The forum was set up at an event in March 2006. Since then various organisations have been involved in the steering group to move things forward.

The Forum is run by disabled people,

for disabled people.


The steering group is represented at the Strategic Disability Partnership Board (SDP).

News:

Personal Independence Payment - Assessment thresholds and consultation

Personal Independence Payment: assessment thresholds and consultation is intended to seek views on the second draft of the assessment criteria for Personal Independence Payment and in particular on the changes that have been made since the first draft, the proposed descriptor weightings and entitlement thresholds and the draft regulations.

 

At this stage in the development process the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) do not envisage making significant changes to the broad principles or scope of the assessment and so are not seeking views on these.

 

To view “Personal Independence Payment: assessment thresholds and consultation” document, click here

 

To respond to this consultation which ends on Monday 30th April 2012, you can respond by email: pip.assessment@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

 

and post to:

 

PIP Assessment Development Team, Department for Work and Pensions, 2nd Floor, area B, Caxton House, Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9NA

January 2012

Have your say on Bradford Council's 2012 - 13 budget proposals

Bradford Council has released its budget proposals for the next financial year, the Council wants to hear the views of local people, businesses and organisations about its initial budget proposals for 2012-13. This was considered by the Council Executive at its meeting on Friday, 6 January 2012 and can be viewed by clicking here

 

The Conservative Party Group on Bradford Council have also published draft budget proposals for 2012-13 which can be viewed by clicking here, on page 2 it states “Reviewing the closures and proposed closures from the 2011/12 Budget including commitments to sustain Whetley Hill Resource Centre as a five-day provision for vulnerable disabled adults”.

 

You can have your say on the Bradford Council’s initial 2012-13 budget proposals before Tuesday 7th February 2012 by clicking here

 

Two events are being organised for community organisations to discuss the implications of the budget proposals:

 

Wednesday 18th January 2012, 4 - 6pm at Central Hall, Alice Street, Keighley, BD21 3J, for more details about this meeting please contact Lynn Leadbeatter at KIVCA on 01535 612509 or email: lynn.leadbeatter@kivca.org.uk

Monday 23rd January 2012, 2 - 4.30pm at Sharing Voices, Clifton House, Clifton Villas BD8 7BY, - Bradford Budget Community Consultation

A flyer for this event can be viewed by clicking here & more information about this meeting or to book a place please email: admin@justwestyorkshire.co.uk or ring 01274 542222.

January 2012

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Disabled people say that government welfare reforms are a 'sham'

‘Responsible Reform’ is a report on the Government’s proposed changes to Disability Living Allowance written by sick and disabled people, their friends and carers.

The report which was published on Monday 9th January 2012 and finds that Parliament has been given only a partial view of the overwhelming opposition to the Coalition’s planned reforms and that:

  • 98 per cent of respondents objected to the qualifying period for benefits being raised from 3 months to 6 months
  • 99 per cent of respondents objected to Disability Living Allowance no longer being used as a qualification for other benefits
  • 92% opposed removing the lowest rate of support for disabled people

To view the "Responsible Reform: A Report on the proposed changes to Disability Living Allowance, click here

January 2012

The Government must make reforming the care system a top priority

Politicians from all parties are urged to work together to find a way to overhaul the "failing" social care system in England.

Cross-party talks about care given to the elderly and disabled failed in 2010 but will start again in January 2012.

In an open letter to the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday 3rd January 2012, charities, faith-based groups and senior figures in the NHS and local government say the opportunity must not be missed

To the open letter can be viewed by clicking here

January 2012

Fulfilling potential: Working together to empower disabled People consultation  

Disabled people and their organisations are being invited by the Office for Disability Issues (ODI) to help shape future policy and develop a new cohesive cross-government disability strategy.

This consultation which runs until Monday 5th March 2012, itis intended to be a key part of the Government’s commitment to breaking down the barriers to social mobility and equal opportunities faced by disabled people in Britain.

The Government’s stated ambition is to enable disabled people to fulfil their potential and have opportunities to play a full role in society. To realise this ambition, the Government wants to tackle barriers to realising aspirations and individual control, as well as change attitudes and behaviour towards disabled people.

This new strategy will build on previous discussions with disabled people, including the Independent Living Strategy, the Roadmap and the UK’s report to the UN on implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Disabled People.

They would like to hear from disabled people, and the people and organisations that support them.

To download the discussion documents:

To watch a British Sign Language (BSL) video:

To listen to the audio:

You can submit answers to the discussion questions using the online form by clicking here

You can send your response to:

Office for Disability Issues (Disability Strategy Team),
Ground Floor, Caxton House,
6-12 Tothill Street,
London, SW1H 9NA

You can send your response by email to:

                                fulfilling.potential@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

December 2011

What's your Christmas message to the Government?

The Hardest Hit are planning to send a giant Christmas card to the Government to let them know that we are not asking for gifts, but we do want our basic rights protected and the support to enable us to live independently and with dignity.

You can sign the card and leave your message by clicking here

November 2011

Deprived areas hardest hit by cuts say the Audit Commission

It’s official, the Audit Commission has just published research called "Tough times: Councils’ responses to a challenging
financial climate" showing that ‘deprived areas have been the hardest hit’ by public spending cuts….

They’ve produced a natty little graphic (above, which is on page 15) to show it:

The biggest reductions in government support as a share of revenue spending are in urban areas in the north, the midlands and inner London.

Within local authorities, cuts are not uniform (see below, which is on page 28).

In Single tier councils (ie most of them):

  • adult social care is being protected, but still facing a 2.5 per cent spending cut (even taking into account an extra £650 million from the NHS to fund social care and health)
  • planning and development; housing and cultural services are worst affected

The Audit Commission lays bare the impact on services for local people:

  • over 80 per cent planned to reduce the quantity or frequency of some services within education, highways and transport, cultural services and environmental services;
  • over 70 per cent planned to increase charges within adult social care and environmental services;
  • 40 per cent planned to tighten eligibility criteria in adult social care; and
  • 40 per cent planned to reduce some service standards in environmental services, and in highways and transport.

To view the "Tough times: Councils’ responses to a challenging financial climate" Audit Commission research, click here

November 2011

Scope report on impact of legal aid cuts on disabled people

On 14 November 2011, Scope published a report exposing the serious consequences for disabled people if the Government goes ahead with plans to cut Legal Aid.

Launched in advance of the Lords debating a bill that removes welfare from the scope of legal aid, it demonstrates how the Government is in danger of leaving disabled people at the mercy of a complex system of reviews, appeals and tribunals.

Disabled people make up 58 per cent of those who receive legal aid for welfare benefits cases. This translates to over 78,000 disabled people each year who will be denied specialist legal advice if these measures go through.

The report entitled ‘Legal Aid in welfare: the tool we can’t afford to lose’ and commissioned by the Justice for All coalition of charities, legal and advice agencies, trade unions and community groups follows the route five typical claimants take as they as they negotiate red tape and bureaucracy with and without legal aid, and how the appeal and tribunal systems fall down when it is not present.

To view the ‘Legal Aid in welfare: the tool we can’t afford to lose’ report, click here

November 2011

E-petition against cuts to benefits and services

This petition is to

Stop and review the cuts to benefits and services which are falling disproportionately on disabled people, their carers and families

“We ask the government to stop this massive programme of piecemeal change until they can review the impact of all these changes, taken together, on disabled people and their carers. We ask the government to stand by its duty of care to disabled people and their carers. At the moment the covenant seems to be broken and they do not feel safe. Illness or disability could affect any one of us at any time, while many more of us are potential carers.”

To sign the e-petition against cuts to benefits & services, click here

November 2011

Independence, choice and control: DLA and personal mobility in state-funded care

The Independence, choice and control: DLA and personal mobility in state-funded care independent review calls on the government to protect mobility payments for disabled people living in residential care.

The inquiry examined how the mobility needs of people living in residential care are met. It runs in parallel to the government's own internal review of the proposed removal of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment from disabled people living in residential care. 

To view the Independence, choice and control: DLA and personal mobility in state-funded care - Volume 1 report, click here

November 2011

Bradford's Hardest Hit Rally

Campaigning against Cuts to Disability Benefit Payments and Services, Bradford & District Disabled People’s Forum held a Rally in Bradford on Saturday 22nd October 2011.


Despite the October breeze it was well attended, the speeches started off with Emmerson Walgrove, Deputy Chair followed by Paul Anderson a member of the forum & from Contact Peer Support and Kath Wooller from Whetley Hill Resouce Centre.


The rally was calling for an end to the cuts affecting the most vulnerable people in society. Disabled people are already twice as likely to live in poverty.

Now the Government plans to cut 20% from the budget for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) affecting thousands of people. they also plan to take Mobility Allowance from disabled people and children living in residential schools or care.


The government also plan to cut off payments of contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) after a year, for anyone failing or struggling to gain employment within a year will find their benefits cut.


Bradford Council is also implementing cuts to adult care and support possibly leaving the people who are most vulnerable with little support.

To view pictures from the rally, click here

October 2011

The Future of PIP: A Social Model Based Approach

A report produced by various disability, health & homeless organisations on 21st October 2011 suggests that the personal independence payment (PIP), which replaces working age disability living allowance (DLA), will not help those who need the greatest support because of its flawed assessment test.

They believes that unless the assessment considers the social, practical and environmental barriers that disabled people face, thousands of people could be left with the wrong levels of support and in some cases no support at all.

The report urging the Government to reconsider its assessment and to look at all the areas of a disabled person’s daily life where they experience barriers and extra costs and contains a detailed blueprint for an alternative assessment model aimed at better targeting support to disabled people.

To view  'The Future of PIP: A Social Model Based Approach' report, click here

October 2011

Bradford Hardest Hit Campaign - Fighting cut to Disability Benefits and Services Rally

The Bradford & District Disabled People's Forum's newspaper article in Monday's (10th October) Telegraph & Argus regard the rally on Saturday 22nd October in Bradford, click here

October 2011

The Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) myth-buster

The Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC) have produced a ‘myth buster’ highlighting five myths about Incapacity Benefit (IB), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) used by the Government and the media

To view the Disability Benefits Consortium myth buster on 'IB & ESA', click here

September 2011

Inquiry into disability-related harassment

Equality & Human Rights Commission has published 'Hidden in plain sight' -  the final report of ground breaking inquiry into disability-related harassment. The report uncovers not only that harassment is a commonplace experience for disabled people, but also that a culture of disbelief and systemic institutional failures are preventing it from being tackled effectively.

As well as reporting on the extent of harassment, the report also includes a review of ten cases to look at what, if any, lessons have been learnt in each case, and makes recommendations to public authorities to help them deal with the problems uncovered. 

To view the executive summary of the 'Hidden in plain sight', click here

To view the 'Hidden in plain sight' full report, click here

To view the easy read version of the 'Hidden in plain sight' report, click here

To view the 'Hidden in plain sight' in British Sign Language (BSL)

BSL part 1 of 3, click here

BSL Part 2 of 3, click here

BSL Part 3 of 3, click here

 

To view the Disability-related harassment: the role of public bodies research report, click here

September 2011

                                                  

Extending choice of provider

The Government is committed to offering patients a wider choice of qualified provider when they are referred for some NHS treatments.

Giving more choice of provider for some treatments aims to give more power to patients and carers, improve the quality of their treatment and experience of the NHS, and free up clinicians to drive change and improve practice.

The Department of Health has spoken to a number of national patient groups and, having listened to what these groups have said, has drawn up a list of services that people would like to be given more choice of receiving.

This list contains:

  1. musculo-skeletal services for treating back and neck pain
  2. adult hearing services in the community
  3. continence services for adults and children
  4. wheelchair services for children
  5. podiatry (leg, ankle and feet, including toenail-cutting) services
  6. venous leg ulcer and wound healing services
  7. primary care psychological therapy services for adults
  8. diagnostic tests closer to home

NHS Bradford & Airedale want to find out if people living in the district would:

  • like to be given more choice of the above NHS services locally;
  • which of the above services people think would benefit most from being able to offer wider choice of qualified provider locally; and
  • if people think there are other NHS services that local patients would benefit from having a greater choice of qualified provider

NHS Bradford & Airedale would be grateful if you could take the time to complete their survey by clicking here

September 2011

Blue Badge Changes - Have your say

From January 2012 there will be some changes to the Blue Badge Scheme:

There will be a new badge design which will be made centrally. The new design has a number of security features to prevent forgery and fraud.

A photo of passport quality is mandatory for all applications.

Any badges issued/ or replaced after the 31st December 2011 are likely to cost £10.00

You will have the option to submit your application on-line via the direct.gov website and this will be forwarded to Bradford Council for assessment.

A national database of all Blue Badges will be held which will help with the enforcement of the scheme

There will be a national helpline to assist with general enquiries, however Bradford Council will still deal with queries about your claim

Bradford Council is conducting a survey regarding the blue badge scheme changes, you can take part in the survey by clicking here

September 2011

Campaign and petition for more disabled MPs

Disability Politics UK is asking people to sign an e-petition to help increase the number of disabled MPs, there are over 10 million disabled people in the UK.

 

Disabled people are under-represented in all aspects of public and political life.

 

To view & sign the e-petition, click here

 

To visit the Disability Politics UK website, click here

 

To view the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – ‘Article 29: Participation in political and public life’, click here

September 2011

Caring for the future

'Caring for the future' is a website created to enabled dicussion of the future of care and support, based on the findings of reports by the Commission on Funding of Care and Support and Law Commission.

The Government believes there are six area where is the potential to make improvements to the care and support system. These are:

1. Increasing quality and supporting the workforce

2. Increasing personalisation and choice

3. Ensuring services are better integrated around people's needs

4. Supporting greater prevention and early intervention

5. Creating a more diverse and responsive care market

6. The role of the financial service sector in supporting users,              carers and their families.

Between September to December 2011, the Government will be having discussions on these areas with a range of people and organisations involved in care and support but it also wants to hear your opinion.

You can find more infomation and how to respond online, by email or by post visit the 'Caring for our future' website, by clicking here

September 2011

Comments misguided

On Saturday 9th July 2011, Cath Stevenson Chair and Emmerson Walgrove Deputy Chair of Bradford & District Disabled People's Forum letter to the Telegraph & Argus was published.

The letter entitled "Comments misguided" expresses the view that having a disability was not a good reasons for paying low wages and also inviting Philip Davies MP, to our celebration event on 20th July.

To view letter in full, click here

August 2011

YoodoSports.com is a brand new, free online community website designed to encourage disabled people to become more active.  The scheme is currently operating in North and West Yorkshire, prior to a national roll out in 2012.

Yoodo Sports is for anyone who is disabled or has a long term health condition and wants to get more active, and for anyone, with or without a disability, who wants to volunteer as a buddy to keep someone company and motivated to do regular sports and exercise.  Yoodo Sports makes it easier to find someone to exercise with and have more fun.

We all know the advantages of regular exercise, from fighting obesity to reducing our chances of contracting certain long term illnesses, improving our mood to improving our physique.  Yoodo Sports enables you to meet new people and get active.

It’s very easy to join and get involved. The website provides a platform for finding activities, accessible facilities, buddies, buddy groups and clubs. Male or female, young or old, anybody over 18 years old can be a Yoodo Sports member or buddy, whatever your ability or fitness levels.

Yoodo Sports will also provide you with opportunities to feedback your experiences and will provide volunteer buddies with support and recognition for your contribution to the Yoodo Sports community.

To find out more about Yoodo Sports, why not take a look at there flyer by clicking here

You can join this exciting new community with just one click of the button by clicking here or alternatively you can ring the helpline on 08456 717173.

August 2011

Disability not a reason to pay low wages

On Wednesday 22nd June 2011, Cllr Dale Smith Co-Chairman of the Bradford District Strategic Disability Partnership and Councillor for Wharfedale Ward wrote to the Bradford Telegraph & Argus.

His letter entitled "Disability no excuse for lower wages" expresses the view that having a disability is not a valid reasons for paying low wages.

To view Cllr Dale Smith's letter in full, click here

National Personal Budget Survey results

A new social care survey of over 2,000 people released Wednesday 22nd June 2011 reveals that for a majority, personal budgets have a positive impact on people's lives, meaning they are supported with dignity and respect, stay independent,  in control of their support and get that support when they need it.

The National Personal Budget Survey by the charity In Control, and the Centre for Disability Research at Lancaster University which  carried out between January and April this year, also found that people are more likely to experience better outcomes if the personal budgets process keeps people fully informed, and in control of the personal budget and how it is spent; while supporting them without undue constraint and bureaucracy, and fully involving carers.

However, the survey results also found that councils need to provide better quality systems and processes if they are to help continue to transform the lives of older and disabled adults and achieve the best results.

To view the National Personal Budget Survey Report, click here

July 2011

Mencap campaign and report on disability hate crime

Mencap is running a 3-year campaign against hate crime, ‘Stand by me’.

‘Stand by me’ will challenge the police, the criminal justice system and the courts to end hate crime against people with a learning disability.

Mencap’s research report ‘Don’t stand by’ about about how police services currently tackle hate crime against people with a learning disability was published in June 2011.

The research was commissioned to:

  • generate and share learning about how police services currently tackle hate crime against people with a learning disability;
  • identify good practice and what works in tackling hate crime against people with a learning disability;
  • identify the key challenges faced by police services in tackling hate crime against people with a learning disability.

To view the full Mencap 'Don't stand by' research report, click here

To view a easy read version of Mencap 'Don't stand by' research report, click here

July 2011

Using the Law to Fight Cuts to Disabled People’s Services

Irwin Mitchell Solicitors have produced a practical guide for campaigners – disabled people, families, carers and local groups to fight the cuts.

To view Irwin Mitchell Solicitors practical guide, click here

June 2011

Review of work support for disabled people ‘could be moment penny drops on welfare’

Since May 2010, the Government has set out an ambitious programme of employment support to ensure that people disadvantaged in the labour market will get the help they need to find and keep jobs. The aim is that Government programmes should support more disabled people than ever before into employment.

Therefore, the Secretary of State asked Liz Sayce, the Chief Executive of RADAR, the UK’s largest disability campaigning organisation, to conduct an independent review of the Government’s specialist disability employment programmes.

The independent review published in June 2011 and called "Getting in, staying and getting on: Disability employment support fit for the future" recommends a doubling of Access to Work, a pot of money that can contribute towards a support worker or equipment needed at work. It can also pay towards the cost of getting to work if public transport is not accessible.

The review refers to Access to Work "as the Government’s best kept secret", and argues that it isn’t promoted effectively and calls for moves to raise awareness among employers.

To view the "Getting in, staying and getting on: Disability employment support fit for the future" report, click here

Easy Read version of  "Getting in, staying and getting on: Disability employment support fit for the future" report, click here

British Sign Language (BSL) version of "Getting in, staying and getting on: Disability employment support fit for the future" report, click here

June 2011

Survey on attitudes towards disabled people

Results of a poll published by Scope in May 2011 suggest deteriorating attitudes towards disabled people.

The poll found:

  • More than half of disabled people say they have experienced hostility, aggression or violence from a stranger because of their condition or impairment (56%).
  • Half of disabled people say they experience discrimination on either a daily or weekly basis.
  • More than a third (37%) said people’s attitudes towards them have got worse over the past year.
  • 58% of people thought others did not believe that they were disabled and 50% of people said they felt others presumed they did not work.

To view the Scope survey in full, click here

May 2011

The Coalition Government has published its response to the consultation on proposals to replace the Disability Living Allowance with a new benefit, the Personal Independence Payment.

To view the "Disability Living Allowance Reform: Public Consultation - Government Response", click here

May 2011

The Law Commission are concerned about adult social care and reviewing the law relating to the provision of adult social care in England and Wales and have published there Adult Social Care Analysis.

The legislative framework for adult residential care, community care, adult protection and support for carers is inadequate, often incomprehensible and outdated.  To this day, it remains a confusing patchwork of conflicting statues enacted over a period of 60 years. 

There is no single, modern statute to which service providers and service users can look to understand whether (and, if so, what kind of) services can or must be provided.

The overall aim is to provide a clearer, modern and more cohesive framework for adult social care.

To view the Law Commission's "Adult Social Care Analysis ", click here

May 2011

Guide to Mental Heath & Debt

Mental health problems can cause severe debt; severe debt can cause mental health problems - it's a marriage made in hell. The mammoth scale of this national problem is hidden, as both issues carry a stigma.

Debt isn't purely a financial issue. It can break up families, take the roof from over your children's heads, kill confidence, pile on stress, cause depression and even lead some to take their own lives.

One in four have some type of mental health problem; those who do are up to five times more likely to be in debt crisis.

The Mental Health & Debt guide has been put together by Money Saving Expert.com with guidance from charities Mind, Rethink, CAB and CAP..

  • Who's it for? Individuals, families, carers, and caseworkers of those with anxiety, depression, bipolar and other mental health problems.
  • What's in it? How to handle debts when stressed, work with banks, get free one-to-one debt counselling, specific tips for bipolar and depression sufferers, info on whether you should declare your mental health issues and more.

To view the "Guide to Mental Health & Debt", click here

May 2011

Influencing DLA Reform

Mind has submitted a joint response to the Government's consultation on reforming Disability Living Allowance (DLA), along with the Centre for Mental Health, Hafal, Rethink, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Scottish Association for Mental Health.

They decided that combining there experience and expertise on this issue was the best way to try to influence the reform process.

The key changes that the Government is proposing are:

  • Changing the name of DLA to Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • Introducing a new assessment of eligibility (likely to be a face-to-face meeting with a healthcare professional)
  • Requiring people to have experienced a disability for longer before being eligible to apply
  • Changing the 'Care' component to 'Daily Living' and reducing the number of levels of payments from three to two
  • Recognising that the 'Mobility' component should take account of people who have trouble getting around for non-physical reasons

They welcome some of these changes, such as the last two mentioned above, but they are very concerned that the reform process is being driven by a 20% saving target, rather than making sure that all those who need support can access it.

They are also concerned that the Government has not fully considered the knock-on impact of removing DLA from people in terms of their wellbeing and the potential costs to health and social care services.

To view the joint submission, click here

April 2011

‘A’ Boards and Shop Pavement Displays as Obstruction on the Public Highway

On Friday 11th February 2011, Bradford Council's Executive met at which Cath Stevenson the Chair of Bradford & District Disabled People's Forum asked two question about 'A' Boards.

It was decided at this meeting to adopt the guidlines and that the Code of Practice be used  for enforcement thoughtout the City of Bradford Metropolitian District, to view the Exective's decision which can be found on page 5 of the decision list by clicking here

To view the adopted " Code of Practice, Control of Advertising boards and Display of Goods on the highway pavements of the Bradford District", click here

March 2011

Disclamer:

Bradford & Disabled People's Forum (DPF) provides news and opinion articles as a service to our readers.  Often these articles come from sources outside of our organisation.  Where possible, the author and the source are documented within each article.  Statements and opinions expressed in these articles are solely those of the author or authors and may or may not be the view of Bradford & Disabled People's Forum (DPF)