our Youth Access Project (see page13).

However, we are aware of so many more things which you, ourmembers are undertaking, whether as volunteers for organisations, Access Panelmembers or individuals. Open Door is a great way of sharing your thoughts, ideas andaccomplishments with others, and we encourage you to send us any news items youmay have on disability related areas. The more we can share our good ideas andexperiences the better for all of us!

We are also looking to improve your experience as members of SDEF: we reallyappreciate your support, year on year, as we work towards removing barriers toequality for disabled people across Scotland. If you have thoughts and ideas on whatyou as a member would like to see happening for you through SDEF, then please getin touch.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Open Door as much as we have enjoyedcompiling it, and look forward to seeing you at some of the events we will be holdingover the course of the year for our members.

I was also delighted to see so many Access Panel members at our first PartnershipMeeting; SDEF staff did a great job on the day and feedback was really positive.  Thepurpose of these meetings is to inform panels of the support SDEF is offering, and toprovide a platform for sharing ideas between panels.  However, these meetings arealso a great way of enabling potential members to find out more about their localAccess Panels and to get to know you with a view to joining.  If you know of anyonewho you think may be interested in becoming involved, do get in touch with SDEF staffso that we can add them to our attendee list.

Jackie MaceiraConvenor

Convenor's Welcome

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SDEF NewsWho We AreOur staff team is highly skilled and experienced in all aspects of disability, equality andpolicy.

Susan Grasekamp, ManagerHi - I'm Susan, Manager of SDEF, and I am delighted to be workingwith such a great team and membership in achieving our charity’saims.

Keith Robertson, Disability Access OfficerI am the Disability Access Officer and I support over 50 Access Panelsin Scotland.  I am a Royal Navy Veteran but I was invalided out of theforce in 1973 after an accident that left me disabled and aparaplegic wheelchair user.

Marta More, Access Panel WorkerHi, I’m Marta and I am SDEF’s Access Worker, and I work very closelywith the Access Panels throughout Scotland, assisting them in buildingtheir capacity and working on their sustainability and taking themforward.

Maive Bain, Office AdministratorHi, I’m Maeve, I’m the SDEF Office Administrator! I work three days aweek covering telephone enquiries and SDEF admin.

Vicky Innes, Administration AssistantI’m Vicky I joined the SDEF team in August 2012. I provideadministrative support for the team.

Morven Brooks, Information and Communications OfficerHi, I’m Morven and I’m the Information and Communications Officerhere at SDEF.  My role involves policy, communications andengagement with our members.

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SDEF NewsHow We Communicate

How many of you have an account withFacebook, Twitter, Linkedin or even have yourown blog?

The majority of you will probably be using atleast one of these tools for social reasons, andnot even thought of how they can be used in

the workplace or for business purposes.

So how can we best use these tools for Scottish Disability Equality Forum? You may notrealise this, but we have already started using such tools.

We have a Facebook accountFollow us at www.facebook.com/FriendsOfSDEF

We have a Twitter accountFollow us at www.twitter.com/SDEForum

We have a Linkedin account – Follow us atwww.linkedin.com/company/scottish-disability-equality-forum

The benefit of using these tools in our workplace is that it offers all of us the opportunityto improve how we communicate and share ideas. Also communication is spreadbeyond Scotland, enabling us to link with many individuals and organisations throughoutthe world who all have an interest in Disability.

Of course, changing the way we communicate and interact with each other takes timeand won’t happen overnight.

But with open minds and positive attitudes about these developments, we could catapultinto the 21st century. Think of twitter like the town gossip - only say what you wouldn’tmind being shared with everyone else!

We want to hear your thoughts and opinions on using social media tools. Please contactMorven Brooks with your thoughts – morven.brooks@sdef.org.uk

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SDEF NewsWhat We’re DoingSDEF continues to work towards the removal of barriers to independent living fordisabled people. The following pages outline our progress so far with our outcomes. Asummary of our outcomes can be found on our websitewww.sdef.org.uk/index.php/what-we-do/our-vision

Increase awareness of the Independent Living Movement

The Independent Living Programme seeks to worktowards a fully inclusive society where the principlesof independent living underpin how our societyworks and grows. But what is Independent Living?In our last newsletter, we discussed what disabledpeople said about Independent Living, what it meantto them. The Independent Living Movement isinformed by these opinions and seeks to highlightsthe needs, rights and wishes of disabled people intoevery aspect of society.

Independent Living means 'disabled people of all ages having the same freedom, choiceand dignity and control as other citizens at home, at work, and in the community'. It doesnot mean living by yourself, or fending for yourself. It means rights to practical assistanceand support to participate in society and live an ordinary life.

So what does that mean to you?

It means full access to our environment, with fully accessible transport. It means accessto technical aids and equipment, personal assistance. Housing should be accessible andadapted where necessary, and education and lifelong learning should be inclusive,developed to be accessible in whatever formats are needed by the individual.

Being able to fully participate in society means making sure that people can makeinformed choices about what they do, and be able to do it in a way which suits theirneeds.

Organisations across Scotland are promoting the values of Independent Living, but it's ajoint effort.

Independent Living in Scotland (IliS) have developed a number of insightful bookletswhich you can download from our website on topics such as disability equality, petition-ing, human rights, promotion and co-production. If you would like some printed copies todistribute to your local library, surgery or group, please get in touch withvicky.innes@sdef.org.uk.

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SDEF NewsWhat We’re Doing

As part of our remit, we will be working withvarious organisations to help reduce hate crime.In order to achieve this, we must ensure thatdisabled people know:

· What disability hate crime is· How to report hate crime· Who to contact

Increase awareness and prevention of Hate Crime in Scotland

Working Towards Removing Barriers to Equality in Employment

We are working with Access Panels to provide those affected by hate crime with accessto support and guidance on dealing with hate crime. By empowering disabled people tocome forward and report these crimes, we can all work towards securing a more tolerantfuture for those affected by disability.

Please go to our Hate Crime page on our website for further information:www.sdef.org.uk/index.php/hate-crime

As part of our commitment towards growingAccess Panel membership, SDEF have linked inwith Access to Work, a programme aimed to helpdisabled people into work.

Access to Work has agreed to provide informationto enquirers on how to connect with their local Ac-cess Panel at the point of enquiry.

We are hopeful that this will help to raise national awareness of local panels, and to in-crease panel membership across Scotland.

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SDEF NewsWhat We’re DoingEncourage Engagement of Disabled People at Local, Regional andNational Levels

Social Media and Website

We have increased our Social Media presence and we cannow be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. Wehave also updated the look of our website and now send afortnightly e-newsletter called ‘SDEF Voice’ to all ourmembers and Access Panels.

Please go to page 5 to read more about how SDEF arecommunicating.

Consultations/Member Opinions

Over the last year SDEF have consulted with members on arange of matters, including Building Standards, Living Wage,Redesigning of Community Justice System, Taxi and PrivateCar Hire, as well as other areas such as gender anddisability, welfare reform, self-directed support and otherAreas.

Responses to our consultations can be downloaded from ourwebsite: www.sdef.org.uk/index.php/consultations

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SDEF NewsWhat We’re DoingImproving the Sustainability of Access Panels across Scotland

Many thanks to the Access Panels who took the time to fill in youraudit forms - it has been really helpful to us in establishing the rangeof great work going on in our Access Panels, and the types ofsupport needed to make them even stronger.

In response to your submissions, we have been busy developing arange of support tools which we can offer to Access Panels throughevents, one-to-one support, email and through our website.Support spans a wide range of areas, including training,

promotion, reporting and evaluation, membership, capacity building, sustainability (howto keep your Access Panel going!), IT skills and internal structure (how your panel canwork best from the inside, with organisational tools, up to date constitutions, etc).

Partnership MeetingsWe held our first Partnership Meeting in Inglewood House, Alloa on Thursday 21 March2013. This included Clackmannanshire Disability Awareness Group, Disabilities Fife,Falkirk District Access and Awareness Group and Stirling Area Access Panel.

All Panels felt this was a success, and thoroughly enjoyed their day. It was a fantasticopportunity for local panels to network. This is a positive start to our Access PanelSustainability Project, and we look forward to meeting the rest of the Access Panels indue course.

Below are some of the key issues identified by Panels in the audits which weresubmitted.

1. The greatest overall need identified by the majority of panels was the need forgreater membership.We will be tackling 'increasing membership' as a key priority for Access Panels, providingpractical tools and support in promotion, membership, inclusive communication, andonline presence (e.g., websites, social media like Facebook and Twitter). Find out moreabout our Youth Access Project Online on page 13.

2. The most common types of training identified as being needed were:●Access Surveys●Building Standards● IT (website) etc.●Open Spaces

In our Partnership Meetings, we will be asking you to register for a range of trainingwhich we will be making available to your Access Panel over the course of this year.Courses will include the above, but also Disability Equality, Human Rights, and otherareas. We will also update you with courses in your area which may become available,and for which you can apply using your discretionary funding.

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SDEF NewsWhat We’re DoingImproving the Sustainability of Access Panels across Scotlandcont…

3. Panels also identified the need for better support in promotion and onlinetrainingIt is critical that Access Panels are contactable by phone, by email and by website. Ouraim is to ensure that all Access Panels who wish to develop or renew their websites overthe coming year have the opportunity to do so, either by working with panels to build theirown simple website which they can update by themselves or by getting local schoolstudents involved.

4. Panels need to be involved in decision-making processes from the outsetWe would like to work with Panels to help grow public body and organisational networks,promoting the valuable service they provide so that Local Authorities and other bodiesknow to engage with Access Panels from the very beginning of their processes.

5. Panels need to be included in wider access issues, such as social justice,mental health, etcAccess now has a far wider remit than just the physical environment, and it is importantfor panels to educate and inform the wider community about the type of involvement theyhave in such areas as hate crime, public services and mental health. SDEF are keen towork with panels to help promote the valuable work they do, to ensure thatdecision-making processes across the wider access remit are guided by their experienceand opinion.

A full report will be made available on our website to give an overview of Access Panels,their activities, goals and needs.

If your Access Panel still hasn’t completed their Audit, please get in touch with MartaMore on 01259 272062 or at marta.more@sdef.org.uk.

Online Youth ProjectWe are delighted that Falkirk Disability Access and Assessment Group and CaithnessAccess Panel has agreed to pilot our 'Youth Access Project'. SDEF are working withschools and colleges in the area, to get together a small group of fifth and sixth year stu-dents who will help to build a simple website for the panels. The website will use 'Word-press' - a very simple and easy to use tool which means that panels can easily keep theirwebsite up-to-date by themselves.

The project should take between 4 - 6 weeks, and the hope is that some of the studentsmay go on to join the access panel, perhaps in an advisory capacity for the website!It is a great idea which benefits everyone involved: the student learns new skills, includingIT, teamwork and project management, the school can promote its involvement with thelocal community and the panel will have a shiny new website, and perhaps some greatnew members too!

If you would like to know more about this, or want to set up a similar project in your area,please contact susan.grasekamp@sdef.org.uk

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News and PolicyGo On Gold

SDEF have become a partner of Go ON Gold, aproject designed to help disabled peopleparticipate fully in an increasingly digital society.

Go ON Gold now hopes other Scottish communityorganisations will follow their lead by joining thecampaign to capitalise on the new awareness and

understanding of equality issues generated by the success of the Paralympics.

Teaming up with Go ON Gold means that SDEF, which is also the umbrella body for 50volunteer led Access Panels across the country, will actively help disabled people accessthe internet and enable them to them use on line tools to improve their web experience.

SDEF manager Susan Grasekamp added: “We work with many organisations toinfluence Scottish Government policies which affect how we live.  We also work withAccess Panels across Scotland who provide advice and support to disabled people intheir local communities.  Access Panels deal with all areas of access including the builtenvironment, countryside, access to local and national services and education includingin house training. Basically if you have a problem accessing anything within Scotland,your local access panel could help.

“Most people are well aware of the physical challenges faced by disabled people, such aslack of wheelchair access and ramps for example  – but the less tangible barriers, likehaving difficulty using keyboards or reading text, is less obvious for those not affected byit. For example for many people, even finding out about training courses is a challenge ifthey don’t know how best to access the internet if they have a motor or visual impairmentfor example.

“As an organisation dedicated to helping disabled people access both physical spacesand opportunities to improve their education and careers it makes perfect sense for us tospread the message about ways of increasing accessibility to all parts of modern life. Theinternet really is a gateway to fantastic opportunities – and one which should be availableto everyone.”

The Go ON Gold website acts as focus for key resources and expertise to help peopleget online and also features a number of videos by high profile disabled people such asleading Paralympian peer and disability rights campaigner, Baroness TanniGrey-Thompson.

To find out about Go ON Gold and become a Digital Champion and help a disabledperson to get online, visit www.go-on-gold.co.uk

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News and PolicyBenefits for Disabled People – the factsHere at SDEF we want to ensure our members are receiving the correct information andadvice on the current changes to benefits paid to disabled people. Below is a summary ofthe changes and support available.

The Welfare Reform ActThe Welfare Reform Act will introduce the Universal Credit in October 2013 which willreplace:

· Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)· Income-related employment and supportallowance (ESA)· Income support (IS)· Housing Benefit (HB)· Child Tax Credit (CTC)· Working Tax Credit (WTC)

The Welfare Reform Act is also introducing a new benefit called ‘Personal IndependencePayment. This will replace the current Disability Living Allowance for those of working age.

Below is a summary of the benefits which will have an effect on disabled people:

Universal CreditUniversal Credit will provide a new single system of means-tested support for working-agepeople in and out of work. Support for housing costs, children and childcare costs will bejoined in the new benefit. It will also provide elements for disabled people andcarers.

Employment Support Allowance (ESA)From 1 June 2011, the Employment and Support Allowance (Work-Related Activity)Regulations introduced a new requirement for certain recipients of Employment andSupport Allowance (ESA) to undertake work-related activity. This is any activity whichhelps the claimant to obtain work, remain in work or to be more likely to obtain or remain inwork.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)The Government plans to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with a new cashbenefit, called Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from 2013-14.

PIP is based on an assessment of individual need. The new assessment will focus on anindividual’s ability to carry out a range of key activities necessary to everyday life.

Further information about the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and disabled people can bedownloaded from www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/disability/welfare-reform-bill-2011-and-disabled

We would like to hear from you on how any of the above benefit changes will affect you.Please contact Morven Brooks Tel: 01259 272063 morven.brooks@sdef.org.uk with yourcomments.

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News and PolicyYouth Access Project

Youth Access ProjectYour local Youth Access Project is looking for young volunteers (16-21) to work with itsAccess Panel to help build their online presence (or maybe ‘build a website and socialmedia’)  It will take place over 4-6 weeks, one evening per week, and each person will beawarded a certificate for their involvement as well as learning some cool skills!

What will You learn?You will be part of a 6 week programme, in which you will learn how to:

· Buy a domain name (www.youraccesspanel.com) and set up a basic website· Create wording and source images for the website· Connect with social media

What’s in it for YOU?

How to get involvedIf you are interested please fill in our online application form:www.sdef.org.uk/index.php/youth-access-project

Schools· Involve students in socially responsible activity· Create connections with local disability

groups· Raise awareness of Disability Equality

Students· learn a new skill· meet new people· make a difference in your

community!· add your involvement to your CV

Access Panel· Improve membership through online

presence· Improve communication and engagement· Connect with local schools and young

people· Improve your visibility in your local

community

And for members of yourcommunity…· Better access to support and

guidance in your area· Involvement with disability groups

and individuals affected by disability· Have their voice heard through the

work of Access Panels and SDEF

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News and Policy“I am me” project

A new project called “I am me” has been set up to work with partnersto seek funding for the design and delivery of a bespoke dramaproduction aimed at secondary schools, disability groups andcommunity groups within Renfrewshire.

The group aims to seek funding to raise awareness of disability hatecrime, reduce incidents, and, increase reporting. The project/group will also seekfunding to work with young people in Renfrewshire to design a Disability Hate Crimepack for schools.  This pack will be based on the pack already produced by the CPSfor England and Wales.  The design and distribution of the pack will help ensure thatthe awareness campaign can be ongoing for future young people.

In addition, the project will also work with Strathclyde Police to raise awareness of a"Keep Safe" initiative that the Police are currently designing.  This initiative will trainlocal businesses how to become a safe area for disabled and vulnerable people toseek refuge if they are feeling threatened or unsafe.

The project will be partnering with PACE, Strathclyde Police and RenfrewshireCouncil.

If you would like further information, please contact Carol atiammeproject@yahoo.co.uk

ACCESS TO WORK provides additional support for individuals whose health ordisability affects the way they do their job.

Access to Work can provide discretionary grantstowards:

· Specialist aids and equipment;· Support Workers;· Support for transport to work;· An interpreter or other support at a job interview if you have difficulty communi-

cating;· Support for those with mental health conditions, through the Mental Health Sup-

port Service.

The support the programme offers is personalised and will depend on a person’sneeds. Access to Work advisers can offer an assessment of an individual’s workplaceto learn more about the support they need and offer a grant on the information andrecommendations from the assessment.

Find out more at www.gov.uk/access-to-work, phone 0208 426 3110 to make anapplication or email atwosu.london@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

Access to Work

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Access PanelsAccess Panel Funding from SDEF

As the end of the financial year 2012/2013 is almost upon us, for those of you who havenot returned your invoices for last year's £750, it would be much appreciated it if youcould get them into us as soon as possible please!

This will mean SDEF can issue you with this year's Government Grant. Unfortunately, ifwe are left with any money we will have to return it to theScottish Government and that situation would have adverse effect for any funding forfuture years.

Also, if you have ideas on how you can grow and develop your Access Panel, could youget these into us quickly please? This funding is a great opportunity to raise awarenessand promote your Access Panel.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact ourAccess Worker Marta, on 01259 272062 or atmarta.more@sdef.org.uk.

Access Panel AuditsSDEF would like to say a huge thank you to the Access Panels whohave completed and submitted the Access Panel Audit that wassent out to you in September 2012. Your cooperation in this matteris greatly appreciated.

If your Access Panel is yet to submit the Audit, can you pleaseensure this is completed as soon as possible. We cannot stressenough how important the Audit is and need your contribution to ensure our plans for anAccess Panel Support Package reflect your needs.

The Skills Audit that you were also sent is for the Access Panel’s internal use only.However, completing this may assist with the completion of the Access Panel Audit.The original deadline for the submission of the Audit was 30 November 2012.

If preferred, the Audit is available online www.surveymonkey.com/s/K5K7TVT.  It shouldtake no more than 20 – 30 minutes to complete.

If you have any questions, or would like some help in completing the Audit, please do nothesitate to call Marta on 01259 272062 or email at marta.more@sdef.org.uk

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Access PanelsClackmannanshire Disability Awareness GroupTel: 01259 272018 Email: alisterdag@gmail.com

The Clackmannanshire Access Panel now functions as part of the DAG group and hasregular twice monthly meetings at the Alloa Business Centre usually in the Ben Lediroom.

Recently they had a very informative presentation and discussion with Ninian Somervilleof Clackmannanshire Council on the designs for the new library and the refurbishment ofthe Spiers Centre.

Alister Scott (DAG) and Keith Robertson (SDEF) volunteeredto visit Alloa Town Hall to check out the new stair lift whichprovides access for those with some level of disability to theupper floor. Keith commented that “due to the constraints onlisted buildings we cannot expect to access everywhere”.

Alister commented that he was not happy with the access totoilets in the new Community Hospital, this has been broughtto the attention of the Hospital at a PPF meeting and theywere looking into it. Sheila McGhee said that she would reportback on any developments.

DAG has been out on several visits to assess walks forinclusion in the ‘Walks for All in Clackmannanshire’ project. This project is about creatinga series of walking / access maps. These maps will enable people to make informedchoices about where they can go, how they can get there and what they will find whenthey get there, not just the flora and fauna but facilities such as toilets, seats en route,good viewpoints, nearby cafes and such like.

The Disability Awareness Group is committed to raising awareness of the issues thatpeople living with disabilities face in their everyday lives and its members are passionateabout making Clackmannanshire a place where people with disabilities can live a full andparticipatory life. If you are living with a disability or supporting someone who has adisability please consider joining the Disability Awareness Group. 2012 will see many funactivities both outside and indoors.

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Access PanelsEast Renfrewshire Access PanelTel: 01355 302533 Email: info@erap.org.uk

It has been a quiet few months up until now but we have had a few "goings on".

Both the Web Master and myself have enrolled on acourse looking at our Web Siteregarding Web Essentials as covered in Web ContentAccessibility Guidelines' (WAG) 2.0 guidelines. Hopefullywe will learn enough to make sure our Web Site isaccessible to all.

We also have been involved in East Renfrewshire's new proposed Health Centre inWilliamwood. After an initial public meeting in a local hotel we met with the ER Planningpeople as well as one of the chosen Architects regarding their proposals for DisabledAccess and our thoughts on what fittings etc should be included in all the Toilets,Lifts ,Stairs and general requirements of flooring, ceilings , stairway and doors. TheDisabled Parking seems to be very adequate but we brought up the eternal ER problemof unsuitable Hearing Aid Loops and Signage and await with interest the finalisedDrawings and plans.

Falkirk Disability Access and Assessment GroupTel: 07730447212 Email: fdaag@hotmail.com

The Falkirk Disability Access and Assessment group are currently working on thefollowing projects:

· Developing a “Guide to Accessible Toilets in the Falkirk Area”.

· Working with the Falkirk Taxi Forum, SDEF and others to build our capacity andinform local initiatives.

· Working with Callendar House to enable them toevaluate and update their emergencyevacuation procedures for people with specialneeds.

· Linking with other access groups in the area.

· We also hope to work with other groups andstatutory bodies/ projects in the future, this couldbe you!

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Access PanelsGlasgow Access PanelTel: 0141 946 8488 Email: info@glasgowaccesspanel.org.uk

Glasgow Access Panel have been working on the following over the last year:

● Glasgow access panel (GAP) has recently held a members event (1 March 2013)to discuss the blue badge consultation.  This was well attended and everyone wasable to give their opinion on the questions.  The result was submitted throughSDEF survey monkey.

● GAP has been approached by a student ofarchitecture, she is doing herdissertation on the Riverside transport museumin Glasgow.  She is interested In hearing aboutthe experiences of disabled people on themuseum and anydifficulties encountered.  A visit has beenarranged to the museum with heraccompanied by some members of the panel.

● Glasgow City Council are building five new care homes in Glasgow to replace thecurrent homes. GAP visited the mock up rooms at the Skills Academy in Glasgow.It is clear a great deal of thought and effort has gone into ensuring the homes areaccessible.

● GAP continues to provide an information stand at the Patient Information centre inthe Victoria Infirmary, this is held on the first Monday of the month.  The stand ismanned by board members and volunteers.

● We also held our AGM in December, this was followed by speaker- Presentation by Ian McKenzie; Commonwealth Games on theprogress to date.  This wasfollowed by a workshop with Clare Fraser and John Binning, from SPTthey were keen to get advice and suggestions from members onmeeting their Public Sector Duties.

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Access PanelsKilmarnock and District Access PanelEmail: kilmarnockpanel@gmail.com

Kilmarnock and District Access Panel have been on site visits to two or three new builds,for example, two new schools, a new Athletics Park in the town.

The Panel is considering an Awards Scheme Certificateto be presented and erected in buildings we have visitedwhich are considered to be finished to a high standard.

We have changed the name of the Panel to Kilmarnockand District Access Panel.

We are also preparing a leaflet to be displayed at allEast Ayrshire Council Offices and Doctors and DentistsSurgeries.   The leaflet will contain our Mission Statement, some artwork and a plea fornew members.   We are still in the process of putting this together.

Renfrewshire Access PanelTel: 07747 036028 Email: enquiries@renfrewshireaccesspanel.org.uk

Renfrewshire Access Panel has been working on variousprojects and continues to develop our involvement withRenfrewshire Council with regards to hate crime. Wehave also been working on our networking and have hadvarious visitors to our meeting such as StrathclydePolice’s Equality Officer, we also have the continued help

and support of our local Councillor, both guests have advised us that they want tocontinually attend our meetings and help in any way they can. The list continues asRenfrewshire Council have now setup a hit squad to deal with benefit issues for thechanges in benefits that are currently happening and we have a member of the teamcoming to our next meeting to do a presentation and take questions.

Wednesday 20th February 2013 marks a historic day for Renfrewshire Access Panel(RAP), we had a meeting with Peter McLeod, the head of Social Work in Renfrewshireand he has agreed to look at taking the idea forward of a centre for independent living inRenfrewshire which means RAP will be working in co-production with Social Work. TheCentre will be called Renfrewshire Centre for Independent Living (RENCIL) and nowthere is a great deal of work and progress being made for RAP and it is a challenge thatwe are looking forward to and this includes making the wonderful improvements forRenfrewshire with the many new and innovative services that we intend to provide. Infuture we are hoping that RENCIL will not only service Renfrewshire but will have agreater impact on the surrounding area and hopefully country-wide in future to offer helpand support to everyone.

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Stirling Access PanelTel: 01786 469916 Email: leestevenson@sventerprise.org.ukBannockburn Battlefield CentreThis new Centre will be open for early 2014, and Stirling AreaAccess Panel (SAAP) with the excellent support of KeithRobertson. We have had lengthy meetings with thearchitect and project team from Historic Scotland and  theNational Trust, on the detailed design of the building and onexternal features. The Panel has also worked with StirlingCouncil Roads Dept on the immediate public access to the Centre to make it inclusive forall pedestrian visitors to the Centre.  Through our efforts, we feel that the Panel has beensuccessful in making key changes to accessibility in many vital areas. There will be atest day prior to the Centre’s opening, where disabled groups will have the opportunity totrial all the facilities, and, we hope, give it theirapproval!

Waitrose, StirlingA new 40,000 sq ft Store opened in Stirling last month. OurPanel had meetings with the project manager and architect.Again, with the help of Keith Robertson, we hoped to make

significant changes to the building design to relocate and improve the accessible toiletsand parking features, but due to the complex arrangement of ownership and anaggressive schedule for opening, we did not achieve the results at this store which wewould have liked.  Waitrose are currently planning two new stores in Helensburgh andMilingavie, we do hope that ‘lessons learned’ will be put in practice at these future stores.

Stirling StreetscapeMembers of our Panel participated in a recent ‘on the ground’ roving meeting withrepresentatives of Stirling Council Roads Dept. A number of points (12) were shown anddiscussed, with the future promise of resolution. These points ranged from a dangerousroad junction dropped kerb point, Stirling Station walkways repairs and dropped kerbsneeded, additional disabled parking bays in Balfron and Callander, and other additionaldropped kerb requirements.  Overall, we are delighted with the support which StirlingCouncil are showing with their intent to improve the mobilization of wheelchair users whouse the City Centre.

Post Office AccessA local Post office in Stirling which has stepped access and narrow flapdoors, makes it nearly impossible for wheelchair users to use, evenwith a wooden ramp. The owner of the shop has resisted separate,suggested detailed improvements from our Panel, the council, and thelocal councillor, over the last three years.  All the parties mentioned have endeavored togain support from Royal Mail, but to date they have declined to participate. Post Officeaccess is, without question, a basic public requirement for all, and we do not understandthe reluctance of those involved, other than perhaps their wish to avoid the cost ofmodifications. There is a meeting at the end of this month with all parties, we do hopethat this will finally lead to a solution as further options will involve legal input. The StirlingPanel has heard of similar access issues in Clackmannanshire and Bannockburn, so it isimportant that a precedent is established to ensure that the conflict of access is resolvedon a national basis.

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Members NewsDisability Hate Crime – a member’s experienceAs a permanent wheelchair user I have experienced disability hate crime twice. On thefirst occasion I was threatened with violence and more recently, a person triedunsuccessfully to bully me.

The most recent occasion of hate crime took part several months ago in my local publicgymnasium. A male member of staff tried to bully me by bizarrely giving me a warning forsomething that I just didn’t do. I have no idea what his reasoning was, other than tryingto scare me or to make me feel uneasy at the gym? Perhaps he resented my presencein the gym filled with people of normal ability. Well fortunately for him I am an assertiveindividual and was able to speak to the manager of the gym. He promptly spoke to themember of staff about his inappropriate behaviour.

The issue with the member of staff has now been resolved. We now interact quitenormally and I’m happy in the gym. I do hope that he has learned something from thewhole saga and this should benefit everyone including another member of the gym thatthe staff member speaks to frequently, who has a brother who has learning difficulties.

My second experience of hate crime was at least 5 years ago. When arriving at a parkingarea in Stirling town centre I found two able-bodies females who had just parked their carin a disabled parking space. I politely asked them why they were using a disabled spacewithout a blue badge. They responded by using abusive a threatening language, withone woman declaring that she would punch me if I made trouble for them.

This whole but short episode I felt venerable andpowerless; it felt these two females had norespect, interest or understanding of mydisability, or the importance of being able to useaccessible parking for essential shopping.

My confidence has benefited from the events atthe gym making me more resilient aboutchallenging some future issues. But I am lesslikely to visit Stirling town centre as frequently asI used to, nor would I challenge somebody who isincorrectly using a disabled parking space.

In conclusion it is awful that disability hate crimeactually exists in our culture. Perhaps societysees disabled people as having advantages suchas parking and benefits when really we haveequal rights and do contribute in a meaningfulway to society.

Submitted by: David Smith, SDEF Member

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Members NewsSTOP Disability Hate CrimeA member of SDEF has reported that her and her family have been subjected to HateCrime due to her disability.

Her neighbour started harassing and threatening her and her family after he discoveredshe had a motobility car and does not pay road tax.

Our member did contact the police and they were very helpful, however no follow up orinformation about Hate Crime was provided.

Fortunately for our member, her neighbour has now moved out, providing a sense ofrelief and safety for her and her family.

All hate crimes and incidents should be reported,whether you have been a victim, a witness or you arereporting on behalf of someone else.

Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted at aperson because of hostility or prejudice towards thatperson’s:

● disability● race or ethnicity● religion or belief● sexual orientation● transgender identity

This can be committed against a person or property.

These incidents may include verbal abuse, physicalassault, domestic abuse, harassment and damage toproperty.

Submitted by: SDEF Member who wishes to remain anonymous

Support is available from your local Police or Local Authority. Justrecently launched is a police funded website called ‘True Vision’ -www.report-it.org.uk/home which has been designed to provideinformation about Hate Crime and how to report it.

There are also various support agencies that can provide support andoffer guidance.

Please go to our website www.sdef.org.uk/index.php/hate-crime forfurther information.

Help and Advice

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Members NewsQuestions? Comments? Concerns?

Perth & Kinross Council’s charge for disabilityequipment

I would just like to re-iterate that Perth and Kinross Council are charging disabled peoplefor installation and maintenance fees of disability equipment, for example,essential items such as riser lifter beds/chairs, toilets, hoists etc.

At the moment this is £60 per year, but likely to go updue to the lack of response to appeals for abandoningthis charge from forums such as your own. Unless weunite against initiatives like this the disabled will continueto bear a disproportionate cost of local government cut-backs.

Stella M Kinread - SDEF Member

Closure of day care centres in Glasgow

A member contacted us concerned about theclosure of day care centres in Glasgow.

Glasgow Council has been closing Centres over thelast 2 years  as a long term modernisation,wherethe clients will have to take this Personalisation.

Only 4 centres are  being  kept open - Riddrie,Carlton, The Wedge, Southbrae. There will be only50 clients in each centre. They will be only for people in wheel-chairs.

Our member is  a parent group and is very angry with the lack of consultation.

Kathleen Isaac - SDEF Member

This page is an opportunity for members to express theiropinions and thoughts on issues which are affecting them.

If you would like to highlight a concern or have a question ona disability related matter, please email Morven Brooks atmorven.brooks@sdef.org.uk

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News from other groupsInspiring people

Having a disability can be difficult and may make you feelisolated from certain activities or environments.

That’s why our Access Panels do such a fantastic job involvingand improving communities with access issues or barriers.

We received a story from a member recently with a truly inspiringstory.

Gerald has a disability and is a wheelchair user. For the last 10years he has been holidaying in Ibiza. Ibiza may not beeveryone’s cup of tea; however, for Gerald he forgets about hisdisability and has made many friends over the years. He has

always been made to feel welcome and he feels looked after.

You can read Gerald’s story herewww.ibizaclubbing-guide.com/news/326~a_truely_inspirational_story.aspx

Please feel free to contact Gerald geraldm31@btopenworld.com

If you have an inspirational story you would like to share, please contact Morven Brooks,Tel: 01259 272063 morven.brooks@sdef.org.uk

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News from other groupsA Dream Finally RealisedYou may (or may not) have heard of the ‘Homelands’ project. Some considerable timeago Miss Isobel Carse Paxton left ‘Homelands’, a large house with extensive grounds inLundin Links, Fife, along with the residue of her estate, to the Fife Branch of the MSSociety.

The current Board of Trustees has been working with award-winning architects, James FStephen of Glamis and their Client Representative, Dr Larry Rolland, an architect wholives locally. New plans have been drawn up and these were recently approved by FifeCouncil Planning Department.

On the south end of the site of Miss Paxton’s formerhome, set in mature woodlands, and with magnificentviews over Lundin Golf Course and across the Firth ofForth to the Lothians, there will be four luxury, purpose-built, wheelchair-accessible, self-catering cottagesspecially designed to meet the needs of people with arange of disabilities and long-term health conditions.

Sitting alongside the cottages there will be a drop-in andinformation centre. This will involve the formation of partnerships with a range of localorganisations providing services for disabled people. It will function as a reception pointproviding flexible accommodation with meeting rooms, a kitchen area, open plan officespace, toilet facilities, and handyman’s and gardener’s storage space. It will be used byvisitors to the cottages as well as by Fife residents affected by a range of disablingconditions, and including their family, friends and carers.

The former Gardener’s Cottage, at the north end ofthe site, has been refurbished to provide temporaryoffice accommodation for the duration of thebuilding work.

It is anticipated that building work will commence inthe early summer months and the project will be

finished and ready for opening by late August/ early September of 2014.

The Trustees are delighted to announce that Sir Menzies Campbell has recently agreedto be the Trust's Patron.

For any additional information please contact The Secretary onhomelandstrust@live.co.uk or The Chair on 07563 101 226.   The Homelands Trust-Fife

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Access to the ArtsWe are introducing a new regular feature to Open Door ‘Access to theArts’. This section will highlight various dance, music and art projectswhich are going on in Scotland.

If you would like to have your project published in Open Door, pleasecontact Morven Brooks morven.brooks@sdef.org.uk

Abrupt EncountersAbrupt Encounters is a new inclusive arts programme developed by a collective ofcreatively engaged participants with learning disabilities, evolving first in a lifetimeopportunities and live arts events in public spaces in some of central Scotland’s mostprominent public places.

The programme evolved from Artlink Central’s Artreach programme participants, whoexpressed the desire to work towards creating performances and showcases of work fora mainstream audience where work might be received without a disability context.

The programme began six months ago in Stirling where the participating artists weregiven two months access to a contemporary art gallery, the Changing Room, based inthe Tolbooth music venue. A series of artist residencies and presentations saw the grouptransform the space into an exhibition and place of orientation for the project and therewere live interventions towards the end that included personal lift performances betweenan actor and a member of the public, installations, and a vocal sound piece.

Visitors to the grounds of Forth Valley Royal Hospital may havebeen puzzling over the appearance of a yurt sitting amongst thetrees, but the answer to the mystery tent has now been revealed. It'sbeing used to give patients with learning difficulties from nearbyLochview the opportunity to participate art away from the wardsetting.

Focusing on tactile and sensory materials such as fabrics, cellophane, string, sound andfilm, performance artist Jenna Watt and visual artist Emma Bowen have been workingwith patients to produce interactive collages.  They have been exploring the idea ofjourneys and paths, using the surrounding woodland as an inspiration. Sessions werealso set aside to let visitors and members of the public take part in the new art project.

23 was the next phase of Artlink Central’s Abrupt Encountersproject. It was inspired by peoples’ responses to the space ofStirling Castle and its history. Participants engaged with theideas of 23 buttons on a wedding dress, the formerinhabitants of the lion’s den and John Denver’s song, CountryRoads.

 For more information about Abrupt Encounters and associated events please visit theAbrupt Encounters website: www.abruptencounters.com

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I am an eighteen year old girl who lives in Glasgow with my family. When I was born Iwas diagnosed with special needs which means I can’t walk so I use a powered wheel-chair to get about. My interests are going out shopping and nights out, working withsocial marketing media, dancing, being with my friends and family, having a laugh withpeople, listening to any kind of music and watching the football.

I am a creative person so I love dancing and doing art and design, I have won a few artcompetitions over the last six years and got a grade ‘A’ for my art last year.

I am at college just now but the course I’m studying is only for two years so I’m thinking ofdoing a computing course for a year after. I would like a job working with computers,helping companies create websites, Facebook and photo editing, to help theirbusinesses. Right now I run the Facebook page for Paragon’s M³ dance programme.

I have been involved in M³ as a dancer since 2009 when I did the summer week sessionand I really liked it. M³ is an inclusive programme for young people aged 14 to 20 yearsthat is run by Paragon’s Artist in Association, Caroline Bowditch and directed byParagon’s creative director Ninian Perry. Paragon recently teamed up with new partners,YDance, Scotland’s national youth dance organisation, run by Anna Kenrick.

This extends M³’s inclusive practice opportunities to young non-disabled dancers. M³provides opportunities for young people interested in dance and music from beginners upto advanced performing level to get involved in performing and creating dance. Since Istarted three years ago I have learnt so much about dance e.g. movements anddifferent ways to dance with a partner. The programme has helped to build myconfidence in performing and just in general, you get to meet new people at the sessionsand they have all become my friends.

I realised just how much M³ had helped to build my confidence last year- for the threeyears I had been involved in the course I always stayed in my wheelchair to dance, butlast year (2012) I decided to take a step further and come out of the chair so I coulddance on the floor, now I do it all the time.

The M³ music and dance programme can do so many things for a young person- gainmore confidence like I have; it helps you be more expressive when you are dancing andyou learn to relate to the music; it allows you to use your imagination to create anddevelop new dance skills and leads you to a healthier lifestyle.

Want to find out more information about this great music and dance programme?

Contact Paragon on 0141 354 0234, visit the website- www.paragon-music.org . If youare a young person aged (14-20) then I do recommend you get in touch with us if you’reinterested in music or dance because this will be such a good thing for you to getinvolved in!

My Life and M³Access to the Arts

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Scottish Disability Equality Forum is grateful for the generosity of its sponsors and theirongoing support as we work together toward achieving the goals of the organisation.

If you are interested in sponsoring our magazine ‘Open Door’, please complete our on-line registration form - www.sdef.org.uk/index.php/our-sponsors Alternatively, pleasecontact Susan Grasekamp, Manager for further information onsusan.grasekamp@sdef.org.uk

Open Door is published by

Scottish Disability Equality ForumOffice 2/5, The e-CentreCooperage WayAlloa FK10 3LPTel: 01259 272064Fax: 01259 272065

Susan Grasekamp, ManagerTel: 01259 272063... Email: susan.grasekamp@sdef.org.uk

Keith Robertson, Disability Access OfficerTel: 01259 272062... Email: keith.robertson@sdef.org.uk

Morven Brooks, Information and Communications OfficerTel: 01259 272063 Email: morven.brooks@sdef.org.uk

Marta More, Access Panel WorkerTel: 01259 272062.. Email: marta.more@sdef.org.uk

Maeve Bain, Office AdministratorTel: 01259 272064... Email: maeve.bain@sdef.org.uk

Vicky Innes, Administration AssistantTel: 01259 272064... Email: vicky.innes@sdef.org.uk

SDEF is Registered in Scotland as a Company Limited by Guarantee with Charitable StatusCharity Number SC031893, Company Number SC243392

Patron: Tricia Marwick MSP

Open Door is available in alternative formats on request

Any comments made in any contributed articles do not necessarily reflect thepolicy or the views of SDEF.

Scottish Disability Equality Forum is funded by the Scottish Government