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Disabilities FifeThe voice of disabled people
Spring 2013 Edition
For your Diary:Network Meetings:April 17th………………. Balmullo Village HallJune 12th……………… .Strathearn Hotel, KirkcaldyDecember 11th………...Carnegie Conference Centre, DunfermlineAGMSeptember 25th………..Kingswood Hotel, Burntisland
Chairperson’s Report
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ContentsDIARY:....................................................................................................2Disabilities Fife's Launch Event.............................................................................4NHS Equality and Diversity Strategy Group Dunfermline & West Fife, Community Health Partnership, Public Partnership Forum...................................6Disability Sport Fife Open Golf Championships ....................................................7Lead Scotland takes on new services to support disabled learners and carers....7ENABLE Scotland.................................................................................................8ScotRail.................................................................................................................8Stagecoach has announced a fares increase across Fife from 11 March.............9Go mobile with Radar’s National Key Scheme smartphone app.........................11Dunfermline & West Fife, Community Health Partnership, Public Partnership Forum..................................................................................................................13Changes to disability benefits and, in particular, to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) which most Motability customers use to pay for their vehicles on the Scheme...............................................................................................................14Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)...............................................................16USEFUL TELEPHONE Numbers........................................................................19Useful contact numbers related to safety............................................................19
All Articles are presumed to be correct, but the Disabilities Fife takes no responsibility for any inaccuracies of Articles in this newsletter. The views expressed in these articles are not necessary the views of Disabilities Fife
Welcome to the Spring 2013 edition of Disabilities Fife’s newsletter as we continue to strive to end social exclusion through supporting all disabled people in Fife. Our mantra is Disability not Inability.
We have secured a further 12 months core funding from Fife Council which will enable Disabilities Fife to continue to provide information and advice; our helpline; our website; Network meetings in various locations across Fife; Newsletters; Radar Keys and to act as intermediary in helping members to deal with a wide range of issues affecting their daily lives.
Disabilities Fife is indebted, also, to the financial support provided by the Scottish Disability Equality Forum and, in the next few months, we will be pursuing other funding opportunities. Please be assured that we are mindful that we are an organisation run by disabled people for disabled people and our main focus is to ensure that we represent disabled people’s interests at all times. To this end, we work with associated disability rights organisations to influence policy makers and statutory bodies such as Fife Council, NHS Fife and the Police to include the rights and needs of disabled people in all their work.
Disabilities Fife is facing a number of challenges over the next 12 months and, as indicated at our Launch event last November, we are particularly keen to recruit younger members to shape our agenda and to ensure that our organisation is a voice for all. We have begun distributing leaflets about our work to Fife‘s primary and secondary schools and if you know of anyone who could join the organisation please ask them to contact us.
The more members we can recruit, the stronger our voice in working towards a world in which disabled people are able to enjoy their rights, fulfil their responsibilities and obligations and be able to participate as fully as they choose at every level of society. Our membership is free but any donations from members would be very much appreciated in supporting the range of our activities.
Finally, I should mention that, over the next few months, we shall be working even more closely with FRAE Fife and the Fife Elderly Forum in addressing our respective clients’ requirements under the Equality Act.
John StirlingChairperson
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To help promote the change of name we held a Launch Event on Tuesday 27th November 2012. Mr Bill Gray MBE, from Disabilities Fife gave a talk on the History of the organisation from being the Fife Independent Disability Network to it`s change of name to Disabilities Fife. The guest speakers on the day were:
Hanna McCulloch, from Capability Scotland. Keith Robertson, Disabled Access Officer, Scottish Disability Equality
Forum (SDEF). Colin Orr, from Circles Network. Naeem Khalid, from Frae Fife. Roy MacGregor, from Fife Young Carers. Jack Carr, on Disabilities Fife`s Vision for the Future.
Videos were taken of Mr Bill Gray MBE`s talk and of the guest speakers talks. These can be viewed on our website www.disabilitiesfife.org.uk for free or you may be able to copies from our office (there may be a charge for this to cover our costs)
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John Stirling (Chairperson), Disabilities Fife
Disabilities Fife`s OfficersAnd Guest Speakers
Disabilities Fife's Launch Event.
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Bill Gray MBE, Disabilities Fife
Jack Carr, Disabilities Fife
Hanna McCulloch,Capability Scotland
Naeem Khalid, Frae Fife
John Stirling (Chairperson), Disabilities Fife
Request for Public
Representatives: - NHS Equality & Diversity Strategy Group
The Equality & Diversity Strategy Group seeks 2 public representatives to join its membership. The group has been set up to ensure that Equality Legislation and Best Practice are embedded into NHS Fife. It covers Equality & Diversity from both an employee and service user perspective.
NHS Fife would like to recruit 2 public representatives; this will enable the Equality and Diversity Strategy Group to make decisions based on a wide range of views. Since the Group’s remit covers service users, families and carers, it is essential that there is representation from the public.
The Group’s Constitution and Terms of Reference can be downloaded from our website at www.disabilitiesfife.org.uk . This article can be found on this page with the links to the downloaded documents.
For the remainder of 2013, the Group will meet from 10.00 am to 12.00pm on Friday 19 May, Friday 9 August and Friday 8 November in the Large Room, Staff Club, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy. The venue, which is beside Hayfield House is wheelchair accessible and, if required, hearing loops can be provided
The public representatives will not be required to have specific knowledge or experience.
If you would like to participate, please send a letter and a short statement no later than Friday 12 April to:
Karen BanksSecretary/PPF AdministratorClinical Governance TeamD&WF CHPThe AnnexLynebank HospitalDunfermlineKy11 4UW
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Dunfermline & West Fife, Community Health Partnership, Public Partnership Forum
Organized by
Disability Sport Fife - spectators welcome. Disability Sport Fife offers sporting opportunities for children and adults who have physical, sensory or learning disabilities. It's also considered the most successful branch of Scottish Disability Sport. Venue: Elmwood golf Course Cupar Date Friday 26th April From 10:30 Contact: 08451555555 ext.444989 or email: [email protected] or visit the website: www.scottishdisabilitysport.com
Lead Scotland has recently taken on a range of new services to provide further support for disabled learners and carers across Scotland. This includes an Information Service to provide free and impartial advice about post-16 learning and the support available to disabled learners and carers, as well as a new policy role.Information ServiceOur Information Service is available to anyone with a disability or health condition, including those who support them (both carers and staff), across the whole of Scotland. The service is free as funding has been received from The Scottish Government. We can provide information on a range of issues, including: applying for educational courses and training programmes sources of funding and support for disabled learners support for the people supporting you information regarding disability equality and discrimination and much more .....Freephone helpline: 0800 999 2568 (2-4pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 10am – 12pm on Thursdays and Fridays)E-mail: [email protected]: www.tinyurl.com/lead-info-service (or go the main Lead website and click ‘Information Service’.
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Disability Sport Fife Open Golf Championships
Lead Scotland takes on new services to support disabled learners and carers
ENABLE Scotland, company limited by guarantee (company number SC278976) and registered charity in Scotland (charity number SC009024). Registered office: 2nd Floor, 146 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8BL Full details of associated companies and branches can be supplied on request. This email and any attached files are private and confidential and are intended only for use of the addressee. If you have received this message in error, please notify us and remove it from your system immediately. It is the responsibility of the addressee to scan this email and any attachments for computer viruses or other defects. ENABLE Scotland does not accept liability for any loss or damage of any nature, however caused, which may result directly or indirectly from this email or any file attached. Our e-mail system is subject to random monitoring by us. Anything in this email and attached files which does not relate to ENABLE Scotland's official business is neither given nor endorsed by ENABLE ScotlandFor Services and Information contact ENABLE Direct on 0300 0200101 We’re moving! From the 1st April 2013 our Central Services Office will be moving to
INSPIRE House 3 Renshaw Place Euro central Lanarkshire ML1 4UF
ScotRail has decided to remove the 48 advance notice and will tweet as I write this email. They plan to bring the deep cleaning in-house to reduce the need to provide advance notice to a contractor. The obligation not to charge Assistance Dog owners (all working dogs) for cleaning will remain free and upgrades will be done subject to berth being available, but again this will be free.
From ScotRail
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Stagecoach has announced a fares increase across Fife from 11 March. In addition, some bus services will change on 25 March. See below for a summary of the changes. Details available from the Stagecoach Website soon.6/6A/6B (Kirkcaldy - Leven) Weekday 0630 & 0700 journeys from Kirkcaldy to run 5 minutes later; weekday 1500, 1530 & 1610 journeys from Leven to run 5 minutes earlier
7/7A (Dunfermline - Kirkcaldy) Some early morning journeys from Dunfermline to Kirkcaldy, and from Dalgety Bay to Dunfermline, are retimed
X26/X27 (Glasgow - Dunfermline - Kirkcaldy - Leven - St Andrews) Weekday 1700 X26 journey from St Andrews to run at 1710 as an X27; Saturday 1700 X27 journey to run at 1710; Saturday 1745 X26 journey to run at 1740
55 (Dunfermline - Edinburgh) Sunday daytime journeys retimed
X58 (Edinburgh - Kirkcaldy - Leven) The 2300 departure from Edinburgh will now depart at 2305 and run 5 minutes later
72A/72C (Townhill - Duloch Park Circulars) Timing changes
73/73B (Townhill - Ferrytoll P&R) some early morning journeys to/from Ferrytoll retimed
74/74A/74B (Dunfermline - Blairhall/Steelend) Timing changes
78 (Dunfermline - High Valleyfield/Stirling) Weekday afternoon journeys passing through Alloa retimed
99/99A/99B/99C/99D (St Andrews - Dundee) The 99B reverts to serving Broomfaulds Avenue; minor retimings on the 99A & 99C within St Andrews; some peak journeys retimed slightly to improve connections at Leuchars
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How do I get one?Visit the office with identification (e.g. Blue Badge). If it’s easier, please simply post a cheque along with a photocopy of both sides of your Blue Badge and we will send your key directly.
Is it only for wheelchair users? NOSpeak to us for clarification, but you are entitled to use a Radar accessible toilet if you require assistance in toileting, have a visual impairment etc.
Locked out of the Disabled Toilet?
NKS Radar KeyOpening doors to independent living
The National Key Scheme (NKS) offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the country. Toilets fitted with National Key Scheme (NKS) locks can now be found in shopping centres, pubs, cafés, department stores, bus and train stations and many other locations in most parts of the country. Disabilities Fife believes that everyone who experiences ill-health, injury or disability should have the same freedom and independence as other citizens. An important part of that freedom is having theconfidence to go out, knowing that public toilets will be available, accessible and will meet your needs.
In addition to public conveniences, toilets for disabled people, provided by a wide range of other public, voluntary and commercial organisations, have been fitted with the NKS lock. Around 7000 toilets are now fitted with the lock and can be found from Shetland to Jersey.
Please note any queries or problems, concerning a toilet facility. should be directed to the provider, rather than RADAR.
Instantly locate your nearest toilet facility and get
directions by road, bus or foot. Be confident that when you are out you can locate, unlock and access one of the 9,000 NKS key accessible toilet facilities in the UK. Buy now!
Find up-to-date details of Radar key accessible toilets Instantly locate your nearest facility Search by town, location, postcode or well-known place Get directions by road, bus or on foot Pinpoint facilities that meet your needs Rate, review and build the NKS communityThe iPhone app costs £4.99 and can be bought from the app store
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Go mobile with Radar’s National Key Scheme smartphone app.
The Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group
What is IA?
IA is a national support group for people with ileostomies and internal pouches. Listen Inform Support
Established in 1956 as the Ileostomy Association by a group of people with ileostomies and some members of the medical profession, the organisation now has 54 member organisations in the UK and Ireland. These local groups are: managed by volunteers, most of whom have an Ileostomy or internal pouch.
Ileostomy I Certain Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, sometimes cause such damage to the large intestine (colon) that it becomes necessary for this to be removed. The lower end of the small intestine which is called the ileum is then brought out through the abdominal wall, forming an Ileostomy, so that bodily waste matter can be collected in an externally attached bag.
Ileo anal pouchWith the advances in modern surgical techniques some people now have an internal pouch formed. This surgery involves removing the colon and rectum and a reservoir (pouch) is constructed from small intestine. A temporary Ileostomy may be necessary whilst healing of the pouch takes place.
Temporary IleostomyThis is often referred to as a ‘loop’ Ileostomy, as it is formed by bringing a loop of small intestine out onto the abdominal wall. A temporary Ileostomy may be formed to enable an Ileo-anal pouch to heal, or to allow a join between two ends of large intestine to heal, when a section of intestine has been removed, most commonly for bowel cancer.
What does IA do?Listen-Inform-SupportAlthough major surgery of this nature, with a change of bodily function, will disrupt a person’s lifestyle, especially if the illness has lasted for may years, recovery will often be assisted by contact with people who have been through a similar experience.
The following core activities are provided by IA for people of all ages with an Ileostomy or internal pouch:
Visiting Members’ meetings IA Journal Website Young IA Internal Pouch Advisory services Medical research
IA’s core objectives are to help those facing these operations to return to a normal active lifestyle as soon as possible after surgery. IA is totally funded by donations and subscriptions and most of the 10,000 members have either an Ileostomy or an internal pouch, allowing us to use the 'because we know, we care’ strapline with confidence.
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My name is Betty McNeil and I am secretary of the Fife IA Support Group. We meet three times a year at The Staff Club, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy.
Our members consist of people who have ileostomies, pouches, colostomies and urostomies. We also have members who are family or friends of our ostomists and come along to support them. Our meetings are very informal and friendly with lots of talk and discussions. Everyone is welcome. If you wish to find out more about the Fife IA group please contact me at the address, telephone or e-mail below. I will be more than willing to help with information or support. Mrs B McNeil117 Primrose AvenueRosyth Fife KY11 2TXTelephone 01383 416320 E mail [email protected]
Victoria Hospital Car
Parking Review Group
The Victoria Hospital Car Parking Review Group seeks a public representative to join its membership. The purpose of the group is to review the use of car parking services on the Victoria Hospital site and to propose a revised operational plan which makes best use of the available facilities.
Meetings will be held monthly in the Education Centre, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy. The next meeting is scheduled to take place on 15th April 2013 at 09:30hrs however, the meeting schedule for the remainder of 2013 is still to be agreed.
The public representative should have knowledge of the operation of a large acute hospital and also have an awareness of local concerns around car parking facilities.If you would like to note your interest in participating, please complete the cut-off slip, provide a short statement and return no later than Friday, 12th April 2013 to:
Karen BanksSecretary/PPF AdministratorClinical Governance TeamD&WF CHPThe AnnexLynebank HospitalDunfermlineKY11 4UW
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Dunfermline & West Fife, Community Health Partnership, Public Partnership Forum
Changes to disability benefits and, in particular, to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) which most
Motability customers use to pay for their vehicles on the Scheme.
From 8 April this year, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is introducing a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment or PIP for short.
By 2018, PIP will have replaced DLA for disabled people aged between 16 and 64. People who receive War Pensioners’ Mobility are not affected.
What is PIP?
PIP is a new benefit to help disabled people with the extra costs of being disabled. Like DLA, PIP will have two components: a ‘daily living’ component and a ‘mobility’ component. Each component will have two rates of payment: a ‘standard’ rate and an ‘enhanced’ rate. You will be able to lease a Motability car by using the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP which will be set at the same level as the Higher Rate Mobility Component of DLA. Like DLA, PIP will not be means tested or taxable, and can be paid whether you are working or not.
Who will receive PIP?
PIP will replace DLA for disabled people aged between 16 and 64, even if they currently have an ‘indefinite’ or ‘lifetime’ DLA award. Disabled children will continue to receive DLA until they reach the age of 16. DLA will also continue to be available for those aged 65 and over on 8 April 2013.
How will the DWP decide who gets PIP?
Regulations to finalise the assessment criteria for PIP will not go before Parliament until early 2013. The eligibility criteria for PIP will be different from those for DLA today and existing DLA recipients will not be automatically transferred across to PIP. This means that even if you already receive DLA, you will need to make a claim for the new benefit when the DWP invite you to do so at some point between 2013 and 2018. The DWP will then assess your claim and decide what level of PIP benefit you should receive.
When will DWP invite me to apply for PIP?
From October 2013, children reaching the age of 16 and existing DLA recipients whose fixed term DLA award ends, or who report a change in their condition, will be invited to apply for PIP. From October 2015, all other DLA recipients including those
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with ‘indefinite’ or ‘lifetime’ DLA awards will be invited to apply for PIP. The process of reassessing current DLA recipients should be complete by 2018.
Can I choose not to apply for PIP and stay on DLA instead?
No. If DWP invite you to apply for PIP, you will need to make a claim for the new PIP benefit within four weeks of being invited to do so. If you do not make a claim for PIP, DWP will suspend and then stop your DLA payments completely. It is very important that you do not ignore any communications from DWP; please read any letters you receive carefully and respond within any deadlines.
Will I still be able to use the Motability Scheme once I apply for PIP?
The Motability Scheme will work with PIP in the same way as it does with DLA.
Motability will continue to lease cars, powered wheelchairs and scooters to those people who receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP, which will have the same value as the Higher Rate Mobility Component of DLA.
If you are awarded the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP, then your Motability lease will continue as you move from DLA to PIP.
What happens if I am not awarded the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP?
If you are not awarded the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP, we will not be able to continue to lease a vehicle to you. If that happens, the leasing agreement ends we will arrange with you for your vehicle to be returned we will refund any Advance Payment on a pro-rata basis e.g. if the agreement ended after one year of a three year lease, two-thirds of the Advance Payment would be refunded; and subject to terms and conditions, we may be able to offer the vehicle for sale.
Are these changes happening in all parts of the UK?
The changes explained above will apply to England, Wales and Scotland. The devolved administration in Northern Ireland is working with DWP to consider how changes will be introduced in Northern Ireland.
Do I need to do anything now?
No, you do not need to make a claim for PIP until you are contacted by the DWP at some point between 2013 and 2018.
www.gov.uk/pip
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/factsheets.htm 15
General enquiries about Motability
For general enquiries about Motability and fundraising, please contact:
By post Motability Warwick House Roydon Road HarlowEssex CM19 5PX
By phone Telephone: 01279 635999 (lines are open 8.45am - 5.15pm Monday to Friday), Minicom (textphone): 01279 632213 Fax: 01279 632000Fundraising enquiries: 0845 166 8786 (our Supporter Careline is open 9am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday)
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
I am one of the people who is going to have their Housing Benefit reduced by 14% because the Law says I have a “spare bedroom “ even though it gets use to store my medical equipment, has a single bed so that when my condition plays up more than usual I can move in to the bed so my wife/carer can get a night’s sleep (that kind of me, but if I don`t she could end up with quite a few bruises).
I emailed Fife Council to tell them that the “spare room” was being used. The reply was:You have advised that you require a separate bedroom as an adult member of your household has a disability.
The regulations do not allow for a bedroom to be allocated under these circumstances. You eligible rent will therefore be reduced in April 2013 by the percentage previously advised to you.
I you require extra financial help there is a limited amount of money available to make payments towards your housing costs; this is known as a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). A form has been enclosed should you wish to apply for this.
I thought great, I started filling out the forms. While looking for the required information I thought I`d look into The Discretionary Housing Payment on the Fife
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Council website http://www.fife.gov.uk/topics/index.cfm?fuseaction=service.display&objectid=4D847C32-B97C-D7D0-F123349D67718CFF .I found where you can download a pdf copy of the Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/publications/index.cfm?fuseaction=publication.pop&pubid=8CC30D8C-FC29-A93A-D6379F37E61D2FE3 .
And I also found this:“A Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is a short term payment awarded to people who need help paying their rent, Council Tax or both. In order to qualify they must receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Rebate. Any award made is normally for a period of 6 months.”
I thought what`s the point in filling in this form is just for it to last only 6 months. I thought I might be better just get used to the reduction.
I sent the below question to Fife CouncilI received the Discretionary Housing Payments form and while gathering the required information I had a look through the information on the Discretionary Housing Payment online and found the below. My question is at the end of the 6 month period can a person reapply for the Discretionary Housing Payment and if so now many times can a person reapply Discretionary Housing Payment if any.
“A Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is a short term payment awarded to people who need help paying their rent, Council Tax or both. In order to qualify they must receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Rebate. Any award made is normally for a period of 6 months.”
The reply was: Currently, there is no restriction on the amount of occasions a claimant can apply for DHP, however, a new application would need to be made each time. Also any claimant must demonstrate their inability to pay their rent and evidence of any expenses out with the normal household budget will be required so that consideration will be given as to any further entitlement.
Benefits and Council Tax Enquiries
Tel: 08451 55 11 55 Contact Benefits and Council Tax Enquiries online By Post: Fife Council, Rothesay House, Rothesay Place, Glenrothes, KY7 5PQ
By Robert A Hunter
Wheelchaircarhire T/A Autobility Limited17
Provide wheelchair accessible vehicles for hire on a short term basis or medium/long term leasing and contract hire. Autobility/Wheelchaircarhire have a large fleet of wheelchair accessible vehicles offering a comfortable and flexible solution to allow travel in the wheelchair with additional seating for able bodied passengers and carers. There are a variety of options available and all the necessary safety belting systems are, of course in place. You can also self-drive our hire vehicles on a standard UK driving license.
Wheelchaircarhire T/A Autobility LimitedUnit 2 Newburgh Ind. Est.Cupar RoadNewburghFifeKY14 6HA Tel: 01337 842444Fax:01337 842444www.wheelchaircarhire.co.ukEmail: [email protected]
Disability Housing Success
Disabilities Fife has brought to a successful conclusion and overcame the difficulties of a long running housing problem for a disabled couple in Fife.
Five years ago, due to mobility problems the couple identified the need to move from a two storey house to a bungalow. This proved extremely difficult and despite repeated requests to Fife Council’s Housing Services, no real progress was made on the matter. Consequently they approached Disabilities Fife and we took up the matter on behalf of the couple. Following many repeated requests and representations over many years, Fife Council Housing Services agreed to find the couple a suitable bungalow.
This reflects well on our perseverance as a Disability organisation in ensuring that a positive outcome to this particular problem.
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Inclusion ScotlandTel 0141 887 7058
The below are someuseful contact
numbersrelated to safety
USEFULTELEPHONE Numbers
19Disabilities FifeThe voice of disabled people
SC 026112
Inclusion ScotlandTel 0141 887 7058
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Disabilities FifeThe voice of disabled people
SC 026112
